Had cystoscopy this morning -- feeling fine!

[klite]

Hi everyone,

Like many other people on this board who have read some of the unfortunate troubles that some people have had with their cystoscopy, I was feeling really nervous (read: terrified) about my procedure.

Well, I had a cystoscopy this morning under general anesthesia at the hospital. I had already been consulted in full about the procedure last week, so I knew what I was to expect this morning. My bladder was feeling decent the past few days and now it feels pretty much the same.

I had no blood in my urine - neither right after when I peed at the hospital nor anytime in the 6 hours since I've been home. The worst pain I experienced was in my urethra on my first 3-4 trips to the bathroom. Now there is barely any pain. I have some discomfort (like pressure pain) from drinking a lot of water (I've been drinking steadily since I got back) mostly, but in terms of IC pain .... my regular flaring is much worse.

I would describe my pain today at about a 3/10 or 4/10. I would rate my usual flare anywhere from 6/10 to 10/10.

I was given no pain meds and have only taken two ibuprofen for a headache (not a lot of sleep + stress + anesthetic = headache). And that's it.

I'm going to keep drinking water and keep resting as lying down does feel better on my bladder/urethra than sitting at my computer chair!

Good luck to everyone who has a cystoscopy coming up.

[KatieB]

Good for you!!!!

I'm so glad it went well!! Just keep resting and drinking and peeing!!!

[traceann]

I too am glad to hear it went well for you!

[klite]

Thanks for the support!

I just wanted to add that what I had done yesterday was a cystoscopy with hydrodistention. I don't know what the results are until I talk with my urologist in a few weeks (he is one of the busiest urologists in the city, but worth the wait I think).

I had an in-office cystoscopy done with gas two years ago ... and that was a terrible experience for me. That procedure, done by a horrible doctor, caused me A LOT of pain. I actually ended up filing a formal complaint against that doctor because he left out a lot of info about what was being done to me and just had an incredibly rude and dismissive manner. I know now that if I don't like or trust the doctor -- get a second opinion right away!

(My urologist basically told me that he thinks that the in-office cystoscopy with gas is outdated and not good for patients with IC).

That previous experience also added to my anxiety about the cystoscopy yesterday. I was worried that my bladder would be beaten up today, but I have awoken this morning feel totally fine. And I only got up to pee once in the night! Amazing considering how much water I drank yesterday and that I usually get up a lot more.

I'm going to be taking it easy today (watching Freaks and Geeks!), but I feel confident that I made the right decision to undergo the procedure yesterday.

Again, good luck to everyone waiting for their own cystoscopy. Talk to your doctor and make sure that you are doing what feels right for you!

[ICNDonna]

I'm glad it went well for you.


Donna

[bob04951]

Congrats! Glad all went well for you. Sometimes the anticipation is the worst part, think sometimes get so worked up it makes it worse. So happy for you, and what did they find? Jill, wife of Bob

[mary124]

Glad everything went ok with you. Sounds like you will be fine. I have had quite a few and never did have any problems (some major bleeding with one time that went on for a few days and the doctor didn't do anything said it would stop (now mind you I am on coumadin (a blood thinner) and I couldn't be on my meds while bleeding; needless to say I am not seeing this doctor anymore). But other than that, I am usually fine the next day (usually have my done on Thursday and like I said by Friday I am ok, of course I take it easy the rest of the weekend and for the most part I can go to work the following Monday, providing if I take it easy.

[klite]

Finally found out my results!

Thanks for all positive wishes everyone!

After waiting a month (!), I finally met with my urologist to discuss the findings of my cystoscopy. Turns out that my bladder, while looking quite irritated, does not show any signs of ulcers or bleeding. That is definitely a relief to hear. The urologist told me that I have what he would call an "irritable bladder." He also said that my bladder was unusually large (apparently large bladders run in my family ... my grandmother had a notably large bladder too. Funny!) and that I drink too much water during the day.

So I guess I have what some people call "mild IC" or just "my bladder freakin hurts sometimes!" I'm trying to keep in mind that it is not the name I give my pain that matters, but that I focus on dealing with the symptoms in positive and productive ways.

My plan of attack now is to keep following the IC diet and continue to get more exercise. I am also going to keep a close track of how much water I drink during the day and how it affects my urgency. I do think that a lot of my problem stems from prolonged anxiety and stress (grad school was not kind to me) and that the more I relax and recover mentally, the more I will heal physically. I am certainly in a better place today than I was 6 months ago.

I am so glad that I decided to go through with this cystoscopy, even though I was terrified after my first in-office with gas cystoscopy. My urologist this time wasn't amazing (too busy to really talk with the patient), but I trust his findings.

Knowing that my bladder is not severely damaged is a relief. I'm trying not to get too excited, but maybe one day I will be able to have orange juice again!

[cosake]

Glad you got results from your hydro. I fall into the same category as you - mild IC. My hydro did not show any ulcers, etc. either, but it did show "irritation".

I am careful of what I eat and take some Prelief if I'm not able to discern all of the spices or ingredients that I will be eating, or if I'm eating something that could be an irritant.

Some of those things for me are pineapple juice, lemonade, tomatoes, chili peppers and paprika. I still eat tomatoes, but in very small amounts at a time. I've cut back alot on the amount of tea that I drink and only steep my decaf tea bag for about 1 minute these days.

Good luck - I don't know if I'll ever dare to drink a citrus juice ever again. Really a bummer after discovering my favorite drink was pineapple and Malibu !

[425runner]

Can the cystoscopy be done with local anethesia and sedation? I have one coming up but don't want general anesthesia or spinal block. I'm terrified!!

[cmclien]

Hi Runner, do you mean cysto with hydro? If so, maybe ask your doctor if they can do it with a local as doctors usually have strong opinions about this and might think you would have breakthru pain or something with a local, thus the reason for doing a spinal? Not sure. I just had the regular cysto so had no pain meds or anything and it didn't hurt. Can't imagine having my bladder over-filled without being out or having an epidural or something. Maybe if you explain your reasons they will discuss it as an option with you.

[cosake]

Cysto with hydro I had under general anesthesia. No pain, no memory of it. No problems after with the anesthesia or any pain, thankfully.

Had two recent cystos in surgical room at local clinic to remove two kidney stents and had no anesthesia. Not as bad an experience as I thought it would be. Stent removal was most painful part and you wouldn't be having that.

[nekura]

Can the cystoscopy be done with local anethesia and sedation? I have one coming up but don't want general anesthesia or spinal block. I'm terrified!!

They usually use local and Valium for regular scopes. If it's a hydro you don't want to be awake.

[klite]

I agree with the above posters ... I had the option to have general or local anesthetic and went with general because I was scared of the potential pain and really didn't want to have another memory of having my bladder prodded at!

[Mothergoose]

Just a thought, have you been tested for urinary retention?

I have a very lg bladder capacity, but it is from haveing retention for so long it has streached out.

This maybe part of your problem.

They can easily test for this with an ultrasound.

MG