Cysto w/hydro or w/o hydro & recovery questions

[RWadeJ]

Hi all
I had a cysto done in 2005 when my IC symptoms started. Unfortunatly it was the kind where they don't put you to sleep, and it was excruitiating. It was horrible when he was doing the procedure, and I was in horrific pain afterwards (they gave me no pain meds). I don't know what anything looked like, all he said was "nothing unusual". This was a uro that doesn't believe IC exists, I guess. He refused to provide me with any treatment.

I've since had a dr (not a uro) diagnos me by symptoms and have been taking Elmiron and vistaril. I was taking elavil to, which helped with the pain, but had to stop because of the heart racing side effect.

I'm now having new symptoms including alot of pain and some burning. I'm seeing a new uro. Right now she's treating me with antibiotics as she thinks I may have some unresolved infection from my many go-arounds with bacterial vaginosis.

Anyway, she wants to do a cysto w/hydro if I'm not feeling better in a couple of weeks. After all the hell the first one was, I had sworn I would never have one again.

But this would be under anthesia and they said they would provide pain medication to.

So, I'm seriously considering it, since I might really have some answers from it. (and I have an insurance now that would cover it)

So my question is - if you've had both (with anthesia and without) - was one any better or worse than the other?

And secondly, I have a 4 year old who goes to special ed preschool and I have to get up and put him on the bus everyday at 7am. After having this done do you think I would be up to doing that the first few days afterwards?

Thank you guys, for all the help!
Janice

[leelee88]

Janice,
I cannot believe you had this poceedure done without any pain meds. But some people have the cysto/hydro on Friday and go back to work on Monday. But then you have others that have a longer recovery. So I don't think we could really answer that one for you. I think if you were planning on haiving it done. I would have someone on stadby for your daughter just in case.

[SharonA]

Janice...I have not had both procedures but I have read posts that the one done in the doctor's office can be very painful just as you described. I have had the one with anesthesia used to diagnose and for me, it was not bad. I was tired afterwards but not in a lot of pain. I did have some burning when I was able to urinate for the first time and for a few times after, but nothing terrible. I did not need pain medication. I was up that evening, ate a bowl of oatmeal and watched TV in the living room with my husband. I did take antibiotics for several days afterwards. The next day after the cysto/hydro, I was able to move about the house without difficulty.

But...Remember...We are all different and can react differently to procedures and medications. I wish I could guarantee that you will feel as well as I did, but I do know that some here have not. (((Hugs))) and lots of hope that, if you decide to do this, you will. :) :) :)

[Tracie]

I have only had the cysto/hydro. I could not imagine being awake for this procedure. I was also given pain pills after. I think you should be fine to take your child to the bus. I was shopping the next day, but then I was in pain for a few weeks but my uro worked with me. Everyone recovers differently from these procedures. Good luck.

[ICNDonna]

It's not unusual to have a cystoscopy in a doctor's office --- I have had them done. Not fun, but not horrible either. A cystoscopy with hydrodistention most definitely requires anesthesia. Recovery time can vary a lot so it's not possible to predict how you will feel the following day. I do think it would be a good idea to make some arrangements for your little one just in case.

The good thing is that some people (I'm one) who feel much better after a hydro.

Donna

[capricorngirl]

I have had both of these procedures done, always under anesthia. For me, the first couple of days were pretty rough I had some bad cramping but after that I was fine and the hydro actually helped I was flare free for about 6 months. I too am getting ready to have this done again on Nov. 4 in order to check things out (been having some blood in my urine) and since they are already going to have me under for the cysto they are going to do the hydo also. Like everyone else has stated, everyone heals differently and I have several things going on besides the IC which could have been part of my pain after. I do think it is a good idea to have someone on stand by in case you need the extra help. Good luck!:angel:

[mary124]

I have had both procedures done (one in as an outpatient and the other just at the doctors office. The one at the doctors office wasn't bad at all (for me anyway) was able to go back to the office after that. for the outpatient one in the hospital I usually have them done on either Thursday or Friday and usually up and about the next day. (going back to work the following Monday) As to getting the little one to school really can't help you with that as when I first started having them my kids were old enough to do things on their own; but just in case, I would have someone as a backup. Good Luck.

[espink]

:help::hi:Hi,
I have posed before in the newly diagnosed section. I went to a Urologist in September for bladder pain/frequency and urgency. He said all my symptoms were consistant with IC. He gave me 2 weeks of Vesicare to try and scheduled an in office cystoscopy in 2 weeks. When I returned after 2 weeks I told him the Vesicare was working. I had the procedure in his office which was very quick. He said all he saw was inflammation. He said since the Vesicare was working than he was not going to do anymore testing since this is a med that does'nt work for people with IC. He told me to take advil for 10 days 3 times a day to get rid of the inflammation and scheduled me for a followup in 3 months.
I felt like I was on an assembly line and everything was rushed and he never explained anything to me, Come to find out my Primary Dr. told me he was very snooty to him. Anyways come to find out I thought the vesicare was working I think because it took away the frequency but actually I was retaining and had terrrible hesitation and slow flow going. So I went off it and it went away. Now I am just back to frequency/urge and very bad pain. I have to take 2 vicoden when I have pain which seems to be getting worse and more frequent. My hormones really affect my pain.
Well my primary and I decided it would be good for me to see a Urogynecologist out of Boston. I also have vestibulitis. I made the appt. a month ago and I have it on Nov 13th. On the initial appt. I guess he is going to do another in office cystoscopy and a urine flow test. I Keep reading that to get a DX of IC it needs to under anesthesia, which I am open to. I am wondering if this med elmiron which I read about. Does it take 6 months to work and does it work for most? Also about the hydro/cyst with the solution to coat your bladder, how long does it last for most. I have read alot but I would like to hear from other ICers. Thanks
Elaine

[ICNDonna]

For espink: A cystoscopy done in the office will not usually diagnose IC, but it's a part of the process of ruling out other possible problems. You can read more about tests in the Patient Handbook on this site. Many people with IC have a problem with Advil so you might want to avoid that for a while to see.

You might also want to give the IC diet a try to see if that helps with symptoms.

Donna

[Tracie]

What does your doctor say about vestibulitis? My gyno thinks I have this, and he admits he does not have a lot of knowledge on it. I do take calcium citrate which sesms to help. What do you take for yours?
Thanks
Tracie