First of all, a urologist usually takes an x-ray, and an ultra-sound. If he/she requires more information, they'll do a systoscopy inside the uretha, so they can see the bladder and get a culture.

Most stones can be anywhere from the bladder, to blocking the tube before the bladder, or occasionally lodging and developing inside the bladder itself.--But, actual bladder stones are rare.

In my case, over a period of years, because the rebuke sessions I had to endure for several years for the frequency of of needing to urinate, I resorted to tanking up on salt in my diet.

That was dangerous, and I nearly drowned several times from not being able to urinate.

After I have a bowel-movement, my bladder completely eliminates. Over a period of time, because I didn't replenish my fluid loss fast enough, my bladder was grounds for stone formation.

Since my surgery, after a bowel-movement, I slowly take fluids over the next hour, and urinate a couple of times to get fluids mobilizing through my uretha.

Most of what I learned has been through personal observation, because doctors specialize in not really educating patients.

> Iron, I wonder if it is not was blocking my
> bladder right now. Because, there is always
> something that feels like the passage is not
> completely open. The only thing that retains
> me to go pass the exam for the bladder is
> the pyelography dye that I am allergic to.

There are tests they can do without the use of dyes. But, I think I remember one year, the kidney test you're thinking about.

Discovering where it is at, is the doctor's job. I never located mine.

> I
> know I had kidney stones for many years, and
> it is perhaps in my bladder for a few years
> now. I have still even when I do not have
> infections go to the washroom every hour or
> two during the night. What kind of tests did
> you have to go through before they
> discovered the "stone"?

Personally, I was worried about cancer, and was relieved when they told me, that it was a huge stone.

The reason for the infections, from what you say, seems like they are from a stone. However, I am not qualified to diagnose it. The tests are detailed above in this post.

If they locate a stone, after they remove it, increase your fluid intake; after bowel-movements, begin to drink small amounts of fluids right away. (Just don't drink too much, so that it hinders digestion of food).

Most recent reports on stones indicate that lowering the salt and protein intake, and drinking enough water throughout the day, prevent nearly all stone formation.

Stones form more easily from dehydration. If your body has the proper balance of fluids, stone formation should be eliminated. But, it's important to not hold on, when you need to urinate or have a bowel-movement.

Elimination of waste and proper hydration should help metabolism, and increase the oxygenation of your blood system!

Ha! Just call this another fine post by medical correspondent, Doctor Ironsides.