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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 

21 likes, 377 replies

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  • senk89698
    senk89698 jackierc1

    Posted

    I am extremely worried. I have had other procedures, biopsy on my lymph node in chest, nose surgery for a deviated septum. My lymph node biopsy i had insane nerve pain for over a year after! My nose surgery i woke up during the surgery ans i still have chronic pain since! Was 5 years ago.

    Although this procedure is quick it does not make me less nervous. I have herniated discs in my spine so i am in a ton of pain with swelling and little movements make it so much worse!

    My difference from many comments is that i already have pain in my bladder, there is no bloood or no uti so thats why they are doing this- because i have pain 24/7 for months. I am worried this procedure will aggrabate jt. Did you need to take oain killers? Because i am IMMUNE -none of them work..maybe i can ask for the numbing gel to bring home😭

  • christine63500
    christine63500 jackierc1

    Posted

    omg amazing.  I have just been told I need a Cystoscopy again!! My last was in 1988 under a GA and I was sore for days.  I hope my experience is like yours this time.  Was this on the NHS or Private
  • michelle63910
    michelle63910 jackierc1

    Posted

    Jackie,

    Thank you so much for the informtaion you posted about the cyctocopy.  I was so worried and anxious for a week.  I had a had a cyctocopy yesterday afternoon.  It was just as you described, quick and painless... a little uncomfortable, like a pap smear and some crampling afterward, like period pain.  Motrin did the trick.

    I was scheduled for 3:15 and was in the car heading home at 3:45.  The proceudre itself took about 3 minutes.  Doctor gave me the results immediately, I got dressed and headed out.  I did have some burining when I peed the first time after the procedure, but that was it.  We went out for a wonderful dinner to celebrates my daughters 25 Birthday in the evening!  Thank you again, your post really helped put me at ease going in, and afterward, I can say your recount was totally accurate.    

  • sue724
    sue724 jackierc1

    Posted

    Hi Jackie

    Thank you for your post although I'm reading it 3 years later!  I'm having this procedure done on Monday and I'm very nervous about it.  Im glad to hear it's not as uncomfortable as the smear test.

    I'm wondering if you needed a biopsy done during the cystoscopy? The dr didn't mention it at the last appt and I'd rather be under anesthesia if that is necessary.   I've read that it can be done as an office procedure as well as a hospital procedure.

    Thank you in advance 

    Sue

    • christine63500
      christine63500 sue724

      Posted

      oh can you let us know how it goes im going to a first consultant appointment on wednesday!
    • BettyJuliaBoop
      BettyJuliaBoop christine63500

      Posted

      Hi Christine. I had a rigid cystoscopy under a general anaesthetic on Friday. I was kept in overnight. I feel ok just a bit uncomfortable which is to be expected. I get my biopsy results in a couple of weeks. I hope all goes well with your consultation and try not to worry
    • sue724
      sue724 christine63500

      Posted

      Hi Christine  yes I'll post my experience. It's tmrw afternoon and I'm so nervous.  Mine will be done with local numbing gel, not under general anesthesia.  I've read that this is less uncomfortable than a pap.  We shall see. I'm worried he may want to snip for a biopsy while he's in there and I just want to cross my legs right now thinking about it!😣 

      If anyone else reads this who has had a biopsy during this office procedure, how does that feel?  Does the bladder have nerve endings like that??  I don't know and feel clueless. 

    • sue724
      sue724 christine63500

      Posted

      I had my procedure today and it really wasn't  terrible.  Nothing hurt. The numbing gel worked very well I guess.  Th most uncomfortable part was inserting the scope into the tiny urethra opening. That only felt like pressure but no pain. Maybe a slight sting but disappeared right away.  

      No biopsy needed. No further testing and a follow up in 1 year for a urinalysis. No scope again.  It's my birthday to boot and I'm so glad I got great news!!

      its been 5 hours since the scope and I have peed several times with no burning at all.  Really, I feel no signs of even having the procedure done. 

      Drink lots of water afterwards to dilute the urine. I think it helps a lot.

      hope your experience goes well!! Good luck!

    • christine63500
      christine63500 sue724

      Posted

      So pleased for you, and thanks, i wont know til tomorrow what is being done, its not nhs so maybe will be able to have a choice. Obviously whatever i have done will be quicker than nhs.  I was dreading that burning on weeing !!
    • sue724
      sue724 christine63500

      Posted

      Good luck tmrw!!

      what does nhs stand for? 

      Remember to drink lots of water and it will dilute your pee and shouldnt burn. 

    • davidjk22
      davidjk22 sue724

      Posted

      In the UK it is the National Health Service . The worst part of cystocopy is the worry before , the relief comes when it's over and you wonder why you worried so much . 

    • christine63500
      christine63500

      Posted

      Well Im back and in a state of shock - whilst in the consultation he said i will do it now !!!! I said omg really, so that was that he had great pleasure in showing me around my bladder!!! I now need a CT scan.  I have been given antibiotics, and just feel like my bladder is full all the time with a dull ache I hope that will be gone tomorrow.  At least I didnt have time to work my self up over it lols.  Have you had a CT scan, Im not too worried cos I think you just lay still and thats it .  The antibiotics I have mustnt been taken within two hours of zinc and dairy, never come across that before have you 
    • sue724
      sue724 davidjk22

      Posted

      You are so right!  Now that I've had it done, I agree that the worrying before hand is the worst.  I was worried sick.  IF I ever need one again I will not even think twice about it. 

       

    • sue724
      sue724 christine63500

      Posted

      So glad you didn't have time to worry, and sounds like it wasn't too uncomfortable for you.  

      A CT scan is easy. Like you said, you just lay still. 

      Not sure about the zinc and dairy and antibiotics. 

      Good luck and hope you're feeling better!

  • ann04778
    ann04778 jackierc1

    Posted

    I had the test a week ago. They put numbing stuff on my uretha BUT it was the most painful test I have ever had. Some doctors do it under anesthesia.  I will never have that test again without anesthesia
    • sue724
      sue724 ann04778

      Posted

      I'm sorry to hear it was so painful.

      i had the numbing gel too but the nurse missed my urethra.  So glad she noticed, I wouldn't have known the difference, and she tried again.  The most I felt was a lot of pressure of the dr trying to get the scope inserted. Then all of a sudden it did kind of fast but it didn't hurt. Just pressure.

      Maybe that's what happened to you😒

      Hope you're feeling better now. Drink lots of water.  It helped me.

      good luck 

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