Any answers would be greatly appreciated!!

[sandy426]

Hi.....I'm very glad that I found this board. My doctor is sure it's IC, and will do some testing this Friday, the 9th. I am scheduled to have Urodynamics and Cystoscopy. She mentioned that she will fill my bladder during the cystoscopy, but said that she will "give me just a little something" for pain.l I'm not sure what that means! Does that mean a Hydro also? Everything I read says you need some kind of anesthesia. I am having the tests at a surgery center, but she told me that I am able to drive myself. Can anyone give me any advice? I've also heard the Urodynamics test is very embarrasing. I suppose since I am having both, they will do the Urodynamics test first? I can handle pain pretty well, but I am really scared of the cystoscopy as I am in such pain. Any light you can shed would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks so much!!!!!!!

[Dixiefireball]

If your able to drive your self home she must be taking about giving you a installment after the treatment to try to ease the bladder off, but sadly this doesn't always work.
The best way to tell if you have IC is to go under and let them do the hydro/c. while she is in there she should also check for bladder cancer. (normally they do this to be on the safe side)
If you do decide to do this. I would take a driver with me. It may not hurt that bad (i was always put out) but still you may be in a lot of pain after this, and want feel like driving.
she will hopefully give you an RX for pain control afterwards
You can read more information about these treatments and test at www.ic-network.com/handbook. while you there at this website you will also find the IC diet which has helped many people control there IC systom even go into remission.
I wish you Luck I just couldn't do it while i was a wake. NO WAY!
sending you lots of hugs and prayers
and b.t.w :welcome: to the ICN family you will always find support, someone who cares, and most importantly understands!!
please let us know how you are.
Rhonda

[Babs RN]

Sandy,
I have had the urodynamics done on a separate day--and if you are able to drive yourself home, I'm assuming you are have a cystoscopy without the hydrodistention--I would call first thing on Tuesday to clarify the procedures. As far as the urodynamics being embarassing, it was no worse than having the yearly trip to the stirrups. I actually brought a driver when I had the urodynamics done because I was 125 miles from home and if I needed pain meds wanted to be able to safely. The worst part of the diagnosis is waiting for answers. Welcome to the ICN and if you need to vent, ask questions or a shoulder to cry on--you have come to the right place. Personally, if you need to either, PM me or email me direct. Good luck as you begin this journey.

Hugs :grouphug: and a big fat :welcome: ,
Barb

[ICNDonna]

It's been a lot of years since I had urodynamics, but it wasn't bad at all. I could have driven home afterwards. Most of us have had a cystoscopy in our doctor's office as a part of the ruling out of other possible causes that is a part of an IC diagnosis. After I had my first one, I went back to work for the last half of my work day. It wasn't bad at all. The best advice I can think of is to tell you to concentrate on relaxing --- the more relaxed you are, the easier the test is.

Donna

[traceann]

Hello and a :welcome: to you!! Glad you found us! There is a wealth of info and support here, :)

I personally have had none of those tests, I was diagnosed on sypmtoms and my history. So, I am sorry to say I have no insight to impart to you.

I just wanted to say welcome and give you a link to the IC Diet foods list, here on the site, (if you haven't found it already, ;) ) The diet is a huge tool for a lot of us in helping to keep IC symptoms at bay. Now a days, if my bladder is being unruly, it's usually due to eating something that it did not approve of or hormonal (ovulation and PMS).

http://www.ic-network.com/handbook/diet.html

Once again, welcome and hope to see you around the boards!!

Hugs!

[megancolleen]

My cystoscopy wasn't bad at all, either. I want to really emphasize that because before I had mine I had read some horror stories about it here, and I thought it was going to be torture. So I was very tense and scared before the procedure and I cried only because I thought it was going to be much worse than it was. I think Donna's suggestion of trying to relax is very good advice.

Good luck!

[VickiB]

Hi Sandy and welcome to ICN!

