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

The worst part about a cystoscopy is the worrying beforehand. There is nothing to worry about, as you will find out tomorrow. You will be given either numbing gel or a general depending if it is flexible or rigid scope. The procedure is over in a few minutes, you may have slight discomfort after but otc pain killers will sort that. Most important thing is not to worry, come back and tell us how easy it was.

Will do, David 

Like other comment mention - the wait is the worst. Less than 24 hours and this will be done.  

Thank you! 

 If it wasn't for this site I would have cancelled my cystoscopy appointment as I was terrified.  I am so pleased I didn't cancel, the procedure was slightly uncomfortable but NOT PAINFUL and was over in a few minutes. I got the results immediately and was told my bladder look fine - I was so relieved. If the need arose in the future I would certainly NOT worry about having the procedure done again.  Look after yourself, stop worrying and chill out.

 

The worst part of a cystoscopy is the worry before the procedure. If you have a flexible cystoscopy numbing gel will be used, for a rigid cystoscopy it will be a general anaesthetic. It is over in a few minutes and there may be slight discomfort but it is not painful. It is only natural to worry, but trust me there is no need to worry. I have had both rigid and flexible and if I had to have either done again I would not be concerned at all. Once it's over you will realise there was no need to worry  

Hi Sue,

You describe exactly how I felt before my cystoscopy, I was so terrified I almost cancelled and if it was not for the reassurance I got from this site I would have cancelled.  I had repeated not visible traces of blood in my urine sometimes with and sometimes with no infection and asked to see a urologist. He wasn't worried because it happens a lot in "ladies of a certain age" but he didn't say what age. The cystoscopy only took minutes and was uncomfortable but NOT painful. I was really stressed as the Consultant looked very worried during the procedure (the nurse told me later he was not looking worried just concentrating). He told me right away that my bladder was healthy and said he would write to my doctor. I had mind discomfort when passing urine the first few times but it was easily sorted with Paracetamol.  I was prescribed a low dose antibiotic (Cefalexin) to take each night. I have had two appointments with the consultant since my cystoscopy when he just asked how I was and said I should continue with the antibiotics as my urine tests showed that my urine was crystal clear.  

PLEASE try not to worry, take care and keep in touch.

Hey Lynn,

Thank you so much for your speedy and kind answer. So happy to hear that all is going well with you. Mine is this Friday and I'm nervous but you kindly reassured me and I sooooo appreciate this. It's just such a vulnerable position to be in - yikes. I just hope they find nothing. Cancer is a great fear too. Thank you so much.

Hi Sue

Its normal to feel nervous with such a intimate examination but the doctors and nurses have seen it all before and in my case did everthing they could to make me feel at ease.  We all worry about Cancer, I convinced myself I had got bladder cancer and on another occasion I convinced myself I had bowel cancer and it was piles!  Take care of yourself and please keep in touch.

Thanks, Lynn. Tomorrow's the day. I'm a bit nervous but reassured by your kind comments. It is good to remind myself that they've seen it all. I'm so glad it's fast. My doctor said it takes 2 minutes. He also said he doensn't think this is cancer. I've had a CT scan and an ultra sound which shows nothing but he said flat cancers can only be seen by the cystoscopy. My urine also showed 'crystals' so it may be kidney stone related but he said it's normal to do the camera test when there is a trace of blood in several samples. I am scared but much calmer. I have to be at the hospital tomorrow at 7:30am, my procedure is at 8:30am. Thanks so much.

I know it is difficult but try and get some sleep tonight because you have an early start tomorrow.  Try to think of something nice or concentrate on your breathing when you are having the procedure done to help you relax, it will be over really quickly and you will wonder why you were so worried. Take care of yourself and please keep in touch. Will be thinking about you.

Hi Sue 

all the best for tomorrow I like you was really scared and promptly burst into tears as soon as I went in !!!! The consultant and his team were amazing very reassuring and it took no time at all 2 minutes maximum it doesn’t hurt at all I got the results there and then that all was ok as I am sure you will.

Big virtual hug to you I treated my self to a big fattening cake afterwards suggest you treat yourself as well x 

Have been thinking about you this morning. Hope all went well. Take care and keep in touch

OMG - you wonderful ladies here are so right - it was NOTHING. I've had sneezes longer than this test. LOL. And all is good. Yayyyyy...... I was asked to be there at 7:15 and my procedure was at 8:15. I brought a good book and took tylenol just before I entered the hospital. I got changed - just pants and underwear off - but you keep your shoes and socks on and of course your top.

It was soooooo fast. I was sitting and was asked to lay back slightly and the nurse put me in stirrups only when the doctor walked in, so it was only a short time. I was covered with a sheet. The doctor wiped antiseptic over me to make it sterile. He told me I would feel 2 pinches - but it was nothing at all - I guess one was freezing and then the camera. I asked when does the camera get inserted and he said, "Oh, it's already in." LOL. I felt nothing. Then I felt the saline solution and it took him 1 second to tell me everything was fine. And bam - it was over. I think it was even less than 2 minutes.

