Resolved question:
Please can you reaasure my that I am doing the right thing. I am a 51 year old woman who has been suffering from quiet extreme health anxiety for the last 4 years ( brought on by the menopause I think ) I have had as a result hundreds of test and scans all of which have come back as negative, because I am in a constant state of terror that there is something wrong with me. I am trying to take control with the help of CBT . For the last 2 years or so I have had unexplained microscopic blood in my urine, I have seen 3 urologists and had two KUB ultrasounds, which showed nothing except possible a tiny stone in my kidney, I have been told that because I am very slim and the machines where very good that they most probably would have picked up any polyps or lesions . I could have a cystoscopy which would obviously give me more reassurance but I am trying to have a more rational response and they are suggesting that as my risk factor is less than 3% it is up to me. I would like to live with that risk if you agree. There has been no increase in the amount of blood in the last 2 years ( it is only a trace, v v microscopic ) and am I right in asuming that if it was something nasty then most likely it would have got worse over a 2 year period, and that the amount of blood would have increased ? My husband and I also follow the 2 day a week fasting diet to try and promote good health .
Do you think that it is ok to not have the scope ? Having repeated test fuels my anxiety and I have to stop some day and except that there are no point in scanning everything all the time, and that the risk is really very small ? The last urologist I saw said that the blood could be related to the fact that I have queit extreme vaginal atrophy . What are you thoughts ? Do you think it is an exceptable level of risk to wait and do nothing for now . Sorry to be long winded ! thank you . Apart from my anxiety I am extremely fit and health and well. I do not smoke . Thank you very much. Obviously if there is ever any visible blood I will go straight to my doctor. I am trying to live life and excpet that there are always risks... the only fear I have is cancer, any thing else doesnt scare me. So really what I am asking is do you agree that the risk of bladder cancer is less than 3% ? ....possibly less than 1% ? And would I be right in assuming that if there was a tumour there over 2 years there would be an increase in blood and that it would probably not be microscopic... ? thank you ! Sorry to be long winded !
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Urologist
Dear Madam,
You have been microscopic hematuria for the last few years and in all probably you don't harbor anything major. It would have become apparent by now.
However, this microscopic hematuria is not letting you to be at ease and you are being troubled at all times. Although you have very little risk I still advise you to undergo cystoscopy and get rid of the anxiety.
Take care
Sincerely
Dr Rajiv Goel
MS (AIIMS), MCh (AIIMS), DNB ( Uro)
thank you for your advice, would you agree that there is a less than 3% chance of cancer ? Sorry to go on, Its just that it is not just my bladder i worry about, I keep having everything checked and my GP says that I have got to stop the maddness by living with calcutated risk !
Yes, there is hardly 1-2 % chance of cancer.
I can understand you are worried, but please relax!
Regards.