cystoscopy tomorrow. Scared.

[Deena]

My biggest concern at this point is pain and discomfort afterward's. This is what he is planning on doing. Cystoscopy, retrogrades and cytology. I have been reading too much info and am now scared on how I will feel afterwards. Any advice would be great. I don't think he is going to do the potassium instiulation test (heard that was really really painful). Any personal experiences would be appreciated. Also found out that his dx before this is IC.

Deena

[ICNJess]

Hi Deena,

I had a cysto/hydro almost a year ago. It caused me discomfort, but at least I knew what was wrong. And also, there's a chance you could go into remission. Reading about these procedures could scare anyone, but please remember everyone is so different. I'd do my hydro again if I had to, you are sleep and don't even know what's happening.

Love,
Jess

[Kiyoka]

Hello, I had mine done almost one year ago as well as jess. I was in pain for about five days, only because I had mine done, and I didn't rest..so be sure to rest. but after the five days I felt the same as before.

[ICNDonna]

It's always scary to have a new procedure done and it's totally normal that you are nervous about it.

I do suggest you be sure you have pain pills available for after the procedure in case you need them. The first few times you urinate may be painful, but usually after that it's not bad.

You'll probably be tired afterwards and I suggest you get some rest for a few days. Having an anesthetic is always tiring.

Sending warm healing thoughts,
Donna

[Shelka]

Hello All,

I'm new to the board (I hope I'm posting correctly!) and have had IC (diagnosed) for the last 6 years. I'm going for a hydrodistention procedure next week and am *very* afraid, particularly because of the spinal (I didn't want general). Has anyone had the hydro done with only a spinal and if so, can you share what the experience was like (e.g., how strange of a feeling is it? etc).

Thanks!
Best to all!

[ICNDonna]

I have spinal anesthesia for hydrodistentions. When I arrive at the hospital, they do give me something to help me relax. After the spinal is administered, I have absolutely no feeling from about waist down. I don't feel the procedure, but watch it on a TV screen. They keep me in post-op recovery until the spinal wears off and I can move my legs.

When they administer the spinal, you will be either on your side, curled up with your knees and chin as close as possible --- or they will have you sit up and lean over. When I have one, they always put in a tiny amount of anesthetic just under the skin --- when they do the actual spinal, it feels like pressure there when they insert the needle, but it's not bad at all.

I think the strangest thing is being moved from the operating table to the gurney --- you can see them move your legs, but you can't feel it.

I get horribly sick from general anesthesia so I always opt for a spinal if it's possible for any procedure.

Sending an encouraging hug,
Donna

[lotsofgirls]

Hi Georgie,
I had my hydro last year done with a spinal and it went very well. The needle didn't hurt because they froze the area first. When the spinal took affect I was awake of course, and for the first time in months I was pain free! I started crying I felt so relieved and the anestiologist (spelling ugh), felt sorry for me and wanted to give me a spinal every day to relieve the pain. I got to watch the whole procedure which was fascinating to see the inside of my bladder. Then I went off to recovery and the numbness wore off. They had given me pain meds before the numbness wore off and I took them according to the directions and it wasn't too bad.

Good luck, I'll be thinking of you,
Cath

[Shelka]

Thanks for you replies, it's very encouraging to hear some positive hydro stories -- at this point I think my fear of living my the IC this bad is worse than fear of any procedure!!