The doctor said he takes routine urine samples and sends them away to check for microscopic cancer cells and I will see him in 2-3 weeks.

THANK GOD FOR THIS FORUM and all the reassurance. Oh, I even remembered to 'relax' when he began so as not to be tense and cause it to possibly hurt. No pain whatsoever.

Yahooooooo - it's over. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for your reassurance.

Yippee well done you now just relax and have a nice glass of whatever you fancy x 

So pleased everything went well. Take care.

Thank you, Di. It's so wonderful when it's over. I think the idea of lying in a vulnerable position while possibly hearing bad news, scared me, too. I am still amazed at how fast it was and he was able to tell me good news within seconds. Wow. I came home and slept most of the day. Thanks so much for your support.

Thanks, Lynn. And thanks for your support. So glad it's over. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

Thanks are not needed Sue, just pleased that I (and others) were able to help.  No doubt you post about your experience today with help other ladies facing the "dreaded cystoscopy"!  Have a chill out weekend and take care of yourself

Hi, I just found out today it’s not the flexible scope it’s the  ridged one. The nurse said they use a numbing gel. But seems like everything I have read about the ridged one you are usually put under. 

Was yours flexible? Thank you!

Hello

Yes mine was a flexible one and doctor used numbing gel. Sorry I cannot advise on rigid one, like you I thought you were put under for a rigid one but we could both be wrong.

My husband had a gastroscopy recently (scope down his throat). He thought they would put him under but they didn't, they used a sedative but it must have been strong because he didn't remember anything and was convinced they had put him under.  

If they are going to put you under then you should have received instructions on not eating or drinking for a certain time before the procedure.

Sorry I cannot be more helpful.

Please try not to worry (not easy), take care of yourself and please keep in touch.

lynn😀

 

I had both, had the gel for the flexible and was out for the rigid. Don't worry they know what they are doing. Explain your worries to the doctor before you have the procedure. I'm sure they will do everything to make it as easy as possible for you. In a female the scope only has to travel about 4cm in a straight line, in a male it is 20cm and is not a straight path.  Found this on Google "The urethra connects the bladder, the collection site for urine to the outside world.  In males, the urethra is 8 inches long, while in females, the urethra is only 2 inches long.  So the primary difference is one of length.  Another difference would be the path the urine takes getting from the bladder to the external world.  In females, the path is more direct, while in males, the path is more curving.  This curved path makes catheterization of males more difficult than females".  I'm sure they will do everything to make your cystoscopy as easy as possible for you. Most important don't worry it won't help.

Thank you! I just need to trust my dr!

Thank you for answering me and it is very helpful!!😊

Thank you for giving me this information!  You’re right worrying doesn’t help at all! I just need to chill out and get it over with! 😊

Rylee59508

I had a ridged scope done in the office but my doctor did not use any numbing gel and because of the experience I had I would like to offer you some advise. ASK QUESTIONS!!! why a ridge and not a flexible? how long do you let the numbing gel take affect before you scope?  Can I have a flexible scope instead?  Why or Why not?  Can they give you something to take hour or so before to help you relax? It is your right to question and if you are not comfortable with the thought of having a ridge scope in the office while awake say so, and say it again and again if necessary.

Debbie 

Thank you Debbie! I decided to change drs because after what I have read it seems like most everyone is put out for that! Sounds like your experience wasn’t great. I hate that for you. Thank you very posting because now I feel like I am doing the right thing by changing drs. My dr didn’t even want to give me something before the procedure but she finally agreed to but I found another dr I will go see soon!  Thank you and take care!

Good idea to change to a doctor who will do what you want. Some doctors think they are God, and don't respect the patients wishes. I can't imagine having a rigid cystoscopy with anaesthetic, or even a flexible without the gel to numb the area. If the procedure is done correctly it is over in minutes and is quite painless. May be slight discomfort passing water for a day or two after, but mild painkillers will solve that. It's over 2 years since mine and I have had no problems since. Good luck and most important don't worry.

Thank you David! I agree I couldn’t imagine having it done without being put under with the rigid one. With what I have read it sounds terrible. I’m really glad I ran across this forum. It’s been very helpful! Thanks and take care!!😊

Rylee

I am glad that you have decided to get another opinion.  You are correct my experience was not great but I am working thru what happened with the help.  I also filed a complaint with the state medical board concerning his treatment of me.  I have had scopes since that time that where done correctly, so now I really know how it should have gone.  As everyone is saying it should only be uncomfortable but not painful if done correctly.  Please remember that while they may be doctors it is your right to ask questions.  Hope everything works out well and please do not be afraid of the procedure, it really is not any worse then other procedures that women have on a regular basis, if done correctly