Advice....

[loriw]

Hi!
After 5 months of dealing with what I THINK will be diagnosed as Mild IC...I get to go for my cystoscopy on Thursday.Can anyone tell me what questions etc. I should be asking the doctor after?If he does figure I have IC...what is the common dosage of Elmiron and what about Elavil?I am not totally what Elavil is for...I have no pain, just frequency and always feel like I have to pee(The Ditropan helps.)
When I go for cystoscopy....they put some kind of gel to numb me?(I wish I could be knocked out...lol!)They say to expect reddish discharge and burning for about a week after and increased frequency :woohoo: just what I need!
I read somewhere here to use a warm facecloth and soaking in the tub might help after?
I am SO not looking forward to this but in a way...I guess I'm just glad to get it over with and finally get some answers...hopefully!
Thanks...
LoriW

[SharonA]

Lori...Are you having a Cystoscopy in your doctor's office? That is when they use a scope and insert it into your urethra which goes into your bladder to look around inside your bladder. This may or may not show signs of IC. From your post, it sounds like this is what you will be having done.

Or are you having a Cystoscopy/Hydrodistention? That is when they put Saline into your bladder to distend your bladder. They then use a scope to look around your bladder for signs of ulcers and/or pinpoint bleeding and redness on the bladder walls. This is a very painful procedure because they inflate the bladder more than normal so they can have a good look inside. Therefore, most of us have this done in a surgery room and are put to sleep using anesthesia. Many of us have been diagnosed using this method.

I do not know very much about Elmiron. I take Elavil 25mg (Amitriptyline) for pain. It is an antidepressant that, when taken in low doses acts as a pain blocker in the brain. It works great for me. I have heard that it can help with the feeling of frequency/urgency.

After the procedure, ask your doctor what he/she saw. Were they able to get a good look at the walls of your bladder? Ask for a pain med to get you through the first few of days post-procedure.

Heat helps some of us, cold helps some of us. For me, if I am feeling bladder pain, I like heat in the form of a heating pad. If I am feeling a burning in my urethra, then I like to use a cold pack which I place between my legs up against my vulva.

Let us know how you do and what your doctor recommends for you. :)

[loriw]

Thanks Sharon...
I am having it done at hospital but they didn't mention anything about hydrodistention and I am not going under and they say I can drive home after so...hopefully its JUST the cystoscopy!