I am booked for a flexible cystoscopy in four weeks time, to try to find out the cause for microscopic blood in my urine. I am dreading the procedure but more so now after speaking to the clinics receptionist. She said I needed to bring a driver as I would be sedated and too woozy and uncomfortable to drive home. When I said I assumed it was just freeze gel they used she said she definitley wouldn't like to have it done without sedation! I'm now freaking out and feel like canceling. I have no other symptoms, just frequency about four months ago. No infections in urine or anything. I don't think reception staff should be allowed to give any details of procedures to nervous patients. A letter with details is on it's way. I just wanted to ask if sedation is normally used/needed with a flexible scope which is definitely what I am booked for.
I had it done with the freeze gel. She shouldn't have said that to you! I barely felt a thing. It was fine, honestly. Don't worry, stick with the gel. X
Thanks jackie, I honestly felt bad enough at receiving the letter and having to ring for an appointment, without her insinuating it would be painful!! I have read on this forum, and on others, that freeze gel is the only thing required for flexible. I know I am probably over-reacting and being a bit of a baby, I have had more invasive procedures and survived to tell the tale. It sounds like it's all over in no time.
Hi Jim, yes it is definitely a flexible. I'm thinking she probably was getting confused between the two types. It's not that I would refuse sedation, it's more the reasoning behind it (i.e it's an awful procedure and you need to be out of it to get through it)! It doesn't seem too bad, only a few negative comments on here and I suppose everyone has different pain thresholds. I'll get myself psyched up and go for it, I know I'll regret it if I don't.
Nothing to worry about , a flexible cystoscope is done using a numbing gel local . Where did the receptionist study medicine ?, and what medical qualifications does she have?. Receptionists should not give advise on medical matters . A rigid cystocopy is done under general anaesthic , either only takes a few minutes . I have had both with no problems at all , and the scope has to go further into a male . Don't worry , relax and it will be over in a few minutes .
Please do not worry about this; I was completely terrified and almost backed out.
Same symptoms and all was well. The procedure is very, very quick and the gel is amazing - I honestly felt nothing and am a very petite person! There was also a nurse next to me and you have to try and think that they are doing you a favour - its your health that matters most, nerves are normal. I am a complete coward and spent weeks agonising and imagining what turned out to be a few minutes ( I think smear test is worse.) Good luck and hope this helps.
I had one over 2 years ago due to same symtoms . I think most of us - male and female - are very apprehensive about this procedure . My anxiety went off the richter scale when just before my procedure i was aksed by the receptionsit if i would give my permission to have 6 students witness the consultant performing the procedure on me - I politely declined !!! - oh and the procedure itself was painless - the biggest pain was going for a pee afterwards which lasted about 24 hours
Hi all. I received an information sheet today from the clinic. It say I do not need to fast as procedure will be performed under local anaesthetic. Then it says I cannot drive for 24 hours as I will be undergoing a local anaesthetic!! I was unaware that having numbing gel would prevent me from driving. It keeps mentioning surgery and that it will be performed on day of admission. Talks about waiting a few hours before going to theatre. I thought this would be a quick 5 minutes in a cubicle! I am now thinking that I will ask my GP for a referral for a private 3T MRI scan which I know is around £250. This gives really clear images of any organ and my partner had one recently to assess his prostate. I think I will ring this place on Monday and ask more questions, although it says Flexible Cystoscopy it sounds to me more like rigid!! Thanks for the link Jackie, it is very reassuring. Thanks so much to all of you.
Because of the confused signals you have been getting from this doctor's office, I would speak directly with the doctor for clarification before even showing up.
But be warned that if they start putting in an IV line, the next thing you will probably remember is being in the recovery area after the procedure!
There should not be any IV line, or gas mask, or spinal tap for a flex cystoscopy with a local anaethetic (numbing gel). The instructions you were given appear to be for some sort of fast acting sedation or general anathesia such as versed or valium.
The information sheet you received is probobly a standard leaflet with general information , not specific to your case . If you are booked for a flexible cystocopy gel will be used to numb the urethea . It is not usual to do a rigid cystocopy without general anaesthetic . Don't worry , after it is over you will be on here telling us how easy it was .
Lol, thanks David. I'm sure you are right. I don't think it's the procedure itself as such. It's just that the camera has to go into such a narrow space and I can't imagine I won't feel it! I'd like to arrive at my check in time, sign the form and get it over with. However, the letter says I will have to wait a few hours before going to theatre. I get so nervy sitting around. I'm still toying with the idea of MRI to give an idea of what may be happening and to clarify if cystoscopy is really necessary.
Caz . Please don't worry . The camera diameter is only 5 mm and the average female urethra is 6mm . The uretha will be numbed and well lubricated and should be painless . I was worried before my cystocopy , but it only took about 15 minutes from entering the room to leaving . I had very little discomfort afterwards and no pain .
I would find out for sure if you'll be sedated. If it's an option then then take the sedation! I will never have a cystoscopy without sedation ever again. I was awake and it was horribly painful. I did not receive numbing gel, however.
I HAD A CYSTOSCOPY DONE BY AN UNCARING FEMALE PHYSICIAN THAT FORGOT TO TELL ME HOW PAINFUL IT IS, WITHOUT ANY SEDATIVE. THIS IS A CAMERA WITH A LONG TUBE BEING INSERTED INTO A VERY SENSITIVE PART, OF THE BODY, AND MOVED AROUND UNTIL SHE WAS ABLE TO FIND THE CORRECT POSITION TO SEE WHATEVER IT IS THAT SHE WAS LOOKING FOR. THEN, WHEN I STARTED SCREAMING, SHE HAS THE NEVER TO TELL ME, THAT SHE WILL WALK OUT OF THE ROOM, IF I DO NOT STOP SCREAMING.............I WILL NEVER SEE HER AGAIN..........
It sounds like you had a doctor similar to mine, I changed doctors and as just filed a formal complaint with the state medical board. My new doctor is a dream and goes out of his why to make sure I do not have a repeat of my first experience as he saw the emotional injury and physical damage the first doctor cause to me.
I would recommend you to find a new doctor. As my primary care doctor said to me that to do the scope (I had a rigid in the office without numbing gel or lubrication of any kind) that is barbaric.
What makes you think cystoscopy is more painful for a female? In fact, even rigid cystoscopies are sometimes done on females with only a numbing agent, but males are almost always put to sleep. With a flexible cysoscopy, in most cases it can be done with only a numbing gel for both males and females.
Of course this doesn't mean that some people don't suffer (male of female) be it flexible or rigid, and Carmen's story is terrible. Her doctor should be been reported for threatening to leave the room. But that doesn't mean one should necessarily ask to be put asleep for a flexible as anathesia has it's own risk profile.