Cysto & Kenalog Injection

[KathiB]

I went to a new specialist (at the U of MN) and they want to do a cysto with an injection of Kenalog (a steroid), Lidocaine and an antibiotic.

I've never heard of injections in the bladder other than botox. Has anyone else had this? I've searched the board and didn't find much.

I'm scheduled for this procedure Sept. 13.

My last and only other cysto was in May. They did a hydrodistension and a urethra dilation - and I suffered for two months afterward. My bladder went into full retention immediately after the cysto, and then again a week later - for 5 whole days. I mention this all to let you know how unexcited I am at the thought of another cysto again so soon.

Please let me know if you've heard of this type of injection. Thanks!

[ICNDonna]

I've heard of all of those things being instilled, but not injected into the tissue.


Donna

[nanawaggs]

Kathi, like Donna said about those meds being instilled in the bladder, I'm one who gets those instillations. I did read somewhere about Kenalog injections intramuscularly, but I've not heard of them in the bladder either. Maybe you can call you doctor to find out. I wouldn't think a cysto alone would be as painful as when you had the hydro but have you asked why your doctor wants another one so soon?

Take care and may all go well. Please keep us posted.

[Bladderella]

Re: Cysto & Kenalog Injection

The only prescribed medication I take currently for IC is 25 mg of Hydroxyzine twice a day. I had a 3 month follow-up this week with my urologist and he asked me how things were going. I told him I still have extreme urgency and I void on avg 25 times in a 24 hour period including 5-8 times after bedtime. For the next 4 weeks, he wants me to try hydroxyzine three times a day to see if there is any improvement. If there's still no improvement, he wants to schedule me time in the O.R. to stretch my bladder and inject my bladder with Kenalog. Although I've seen on this board where people have had Kenalog in an instill, I haven't seen where people have had Kenalog injections.

Just wondering if anyone has had this done, and if so what were your results?

[Iwannapaint]

Re: Cysto & Kenalog Injection

I'm so happy to have found this thread as I just had five injections last week. This is my first time trying this therapy so unfortunately I don't have much to report yet, but I'm happy to share my limited knowledge on the subject.
I have severe IC and have struggled for eleven years now. The only treatments that have worked have been yearly hydrodistention and fulguration (sp?) but the relief is very short lived - maybe 4 months. The rest of the year is just awful. Over the past three years, my doctor has been hinting at possible bladder removal; he keeps telling me it's the worst bladder he's seen. My last hydro was in May. At my follow up he asked if I wanted to go for a second opinion at Hershey Medical Center as he's heard of some success with severe IC - so of course I said, "let's do it".
At Hershey, Dr. Elliott tells me that this is a very little known therapy that she has found to be helpful for bladders like mine. Unfortunately, it does take 4 to 6 weeks until a patient feels symptom relief so I'll be happy to report back in September. The treatment does cause increased frequency for about 72 hours afterwards. I'm told that the treatment can last anywhere from 4 months to a year - with most patients going 6 months. It was done under general anesthesia but she tells me once the bladder is better it can be tolerated without going under. She tells me that when she goes back in for a second treatment she can see rings of healthy tissue where she applied the first injections and will do the repeat injections in the still red areas. She is also recommending PFD therapy once we calm the bladder down. Of course there's always the chance that I don't respond to this therapy, but for now I am cautiously optimistic. I'll update when I have more to offer.
Good luck to you!

[Bladderella]

Re: Cysto & Kenalog Injection

Thank you so much for replying, Iwannapaint. My urologist said he has had some patients who need to have it done every 4-6 months and he's had some patients who've only had it done once and continue to do very well. I am NERVOUS about having ANYTHING being inserted into my bladder for ANY reason as I remember how much pain I was in for a few days following the cystoscopy. However if it will help my IC long term and improve my quality of life (which isn't awful, but could be better)... I'll do it. I'm to call my urologist at the end of August to let him know if hydroxyzine 3 x a day is helping. If it's not, then the Kenalog injections looks like my next step. *GULP*. Pease keep us posted as to how it turns out for you.

[Iwannapaint]

Re: Cysto & Kenalog Injection

Just wanted to update on my recent bladder injections. I am still feeling cautiously optimistic, but it hasn't been easy. For 5/6 weeks after the injections my bladder was in a full on flare. I was able to tolerate it by using my pain meds a little more freely than is normal for me. However, I was still able to continue to work everyday. Everything started calming down week 6 thru 8 when I started noticing a different kind of pain and it was clearly my pelvic floor muscles. I find it amazing that I couldn't tell the difference before. Clearly my bladder was feeling better. I had my follow up appointment last week and we are now going to be starting with pelvic floor therapy. I'm fortunate in that we have a practice that specializes in PFD close to where I live and I'm excited to see what relief this might add. I don't anticipate that therapy will be easy, but I am hopeful that in the end it will be worth it. I will update again in a few months! Blessings to everyone dealing with this condition!

[ICNDonna]

Re: Cysto & Kenalog Injection

Just wanted to update on my recent bladder injections. I am still feeling cautiously optimistic, but it hasn't been easy. For 5/6 weeks after the injections my bladder was in a full on flare. I was able to tolerate it by using my pain meds a little more freely than is normal for me. However, I was still able to continue to work everyday. Everything started calming down week 6 thru 8 when I started noticing a different kind of pain and it was clearly my pelvic floor muscles. I find it amazing that I couldn't tell the difference before. Clearly my bladder was feeling better. I had my follow up appointment last week and we are now going to be starting with pelvic floor therapy. I'm fortunate in that we have a practice that specializes in PFD close to where I live and I'm excited to see what relief this might add. I don't anticipate that therapy will be easy, but I am hopeful that in the end it will be worth it. I will update again in a few months! Blessings to everyone dealing with this condition!

Thank you for the update. I hope you continue to improve.


Donna