Ultrasound with full bladder

[Pammylynn8]

I have a cyst on my ovary and the last time I had to get an ultrasound they wanted my bladder FULL. That might have been as painful as childbirth for me. The told me to drink two big bottles of water an hour and half before and when I got there, they didn't bellieve how much pain I was in. I think she thought I was faking. Finally they let me know me "go" when the did the intravaginal kind.
I have to go back in for another US in a month and a half and they will want the same thing. How much fluid do you think I really have to drink? I think my bladder was distended beyond it ever was and I think the IC made it worse fo course. Any suggestions?

[ICNDonna]

My suggestion is to talk with your doctor about doing the test the same way as last time so you don't have to do the drinking.

Donna

[nanawaggs]

Hi, Pammylynn ~ When I needed my US I explained that when I'd finish the water I'd be in excruciating pain if they couldn't take me right away and I was fortunate that the receptionist called the tech who told me not to worry about drinking all the water. What a blessing. Regardless, even drinking one bottle puts me into pain. At least they try to do it quickly for us.

Take care and I'd ask the tech if it's absolutely necessary.

[Pammylynn8]

Thanks for the advice! I will definitely ask that as well.
I seriously think the tech thought I was faking which made me so mad. She was like, I know this is a little uncomfortable (probably thinking "deal with it"). I hope this time goes smoother!

[Mothergoose]

They need a full bladder to do the test, how much that would mean you need to drink depends. Ic can make your bladder capcity shrink so less able to hold as much fluid.

I would call the place that is doing the ultrasound and explain your situation and what happened last time and ask them what they think. They may even have a record of how much was in your bladder when they did the last ultrasound they do ussally measure this, so if your bladder is small it should have shown up, so maybe they will be able to guage how much you need to drink.

My bladder never empties so if I drink the amount they recomend to drink i am way over full and I am in pain, the tech total me for future ultrasounds to only drink 1/2 of recommend amount.

The risk is if you get there and your bladder is not full enough they will get you to drink more and wait a period of time and check again to see if your baldder is full enough. This can put them off schedual so you may end up waiting a long time to get in for the test and may end up in the same boat in pain and over full.

I do recommend you call and explain your situation, they have given you standard orders for a normal bladder.

Good luck MG

[crkshnks79]

The same thing happened to me when I needed an US , I was in so much pain I couldnt go through w the test , I was writhing in pain ! The nurse yelled at me to stop moving and moaning , that I was being ridiculous , that this is simply uncomfortable for everyone and that I was overreacting . I hopped right off the table and walked out to use the bathroom . When I came back in I explained IC( nicely even , I believe in killing w kindness , also sarcasm gets across better that way ) and her repsonse was I didnt see anything wrong w your bladder , I explained that she wouldnt unless she scoped me. She went on and on about how I ruined the test , at the end of it I asked for her supervisor's name and phone number and that I would be reporting to her about how I am disabled through social security for my " perfectly fine" bladder and how this ignorant nurse treats special needs patients . Yes I considered IC a special needs issue when it comes to needing instant access to bathrooms , and considerations must be made considering the outcome of having to hold too much fluid in our bladders can literally disable us w a flare that can last for days . Whether some medical personel understand IC or even if they havent heard of it , they should NOT treat any patient rudely . The supervisor was very nice , in fact she even knew of IC , and she said that she would see to it that the nurse would be disciplined and that her staff would be educated about IC , so that there shouldnt be anymore future problems . I would def talk to your doctor and let him know how painful it was for you to get a full bladder US , and see if there is another way of going about it , maybe they can order a ct scan instead and then just do the transvaginal one so that you dont have to go through that again . Good luck !

[Pammylynn8]

oh my Lauren, that is really sad that she treated you that way!! UGH!! Why do people have to be so rude? I am hoping that if I talk to to hosp. staff before hand, that is where I get US, they will be more sympathetic. It is crazy that I am more scared to fill up my bladder with water than go down a gigantic water slide!!

[crkshnks79]

Pam , thats a good idea to be proactive instead of having to be reactive like I was . You also have the right to refuse tests , if accomodations arent being made for your specific needs . Hopefully it doesnt have to come to that ! Good luck !

[dg2901]

Call the office and talk to a supervisor explaining your situation. Its not unheard of or unreasonable for the tech to fill your bladder via a catheter, do the US then drain your bladder. This eliminates you having to drink so much fluid and be uncomfortable waiting on the US to be done.

[Claire_A]

I recently had a ultrasound at a hospital for cysts ( I was in so much pain but no cysts were found) the hospital staff were amazing. The doc I had, had not heard of IC but I explained that having 1 liter of water in my bladder would bring me to tears ( I also explained that if they didn't do it quickly I would have to use the restroom and start all over again filling my bladder because I simply can't hold it). She said not to worry. She asked me to drink a 600ml bottle of water and notify the nurse as soon as I felt the slightest urge to go. I was then taken immediately into the ultrasound room and all was done very quickly.

I was in and out with no pain.

Just explain as best you can to the nurses/doctors. I was presently surprised.

[KarenAnne]

Pammylynn: I am an ultrasound technologist (sonographer) in the ob-gyn field. We do vaginal ultrasounds 98% of the time because that type of scan demonstrates the uterus & ovaries the best. It is done with an empty bladder. If I were you, I would have my ultrasound done at a hospital or radiology office where the sonographers are experienced & comfortable doing this type of scan. Pelvic ultrasounds done with a full bladder are really rarely done anymore. They are necessary only if the ovaries are positioned high in the pelvis, there are large uterine fibroids, there is a large ovarian cyst, or a large pelvic mass. Also make sure that the sonographer is registered in the field that they are scanning. (ob-gyn,abdominal,vascular, cardiac,etc.) You will probably have to get out your phone book, or google radiology offices, & make several calls to find out. Ask for the office manager or ultrasound supervisor. Let me know how you make out.

[mary124]

When I last had a US I told the receptionist that I might not be able to drink the full amount tht is needed do to my IC, she told me to start drinking when I get to the office and when I couldn;t drink anymore than let them know.
They got me in pretty quick as well.