Having a cysto tomorrow

[fstallan]

Hi, I was last on in May after finding you on the internet. I have since been diagnosed with IC even before having another cysto. The uro felt I had enough symptoms for long enough, since 16 to be certain that I had IC. Even though he said he hopes I don't! He tried me on some medication which didn't work so he has booked me in for a Cysto and bladder dilation tomorrow. He has suggested I have a general as he feels I will be in a lot of pain otherwise! Yikes! I do feel like I'm going into the great unknown. What is a bladder dilation and why will it help?? If any of you have any answers I would love to hear them. My bladder has been burning and aching everyday for about the last 6 weeks. I've been taking those pills that make your pee orange nearly everyday just to numb the pain. I still feel sure I have an infection. Will an infection show up with a cysto? Any words of wisdom would be gratefully recieved. Thanks

[twiggy]

Your doctor may get a "clean catch" while you are out. This is when the doctor takes some urine out of your bladder and he will send it away to be cultured to see if any bacteria grows in it. Please ask your doctor if he is going to take some urine out while you are under. When I had a bladder distention, the doctor filled my bladder up and then took a look at it while expanded with the scope. Then, the bladder was drained. Expanding my bladder helped cut down the number of actual UTI's I get, but it did not help the pain. However, some people do feel better after their bladder is expanded. When I woke up, I had a cathetar in to drain the fluid he had pumped into my bladder. I was well sedated so can't complain about any pain during the procedure. I was prescribe pain pills after the procedure, but didn't need them. My pain just stayed the same as it is on a daily basis. Best wishes, I hope all goes well for you.

[kelly McC]

Good luck tomorrow.
Huggs,
Kelly

[Sarojini]

Good luck with your cysto/hydro! Hope everything goes as planned :grouphug:

[ICNDonna]

The cystoscopy with bladder distention is the method usually used to diagnose IC. It is when the bladder is stretched/distended that the pinpoint bleeding appears. And in some patients, this helps with symptoms for months.

I suggest you be sure to ask for pain medication to take at home after the procedure --- you may not need it, but it's a good idea to have some on hand "just in case." I'm one who is helped by hydrodistentions. It's one thing that has helped me to live a normal life in spite of IC.

I'll be thinking of you. Be sure to post when you get back home.

Warm hugs,
Donna

[Katrina]

Good luck tomorrow! :grouphug: :grouphug:

[Babs RN]

Hi there!
I have had 3 hydros with great success on all three. I had a general with all of them because I do pretty well with anesthesia(no nausea) and wake up fast. Hey, my liver works well if nothing else does. Although my day to day bladder capacity has dropped off quite a bit from my pre-IC days(from having a nurse's bladder that could hold pee for 12 hours) to a day to day capacity of about 150cc. Here's what I do for these fun adventures to make the initial post op period bearable. I notice an increase in pain for the first couple days after. Make sure you have communicated with your uro for some kind of pain control. I rest on the couch for a couple days taking meds as needed. Heating pads and hot showers are a plus too. Lest I forget make sure you pick up the latest editions of InStyle, People, US Weekly...girl mags are fun when you feel yucky. Start slowly with your diet, there is nothing worse than barfing with a sore bladder. I know you will do great. We are all here for you--if you come up with any questions, feel free to PM me or e-mail me directly.

Hugs and healing thoughts,
Barb

[fstallan]

Hi,

I just logged on again as I must admit to feeling very apprehensive about my cysto. It's one of those times when you want them to find something so you can maybe finally blame it all on something but then I don't want them to find something as it all seems very overwhelming! I really appreciate all of you taking the time to show me some support. It made me smile. Thanks! I am lucky enough to have some great friends but I think they all must get fed up with me moaning about my bladder and after all how do you describe how you feel when someone isn't going through it? Thanks again and I willl log on again as soon as I can to let you know how it went.

[VickiB]

Hope all goes well for you tomorrow!

Vicki

[Sarojini]

Again, good luck with the cysto/hydro... I know I already said it, but wanted to say it again. Also, I think Barb gave you some great advice. Plan to rest for a few days afterwards and make sure you arrange for pain control before the surgery so you do not need to worry about it afterwards. :)

You'll do fine!!!

[jen_dahling]

Just wanted to add a "GOOD LUCK!"

[donutgirl]

Best of luck. I hope by the time you are reading this you are feeling much, much better.

Hugs,

DIANE

[fstallan]

Just to let you know that my cysto went really well. My bladder actually feels more comfortable now than it did before the dilation?? Must be the meds he gave me! My Uro confirmed a diagnoses of IC. I go back and see him in a couple of weeks to find out what treatment he is going to recomend. Is there any drug over another that I should ask for? What side effects should I ask about? Weight is an issue for me do you know if any are worse for that than others? Thanks again for all your help.

[Sarojini]

Great!! I'm glad you're feeling good... let's hope it continues! Make sure to rest for a day or two, and don't overdo it... :grouphug: I'm sorry it really is IC, but at least in my case, I found a certain amount of comfort in knowing there was something real going on. I hope you can start on treatment ASAP so you can start feeling fabulous once again :)

[SharonA]

Good for you. I am so glad that it went well. Remember to rest to give your body time to recover. :)

Take a look in: www.ic-network.com/handbook (http://). This should help answer your questions. :)