urethal stricture??

[debzx]

Hi All

I am paniking as they think i have the above and are taking me into hospital on 11th March for a cystoscopy. using a ridgid camera?? I am having to have a general anestetic for this and am concerned as i have heard you can just have a local?? Obviously i am petrified that they may find a tumor or something nasty. Is this normal.

thanks

debzx

[ICNDonna]

What you are feeling is totally normal. The thought of hospitalization and anesthesia is scary for anyone --- and when it's for testing, I think most of us worry even more. If you weren't a little nervous about this, you would be very unusual.

Sending an encouraging hug,
Donna

[Iris]

Hello and I agree with Donna, you are experiencing a normal reaction, I just had facial surgery, and was very nervous, not knowing what they would find. You are not alone believe me, I am sure we have all felt the same way when going in for tests, or hospital for surgery. Hope that everything will go well for you, and will certainly be thinking about you, and sending a prayer your way, sending a reassuring hug, Iris. grouphug hi

[WilkesLand]

receiving general anesthesia is a benefit to you.
being examined with a rigid cystoscope for a urethal stricture can be traumatic. it was for me. peace.

[poetgirl]

Debzx,

You will definitely prefer having general anesthesia or twilight sleep (sedative that pretty much knocks you out) while undergoing a cystoscopy, especially if you have a urethral stricture. I have a stricture and there is no way I could have tolerated the procedure even with local anesthesia (which is basically a lidocaine injection.)

I understand being nervous about the procedure, but it helps the doctor to provide an accurate diagnosis so that you can receive effective treatment.

Good luck and let us know how the procedure goes! grouphug

[debzx]

poetgirl!! You mentioned having a stricture?? did they fix it?? i am really confused because they say the risk with a urethal dilitation is stricture/infection ect. I am wondering if going in and trying to widen the pipe will cure it?? something tells me its not quite as simple eh!!

thanks

debzxx

[poetgirl]

Hi Debzx, hi

I suppose you could say the urologist "fixed" the stricture to some degree. Actually, we didn't know I had one until he went in to do a cystoscopy with hydrodistention. What he did was make an incision in the stricture (urethrotomy) to widen it because what was happening was, my bladder wall muscles were overcompensating for having to push the urine through a narrowed urethra. That was about 5 years ago and it has helped over time -- I get fewer urinary tract infections now and my urine flow is stronger.

Since the urethrotomy, my urologist has done several dilations on the urethra to help stretch out any scar tissue that had formed as a result of the urethrotomy. Some people find the dilations help them -- I don't find it makes much of a difference in the long run, but everyone's situation is unique. I probably won't have another dilation done unless if it is absolutely necessary.

Your doctor may opt to only do the dilation if necessary, which is a lot less invasive (for obvious reasons) than having the urethrotomy. In either case I wish you luck and relief from your symptoms! :)

[debzx]

Thanks for the info!! I still havent got my head round the op. do they make an incision in the stomach or do they go in through the bladder!! Am confused really cos they 1st saw kidney stones!! then there werent any?? my cystogram came up clear but the flow rate was very poor!! I have white pus cells!! am infected almost constantly and have recently gone a horrible grey colour?? am thinking that its all the infections my poor body has had enough!! I think by the time the op comes rond i will be ready!! Lol.

Debzx

[galadriel23]

Hi Debz.
Your story sounds almost identical to mine - I've had constant infections,and was told 2 years ago that I had a kidney stone, which I passed before my first cystoscopy in 2002. I was told that I has an urethral stricture which the uro dilated during the first cystoscopy (under local anaesthetic - NOT to be recommended)The uro basically slides the cystoscope throught the urethra
I've just had another cysto on monday, this time under general anaesthetic(not making the same mitake twice) and am getting the results of the biopsy on Monday.
Sorry I can't offer many answers, but it may help to know that your not alone