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cystoscopy and urethral dilation

Posted , 28 users are following.

HEZ64
HEZ64

help !!! i have recently been for a cystoscopy after having persistant uti's .I was told i had a very narrow urethra and was advised to go for a urethral dilation under GA .This is booked for Dec 8th but I have been told horror stories of this not working and I would eventually lose bladder control and would be self catheterising eventually!! Does anyone have any information or experience and if they had it done did it work? I am going out my head with worry and my own GP hasn't been much help by stating it is my decision.I have had uti's and blood in my urine for 19 years.

2 likes, 55 replies

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  • Tazchurch
    Tazchurch HEZ64

    Posted

    Worked fine for me and that was over 25yrs ago, I don't even think about it except when try and remember for those forms have to state what ops had. Tend to forget to mention it even then smile
    • HEZ64
      HEZ64 Tazchurch

      Posted

      thankyou!!! This post was years ago and I decided not to go for surgery after the frightening experiences of others but now find myself in the same situation after further uti's and unexplained bleeding,going for a cystoscopy again.I am scared stif
    • Tazchurch
      Tazchurch HEZ64

      Posted

      I know that the post is an old one but decided to answer it anyway because horror stories are just that and people just love telling them to all and sundry.

      As to the now. Try not to worry too much or be too scared, not easy except for me to say!! See what is said after the cystoscopy and take it from there.

      Thinking of you and big hugs

      Taz xxx

    • HEZ64
      HEZ64 Tazchurch

      Posted

      ThankyouTaz for taking the time to reply.I will try not to worry too much xx
    • mary94929
      mary94929 HEZ64

      Posted

      Hi,i'm the same as you,mine was narrow so they put a stent in to keep it open&i've not lost any bladder control. I get it changed every 6mths undera general,maybe you should say to ur doctor about trying that. As for uti still getting them had antibiotics on&off since Feb think I need more. Hope u get everything sorted&put up with any pain always contact ur dr when it happens even the out of hours dr. Good luck&take care.x
  • kathyc85
    kathyc85 HEZ64

    Posted

    Hi, you may have already had this done by now, but anyway, to put your mind at rest if not, and others reading this, it should not be painful, as I had one earlier this year due to having several UTI's and various other problems connected with it (I only have one kidney, so have to be very aware of anything which could affect the other one) particularly always feeling the urgent need to pee, even after only drinking small amounts. The cystoscopy was to rule out anything unusual and check exactly what was causing problems. I had a bladder prolapse, which I have since had surgery to correct, and think most of my problems were caused by this. Anyway, the cystoscopy was painless and over with in little more than 5 minutes. I hadn't realised until afterwards, but I had urethral dilation done at the same time, and the relief was immense! I practically skipped in to work the next day as it was the first time I had not felt the urgent need to pee about every 40 minutes for months and months. It had obviously got gradually worse so I had got used to the feeling of urgency. It did gradually revert over the next 8 to 10 weeks, but this was obviously connected to the prolapse, and since corrective surgery, so far, I have been able to drink like a fish, and I'm still surprised at how much I can hold before having to dash off for a wee!

    Good luck with it, and I hope it works for you.

    • HEZ64
      HEZ64 kathyc85

      Posted

      I am due to have it done 7pm tonight and this is my second time.The first time was painful as I had a narrow urethra so I know what's coming.That was 4 years ago and I have been recalled due to recurrent uti's.I am scared stiff
    • kathyc85
      kathyc85 HEZ64

      Posted

      Oh no Hez, I'm really sorry to hear that, I remember how stressed I felt, and that was being unanware of what was to come. Maybe this time it will be less painful for you. I seem to remember the nurse who accompanied me in to theatre telling me not to put up with any pain, and to tell them if it hurt even a little bit. I have since started taking concentrated cranberry supplements daily as I hate the taste of cranberry juice and I'm sure they have helped to keep infections at bay. Maybe that would help with your UIT's. I think anything's worth a try if it might work. Try controlled breathing when you're on the table, easy to say I know, when I'm not the one going through it. I hope it's not too bad this time, just remember they do it for a very valid reason, and it's better that theyr'e doing something to try and resolve things rather than nothing at all.

       Hugs, and I'll be thinking of you, Kathy

    • Tazchurch
      Tazchurch HEZ64

      Posted

      A surgeon once said they are going the wrong way up a one way street when doing this and that it is often worse for a man (not sure what sex you are)
    • Tazchurch
      Tazchurch HEZ64

      Posted

      Add to that big hugs and thinking of you xxx
    • HEZ64
      HEZ64 Tazchurch

      Posted

      I'm female.Thankyou for thinking of me.The pain was unbelievable and have to go for a urethral dilatation under GA!!! Dreading that aswell x
    • HEZ64
      HEZ64 kathyc85

      Posted

      Thankyou Kathy.

      This was far worse than last time and I nesrly fainted.Result is I have to go for a urethral dilatation under GA as he thinks the narrow tube is the cause of my concurrent uti's xxx

    • kathyc85
      kathyc85 HEZ64

      Posted

      How awful for you, at least it's over now and out of the way. All being well under ga at least you won't know anything about it, I really hope they get you sorted soon and it will stop the uti's without too much discomfort. I know how debilitating they can be so you have my sympathy. Best wishes for the future, 

      lots of hugs, K.

