Female Cystoscopy ~ DON'T worry!!!!!
Posted , 99 users are following.
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
KevinaF jackierc1
Posted
Yes it was flexible and I didn't feel a thing! They numbed the area and it was over in a matter of seconds
jen6969 jackierc1
Posted
thanks for your supporting words. hopefully all goes as easy for me next week. im a huge baby with the unknown yet i had 3 natural births..crazy huh
jen6969 jackierc1
Posted
omg today is the day n im.so anxious n nervous n down right terrified! i foumd out my doctors office dont use numbing gel on women do to it running out?? is it going to.be tolerable without numbing gel??
cami15468 jackierc1
Posted
Do i have to make a full shave for a cystoscopy. I have one tomorrow and i am really stress about it.
jackierc1 cami15468
Posted
Hi Cami, no you dont need to shave. im sure all will be fine for you. Dont worry.
hayley59495 jackierc1
Posted
Hi. I am being referred by my doctor from a cystoscopy . i am 27, and really worried about the pain of the procedure, the embarrassment and also the results. I am really worried about the worse case scenario. I work in healthcare which makes it even worse that I am as worried as I am because i tell my patients not to worry.. 😦
liz90897 jackierc1
Edited
.....
Blondie39 jackierc1
Posted
I had a cystoscopy this week with numbing gel, which didn't numb anything as far as I'm aware. It was so painful when the doctor was trying to dilate my urethra using catheters of increasing size that he had to stop and schedule me for a rigid cystoscopy under general anaesthetic. I wish I had just opted for a general anaesthetic in the first plage and then I'd only have had to go through the pain afterwards once.
sue48769 jackierc1
Posted
I appreciate your review as this test has me very anxious. i recently went through kidney surgery and now have hematuria at my check up. I'm looking at CT/Cystoscopy. I am waiting for them to schedule me. i guess i just have to get through this but am nervous about it .
kate84825 jackierc1
Edited
having one this afternoon - this thread has been very reassuring thank you
jackierc1 kate84825
Posted
That's so good to know Kate. Thank you. Hope all went well for you. Jackie
Lara1234 jackierc1
Posted
hi Jackie
i think this experience is different for everyone- - my experience was distressing and traumatic - - pain was off the scale. i bit my lip to stop myself from screaming!!! i was told afterwards i had a very narrow urethral tube - never again. Also don't think local anaesthetic worked!! was a on a par with my colonoscopy experience!!!!
belindita jackierc1
Edited
I would like to thank all the ladies here for the information they shared! I've worried sick for a week and today I had my cystoscopy. It was a flexible cystoscope (made of some kind of plastic, not metal). I was given an antibiotic pill before the procedure. Also Valium for the nerves, upon arrival (I requested it a few days ago). I had to remove my clothes from the waist down and lie on a table (no stirrups). The nurse introduced some lubricant gel with lidocaine in my urethra. That was the only thing that was a little painful. Then the doctor came in and introduced the cystoscope in the urethra (you have to spread your legs like at the gynecologist). Not painful at all because I was numb. He put some water in the bladder and he said "that's it" and he removed the "hose". Everything looked fine, he said! I had to pee before I left. Don't agonize over this like I did! It's not painful except for a few seconds when they apply the numbing gel!