Hi Adam, good to hear from you. The GP referred you in order to check for a physical impediment such as a restriction in the urethra or a polyp getting in the way. Note that the urologist is interested only in the physical side of things and may not even have heard of shy bladder syndrome.
I have also been to a urologist and done the flow test; mine was done in a little room on my own with no time pressure and no-one waiting outside. I had all the time I wanted, and your being asked to turn up an hour early show that will be the case for you too. You pee into effectively a funnel, which feeds into a flowmeter, and the rate of flow is measured., probably onto a print out. That way when you see the urologist, he will be able to see what your flowrate is. Don’t worry if you can’t pee, or if the flow is weak; you know that is a symptom of the paruresis, and you can just tell him that. You can even tell him what the flow is like when you are in your comfort zone.
Occasionally a urologist will find something; but is he does not, he will say there is nothing wrong with you; just remember that he means that from his perspective, i.e. physically. If that is the case, the GP can then think about referring you for CBT.
Or you could come back for a workshop; our techniques have improved since you last attended, and so you may benefit from a refresher. WDYT?
Andrew
6 years 1 week ago