Cystoscopy? Help.... - Urology Message Board

sonic · 05-16-2005, 05:07 PM

Hi all~~

well, next month I suppose to have one of these & im terrified

I dont have a bladder infection but my dr wants me to do this test where they inflate your bladder with a gas?? does anyone know what this is??
Im freaked out & am considering backing down.

Thanks 4 any info

Iphigenia · 05-17-2005, 05:34 PM

Hi

I actually had a cytoscopy five days ago, so I can tell you all about it. I was admittedly terrified...I have a phobia of needles and being put to sleep, which didn't help, but it really wasn't that bad (and that's amazing to hear, coming form me). I'm assuming your doctor will put you to sleep...that's what they generally do. If he's not, I'd suggest asking for it.

You can't drink past midnight the day of the surgery. When you get to the hospital or outpatient center they'll hook you up to an IV and put water in it to keep you hydrated. Then they'll give you a sedative to relax you. You'll get to talk to all of the nurses and your anesthiologist about the medicines they'll use to put you to sleep. They'll either do it through the IV or a mask. They used the mask for me...you'll wake up in recovery room and you might feel some discomfort in your bladder, like you really, really have to go. It's common that bladder pain will be increased after the cytoscopy for a few days, but it'll go away...your doctor will most likely prescribe you a bladder relief pill, antibiotics (to prevent infection), and maybe narcotic painkillers, so it shouldn't be THAT bad. I'm doing fine now, still in a little discomfort, but it's fine. You can ask me any questions if you'd like...good luck..

sonic · 05-17-2005, 08:53 PM

IF i was being put to sleep,,I wouldnt have a problem with it.

They dont do that here,,,believe me,,I ASKED...lol
I think you are the exception to the rule. Ive been asking many people about this & nobody has been given the option of being put to sleep before hand~
Maybe you had more "Invasive" testing done?

Iphigenia · 05-17-2005, 10:07 PM

Hmm...well I'm in a support group for my bladder condition, and almost everyone there has gotten a cytoscopy done. Some were put to sleep, some weren't. After searching the net some, it just seems like it can go either way (being put to sleep or not), some urologists are just different. I figured though that most would be put to sleep since it's not fun to be awake for, but I guess it's more down the middle than I thought...although from my support group it seems to me like the majority are put to sleep :\ Mine wasn't more invasive that average.

From what I've heard though it's really not THAT bad being awake...just very uncomfortable because you have a strong, irritating urge to urinate when the cytoscope is inside.

Iphigenia · 05-18-2005, 01:58 PM

New information for you...talked to a few people. If you're getting a cytoscopy by itself it will not be very painful, however, if you're getting a cytoscopy with hydrodistentilon or hydrodilation (which is common, it's where they fill up your bladder to determine it's capacity), it will be incredibly painful. Hope that helps