    • Tazchurch
      Tazchurch HEZ64

      Posted

      Having a narrow urethra will not have helped the pain. The dilation should be much better, mine left me with what I would describe as bad menstral cramps for a day or two. Nothing ibuprofen didn't sort. Everyone is different though. Tell them about your fears as being fearful doesn't help pain/or perception of it, and they may be able to help you. I had the same fears and was given something to take before the GA, can't remember what though. Still thinking of you.

      big hugs

      Taz xxx

    • HEZ64
      HEZ64 Tazchurch

      Posted

      Thanks Taz

      Really helps to read other peoples experiences.Thankyou for your support xx

    • Tazchurch
      Tazchurch HEZ64

      Posted

      We all need support and still thinking of you

      Big hugs

      Taz xxx

    • 504
      504 kathyc85

      Posted

      Hi there, I read your answer, and your answer is the closest I found to an answer. When I was younger I had many UTI'S. it started with the bed wetting and then the utis constantly kept happening. I went to the Chinese doctor for acupuncture when I was 8 and took a herb that made it go away for what I thought would be forever. I was wrong so once I had sex for the first time the utis came back. After a few months, I had this long period of time where I always felt like I had to pee, no burning no pain just this urgency and I would pee and only a dribble would come out and seconds later I had the feeling again! This feeling would come and go. I would go to the doc and they didn't find any utis or anything else. This still goes on. I've been to multiple doctors and specialist and no one has helped me. I can't go to work or school because of this constant feeling of having to pee. It also gets worse when I get my period. I've done so much research and haven't found anything that it could be. I've done bladder scans and cystospys and bladder ultra sounds. The doctors found nothing. I then went to this new doctor who I'm actually going to tomorrow. He is said to be one of the best urologist. And he seemed a lot better then the other docs I went to. I'm having a cystocpoy and dilation of the urethra, and I'm praying to god this will go away for good! I guess I'm just looking for suggesting and some help possibly. By the way I'm 22 if age makes any difference.

      Thanks in advance.

    • 504
      504

      Posted

      Sorry for the typos!

      Xoxo

    • esther22357
      esther22357 504

      Posted

      I have very similar symptoms to yours in terms of needing to pee all the time. I've recently been diagnosed with painful bladder syndrome also known as interstitial cystitis. It is a chronic condition that mimicks the symptoms of utis but doesnt show up on the traditional dip stick or hospital microbiology tests. Mine was identified through my symptoms, two hospital stays and was finally hundred percent confirmed via a cystoscopy last week. It's a lousy condition to have and is difficult to diagnose. Maybe worth exploring with your urologist

    • 504
      504 esther22357

      Posted

      Yes it is defineltly lousy to go through this, epsecially with out knowing the cause. I was already diagnosed with not having intersticial cytisis so now im stuck, I've been too so many doctors, with out any results its just super overwhelming. 

    • esther22357
      esther22357 504

      Posted

      I'm sorry to hear that. I can relate as that was how I was treated until things deteriorated badly last year. I was even told initially by one doctor that it couldn't be IC and he was quite dismissive. He has had to eat humble pie now. I have had over six months off work in the last year with it. Mine also got worse with period and I am under gynaecology as well as urology. I am being treated for a problem with oestrogen production . Apparently the gynae and urology are linked. You are younger than me so I'm not suggesting you do this but my gynaecologist authorised for my periods to be permanently stopped due to urology impact. I also want to say persevere.

    • Cmcrawf4
      Cmcrawf4 504

      Posted

      Hello. Any luck when you went to the new urologist? I'm 24 years and out the blue just started experiencing symptoms like you. I'm having to pee every 15 minutes . I can barely do anything. I've been this way for about 2 months now it is so fustrating! I've been to two different doctors and tested negative for UTI. I'm set to go to an urologist Tuesday! I wish I could go sooner. I want this to go away! Any news from your situation

    • jennifer_81275
      jennifer_81275 kathyc85

      Posted

      Hi Kathyc I have had the same as you. For the past 15 years since my daughter was born I have been having constant urine infection which go in to my kidney. I always have blood in my urine recently I had a cysycoscpy done and I prolapsed while I was under. Since then I have been to the urology who have said I need to go in to get some sort of chemical through me by a catheter. I not looking forward to this at all. How did the doctor find out that it was your prolapse that was causing this. Because they haven't mentioned anything else about mine but I think that's what the pain is x

    • b204022
      b204022 kathyc85

      Posted

      Hi Kathy 

      I know this post was years ago but I am struggling to find answers anywhere. I’ve struggled with UTI’s frequently for years and in the last three months it became a constant daily struggle with the symptoms of a UTI- mainly urgency to pee. It becomes a lot worse at night and just constantly have the feeling and use the bathroom every 30minutes to an hour . There was no infection just the symptoms and always a slight stinging and a constant awareness of feeling like I need to wee but in my urethra not from my bladder. Everytime I would exercise or walk a lot it would get worse and as a fitness instructor I love to workout and have to maintain my workouts as it’s my job but I obviously wasn’t able to do so. After a few scans I finally had a cystocopy and urethral dilation five days ago. After the initial soreness I expected to feel some relief but my symptoms are now worse than  before and I feel exactly the same. The doctor said my urethra was very narrow and so they widened it. I had a catbeyher in for three hours after. 

      I don’t know what to do! I feel so heart broken because I expected this to be the relief I have been praying for. It also hurts to have sex and whenever I did it was incredibly painful and would almost feel like I had something in there afterwards so I had to stop having sex with my boyfriend. Should I have felt some relief after the dilation? Is this a sign that something is still wrong? I’m at my wits end and don’t know what to do. Thank you. Bella xx

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