Sedation for female flexible cystoscopy?

You're welcome Caz, I have a thread on here entitled "Female Cystoscopy - DON'T worry!!!!" Read it, it will reassure you. X

Hi, I’m totally freaking out about having to have this done, and no-one seems to understand why. I don’t flash my bits around and so the idea of legs akimbo and my privates sat there staring at them the whole time just absolutely horrifies me.  I have to have rigid (which also sounds horrendous) and under general and they’re aiming to take sludge out. . So it freaks me out I won’t know what they’re doing (although have seen a video which confirms my fear of how humiliating it will be) but I don’t want to have a needle stuck I my spine either. Also worried about getting a uti afterwards as then I get thrush which can take months and months for me to get rid of. I just really don’t want this and am so close to just cancelling it :-( 

Daisy

Take a deep breath, under general is a piece of cake, while yes it you think about it your lady bits are going to be uncovered, this is something that they look at all the time, it really is no different they the yearly check up women have to have done.  I had a rigid scope both in the office with nothing (would not ever recommend that as an option) and under general.  What I can tell you was that I was given medicine to relax me, I remember getting to the room and moving over to the table, next thing I remember was waking up in recovery.  Trust me when I say it that is without doubt the best way to have a rigid scope done.  The whole thing is less humiliating in my opinion then having a baby.  While  I did have a few issues, they were caused by the first doctor and not common from what I understand.  

I do not what you to think that I do not understand, trust me I do, more than I ever care to admit, but the worrying is the worse part of the whole thing.  

I will be happy to answer any of your questions.

Debbie

Hi, Daisy,

Alan here again. I think Debbie is giving you some good woman-to-woman advice far beyond my capabilities in this respect. However, I am a little puzzled by some of the points you make in your earlier communications, off in a different thread. You refer to your problem as having to remove sludge from your bladder for which you will require a rigid cystoscopic procedure performed under a general anesthesia (GA).

I am retired from the field of mechanical engineering profession so cannot offer you anything akin to medical advice. However, I am familiar with the term "sludge", but not here in the field of medicine. What a pity that your condition could not be treated by a simple bladder irrigation, or wash which could have been preformed by yourself, in the privacy and comfort of your own home. I assume that your medical advisors found this option to be inappropriate to your particular case.

Daisy, I wish you the very best for the future, and I'm sorry I could not be more helpful.

alan86734

Hi Alan, 

I looked at some videos yesterday and read every thread going on it... and freaked some more... thought I might ask on the woman’s thread lol. 

I don’t really know much more about it just that he said ‘sludge’  (calcium deposits?) which he also said is very rare and certainly in a female of my age (39 years old). But I have written a long email this weekend saying is this imperative - now I can add about that about bladder irrigation, so that’s fab, thank you.  I have had UTIs since before I can remember - first one I do remember for sure is 15 yes old. So I don’t know if he wants to just explore for that reason, but wil definitely be pursuing the irrigation. You’re a marvel, thank you! Have a great day! 

Hi Debbie,

Thank you for coming back. I think whilst I would be freaking out at it at all, it’s the fact that there will definitely be one man. I always insist on a woman in smears and have just gotten ‘ok’ with having that done and it’s a few minutes, whereas this procedure is quite a while in comparison. I’ve not had children but know I’d have to have a Caesarian as had conjenital dislocation of my hip. I know many people and men also likely to be involved. I would be just as much of a nightmare and insistent on being covered up down there as much as poss. I don’t know why i get so upset, I just do.... but also find it odd that most of the posts people are worried about pain and that’s the last thing I’m worried about. Guess we all have different worries and I’m obviously a little odd 😂 Thank you for your thoughts, much appreciated. Have a lovely day :-) 

Hi, Daisy,

Just a quickie here. In your response to Debbie you mention that when you go for your smear you always ask for a woman. Perhaps you could do the same if you decide to go ahead with a cystoscopy? Just a thought.

By the way, can I ask which country you are located in? Can make a big difference in understanding our communications. And, I must say,you are not alone in your intense shyness. There are many men and women out there who suffer the same as you from this perfectly normal, albeit nuisance reaction to exposing oneself.

Warm regards. alan86734.

Daisy,

Just so you know, I do understand, but for me its needles, I pass out when ever they take blood, give me a shot, start and IV does not matter, can not control it so I do understand.  When I had my scope done under general the only people in the room were the doctor, a Physicians assistant, a nurse and the anesthesiologist and their assistant.  So two people at my head, one doing the test and two helping out as needed.    If this is such a concern for you, make sure your doctor knows, explain what will need to be done to make you comfortable enough to have it done.  The doctor may be able to make sure it is all women in the room.

But what it really comes down to is talk, ask, insist.  That is the best thing for everyone, get all your questions answered before, that way there is no surprises.  

I wish you luck and I will say again, the worrying is truly the worst part of the whole thing.

