cystoscopy

Hi,
Has anyone had a cystoscopy that can relate their personal feelings in regards to the procedure. Is it that painful. I read the brochure but it doesn't address specifically whether they will take into consideration your pain factor. Any reassuring comments. I guess to be frank I am a bit fearful about the procedure. I guess I need to research how to utilize the cute little icons everyone is using. I guess between teaching, parenting and dealing with my physical issues I am quite taxed for time. I have to say that it has been a blessing to state my feelings on this great web site. The commonality we all seem to share makes me feel connected and blessed.

Capricorn3

Hi Capricorn,

I can only comment from what happened to me, but here in Australia they seem to always do a cystoscopy under a general anaesthetic. It was day surgery at the hospital, put to sleep and afterwards I could go home once I had woken up properly and gone to the toilet. Of course no driving for 24 hours.

I think I have read on some posts that in the US they do this procedure in some Dr's offices and it does not involve a general anaesthetic. However, afterwards I experienced some burning and soreness on urination and a slight blood loss on the toilet paper. This settled down within 48 hours, there was less and less sting each time I went. I think it is important to drink plenty afterwards to prevent any blood clots, check with your Dr for any specific post-procedure instructions.

Sorry I can't tell you more than that, as I was asleep for the whole thing! I hope it is not too painful for you, I am sure they would use a local anaesthetic at least.

Best wishes,
Blossom

Hi...


I have had several cystocopies...one in a surgicare center, and several in my uro's office. They were done with local anesthetic. They insert numbing gel into the urethra before putting the scope in. It is a bit uncomfortable, but the whole process is done in 5-10 minutes, tops.

Usually you are given cipro (antibiotic) to keep an infection away. There is some burning the first couple of days, and like Blossom said, maybe a bit of bleeding. Anything more than that would be unusual.

Actually, thinking about what was going to happen was probably much worse than actually going through it.

To use the icons...look to the left of where you are typing, there is a screen called "smilies". You can either click on it, or type in the code for the icons.

Might I ask what your cystocopy is for? That may determine whether you have a general or just a local anesthesia.

Good luck and many s!!

Dee

HI. I had one at the end of March. I was very scared of the procedure. It was not half as bad I thought. They put in numbing gel before they start. I did not feel much at all. It was a bit sore at night. Good luck. It will be fine.

I had a cystoscopy just a couple weeks ago...

I was put out for a lap at the same time since it can be quite painful when it is done for interstitial cystitis.

The procedure itself isn't what hurts but the interstitial cystitis from what I understand.

WebMD states the following



How To Prepare

Tell your doctor if you:

Have allergies to any medications, including anesthetics.
Have had bleeding problems or take blood-thinning medication.
Are or might be pregnant.
You will be asked to sign a consent form before the procedure. Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have regarding the need for the test, its risks, how it will be done, or what the results will indicate. Complete the medical test information form to help you understand the importance of the test.

Cystoscopy can be performed with local, spinal, or general anesthesia. Discuss with your doctor which method is best for you and whether you should plan on staying overnight in the hospital. If you will not be staying in the hospital, arrange for someone to drive you home after the test.

If a local anesthetic is used, you may eat and drink normally before the test.
If a general or spinal anesthetic is used, do not eat or drink anything for at least 8 hours before the test.
You should empty your bladder just before the procedure. You may be given antibiotic pills to prevent a urinary tract infection that could be caused by the test.

How It Is Done

Cystoscopy is performed by a urologist, with one or more assistants. The procedure is done in a special testing room in a hospital or the doctor's office.

You will need to take off all or most of your clothes, and you will be given a cloth or paper covering to use during the test.

About an hour before the test, you may be given a sedative to help you relax. An intravenous (IV) needle may be placed in a vein in your arm to give you other medications and fluids. You will lie on your back on a special table with your knees bent, legs apart, and your feet or thighs may be supported by stirrups. If a flexible cystoscope is used, you will lie flat on your back instead of having your legs supported by stirrups. Your genital area is cleaned with an antiseptic solution, and your abdomen and thighs are covered with sterile cloths. An anesthetic gel may be injected into the urethra through a syringe to reduce discomfort if you are having local anesthesia only.

If a general anesthetic is used, you will be put to sleep either with a medication given through an IV or by inhaling gases through a mask, or both methods may be used. If a local anesthetic is used, the anesthetic solution or jelly is inserted in your urethra.

If a spinal anesthetic is used, the area on the back where the needle will be inserted is first numbed with a local anesthetic, then the needle is guided into the spinal canal and the anesthetic is injected. A spinal anesthetic may prevent movement of the legs until the anesthetic wears off.

