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Female Cystoscopy ~ DON'T worry!!!!!

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jackierc1
jackierc1

I had a Cystoscopy yesterday afternoon. I've known for about a month that I would have to have one and I have been worried sick about it. Found some awful posts on the net about it, and then fortunately found many reassuring posts on this forum! Trust me that when the ladies on here say "Don't worry"....DON'T! I've been so anxious, that I've lost sleep and my appetite over it. I was in and out of Theatre in 7 minutes!  I asked my husband to time it as I knew I wanted to do a review on here to help others, as it has been this forum that got me through it yesterday! 

You are in the position for a smear test for the procedure. Knees bent and apart and feet flat and together on the couch. So no stirrups (which I was glad about, as I hate that restriction, and I had expected that!) First they swab the area down, then insert the local anaesthetic. That just feels slightly cold, but not uncomfortable or painful. Then the camera is inserted, and again, that didnt hurt either. The nurse holding my hand told me it was in and then let me watch on the monitor. Whilst the camera is in, the surgeon fills your bladder with water so that he can see it all clearly. Within a couple of minutes, it's all done! I honestly wouldn't even say it was uncomfortable. You are aware something is going on, but certainly no pain. And if the surgeon told me he was going to do another Cystoscopy on me, I wouldnt lose a moments sleep over it!  I was given a cup of tea after the procedure, and sat and rested for a while, and once I had passed urine the nurses discharged me from the ward. I've been passing urine normally and it hasn't even stung, so I guess Ive been lucky. I had no pain until a couple of hours after the procedure, when I guess my anaesthetic had worn off. It was just like Period Pain. I took a couple of Paracetamol and it eased off, and today I am fine. 

So trust my post here! I am the biggest softy ever! And if I can do this you can too. Don't lose sleep over it, it's just not worth it! Ignore the horror stories you might come across on the net. It's easier and much less uncomfortable than a smear test! I am happy to help anyone I can over this procedure. If I've missed anything out and you have a question, just post on here and I will get back to you ASAP. Jackie 

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  • leticia32682
    leticia32682 jackierc1

    Posted

    Oh I'm so sad you posted this so long ago, for I'm sure none of you are online anymore. I have cycstoscopy due, and am SO terrified. All I can think of is a stinging tiny tube traveling up and having to endure a painful burning sensation for what will seem like an hour. I'm glad I found these reassuring comments but I'm still losing sleep over it. Literally. 😖

    • linda59603
      linda59603 alice030596

      Posted

      Don't worry Alice it is painless I didn't feel the camera at all after the anaesthetic was applied I'd rather have that done than a smear test or anything internal

  • danielle23627
    danielle23627 jackierc1

    Posted

    Thank u so much. My cystoscopy is this morning and I am beyond terrified to the point I'm taking Valium. I am so scared and your post relaxed me a little bit. Thank u so much. I will share my experience after mines is done today. Sad I have to go thru all this just to get them to remove my uterus. Go figure but pray for me. Thanks

    • davidjk22
      davidjk22 danielle23627

      Posted

      I had 2 about 12 months ago , first was flexible , just local gel no problem . Second was rigid under general  anaesthetic , had meatal dilation at same time , had catheter fitted but no problem no pain , just discomfort for a day . The scope has much further to travel in a man . glad I had it done as it has solved my problem and improved my quality of life . There really is nothing to worry about , if it is a flexible it will be over in a few minutes , rigid you will be asleep .
    • ryan87412
      ryan87412 davidjk22

      Posted

      hey DAVID,

      how much did it burn when you urinated afterwards? im a man as well (36) and im terrified about the pain for days afterward and blood clots.

  • pam34048
    pam34048 jackierc1

    Posted

    I ha the cystoscopy done it was over before I has a chance to know what was going on. No pain at all lightning fast just wish they would warm the soap up but they do warn you it's cold and will keep you from getting an infection .  I so agree I rather that than a pap any day.

  • linda59603
    linda59603 jackierc1

    Posted

    Due for cystoscopy tomorrow. Jackie are you in the U.K. Is it similar to US do you think getting worried as I don't know whether it's exactly the same procedure?

    • olegwarwick1
      olegwarwick1 linda59603

      Posted

      Im not sure if its the same in US but I would think it is. I has a flexible cytoscopy last month and I was compltely terrified. I was numb for the whole week before and everything was on hold until I had it done.

      When I had it done, All I felt was cold, then I went rigid and the consultant said the camera was in. I did not feel a thing, I couldnt believe I worried for nothing. literally two minutes later it was done.

      Much much quicker and much less painful than a cervical smear test. I took advice from someone on here and I took two paracetamol on the way to the hospital and put a drip of rescue remedy on my tongue. It is NOT painful at all. (Nothing like a catheter).

      I'd had blood in my urine for two months and it didnt clear up with antibiotics so I was referred on a cancer pathway for bladder cancer as im over 45. I was so scared.

      I have NO cancer but two kidney stones causing the blood. Thank God.

    • linda59603
      linda59603 olegwarwick1

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply olegwarwick1 as you say it was painless just some stinging when the anaesthetic was applied. Nothing found in bladder but am having a ct scan on kidneys as a precaution. Did you have any treatment for your kidney stones?
    • olegwarwick1
      olegwarwick1 linda59603

      Posted

      Not yet. My CT scan showed the kidney stones.

      I have one small kidney sone in my right kidney which they have told me will pass itself.

      I ahve a largr kidney stone in the other kidney. they said it wouldn;t pass on its own and gave me two options.

      I can either have a local aneasthetic and it lasered from the outside which is not guaranteed to get rid of it.

      OR

      go in hospital overnight , have ageneral aneathestic and they enter my body the same  way as the cytoscopy and remove the large stone which I have agreed to do.  

      apart from that they told me to drink lots of water and i read on internet green tea helps break kidney stones down. 

    • linda59603
      linda59603 olegwarwick1

      Posted

      I drink lots of green tea so hoping mine isn't kidney stones. Consultant says sometimes they can't find a reason for blood in your urine. Good luck with your procedure. By the way I am in the UK

       

  • angie05548
    angie05548 jackierc1

    Posted

    Thank you for that info. jackie. I may have to have one - not sure yet but that was comforting since you didn't have to bother. smile

  • sharon53489
    sharon53489 jackierc1

    Posted

    Hi,Jackie,I'm due to have one next month and I'm worried sick in same couldn't sleep can't stop thinking about it,I'm really worried, I don't know whether to stay awake or get an anesthetic, I'm worried incase it hurts and painful, and a man doing it, I've looked in Internet and unused video, I don't really want it done , I'm a softy thanks

    • linda59603
      linda59603 sharon53489

      Posted

      Sharon it is really painless the worst part was the anaesthetic being applied as it stung didn't feel the camera at all and the consultant showed me the inside of my bladder on the screen. Nothing to worry about just try and relax when you are having it done. Good luck

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