Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
In My 40’s I Was Told I Needed Ureter Dilations
Posted on
Tue, 20 Aug 2019
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Tue, 20 Aug 2019
Answered on
Last reviewed on
Question : In my 40’s I was told I needed ureter dilations because of a tightening of the ureter. Doc said I was having bladder spasms as a result. After several procedures he did a dilation with me under anasthesia. About three days later I was moving a couch around the room and passed a large blood clot. Bladder spasms started after that and were even worse than any I had before. Doc put me on Oxybutinin. Took about a week for the pain to subside. I continued the Oxybutinin all these years. Noticed that when I tried to lesson the amount I was taking it was very hard to control my urine. Never had any other bladder spasms until a few days ago. Had some pains that felt like I was getting a dialation, for about three days, off and on throughout the days. Now 3 days later I am having less of those pains but now have a dull ache that feels like the original bladder spasms again. What do you think might be happening?
Brief Answer:
Urinary infection and urinary tract stones should be ruled out first
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service,
I carefully read your query and understand your concern.
Any urinary symptom (pain included) needs to be evaluated with urinalysis. This is to rule out urinary infection.
Also, if a small stone is trying to come out and blocks certain areas of the ureter until it reaches the bladder may cause such pain as well. This is why urinalysis is needed and if blood is seen a stone may be suspected and then an abdominal ultrasound and x-ray may be indicated to try to visualize it.
Meanwhile, you seem to have overactive bladder, as oxybutynin helps you control the urine. Overactive bladder generally does not cause pain but may cause problems with urine control, which warrants the regular use of Oxybutynin.
On the other hand, pain in the low abdomen may be caused by other organs as well such as the bowel, ovaries and the womb. The ultrasound will also clarify if the ovaries and the womb are well. As for the bowel, if you are constipated or you have difficulty with your bowel movement, the pain may be related to it. The ultrasound will also rule out a hernia.
To conclude:
- because you are developing symptoms that you did not have in a while, it is best to have a check and especially a urinalysis to rule out infection.
- If blood is noticed in the urinalysis or if the doctor suspects stones, ultrasound and x-ray of the abdomen may be ordered to rule out urinary tract stones.
- other causes of the low abdominal pain should be considered as well (ovaries, womb, bowel, hernia). An ultrasound will also rule out a hernia and visualize other pelvic organs as well.
- your doctor may ask for a gynecological visit and if you have not had a pap smear in the last 2 years, this may be a good time to have it as a routine check.
I hope this answers your query. I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician
Urinary infection and urinary tract stones should be ruled out first
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service,
I carefully read your query and understand your concern.
Any urinary symptom (pain included) needs to be evaluated with urinalysis. This is to rule out urinary infection.
Also, if a small stone is trying to come out and blocks certain areas of the ureter until it reaches the bladder may cause such pain as well. This is why urinalysis is needed and if blood is seen a stone may be suspected and then an abdominal ultrasound and x-ray may be indicated to try to visualize it.
Meanwhile, you seem to have overactive bladder, as oxybutynin helps you control the urine. Overactive bladder generally does not cause pain but may cause problems with urine control, which warrants the regular use of Oxybutynin.
On the other hand, pain in the low abdomen may be caused by other organs as well such as the bowel, ovaries and the womb. The ultrasound will also clarify if the ovaries and the womb are well. As for the bowel, if you are constipated or you have difficulty with your bowel movement, the pain may be related to it. The ultrasound will also rule out a hernia.
To conclude:
- because you are developing symptoms that you did not have in a while, it is best to have a check and especially a urinalysis to rule out infection.
- If blood is noticed in the urinalysis or if the doctor suspects stones, ultrasound and x-ray of the abdomen may be ordered to rule out urinary tract stones.
- other causes of the low abdominal pain should be considered as well (ovaries, womb, bowel, hernia). An ultrasound will also rule out a hernia and visualize other pelvic organs as well.
- your doctor may ask for a gynecological visit and if you have not had a pap smear in the last 2 years, this may be a good time to have it as a routine check.
I hope this answers your query. I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