After the anesthetic takes effect, a well-lubricated cystoscope is inserted into your urethra and slowly advanced into your bladder. If your urethra has a spot that is too narrow to allow the scope to pass, other smaller instruments are inserted first to gradually enlarge the opening.

Once the cystoscope is inside your bladder, solution (either sterile water or saline) is injected through the scope to help expand your bladder and to create a clear view. A medication may also be injected through the scope to reduce the risk of infection. Tiny instruments may be inserted through the scope to collect tissue samples for biopsy; the tissue samples then are sent to the laboratory for analysis.

The cystoscope is usually in your bladder for only 2 to 10 minutes. However, the entire procedure may take from 5 to 45 minutes, or longer if X-ray tests called contrast studies (such as retrograde pyelography or cystourethrography) are also performed.

A common but temporary side effect of this test is swelling in the urethra. A urinary catheter may be left in your bladder to help drain the urine until the swelling in your urethra has subsided.

If a local anesthetic is used, you may be able to get up immediately after the test. If a general anesthetic is used, you will stay in the recovery room until you are awake and able to walk (usually an hour or less). You can eat and drink as soon as you are fully awake and can swallow without choking. If a spinal anesthetic was used, you will stay in the recovery room until sensation and movement below your chest returns (usually about an hour).

How It Feels

Most people report that this procedure is not nearly as uncomfortable as they had expected.

If a general anesthetic is used, you will feel nothing during the procedure, but after the anesthetic wears off your muscles may feel tired and achy. Some people experience nausea after receiving a general anesthetic.

If a local anesthetic is used, you may feel a burning sensation or an urge to urinate when the instrument is inserted and removed. Also, when your bladder is irrigated with sterile water or saline, you may feel a cool sensation, an uncomfortable fullness, and an urgent need to urinate. Try to relax during the procedure by taking slow, deep breaths. Also, if the procedure is lengthy, lying on the table can become tiring and uncomfortable.

If a spinal anesthetic is used, you may find it uncomfortable to lie curled up on your side while the anesthetic is injected. You will probably feel a brief stinging sensation when the anesthetic is injected. You may feel tired and have a slight backache the day after the test.

Risks

Cystoscopy generally is a very safe procedure. If a general anesthetic is used, there is a small risk of death from the anesthetic (less than 1 in 3,000). There is no risk of loss of sexual function. The most common complication is a temporary swelling of the urethra, which may make it difficult to urinate. A catheter inserted in your bladder can help drain the urine until the swelling goes away. Bleeding sometimes occurs, but it usually stops on its own.

A mild infection in the urinary tract may occur after cystoscopy, but it can usually be prevented or treated by taking antibiotics before and after the procedure. In rare cases, the infection can spread through the body, and in very rare circumstances, usually with seriously ill people, the infection can be life-threatening. Another rare complication is a puncture of the urethra or bladder by one of the instruments, which requires surgery to repair.

After the procedure
After the procedure, you may need to urinate frequently, with some burning during and after urination for a day or two. Drink lots of fluids to help minimize the burning and to prevent a urinary tract infection.

A pinkish tinge to the urine is also common for several days after cystoscopy, particularly if a biopsy was performed. However, call your doctor immediately if:

Your urine remains red or you see blood clots after you have urinated several times.
You are unable to pass urine 8 hours after the procedure.
You develop a fever, chills, or severe pain in your flank or abdomen after the procedure. These may be signs of a kidney infection.
You develop signs of a urinary tract infection. These signs include:
Pain or burning upon urination.
An urge to urinate frequently, but usually passing only small quantities of urine.
Dribbling (inability to control urine release).
Urine that is reddish or pinkish, foul-smelling, or cloudy.
Pain or a feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen

hope that helps...
ces

Hi Capricorn...

When I had the local anesthetic for the cystoscopy, there was no prep to be done, no fasting, etc. Also, I was able to drive myself there and home, no problem.

There is an odd feeling when they fill your bladder for you, but it does not hurt. (The water comes out the scope, so it isn't like they are putting in a hose in there or anything )

Hang in there!

Dee

I am scheduled for a cystoscopy on 5-19 and have not been given any details at all about what the procedure involves. Only thing they told me is that they will use a local anesthetic, and as a result I have been quite anxious about the whole thing. I am one year post-TVH and have had bladder problems ever since my surgery. Medication had not helped at all, so hopefully this procedure will provide some answers.

Karen