what are these

[Rebeccanne]

I posted this in another forum... but can someone please tell me what a cystoscopy and hydrodistnention is? Does everyone who is diagnosed with IC have to have these procedures done? I very likely have IC, and will find out tomorrow... but I am wondering what these are and if I could have them done? thank for the help

[Dixiefireball]

heres the part on the hydrodistnention i'm trying to find the way the icn has it printed out in the pat handbook so you have a better idea. you can find what i'm posting at www.ic-network.com/handbook i'm trying to find you the one on the cystoscopy.

About Hydrodistentions
Because some patients have noted an improvement in symptoms after the bladder distention done to diagnose IC, the procedure is often thought of as a treatment in itself. Bladder distention involves filling the bladder with water (while the patient is under general anesthesia) and letting it expand to a degree that is too painful to achieve while the patient is awake. Often the bladder lining bleeds. Researchers are not sure why distention helps, but some believe that the procedure may increase bladder capacity and interfere with the pain signals transmitted by nerves in the bladder.
La Rock et al. (4) report that 20% of patients experience short term symptomatic relief of three months or less. Almost all IC patients experience a significant, temporary worsening of pain, urgency and frequency for a few days after the distention. (Your doctor can prescribe pain medication to help you through this.) After the post-distention pain wears off, some patients find their symptoms gradually return to pre-distention levels but experience no real improvement. For others, the symptoms continue to improve and stabilize at a more comfortable level than pre-distention.

The degree of improvement and length of time this improvement lasts can vary widely among individuals-- days to months. It is also impossible to predict who will and who will not respond. Because this involves the risks of general anesthesia, the merits and drawbacks should be carefully evaluated and discussed with your doctor.

Cystoscope: a device used to view the inside of the bladder

[Dixiefireball]

Please come join us tonight in the chat room.

[Rebeccanne]

I will, and thank you so much for your help!

[Dixiefireball]

your welcome i just hope that helped.