cysto question

[aprjax]

My question last night didn't post I guess the site was down.
However it isn't really a question just wondering my doctor told me that he couldn't do the hydro because my bladder was already bleeding really really bad, and now my medication is really bothering me which he cut down, and then said if this doesn't work soon then we will have to catherize me and insert medication that way. I mean I guess since I'm already beyond breakdown stage and depression just stays with me night and day, he doesn't want to tell me how bad it is, or am I bringing to much into this. And what about the cather if someone does that will you please tell me a little about that... I know questions questions and more question.. just scared I guess...aprjax

[Sarojini]

Inserting meds through a catheter is called a "bladder instillation" or "bladder wash". It's pretty standard for IC treatment. I myself have had DMSO put into my bladder 6 times this way... it actually helped me.

Check out the "Treatments" section of the IC Patient Handbook (http://www.ic-network.com/handbook)
... there is a lot of info about bladder instillations there.

:)

Good luck

[felineperson3]

Jen gave you an excellent reference, Aprjax--

Prayers :pray: going out for you that God will give you peace and comfort about the procedure.

Hugs & blessings to you--:cat:

[HeatherMac]

Hi aprjax..
I have been having bladdder instillations since Jan... I started at once a week and I am now up to a month and next time hopefully six weeks... the doctor decides depending on how my time went from before... The progress was slow but after the sixth time i started to notice improvement... If I think back to the time before treatment I am ALOT better! I get flares but they are usually associated with stressful events...
I get a freezing gel first before the catherter.... so it doesn't hurt... What I don't like is the burning u feel... and u also have a specific odour that lasts on your skin for over 24 hours...
After all this I would still continue because the results far out weigh any discomfort.. Good luck and hope it works for u as it has for me...

[holles]

i just finished bladder instillations. i did 3 a week for a few weeks. my bladder was bleeding still even after they were done. but i've noticed my frequency is down, and i don't leak anymore. so i think it worked somewhat. the meds i used were heparin, lidocaine, and bicarbonate. some docs will use dmso in addition to the others. the only pain is from the catheter going in. and that only lasts a minute.

[ICNDonna]

If the instillations planned are DMSO, you should know that DMSO can be painful at first. I know my first few were pretty bad --- I was ready to give up on it when one night I slept the night through without even one bathroom trip, which was enough to convince me it was helping.

I am still on a schedule of a DMSO treatment once a month. Hydrodistention is also a major treatment for me and with the help of DMSO, this time I have gone a full year since my last hydro.

One suggestion: Be sure to ask to have lidocaine or a similar substance instilled before the medication, especially if it's DMSO. It does help.

Warm healing thoughts,
Donna