Posted by Phil on 25/11/2010, 11:41 am

Just got back from an appointment to see a urologist; I wanted to get trained in using (CIC) clean intermittent self-catheterisation (as a fool-proof last resort when fluid loaded for graduated exposure therapy in public toilets should sections of the cubicles be closed off, this has happened in the past). Before I got to see the urologist a nurse called me and showed me the toilet, gave me the sample bottle. I told her I didn't need to go right now, she said, "You must be able to go! Just a little bit?" I went into the toilet (right next to a very busy waiting area), next to the toilet pan an open hatch (to leave the sample bottle). There appeared to be several people in the room through the hatch with radio turned up loud. It wasn't going to happen so after a few minutes trying I gave up and sat back in the waiting area, no sample provided. Went in to see the urologist, showed the ukpt leaflet "do toilets make you nervous?" and Steven Soifer's book. He said that he had been practicing as a urologist for 15 years and had never seen a patient with this issue before! Just goes to show how well people hide this disorder. He was unwilling for me to be shown CIC at this time (worried about possibility of infection, damage to bladder and he thought I would become reliant on CIC for the rest of my life). At least he said he would ensure my GP made an appointment for me to see a clinical psychologist with specialism in anxiety disorders and would consider me again for learning CIC in conjunction with that. I definitely think that more education of medical professionals is needed regarding AP, I find it hard to believe that even urologists haven't heard of it. Phil

493