Terrified of PST

[kdurrin]

Hello!
I recently went to a doctor and he said he would need to give me a potassium sensitivity test - and I am really scared!! Is this a cystoscopy?
I really don't want to have this test - can anyone give me any insight?

Thanks!
Katherine

[ICNDonna]

A potassium sensitivity test is not a cystoscopy. What they do is to insert a catheter, then a liquid solution is instilled into the bladder. What usually happens is that they will instill one liquid, then empty it and instill more liquid. They will not tell you when the potassium liquid is going in --- if the potassium causes pain, they will immediately empty it and instill an analgesic to stop the pain.

If the solution causes pain, it's considered to be verification that you have interstitial cystitis. The benefit is that you will know and can begin appropriate treatment.

Donna

[einzel]

I'm having this done on Wednesday and I'm nervous too..but it's just a few moments of pain and in return, I'll get a diagnosis. Good luck!

[Annie2]

Katherine,

I was diagnosed with the potassium sensitivity test. I, too, was absolutely terrified to have it done. I was shaking all over when I went in for the test but when I walked out I was wondering what all the big fuss was about and why I had wasted my time and energy worrying. It wasn't pleasant and the potassium did give me a strong burning feeling but it lasted only seconds. The potassium solution was very quickly drained as soon as I reacted to it and a very soothing and numbing solution was put in my bladder to stop the reaction to the potassium and numb my bladder. Donna gave you a very good description of the test. It only takes a few minutes and you get the results right away. It is uncomfortable but it is not at all unbearable. Afterwards I was a little bit tender but not bad. My doctor did suggest I take Pyridium after the test to keep my bladder calm after the numbing agent wore off. It is perfectly normal to feel some anxiety when you are having a test like this. I have found reading about IC, learning about the tests, medicines and treatments used for IC has helped me immensely. It is the unknown that creates anxiety for me. It is much easier for me to handle new things if I have some idea what to expect. I encourage you to read as much as you can (not all at once as that is too overwhelming!) and learn as much as you can from this group of supportive and caring people. It is good you are posting and asking the questions that are bothering you. We are all here to help one another and, though we aren't physicians, we all try our best to find answers to these questions. We're here for you and will help you as much as we can. Thank goodness we have this wonderful website to help us!

:grouphug:
Annie