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post-cystoscopy pain and bleeding
I am 28 years old and have a long history of frequent and intense UTIs. Ive been getting them since I was a child. I have about 3-4/yr. Yesterday my urologist performed a cystoscopy on me to check for cancer; he said everything looked normal. My main concern however, is he said the procedure would not hurt too much. And I beg to differ. The pain was excruciating; and yes, I was relaxed, and no, I do not have a low pain thresh hold, as my doctor kept insisting (I dont have a fear of doctors, in all other contexts doctors/dentists have said I have an amazing pain thresh hold, it's just with this one area that I cant seem to handle the pain). The procedure was performed yesterday at 10 AM and now it is 130AM going into the third day since the procedure and every time I have to urinate it is extremely painful (hurts worse than the first day) and I'm bleeding more than before. It's not just pink spotting, there is bright red blood on the TP. I understand dr's tell us "it wont hurt that much" to calm the patient down, but what is the real amount of pain I should've expected. On a scale of 1-10, I give yesterday a 10, and Ive never given a dr a 10 when they've asked me that question with regard to any of my other injuries/procedures.
My questions are:
a) why did the cystoscopy hurt me so much? I've had a catheter once more from a urologist and that killed me too. I literally slid up the table when he put it in. He said he'd never seen a patient react so violently to a catheter. Could it be that my problems have something to do with my urethra?
b) do I need to be concerned about my painful/bloody recovery? How long should I expect this to continue? Do I need to go back in for a check up? What should I be doing? He gave me no follow up instructions besides to take the antibiotic he gave me.
Thank you. I look forward to your response.
My questions are:
a) why did the cystoscopy hurt me so much? I've had a catheter once more from a urologist and that killed me too. I literally slid up the table when he put it in. He said he'd never seen a patient react so violently to a catheter. Could it be that my problems have something to do with my urethra?
b) do I need to be concerned about my painful/bloody recovery? How long should I expect this to continue? Do I need to go back in for a check up? What should I be doing? He gave me no follow up instructions besides to take the antibiotic he gave me.
Thank you. I look forward to your response.
Hi,
How are you? Cystoscopy is the use of a scope (cystoscope) to examine the bladder. This is done either to look at the bladder for abnormalities or to help with surgery being performed on the inside of the urinary tract (transurethral surgery). A complication unique to cystoscopy is the risk of perforation or a tear. A perforation can occur anywhere along the urinary tract-the urethra, bladder, or ureter.
As with any surgery, there is the risk of infection, bleeding, and complications from the anesthesia. When you notice bleeding, rest and increase your fluid intake. Blood clots can block the flow of urine, causing urinary retention. If clots are present or continuos bleeding occurs then a visit to the doctor would be necessary. Continue antibiotics.
Consult your doctor if bleeding does not stop with 2 days.
Best.
How are you? Cystoscopy is the use of a scope (cystoscope) to examine the bladder. This is done either to look at the bladder for abnormalities or to help with surgery being performed on the inside of the urinary tract (transurethral surgery). A complication unique to cystoscopy is the risk of perforation or a tear. A perforation can occur anywhere along the urinary tract-the urethra, bladder, or ureter.
As with any surgery, there is the risk of infection, bleeding, and complications from the anesthesia. When you notice bleeding, rest and increase your fluid intake. Blood clots can block the flow of urine, causing urinary retention. If clots are present or continuos bleeding occurs then a visit to the doctor would be necessary. Continue antibiotics.
Consult your doctor if bleeding does not stop with 2 days.
Best.
Hi, I have had many cystoscopies and out of them I can recall the very first one.
The urologist doing the procedure was rough and did not seem to care that I told my that it caused me a lot of pain. The other difference might be the fact that he used an older scope that did not flex.
Two weeks later I decided to have the same procedure by a different urologist since I had decided not to go back to the first one. The procedure was very uncomfortable but I have endured far more painful procedures.
The fact that it might be very painful to you, could be due to the fact that you might have an infection of the urethra, or there could be some damage to the urethra.
Over this year I have had 4 cystoscopies since March. None of them were as painful as my very first cystoscopy. My last one in November I asked for an aneastethic since I knew that I had an infection of the urethra.
The thing that I have learned that even when there is pain involved, do not resist the procedure doing so will only make it worse.
In 1994 to 1995, I had at least 6 cystoscopies before deciding on surgery.
In between that time and up to march of this year, I have had at least another 11 cystoscopies. I will be seen by a urologist in January again, it might be decided to have another cystoscopy again.
Exept for the one, I have found the procedures uncomfortable but not painful to a point that I could not handle.
This might no set your mind at peace, but a cystoscopy should not be extremely painful.
You also have the right to as for and IV aneastethic, the problem with that is, would be the fact that you can't remember the procedure and what has been mentioned.
You might want to have a friend there to relate what the doctor might say.
I could not remember too much from my last cystoscopy, and sort of wish that I did not asked for the IV.
PS, I have had a catheter in since March. It can be uncomfortable at times. If you experience pain in the bladder ask your doctor for Buscopan. If there is pain at the in the urethra you might want to ask for Xilocaine jelly, however it is hard to insert it into the urethra. Drink lots as it will help for the discomfort and bleeding.
Good luck,
Ron
The urologist doing the procedure was rough and did not seem to care that I told my that it caused me a lot of pain. The other difference might be the fact that he used an older scope that did not flex.
Two weeks later I decided to have the same procedure by a different urologist since I had decided not to go back to the first one. The procedure was very uncomfortable but I have endured far more painful procedures.
The fact that it might be very painful to you, could be due to the fact that you might have an infection of the urethra, or there could be some damage to the urethra.
Over this year I have had 4 cystoscopies since March. None of them were as painful as my very first cystoscopy. My last one in November I asked for an aneastethic since I knew that I had an infection of the urethra.
The thing that I have learned that even when there is pain involved, do not resist the procedure doing so will only make it worse.
In 1994 to 1995, I had at least 6 cystoscopies before deciding on surgery.
In between that time and up to march of this year, I have had at least another 11 cystoscopies. I will be seen by a urologist in January again, it might be decided to have another cystoscopy again.
Exept for the one, I have found the procedures uncomfortable but not painful to a point that I could not handle.
This might no set your mind at peace, but a cystoscopy should not be extremely painful.
You also have the right to as for and IV aneastethic, the problem with that is, would be the fact that you can't remember the procedure and what has been mentioned.
You might want to have a friend there to relate what the doctor might say.
I could not remember too much from my last cystoscopy, and sort of wish that I did not asked for the IV.
PS, I have had a catheter in since March. It can be uncomfortable at times. If you experience pain in the bladder ask your doctor for Buscopan. If there is pain at the in the urethra you might want to ask for Xilocaine jelly, however it is hard to insert it into the urethra. Drink lots as it will help for the discomfort and bleeding.
Good luck,
Ron
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