Cystoscopy
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Archives1
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I spent more time worrying about it than the doctor did actually preforming the procedure! It's uncomfortable, but it's not unbearable. Take a deep breath and relax when they get close the prostate and they will be in before you know it. I bet the actual camera part took 30 seconds. If you can stand to look, make sure to check out the screen. It was really cool seeing inside my own body.
Archives1
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I get these every few months. My first one was twenty years ago with a doctor who used a rigid scope, and it was pretty painful. Since then, I've learned a few things:
1. Don't let them use a rigid scope - I doubt this is much of a concern anymore, but just in case, insist on a flexible scope.
2. They should put some lidocaine gel in your urethra to numb it, but often they don't wait long enough to let it take effect. 20 minutes is a minimum for me.
3. If they don't give you lidocaine, insist on it.
As others have said, it's generally not horrible, but it can be pretty unpleasant. You can get through it, though - it's over quickly!
One thing that's historically made it harder for women is that many doctors (mostly male) had the wrong wrong-headed belief that women's urethras are less sensitive because they're shorter, so they wouldn't use lidocaine. Hopefully most doctors have realized by now that numbing is important for everyone!
1. Don't let them use a rigid scope - I doubt this is much of a concern anymore, but just in case, insist on a flexible scope.
2. They should put some lidocaine gel in your urethra to numb it, but often they don't wait long enough to let it take effect. 20 minutes is a minimum for me.
3. If they don't give you lidocaine, insist on it.
As others have said, it's generally not horrible, but it can be pretty unpleasant. You can get through it, though - it's over quickly!
One thing that's historically made it harder for women is that many doctors (mostly male) had the wrong wrong-headed belief that women's urethras are less sensitive because they're shorter, so they wouldn't use lidocaine. Hopefully most doctors have realized by now that numbing is important for everyone!
Archives1
Staff member
@Jwh51, In my experiences some were more painful than others. Technique of the doctor is what I believe is a contributing factor.
Reread, @ltapilot's post, it summarized the major asks/points. Another factor is whether you have a pathway issue (e.g. stricture, narrow/wide, sensitivity, or other obstructions). I've had experiences from good to bad; the latest ones thankfully on the good spectrum.
Reread, @ltapilot's post, it summarized the major asks/points. Another factor is whether you have a pathway issue (e.g. stricture, narrow/wide, sensitivity, or other obstructions). I've had experiences from good to bad; the latest ones thankfully on the good spectrum.
Archives1
Staff member
@Jwh51 I’ve learned to take a washcloth to bite on. You can also try the technique of pinching yourself somewhere to put yourself in more pain than you have when they’re in your urethra, because then it puts you in charge of the worst pain which gives your brain a sense of control, which helps you relax and somehow feel less pain. I prefer to pinch the spot between my forefinger and thumb, that thin fleshy bit. It helps somewhat. This technique definitely helps in moments such as getting dental anesthetic inserted with a needle. I pinch that spot and I win over the dental pain, yahoo! But it definitely doesn’t work with bad chronic pain, like arthritic pain. It works best in acute pain moments.
I should note that my cystoscopy hhurt so bad because my now-retired, former urologist used a rigid scope. It provides them with a sturdier picture. But maybe we should all ask for not-rigid scopes. I get rigid-scoped every time I get Botox (quarterly). My new doctor gives me lidocaine like my last doctor did - but I’ve learned from friends here to instruct her to give it 15 minutes to kick in. That kind of anesthetic takes a while to kick in for me, like the types dentists use. I always need more than they think, and more time for it kick in.
For Botox, which requires that I receive 44 injection points, the lidocaine doesn’t help with the internal bladder pain whatsoever, but it does help the pain from the catheter. A cystoscopy is nothing compared to the pain of getting Botox. I think maybe they always have to use a rigid scope for that so they can also have the needle moving in and out simultaneously??? All I know is that the setup is about the size of my pinky. I took a photo of how big it is compared to other caths.
I’ve also watched the scope screen to see the inside of my bladder. I was surprised to learn that my bladder isn’t just round inside like all the 2D graphics make it out to be, but rather, it has gloppy chambers here and there. Interesting; it helped me understand some of the sensations of peeing, like maybe the front chambers empty the fastest but then I’m waiting and pushing to get the back chambers to evacuate. Anyway - I’m glad I looked at least once! Go for it!
Before I go in for Botox, as per my doctor’s suggestion, I take a Percocet with a Valium and get driven to and from the appointment. Perhaps if you have those meds at your disposal, you can do the same - and/or - ask your urologist for prescriptions to one dose’s worth for the procedure. It *really* helps and you’re only woozy for a few hours.