Debbie

 

Hi Alan,

Well, the doc said to me he was going to refer me as saw sludge.  I said will I have any 'awkward' tests done and he said: "oh no, it's more of a just to check/precaution that the consultant is ok with it".  So I saw the consultant - it didn't occur to me to check and see if male or female before the app as was not imagining any issues and thinking at the most I might have to have it lasered or something (this is the first time seeing a specialist or urologist, so had no idea what a treat was in store for me). I did say to the surgeon 'Oh, I'm kind of funny about this stuff'  but think I was just a bit surprised and didn't really know what it entailed at the time, so didn't press home just how awkward about it I am.  Now I know and yes, I probably could request that I have all female staff... I probably will if I have to go ahead and have it.   

I am in the UK

Yes, definitely a nuisance... I had a couple of bad experiences with a male doc's and gynae when I was younger, which probably hasn't helped.  I do know if I was in agony and had to go into hospital in an emergency, I probably wouldn't care, but trying to get into that mind frame is not working. 

Thank you for saying that - helps that people understand and makes me feel like I'm not totally crazy :-)

Sat here waiting with baited breath for the surgeon's secretary to come back... 

Thanks Alan :-)

Daisy

 

Hi Debbie,

I get the needle part too.  I'm not overly fond of them and can understand why they would freak someone out. Nasty things. 

I heard back from the secretary this afternoon - she's booked me in to speak to him and raise all my concerns etc... hopefully that will help some...

Thank you and same for you :-)

Daisy

Daisy, thank you for your kind words, and your healthy outlook!

Alan.

 

Hi Alan,

So...I have a CT Scan tomorrow and was due to speak to the surgeon a week tomorrow.  In the meantime, I receive the operation information in the post.  Cystoscopy AND Dilitation. I was like hmm, what is that - not heard of it?  I looked it up and they perform it on people who have issues urinating. Well, that's it.  I don't have an issue with urinating. Plus the report said that there is no proof it is beneficial. And to top it off, they usually do it on people where everything else has failed. Well, I've never had any previous exploratory treatment re my infections I have contacted my doctor and requested another consultant - I am not letting that man anywhere near me.  A) He's ordered one procedure I definitely know I don't need and now that makes me wonder about whether I even need the cystoscopy - I'd probably end up coming out of the theatre without a bladder the way that man appears to be wanting to treat me. Pfftt!

Daisy

Hi, Daisy, 

I've just spent a short time in hospital so have not been able to reply to you promptly. I hope to be caught up again on back issues and I will be in touch with you again very soon.

Warm regards, Alan

Dear Daisy,

First and foremost, please keep in mind that I am not medically qualified and the statements I make here are my opinion and should be treated as such at all times.

My hospital stay was not, as far as I know, life-threatening, so, please do not worry.

I have had two cystoscopies to date. The first – a rigid one because the flexible version had not been invented yet – was performed in 1948. The second was a flexible cystoscopy looking for bladder stones, but none were found. At my request the procedure was performed without Lidocaine or other numbing agents (and your uro wanted you to have a GA?!!!)..

I am greatly relieved that you have already taken steps to get a new consultant. There are so many red flags flying here ...........

On a completely different  subject,  your computer system does  not display a postal-type icon which would allow us to exchange Private Mails which the Moderators request we us for off-topic items.

I hope we can keep in touch. Warm regards. Alan.

 

Hi Daisy,

My experience with cystoscopy was very bad. I got diagnosed with microscopic hematuria and was referred to a urologist. He was quick to decide that a cystoscopy needed to be done to rule out cancer. I was 29 at the moment. During the procedure I feel super uncomfortable and when everything was done nothing was found. Months later I started to develop extreme burn in my uretha, 24/7 and now I'm dealing with this while I'm trying to find what's wrong with me with different doctors. I suggest you do your research and find what's best for you. If you can rule out something with a less invasive procedure is better.

Hi Alan,

Sorry to hear you had to go into hospital :-(  Hopefully all sorted and you'll be ok now.  

Reading up, the dilatation part can be very painful... so maybe that's why GA?

But yes, I have a very uneasy feeling about it all. Plus I noticed people were getting infections every month. I get maybe 3 a year max?  I mean the last one I had in Vegas (work trip) in April was BAD - no pee, just a toilet full of thick blood. (sorry for tmi). But still.  I'd prefer that to any possible damage from a Cystoscopy.  It's just the sludge I need to sort I guess. Hmm I'll look into that - didn't know PM was a thing here :D Thanks,

I'm still waiting for a call back from Doc re getting a 2nd opinion. ..

Daisy

 

Hi Ricardo,

Sorry to hear you've had such a tough time.  Really hope you sort it out and return to normal.  It must be so debilitating for you. :-(

Keep us posted on how you are...

Daisy

 

Good morning Daisy,

Well tomorrow they conducting a ultrasound sound on my bladder and Kidneys. They still finding microscopic hematuria in my urine. I just wished the doctor would have suggested a ultrasound or MRI in my lower area in my uretha to be more specific, due to the fact that the burning is coming from down there. Is super stressful dealing with this issue on a daily basis. I did called my doctor and request a ultrasound in my uretha just to ease my mind but I haven't heard back from them to confirm that they can do this. The burning is 24/7 and is super stressful living like this. I don't know what's a good day anymore but trying to keep positive. I will keep you guys posted and hopefully I can resolve this soon. I do have to mention that cystoscopy is invasive and some people react different to it. Is like every invasive procedure some people take it better than others.