Cystoscopy on Monday

[Jennifer34]

Hi

I am scheduled for a in-office cystoscopy on Monday and I am quite nervous about it. I had a pressure flow study done today where they placed a catheter in my bladder and rectum to measure how much my bladder can hold. Well, I failed that test. I can only hold 120 ml before pain set in. She said that I should be around 400 ml. My symptoms are alot worse a week before my period, which is about now. I deal with urgency, frequency, presssure and pelvic pain. During this test, I experienced the same type of pressure and pelivic pain when she was filling my bladder. Afterwards, it hurt bad to urinate, alot of burning, pain, and urgency. It has now finally settled down.

What am I in for with the cystoscopy? The nurse told me today that it is similar with what I went through today, which now makes me nervous because I was hurting for several hours. Any ideas on how to reduce the pain afterwards? Will the cystoscopy hurt?

I have to wonder if this is IC. Can it affect how much I can hold in my bladder? Can that explain why I need to visit every bathroom when I am out. It only affects me before and during my period, and a couple days afterwards.

In a month, I will be traveling by car . There is one stretch of the road (4-5 hrs) where this is not a bathroom in site. Not sure what to do?

Thanks
Jennifer

[Mrs. Peel]

Hi, Jennifer. I understand your worries.

My urologist was pretty certain I had IC from our first appointment, so he went straight to the hydro after checking my urine to rule out some other possibilities.

I had the same problem around my period and always thought it was just because my uterus was taking up more room during that time. I didn't realize that it wasn't normal.

You can ask your doctor for something for the pain. There are pills that put anesthetic in your urine and they work pretty well, but check with your doctor to make sure. If you take them, make sure to wear pantie liners, because they make you pee bright colors that stain.

Lowered bladder capacity is a symptom of IC, but IC isn't the only thing that causes it, so I hope your problem turns out to be something easier to treat.

I haven't had a cystoscopy, but I'm sure someone who has will write soon.

[Jennifer34]

Hi

Cystoscopy is done. It wasn't too bad until he started to fill up my bladder. The pelvic pain and pressure came back and I have been uncomfortable since. The strange thing is that when he was pressing around down there, it was painful and I was moving away.

We have answers finally. He did diagnosed IC. He said that the nerves in my bladder are very sensitive. It can explain the pelvic pain, pressure, frequency, urgency. I will start Elmiron tomorrow as well as elavil. He also has ordered some sort of treatments that go directly into the bladder. First round is next week, then I get a week off and go for round 2. They will be done in the office to see how I react. If it works and I handle it fine, then they will have me start doing them at home.

I am a bit fuzzy with this diagnose.

Jennifer