The bottom line is that aside from bad pain, you will live through it. I know you already have a high pain tolerance so I’m sure you can muster through. I think knowing what to expect in advance is very helpful. I didn’t have that before I had my cystoscopy and urodynamics done; I hadn’t yet found our lifesaving forum. Going in cold to those back-to-back procedures was probably the most vulnerable, unexpectedly humiliating, and embarrassed I’ve ever felt at any medical appointment.
Good luck! Please let us know how your procedure goes!
I should note that my cystoscopy hhurt so bad because my now-retired, former urologist used a rigid scope. It provides them with a sturdier picture. But maybe we should all ask for not-rigid scopes. I get rigid-scoped every time I get Botox (quarterly). My new doctor gives me lidocaine like my last doctor did - but I’ve learned from friends here to instruct her to give it 15 minutes to kick in. That kind of anesthetic takes a while to kick in for me, like the types dentists use. I always need more than they think, and more time for it kick in.
For Botox, which requires that I receive 44 injection points, the lidocaine doesn’t help with the internal bladder pain whatsoever, but it does help the pain from the catheter. A cystoscopy is nothing compared to the pain of getting Botox. I think maybe they always have to use a rigid scope for that so they can also have the needle moving in and out simultaneously??? All I know is that the setup is about the size of my pinky. I took a photo of how big it is compared to other caths.
I’ve also watched the scope screen to see the inside of my bladder. I was surprised to learn that my bladder isn’t just round inside like all the 2D graphics make it out to be, but rather, it has gloppy chambers here and there. Interesting; it helped me understand some of the sensations of peeing, like maybe the front chambers empty the fastest but then I’m waiting and pushing to get the back chambers to evacuate. Anyway - I’m glad I looked at least once! Go for it!
Before I go in for Botox, as per my doctor’s suggestion, I take a Percocet with a Valium and get driven to and from the appointment. Perhaps if you have those meds at your disposal, you can do the same - and/or - ask your urologist for prescriptions to one dose’s worth for the procedure. It *really* helps and you’re only woozy for a few hours.
The bottom line is that aside from bad pain, you will live through it. I know you already have a high pain tolerance so I’m sure you can muster through. I think knowing what to expect in advance is very helpful. I didn’t have that before I had my cystoscopy and urodynamics done; I hadn’t yet found our lifesaving forum. Going in cold to those back-to-back procedures was probably the most vulnerable, unexpectedly humiliating, and embarrassed I’ve ever felt at any medical appointment.
Good luck! Please let us know how your procedure goes!
Archives1
Staff member
Jason, reading the responses here, you are probably not looking forward to this procedure. I wasn't going to add my 2 cents to the mix, but now think I ought to. I've had it a few times and can add my voice to the advice that you get the idocaine. Very much like a catheter, when it comes out, you're done.
Archives1
Staff member
I have had a number of cystoscopies over the past few years after having bladder cancer removed. Although the procedure is uncomfortable, it only takes a few minutes and I have tolerated it. I guess I would say it sounds a lot worse than it is. However, although I get a couple of antibiotics after the procedure, I think the scope can irritate the urethra and bladder and lead to a UTI.
Archives1
Staff member
My experience agrees with those that say its not nearly as bad as it sounds. I have had three and found them mildly uncomfortable but not painful. Agree with the need for lidocaine ... it my procedures its use was standard procedure.
I looked at the screen and asked questions. It was interesting!
You'll be fine!
I looked at the screen and asked questions. It was interesting!
You'll be fine!
Archives1
Staff member
I had it done and like most of you said. They numbed me up and then they did it and it was over in like 2-3 minutes. Thankfully didn’t find anything that would explain why there is blood in my urine. Now I wait to see the nephrologist kidney specialist and take it from there. At least it wasn’t bladder cancer so guess will see what comes next. From my naturopathic doctor on her machine it registered as iga nephropathy. However the only way to officially diagnosis that would be a kidney biopsy.
I guess time will tell and I am very grateful they ruled out some negative possibilities. So can’t complain. Again thank you all for the support and guidance.
Cheers
Jason
I guess time will tell and I am very grateful they ruled out some negative possibilities. So can’t complain. Again thank you all for the support and guidance.
Cheers
Jason
Archives1
Staff member
Jwh51 said:
The urologist informed me today that I will have my very first soon in an OR. He will remove 2 ingrowths (1.5cm the greatest, don't know the dimension for the 2nd). However, he said that none of the tests (CT scan, the ultrasound and the rest give a precise dimension. And that is why he needs to see it during cystoscopy. He confirm anesthesia but did not mention which one will be. I too have blood in urine and sometimes lots of it. For the past month I started to see bubbles and foam in the urine. From what I read this can be a sign of protein in your urine (proteinuria), which requires further evaluation. And that doesn't sound good. Anyone else experience similar symptoms, thank you.
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