ultrasound

[Laura18]

im getting an ultrasound of my bladder taken soon. what exactly does this look for?

[ICNJess]

Hi Laura,

I am not sure, maybe deformities? I have no idea, I hope someone can help you soon. Good luck, keep us posted!! grouphug

Hugs and love,
Jess

[Sarojini]

Ultrasound is excellent for imaging fluid-filled structures; for instance it is often used if a doctor feels a lump in a breast. It can differentiate a fluid-filled cyst in woman's breast from a solid mass, without the need for doing a needle-aspirate biopsy (which is painful).

It's also good for imaging bladders, which are often fluid filled. I think your doctor is probably looking for deformities in your bladder.

In addition, it's often used to image kidneys and bladder because with ultrasound, they can see "pockets" of infection in the walls of these organs...sometimes, if an infection isn't responding to antibiotics well, it is because a pocket of bacteria has essentially walled itself off in part of an organ, and the antibiotics aren't reaching it as a result. This sort of thing can be seen on ultrasounds. I had an ultrasound for this purpose about 10 years ago.

I think the best thing, though, would be to call your doc and ask him/her specifically why the ultrasound exam has been ordered...

Good luck... and I will tell you the exam is painless, they run a probe over your belly and back for about 10-15 minutes and it's done! grouphug

[Zanni2]

One thing I would like to warn you about ultrasounds of the bladder is that you will be instructed to drink several glasses of water about an hour before the exam. The bladder has to be full for the ultrasound so you won't be allowed to urinate until after the test. Personally, I found this experience to be excruciating painful because of the tremendous pressure caused by all that water. I was crying and begging to be taken right away because I couldn't stand holding it even for a short time! If I were you, I would ask your doctor if you can have a CAT scan instead. Maybe you can be saved from this agony! eek At least CAT scans don't require drinking water and they are supposed to be pretty accurate.

Good luck,

Zanni2 angel

[buana1]

Hi Laura,

I had two ultrasounds done. The first one I went to a "place" that does ultrasounds. I was instructed to drink 32 oz of water 2 hours before -- I think I drank somewhat less and did have to pee before leaving home, but still was in agony until the test was over.

Then, I switched urologists. My new urologist had an ultrasound in the office and just did one while I was there for my initial visit -- no drinking water, not waiting in agony. Simple and easy. And totally painless.

My point??? If you are instructed to drink a lot of water by a receptionist or nurse, I would ask your doctor what is really necessary. There does have to be urine in your bladder, but I think the doctor can guide you as to how much is really necessary. Nurses and receptionists must go by the standard guidelines....they cannot make judgement calls. Ask the doctor.

Good luck!

[classics]

I've had several ultrasounds over the years. I learned something recently about all that water.

One time I went in and was really uncomfortable when I got there and asked if they could do it right away. The technician was behind in schedule, so they had me completely empty my bladder and start drinking again. I only had time to drink two medium sized cups of water and I drank that in about 20 minutes. When I had the ultrasound, I was concerned I didn't drink enough, but my bladder was full enough for the test. The technician told me that I was a small person, so I didn't really need a whole 32 ounces.

The next time I had an ultrasound I drank 16 oz. before I went in and felt better when I got to the appointment. But this time I wasn't quite full enough, so the technician had me drink one cup of water and returned 15 minutes later. She used that time to start on my paper work. Next time I'll try drinking 20 oz. and see what that does.

[theclownster]

Hi! I had the bladder scan a couple months ago in the urologist's office and I did not have to drink any water. And after hearing the stories here - I'm glad I didn't. Talk to your doctor - the nurse that did the ultrasound said that they were looking to see if the bladder was functioning and for abnormalities - but I'm not sure what else.

Let us know how you do -
Take Care and Good luck!
Jennifer