help !!! i have recently been for a cystoscopy after having persistant uti's .I was told i had a very narrow urethra and was advised to go for a urethral dilation under GA .This is booked for Dec 8th but I have been told horror stories of this not working and I would eventually lose bladder control and would be self catheterising eventually!! Does anyone have any information or experience and if they had it done did it work? I am going out my head with worry and my own GP hasn't been much help by stating it is my decision.I have had uti's and blood in my urine for 19 years.
Worked fine for me and that was over 25yrs ago, I don't even think about it except when try and remember for those forms have to state what ops had. Tend to forget to mention it even then
thankyou!!! This post was years ago and I decided not to go for surgery after the frightening experiences of others but now find myself in the same situation after further uti's and unexplained bleeding,going for a cystoscopy again.I am scared stif
I know that the post is an old one but decided to answer it anyway because horror stories are just that and people just love telling them to all and sundry.
As to the now. Try not to worry too much or be too scared, not easy except for me to say!! See what is said after the cystoscopy and take it from there.
Thinking of you and big hugs
Taz xxx
ThankyouTaz for taking the time to reply.I will try not to worry too much xx
Hi, you may have already had this done by now, but anyway, to put your mind at rest if not, and others reading this, it should not be painful, as I had one earlier this year due to having several UTI's and various other problems connected with it (I only have one kidney, so have to be very aware of anything which could affect the other one) particularly always feeling the urgent need to pee, even after only drinking small amounts. The cystoscopy was to rule out anything unusual and check exactly what was causing problems. I had a bladder prolapse, which I have since had surgery to correct, and think most of my problems were caused by this. Anyway, the cystoscopy was painless and over with in little more than 5 minutes. I hadn't realised until afterwards, but I had urethral dilation done at the same time, and the relief was immense! I practically skipped in to work the next day as it was the first time I had not felt the urgent need to pee about every 40 minutes for months and months. It had obviously got gradually worse so I had got used to the feeling of urgency. It did gradually revert over the next 8 to 10 weeks, but this was obviously connected to the prolapse, and since corrective surgery, so far, I have been able to drink like a fish, and I'm still surprised at how much I can hold before having to dash off for a wee!
Good luck with it, and I hope it works for you.
I am due to have it done 7pm tonight and this is my second time.The first time was painful as I had a narrow urethra so I know what's coming.That was 4 years ago and I have been recalled due to recurrent uti's.I am scared stiff
Oh no Hez, I'm really sorry to hear that, I remember how stressed I felt, and that was being unanware of what was to come. Maybe this time it will be less painful for you. I seem to remember the nurse who accompanied me in to theatre telling me not to put up with any pain, and to tell them if it hurt even a little bit. I have since started taking concentrated cranberry supplements daily as I hate the taste of cranberry juice and I'm sure they have helped to keep infections at bay. Maybe that would help with your UIT's. I think anything's worth a try if it might work. Try controlled breathing when you're on the table, easy to say I know, when I'm not the one going through it. I hope it's not too bad this time, just remember they do it for a very valid reason, and it's better that theyr'e doing something to try and resolve things rather than nothing at all.
Hugs, and I'll be thinking of you, Kathy
A surgeon once said they are going the wrong way up a one way street when doing this and that it is often worse for a man (not sure what sex you are)
Add to that big hugs and thinking of you xxx
I'm female.Thankyou for thinking of me.The pain was unbelievable and have to go for a urethral dilatation under GA!!! Dreading that aswell x
Thankyou Kathy.
This was far worse than last time and I nesrly fainted.Result is I have to go for a urethral dilatation under GA as he thinks the narrow tube is the cause of my concurrent uti's xxx
How awful for you, at least it's over now and out of the way. All being well under ga at least you won't know anything about it, I really hope they get you sorted soon and it will stop the uti's without too much discomfort. I know how debilitating they can be so you have my sympathy. Best wishes for the future,
lots of hugs, K.
Having a narrow urethra will not have helped the pain. The dilation should be much better, mine left me with what I would describe as bad menstral cramps for a day or two. Nothing ibuprofen didn't sort. Everyone is different though. Tell them about your fears as being fearful doesn't help pain/or perception of it, and they may be able to help you. I had the same fears and was given something to take before the GA, can't remember what though. Still thinking of you.
big hugs
Taz xxx
Thanks Taz
Really helps to read other peoples experiences.Thankyou for your support xx
We all need support and still thinking of you
Big hugs
Taz xxx
I am a 30 year old female diagnosed with the urethral stenosis and the treatment is also urethral dilation, because it seems I am not emptying my bladder 100%. I have constant UTI's. I'm scared of it being really painful, and maybe a wrong diagnosis, I've read this is not even common in women, also, about incontinence after getting it done. How did it go for you?
Hi,i'm the same as you,mine was narrow so they put a stent in to keep it open&i've not lost any bladder control. I get it changed every 6mths undera general,maybe you should say to ur doctor about trying that. As for uti still getting them had antibiotics on&off since Feb think I need more. Hope u get everything sorted&put up with any pain always contact ur dr when it happens even the out of hours dr. Good luck&take care.x
Hi everyone, I posted in a previous group about getting a cystoscopy that was supposed to happen all the way back in August, but I didn't get until this evening. I was so frightened anyway about the whole thing and my doctor is awful at telling me information (like next steps and stages etc) anyway I sat down on the table, got the numbing gel and about 2 seconds later everything stopped and I was told my urethra was too small to even insert a camera (i felt quite a sharp jabbing, but i'm not sure i was relaxed at all). I am extremely worried now as I have to go for some kind of dialation and am now petrified and want to call the whole thing off. I can't bare this problem of getting cystits (every three months if not more) getting even worse. Losing bladder control would be the worst thing. I'm so frightened now and have no idea what to do. I'm only 26 (female) but been having awful bouts of cystis since I was 16. Can anyone give any advice? Also what kind of anesthetic do you get? Are you basically put to sleep? I've never been put to sleep before and that also frightens me a lot. Any advice would be really really appreciated. Thank you.
Hi the same thing happened to me. I was to have it done after persistent UTI's but was too narrow for the camera to enter and was told I would have to have the dilation done under general anaesthetic.
I had it done yesterday and I am able to reassure you that it was fine. I woke from the anaesthetic and felt no pain. There was some blood the first couple of times I passed urine but that became more diluted as time went on. There is also a stinging feeling but if I drink a lot it is less so.My bladder control is as good as it was..
The surgeon said he found that my urethra was very narrow and that I had a slight prolapse. I went into the operating theatre just after 2.00pm and was home by 6.30pm. I feel fine today.
I am just hopeful now that it will make some differnce to the number of UTI's but this is just something I will have to wait to find out.