Cysto caused my symptoms to go away???

[DoulaSue]

I had a cysto on Friday, they confirmed that I have mild IC. The weirdest thing has happened though, since having it, I had some pretty bad crampy feelings Friday and Saturday, but now my IC symptoms have literally disappeared!! I feel like my old self again, it's been 6 weeks since I've felt this good. He didn't do a hydrodistention, but did inject a saline solution into my bladder for a few minutes. Would this be enough to make me feel better? I've also been on the Enablex for a little over a week now, maybe that's why I'm feeling better. All I can say is, Thank GOD!

[**Angie**]

I'm so happy for you. Pain free is such a lovely thought. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that you are in remission and you stay that way. Don't over do it, remember to still be careful about what you eat--'cause you don't want to set your bladder off again.

[prettyeyes]

Glad you are feeling better but like Angie said still be careful.

[cynb2003]

I just had an appointment today with my Uro and she suggested that since it has been 3 years since my original Cysto that I really should have another one performed. Besides that, my original Uro left (about 1.5 years ago) and I have this new Dr. (who I do like) and I think she would like to have an actual look in my bladder for herself. She has stated that the last 3 years, I have been showing a little trace of blood with each urine culture. It does get sent out for further analysis, but comes up with nothing. I was going every 3 months, and have graduated to going every 6 months. I usually only have 1 flare a year, and overall am satisfied with my overall results.
My bladder ALWAYS let's me know when I have done something wrong, that is for sure!

My question is this....Does anyone else experience this "little trace of blood" when they give their urine samples?

My last Cysto was not a bad experience, some discomfort but nothing worth writing about. I am a little nervous that the IC will rear it's ugly head worse this time, but I am really trying to be optomistic. This time will be different by adding a biopsy in addition to the Cysto.

Thanks for listening!

[DoulaSue]

Yes, I've had 5 urine cultures that all showed traces of blood. I've read others stories here and they've said the same thing. My Uro basically said that it's not that abnormal, and even people without IC can show microscopic traces of blood with every urine culture.

[cynb2003]

Ahh...I thought the same thing that Blood in my Urine was just part of the IC. I'm glad my Uro wants to be Proactive vs. not caring at all, right?

Thanks for replying:smile tee

[ICLori]

DoulaSue, some IC'ers do go into lengthy remission from a cystoscopy/hydrodistention, and I am sure hoping you will be one of them! In fact ICNDonna gets quite a bit of relief from hydrodistentions, and she and her doctor use that as part of the strategy for managing the symptoms. It has worked very well for her! So if you do get a lot of relief, that lasts say for several months, you and your doctor might just decide to keep having hydros every six months or so!

Blessings,
Lori

[Freckles]

I always have blood in my urine. But they say no cancer cells, so that's good. I always assumed that most IC'ers had the blood, my doctor didn't seem concerned. Of course he is a terrible doctor.
Karen

[irishnan3]

I always have blood in my urine. But they say no cancer cells, so that's good. I always assumed that most IC'ers had the blood, my doctor didn't seem concerned. Of course he is a terrible doctor.
Karen


I to always have blood in my urin, but my last culture was clear, the first time in years, dr said most likely from following the IC diet.??? :woohoo: So we know that the diet really does help.

[Freckles]

I guess I really should try the diet again. After reading so many posts it seems that a lot of people benefit from it. I did try it years ago and it didn't seem to help but who knows maybe I should give it another shot.
Karen

[sunshine_77us]

I'm having a cysto in the morning. My dr is rushing it because when I gave a urine sample this afternoon there he said there was quite a bit of blood in my urine. I couldn't see it but I did notice when I wiped myself there was blood. I have never seen that before. He kept asking me if I was a smoker and I said no, then he wanted to know if I was around second hand smoke. I told him I used to be when I was younger. I know they say smoking is one of the causes of bladder & kidney cancer so that scared me. My last cyso with medication was a year ago and he didn't see anything. So. do you think that it could be caused from my IC. This last month has been bad. I have had lots of pain and burning. It just scares me because I seen the blood when I wiped.

[Freckles]

I really don't know about the blood. I've never actually seen the blood but they tell me it's always there. I'm sure someone will answer you with a better response. I've just never seen the blood when I wiped. I can understand your concern, but I wouldn't worry about it too much because that will just make your IC worse. Try to stay calm. It could be probably many things and not cancer.
Karen

[DoulaSue]

My very first symptom that something was definately wrong was VERY bloody urine (visible, looked like I peed blood!). It only lasted about 24 hours, but then with each urine culture after that they were still picking up microscopic blood. I also had burning and frequency, but the burning went away after a few days, the frequency stayed for 6 week with a general "uncomfortable" and slightly painful feeling.

The first thing my Dr. asked was if I smoked, and told me that I could have bladder cancer, kidney stones, bladder stones, or something else could be causing the blood. A friend of mine works with a uro/gyno and they said if it were bladder cancer, your urine would be more of a rust color. Try not to worry, it's most likely your IC which is causing it.

[sunshine_77us]

Karen and Doula Sue
Thanks for your replies. I appreciate it. I'm think in the back of my mind that it is the IC. I guess because I've never had this symptom before and after having thyroid cancer it worries me. I am going to think positive and I'll post tomorrow and let you know the results. Thanks again

[DoulaSue]

It's normal to worry, my Dr. came right out and said "you may have bladder cancer, blood in your urine is a major sign". I left that appointment kind of freaked out, but I also thought that my symptoms came on too fast and furious, and I just didn't "feel" like I had cancer. Other than the IC pain/discomfort, I felt ok, not tired, eating fine, etc... I know that people can still feel fine if they have cancer, but my body was telling me it was not that. Others on this site helped me not to feel better, explaining that bladder cancer is extremely rare in women my age. You already know you have IC, correct? I would honestly think that the blood in your urine is from that. Try not to worry, think positively, you'll have an answer soon!

[sunshine_77us]

Doula Sue
Thanks, I've been thinking the same thing and I really feel that is the IC. I've done so good for the past 4 or 5 months then this happened, I guess it just scared me. I'm leaving for the hospital in about 20 minutes so hopefully I'll be on here this afternoon telling you that everything is fine!:)

[ICNDonna]

I am another who has blood in my urine --- it can't be seen by the naked eye, but it's always there when I have a test done.

Donna

[irishnan3]

Sunshine 77: Try not to worry to much it only makes things worse. Many of us on this site have blood or mico. blood all the time. The doc's can scare the He-- out of us sometimes with all they blurt out. I am having a Cysto-Hydr. with bladder biopsy on the 16th and the dr. said the same things. It is scary to hear some of the things they could find. But I have had the problem with blood for a very very long time and all sorts of testing the BIG "C" was never mentioned Thank GOD! So I feel a bit more comfortable that it won't be found this time either. Please keep us informed on your progress. Keep positive :pray:

[sunshine_77us]

Thanks everyone for your replies. They sure made me feel better about everything. He did the cysto and medication. He said my bladder is really irritated (which I already knew) but no sign of bladder cancer. He said if the ultrasound of my kidneys turns out negative the blood would be from the IC. He told to call his office Friday afternoon to get results. I called and they were closed!!!! I'm leaving in the morning for Pigeon Forge, Tn for a few days vacation but I will call him Monday and find out. I'll post when I get back. I'm going to try to enjoy myself for a few days. The medication has already helped. I just felt raw the night before I had this done.

[irishnan3]

I had a cysto on Friday, they confirmed that I have mild IC. The weirdest thing has happened though, since having it, I had some pretty bad crampy feelings Friday and Saturday, but now my IC symptoms have literally disappeared!! I feel like my old self again, it's been 6 weeks since I've felt this good. He didn't do a hydrodistention, but did inject a saline solution into my bladder for a few minutes. Would this be enough to make me feel better? I've also been on the Enablex for a little over a week now, maybe that's why I'm feeling better. All I can say is, Thank GOD!

:pray: ing this happens for me to. Having my done on Thurday also bladder biopsy. I am very very nervous. I did't seem to mind the cystoscope in the office it went rather smoothly, Nothing was given for pain and i didn't have a problem. But this one scares me... Totally stressed any suggestions???

[Freckles]

Hi irish,
I was the same, the in office cysto didn't bother me at all. The hydro killed me. But, I also had a lot of tissue burned out with a cautery so I'm sure that's what did it to me, not the hydro. I found out from every urologist I've been to that the procedure should have never been done to me. The tissue she burned out was normal tissue. I guess this female doctor in St. pete just wanted someone to practice her skills on. I was desparate and she knew it and had me in the hospital almost immediately. Of course she never said a word to me about burning any tissue out. It was awful. I was purple to my knees for weeks and couldn't urinate without sitting in a hot tub of water for a long time. I'm sure this was the burning though, I don't think you get that kind of a reaction from a hydro.
Just make sure you tell them not to do anything to you that you haven't approved of up front. Make sure you read what you are signing!
Karen

[irishnan3]

Hi karen; sounds like you went through He--! I know what you mean about making sure you know exactly whats going to happen before you go into the procedure. I told him three times that nothing else is to be done till it is discussed with me, Not my husband or anyone else, ME only. i don't care if I have to return to the OR just ask me first. I have already lelarned my lesson on that. I am a bit nervous today with it being done tomorrow. I usually go through things very well so I'm hoping that this goes smoothly to. I will post and update everyone as soon as I can. Thanks for the support everyone.
Nervous, Nervous Nervous...lol It feels better to get it out....:dizzy:

[Freckles]

Yes, it was one of the toughest times in my life. I even went to an attorney because I was still having trouble walking months afterwards. I don't know which is worse this disease or the doctors who treat it.

Don't worry you'll be fine. Make sure to tell us how everything went. I'll say a prayer for you.
Karen

[irishnan3]

Thanks Karen, I could use all the Prayers I can get.

[Freckles]

I have a prayer list and now your name is on it. You'll be fine. I pray for all of us but always mention names as well. I believe in prayer and I believe that God is watching over us even when it doesn't feel like he is.

I'm just back from an appt with my pain doctor. I love him. I hate my urologist and love my pain doctor. Finally I have a doctor that really seems to care. He wanted to put me on methadone but I said no. I like the fentynl patch I just need a higher dose. We'll see what happens. I've been in bed for the last 3 days. I hate being at home, I miss work so much.
Karen

[racegirl82006]

i too have had slight traces of blood in urine for years. i finally had cysto/hydro the other day. At first waking it was AWFUL pain. i was crying upon waking. Finally after alot of pain meds i felt good. 3 days and still feeling good. Once my bladder went back down it was ok. dr said i had bad case of ic. very glad to be pain free for any length of time. thank god. and thank yall for ur prayers. good luck to anyone having one coming up. my prayers are with ya.

[irishnan3]

Hi Karen
I made it through. I was suprised they kept me in the hospital so long. had my peocedure @ 9:00 on the 16th and didn't get home until the 18th. Dr wanted to keep flushing the bladder. I felt fine until they took the foley out. Then the pain started. Can't sit, stand or lay in the same position to long. Very uncomfortable all around. BUT it wans't as bad as I thought it was going to be. I really had myself worked up over this. My pain levels a bad, but not really any worse then a bad flare. And I guess I'm getting use to dealing with them. I am worried about going to work tomorrow. Not sure If I should go or not. I will wait till later today to decide. Thanks for the Encouragement everyone.