Cysto question

[NicoleB]

i finally saw a uro about my bladder pain, and he found a "significant" amount of blood in my urine. first off, is that an IC symptom? Bacteria is not showing up, but everybody around me still thinks this is an infection. Anyway, i was scheduled for a cystoscopy. he never mentioned anything about hydrodistention, other than "filling my bladder with liquid, but not stretching". He said i will be sedated and will not remember it. Nor will i feel it. But i dont think i'm going to be completely under anasthesia, probably just the kind of sedation they do during colonoscopies i'm guessing. has anyone ever had that kind of sedation? i'm so afraid of feeling somthing! especially since a lot of my irritation stems from the urethra area, and i'm so scard of getting somthihg stuffed up there. i just dont want to be aware of pain at all, but i dont know what to expect.

[leelee88]

Blood in your urine is very common with people who have IC,
If you feel uncomfortable about him not putting you all the way under, I would tell him about it, its your body..I do know if he was doing a hydro, you would deffentily want to be put all the under

[Briza]

I think your dr is referring to something they call twilight anesthesia. I've read here that some have had cysto AND hydro with this.
Other options are spinal or general anesthesia in the OR.
Is he planning on doing this in office or OR?
I'm sure some of the other ladies will chime in on which type anesthesia they've had. Mine was general, but I think there are fewer risks with twilight or spinal...someone correct me if I'm wrong here.
Best wishes :)

[NicoleB]

I think its being done in the OR. i remember him saying "dont listen to all yoru friends saying its aweful...its not." So i'm guessing i will not feel anything. to tell you the truth, i'd rather be totally under! i'm a little afraid with this uro. he seemed to not give me much advice as to what this pain could be. When i said somthing about fearing i have IC, he kind of chuckled. i wish i could tell him to do a hydro as well, because i'm now reading here that a cysto is not enough to diagnose. But you cant really tell a doc what to do! how could i convince him that i should have a hydro as well? Also, is there any reliable way to find out if a uro in my area deals with IC? My Uro is a nice man, but i'm worrying that he may not end up being helpful. i dont really have the time or money to be doctor hopping.

[Briza]

Darn, I posted long reply then computer locked up and I lost it!
Nicole, what are your main symptoms?

[NicoleB]

Main symptoms:

frequent UTIs (once every 3-4 months)

frequent vulvodynia/burning pain

urethral burning almost every day between infections, though often mild, and can be alleviated with lots of water.

now recently, bladder pain and burning/cramping somtimes severe.
my urinalysis was negative for bacteria, but they gave me an antibiotic anyway. i actually got a bit better, so it could have been a UTI all along, but it is very non-typical for me to have a UTI that lasted so long with SOOO much pain. All these severe symptoms started with a UTI about 3 weeks a go. I KNOW it was a UTI at first, because the urine was smelly, and that is typical of a UTI symptom for me. Then the symptoms subsided, but came back full force (well, the pain did anyway) but urine tests were negative. i'm feeling better this week, though not perfect, there is still cramping in my lower abdomen and a slight sting in the bladder. i'm so scared i have IC>

Uro found blood in urine, so now wants more tests.