TomWaitsRox

I'm 47, male, and my grandmother died from bladder cancer. She was a lifelong smoker, and heavy coffee drinker. The only time I smoked was very briefly in my late teens. I only smoked maybe a pack or two total in my whole life. My mother smoked while pregnant with me, in case that is relevant.

Anyway, I am scheduled to see a urologist next week, but I am panicking because my websurfing has me worried that I may have BC.

I went to see my GP last November because of bubbles in my urine. I don't know if this is a recent thing or not, but I believe I have had that before. He checked for protein (24 hour collection), but found nothing. No UTI either. I'm concerned it could be due to a fistula between my bladder and colon or rectum, which could be caused by a tumor. He doubts it. I did have trace blood, but he said that was normal. I've never had rusty or dark urine.

I just had a renal ultrasound, and it was normal except for a small gallstone. However, it didn't scan the bladder area.

However, in discussing this problem it came out that at times I have a burning feeling when I urinate. Not always, and I have had this for many, many years, and it isn't a strong or painful burning. The first time I went to a doctor to check on it was probably 15-20 years ago. They suspected UTI, but there was none. As for frequency or urgency, that's where it gets a little ambiguous. I have a family history of diabetes, and when I first started experiencing frequent urination, I became concerned that I had diabetes. I didn't.

The frequency thing though comes and goes. Most of the time, I don't seem to have any problem with frequency. Every now and then I might have a day where I pee more than usual. Although I have never had a problem with having to get up at night. The urgency question is even murkier. Again, maybe at times I have had the need to go right away, but not very often.

Any lower back pain I have had, I have always thought to be related to poor posture, or sleeping on my stomach. When there is some pain, it's when I bend over or something. It's not an abiding or sharp pain. Just feels like normal lower back pain.

As for abdominal pain, I have had some minor episodes of that, but again, that is something I've had throughout my life. I think most people occasionally have abdominal pain. It's usually just a cramp that goes away in a few seconds, and doesn't last longer than a day.

I know you can't really diagnose someone over the internet, but if you have any guidance or helpful info, I would appreciate it. A week seems like a year to wait to see the urologist. Thanks.