I agree with Barb, and would call to find out exactly what procedures are planned. It does sound like you're going to have the initial cystoscopy without hydrodistension, and that's a pretty common step in the route to diagnosis. I drove myself, a three hour trip both ways, and was very nervous about whether I'd be in so much pain and unable to get myself back home. The procedure wasn't pleasant and there was a lingering discomfort afterwards, but I felt good enough to take advantage of some out of town shopping while I was down there. (No pain meds needed) That said, I was having a relatively good day pain-wise at the time I went in. You mention you're in a lot of pain right now, and if this pain is constant, I'm thinking it might be wise to enlist someone to drive you.

I haven't had the urodynamics done, so can't say what you're facing there.

I hope Friday brings you closer to some answers. Let us know how it goes.

Vicki

[Elle]

I agree with the others. I would find out exactly what is going to be done. If the Dr says you can drive home, I would guess that you will only be given something like pyrdium for pain, and you definately won't have a hydro (at least I would hope not) without anesthia. For me, cystos and urodynamics testing has been extremely painful since my IC symptoms began. I had one cysto prior to having IC symptoms which wasn't painful at all. I think the amout of pain you may or may not have from a cysto depends on how much urethral involvement you have w/ your IC. My worst symptoms are urethral spasms, which, in my opinion, makes the invasive procedures more painful. You should ask your Dr for a detailed description of what will be done and what types of pain meds and/or sedation will be given, if they are needed. Please don't go into any procedure blindly. You deserve to know what types of things your in for. I hope all goes well with your procedure. :kissing:

[sandy426]

Thanks....the doctor has me on vesicare, bactrim and pyridium already....not much help. I guess they will do the uro test first, then the cysto. I will definitely call on Tuesday and find out exactly what kind of sedation I can expect. I'm pretty good about pain, but I'm in such agony at this point, I can't imagine being able to tolerate anything in there! I'm taking my husband's percocet every night to try and sleep. I also have IBS, and frequent migraines...I cannot believe that this is all related!! Everyone in my life thinks I'm a chronic complainer...if they only knew the pain.

[Babs RN]

I would definitely clarify everything on Tuesday. Another dead giveaway that they are going to use some kind of sedation is that they will tell you not to eat or drink anything after midnight the night before. I would also make sure that there is some plan for after the procedure like pain meds, follow up visits and so forth. You shouldn't have to take your hubby's meds to make you comfortable(besides it being technically not legal), you should be given the dignity of these docs finding and dispensing your own pain management plan. It kills me that if we complain were are over reacting loons and that the old school thought pattern that men receive prompt intervention because for them to complain it must be really bad. Puhleez, are some of them not the biggest whiners for a hangnail(my DH included.

Hugs,
Barb

[Elle]

Barb - I'm with you on the whinney hubbie thing! I have a wonderful husband, but he is such a baby when he's sick! When one of my little ones gets a stomach virus, I PRAY that HE won't get it! The little ones are better about it than he is! I get the virus and I am still some how able to care for the little ones in between my own bouts of puking my guts out, while he can barely stand when he's sick! But yet, he can go to the Dr and complain about anything and they throw pain meds his way...makes no sense at all...I guess we're going to be punished for that damn apple through all of eternity! ;)

Sandy - If your Dr told you that you can drive yourself, that leads me to believe that you're not going to be sedated or medicated. And you shouldn't have to take your hubbies meds for pain, they should prescribe you something. Your pain IS real, and it deserves to be treated! But, in all honesty, I have also taken other peoples pain meds when I didn't have any. I was so frustrated with Drs that I refused to go for about a year and a half. When times got bad, I would take pain meds prescribed to someone else, so I completely understand. I know you said that you're going to call on Tuesday. Please make sure you do. If you're already in agony, I would venture to say that you're going to be in even more pain following these procedures than you are now. Be sure to get a lot of rest after your procedures, and let us know how you're doing. :kissing: