Scared

For quite a long time now - months, if not over a year - I have had a really bad problem with frequent urination.  Honestly, I had no idea why.  Not a clue.  I didn't do any research or talk to any healthcare professionals.  I guess I had always thought it was just going go away.  It had a huge affect on my sleep because I'd wake up 3-4 times a night to go to the bathroom.  About two weeks ago, I had decided enough was enough already.  That particular night I woke up to pee four times and I purposely counted how many bathroom trips I made that day and was in absolute shock when I found that I actually urinated 17 times from the time I woke up until I went to bed.  I knew there was a very big problem.

My father passed away back in 1989.  He was an alcoholic and, until two weeks ago, I had thought the cancer he died of was alcohol related - maybe a kidney or liver type of cancer.  In talking with my mother the other day, she says to me "Andy, you need to get your prostate checked out, your dad died of prostate cancer you know".  I was floored.  I had no idea that it was prostate cancer that took my dad's life.  In doing research at that point, I found out that all men should be checked out every year once they reach the age of 50 and that it should be done starting at 45 if there is a family history of prostate cancer.  I turned 43 last month, so I know I'm not that far away from being in that so-called danger zone.

So I wound up calling my doctor's office and setting up an appointment.  I went in to see him yesterday to have him check my prostate and to give a urine sample.  Well, some of what I found out was expected and some wasn't.  He did an oral exam of my prostate and found out that it is swollen.  He gave me a script to fill to try to treat it medicinally.  I have to go back when I'm finished taking the medicine to see if it worked.  If not, then he'll send me to quest diagnostics to have blood drawn to test for cancer.  He then tested the urine sample and what he found has me shaking even this morning.  There were traces of blood and gluocose in my urine, both strong indicators of potential diabeties.  What confused my doctor was that my sugar level was at 89, a very normal number.  He sent me home with the test kit to perform one after dinner last night, before I went to bed, when I woke up this morning and then after breakfast.  My numbers thus far have read: 218 after dinner, 118 before I went to bed and 139 when I woke up this morning. 

What really bothers me is that so many people were diabetics prior to weight loss surgery wind up having it basically healed after wls.  Here I am, about a month shy of my four year surgiversary, now staring at the very real possibility that I have become a diabetic.  It scares the living day lights out of me. 

Oh Andy. When it rains it pours. I am sorry to hear about your health problems. My dad has been type 2 diabetic to 15 years and he discovered that he was diabetic because he was thirsty all the time and going to the bathroom every hour on the hour if not more. I hope you find the answers that you need. They have come a long way with diabetes management. I will pray for you that your prostate tests come back normal. Take care of yourself.

Thanks Shilpa.  My mother is also a diabetic, so it does have a history in our family.  Actually, I believe my mom was close to the age I am now when she found out she had it.  I watched in horror as she stuck herself with needles twice a day to give herself insulin.  She's been taking pills for sometime now, so at least that part made me feel better for her.  To be honest Shilpa, I'm not sure what I'm more scared of - to find out I'm a diabetic, why I may have to live with for the rest of my life, or the possibility of having prostate problems.  Obviously, if my worst nightmare came to reality and it turned out I did have cancer, I'd be crushed.  But the one thing I am is a fighter and the one thing I don't do is quit.  I'm getting myself mentally prepared for any and all news. 

Andy,

Here's hoping that everything comes back normal and that it's just something like BPH causing the swelling and frequent urination.  Keep us posted!

Karen

Okay Karen, I believe every person is entitled to one stupid question per day.  So here goes mine.  I've always heard of BPH, but I honestly don't have the foggiest idea of what it is, not to mention what BPH even stands for. Could you help me out?  Thanks.

Andy,

Not a stupid question at all...  Not being a guy OR a medical person, I can only point you to references and tell you that I've known several guys who have had it at some point.  Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a condition where the prostate is enlarged and is apparently pretty common. 

Mayo clinic has this to say: 
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/prostate-gland-enlargement/DS00027
Wikipedia as this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benign_prostatic_hyperplasia

Hopefully they will be helpful in putting your doctor's results into better context for you.

Karen

Andy,

Hang tight, I know its upsetting, but what ever will be will be.  You can only do so much to help yourself.  I know its freaky as well.  I've often thought to myself, WLS cures diabetes for diabetics and gives diabetes to to those who didn't have it previously.  That may not sound right, but think about it.  Eating 6 small protein based meals a day, eliminating sugars and refined carbs, watching fat intake.  Thats the life of a diabetic.  So now that you have the heads up on all this stuff going on with you, you can follow up on it to keep ahead of it. Wishing you all the best, surgery buddy.

Hey Nan,
I appreciate the comforting words.  You're right, it is ironic how so many wls patients had diabeties before surgery and had it cured, then many of us wind up living a diabetic lifestyle afterwards.  I guess you're right, there's nothing I can do to control the outcome of the tests.  I'll find out more within the next few days.  I'm just mentally preparing myself.  I still live with my sister and her husband and, unfortunately for me, they eat very unhealthy.  He's hispanic and cooks 90% of his meals in grease or oil.  A lot of stuff like fried chicken, fried rice, crap like that.  And my sister was never big on filling the cabinets with healthy snacks.  It's a sweet lovers' paradise.  I've come to the realization that I'm going to have to start going to the grocery store with her and pick out the foods I was so used to eating for the first couple years following surgery.  Thanks for always being there with kind words Nan.

Andy,

Sorry to hear that you have all this health stuff going on and glad that you finally got proactive and sought medical advice.  Like you, I tend to minimize things that are going on with me physically until they force me to, but as I get older, I have found I have gotten a little better at doing what needs doing before it is red alert status.  I truly hope that whatever news you get, it is not as serious as you are thinking and as for being diabetic, that would really stink, but on the other hand, because of WLS, you know how to correctly treat it via diet and exercise, so hopefully that is all that will be required, if that. 

Wishing you the best, Laureen

Hey Laureen, long time no talk.  I am so glad to see you continue to be an inspiration for so many of those that came along after you did.  The wls community needs success stories to keep them motivated.  I hear you on minimizing things.  I suffer from that old-fashioned "I'm a man, I'm not lost and I don't have to stop at the gas station to ask for directions" syndrom.  I never think I'm lost  - whether it's on the road or when it comes to my life in general.

I just attempted to take my after breakfast test and the machine read ERR3, which I'm assuming means it had problems reading the strip.  Problem is, the doctor only left me enough strips to do the four tests, so I have no idea what to do.  I have to go into his office this afternoon to bring it back to him, along with the results.  We'll see what he says. 

Thanks for the well wishes Laureen and I will keep you posted.