Urodynamic tests, anyone had these?

[Matildathecat]

Have been told I need these tests. Have read about them and having catheters inserted etc. it sounds awful. Can anyone please tell me about their experiences?

[gobbin]

I've not had a urodynamics test but I have had catheters and tubes inserted pretty much everywhere over the years. A bladder catheter insertion doesn't hurt so please don't fret. The staff see people's bits day in day out so try not to be embarrassed. In my experience I've always been treated with respect and been covered up as far as necessary.

[GloryHunter]

I had this test done a few years ago before I had TVT done. Yes it's a bit embarrassing but it doesn't hurt and nurses doing the tests do them every day. You'll be fine.

[Matildathecat]

Thanks for that. Can I ask what they actually do and how long it takes? And why oh why the rectal catheter.

I've had to suffer quite a lot of intrusion and this feels really crap.

But thanks for the reassurance, it does help.

[ProbablyMe]

My 11 year old son had this done many times - time it takes can vary. The rectal catheter is actually a sensor and they are looking at the nerve activity associated with bladder activity.

[Ilovefluffysheep]

Yep, had it done on Saturday, probably about the 7th time!

The rectal one is a sensor, it measures the pressure of the bladder whilst the test is going ahead.

The urethral catheter isn't pleasant, but it doesn't hurt.

In a nutshell, they fill your bladder up with liquid to see what it does the more it fills up. You'll be asked to tell them when you first feel any sensation of anything in there, when you need to go, when you're desperate, then when you can't hold it any longer. You will be asked to cough a few times along the way to check for leakage!

You will then be asked to pee into a special toilet which measures how much comes out to check you are emptying properly. The sensors will again give readings as to the pressures in your bladder and how it behaves when emptying.

Hope that helps, any more questions fire away, I'm a veteran of bladder related treatments/tests etc!

[Matildathecat]

Thanks so much for all the info. It doesn't sound all that much fun but maybe not the ghastly experience I was dreading, either. My problem is numbness and inability to feel a full bladder until it is bursting so will be interesting anyway.

How long does it take?

[Ilovefluffysheep]

About half an hour.

Kind of wish I had your problem - mine is the reverse and I feel like I need to go all the time. Had a big op in April (major surgery) followed by botox in July, neither of which have had the desired result and actually left me worse off, so they're trying to get to the bottom of it.

Unfortunately for me they haven't had a patient react in this way, so I'm a little unique. I don't want to be, I just want to be fixed!

Honestly, the test isn't as bad as you think, definitely helps if the staff are nice and chatty which they were on Saturday.

[Matildathecat]

ilovefluffysheep, I think I remember you posting. Did you get a spinal cord stimulator fitted? Sorry your problems haven't settled. Thanks so much for all the info, I'm sort of resigned to having the tests now though fairly vexed to be sort of forced into it.

[Ilovefluffysheep]

Yep, had one of those a while ago, didn't work.

Had a clam cystoplasty in April (google it!). 9 nights in hospital, 8 weeks in bed, and still off work. :(

[Matildathecat]

Oh Lordy ilove, that sounds brutal and painful. Have you improved since the op? Can't remember if you posted as to why you needed it, but I'm nosy so please don't feel you have to reply. Wishing you well for recovery. I know anything that involves nerves can be very, very slow to heal.xx