Cystoscopsy related anxieties

[Ali Roxanne]

After waiting for months to hear back from the hospital, I finally recieved a letter inviting me to ring up to book my cytoscopsy. During my previous visit the the hospital, I underwent urodynamic testing which I found really, really painful (to the extent that I was a bit of a wimp and started crying, heh:() and my Urologist explained that I would need a cytoscopsy.
When this possibility was previously mentioned with my GP, she explained that the procedure was done under general aneasthetic (sp?). I have since been told by the hospital that aneasthetic is 'not necessary'. I insisted that I would really rather be under aneasthetic, but the hospital really aren't listening.
Is this normal for the procedure? After the pain from the urodynamics, I'm really anxious about having to undergo a cytoscopsy.
I have been offered sedation - which I presume will be in the form of laughing gas. Has anyone been under the influence of this during a cytoscopsy? If so, did it help with the pain?
Any advice/experiences that you could share with me would be really appriciated.
Ali xxx

[dg2901]

is this a simple cystoscopy or are you also having a hydrodistention and possibly a biopsy? Depending on what procedure your Dr is doing will determine what type of anesthetic will be used. I can only assume that since you're having this in a hospital setting that it will be a cysto/hydro, however only your Dr can tell you exactly. Having a hydro you should really be under general anesthesia as this can prove to be painful if awake as the bladder is stretched beyond normal capacity and rather rapidly. Also, most Dr's will also do a biopsy to help rule out anything sinister---again, you wouldnt want to be awake for this. You mention sedation--again, assuming youre referencing conscious sedation--having had this a couple of times for other procedures, I personally feel I could undergo a cysto/hydro with this type of sedation. Again, just my personal opinion and thought.
Phone your Dr and inquire what exactly is going to be done, and stress your fears regarding said procedure.

[Ali Roxanne]

Thanks so much for your reply.
It's a cytoscopsy with a possible biopsy. I've arranged an appointment with my GP to discuss everything.

[ICNDonna]

It depends on what the "sedation" is --- my suggestion is to talk with your doctor.

Donna

[Ali Roxanne]

Thanks Donna, I believe the suggested method of sedation was laughing gas.