Nervous About Procedure

[HealthAnxietyMum]

I'm due to have a flexible cystoscopy next Thursday and I am having all sorts of anxiety surrounding it. It will be a local anaesthetic only and I know it's just going to a short procedure, but I am worried about how much it might hurt.

I've had several infections this past year, two on my kidneys and the rest urine infections. I am nervous as things 'down there' are quite sensitive and the thought of what is going to happen is making me cringe and feel sick. I am also worried about getting another infection.

I know being tense is not going to help and I really want to get this done as I am having all sorts of testing to find out what is going on with me (I have a kidney which constantly hurts and has been shrinking or is significantly smaller than the other, constant UTIs). Who should I contact to talk about this - the number on the paperwork for the procedure or my GP? Would taking a sedative help do you think?

You can refuse it. I was offered this by a consultant and said no. It depends on why you are having it. I have IC which comes and goes- I knew from other people that the investigation can make things worse, but on the otherhand unless you are very sore already it will probably be fine.

it is a test for tumours and other abnormalities so you need to ask what they hope to asses by doing it and if the outcome will affect any treatment.

The other place to ask this question is another forum

www.cobfoundation.org

We have no idea what is up with me, but I have recurrent infections and have had two bouts of kidney stones, an ultrasound looking for stones found my smaller/shrinking kidney.

Mum had to have lots of testing done too and they are checking for abnormalities of structure and function I think. Mum has reflux in her bladder, it's possible I have the same.

To be honest, they want to do so many tests and have mentioned so many possibilities, I'm confused, which isn't adding to my confidence levels. This round of testing I have had in depth urine analysis (which found yet another infection), a fasting blood test (I believe to check for gout as I have high levels of urea in my blood), a CT scan of my kidneys and this flexible cystoscopy. The consultant said he would meet with me at this last test to discuss findings and decide what to do to move forward at that point.

The pain isn't really acute often, it's more of a grumbling uncomfortable pain, unless I get an infection, try to have a drink of alcohol or forget to stay well hydrated. It's enough that I want it dealt with though.

Does anyone else have any experience?

Is your concern the actual procedure or that it might make things worse/more uncomfortable?

If its the procedure then yes ask for a sedative. GP will be able to prescribe something for you to take, you'll need someone to take you to and bring you home from the hospital though.

Bit of both, I'm petrified of the actual camera going in, and just worried about another infection.

I'm meant to be taking my children on a day out the next day, I guess I need to know if the sedative will be out my system by morning and I won't be in too much discomfort to take them as it's a very special trip arranged by the local children's centre just for my two. I'm also supposed to be celebrating my nephew's third birthday just after the procedure, but I guess this could be cancelled depending on my state if health.

I'll be fine with someone to take me there and back as this is already arranged so that I have child care.

A valium tablet will last a few hours so you should be fine. There are other meds too, chat it through with your GP. They might suggest a course of antibiotics just to reduce the risk of a new infection. I would imagine you might be a bit sore so perhaps also have some pain killers at the ready.

Hope it all goes well

Thank you so much.

I've been prescribed some diazepam which I start taking tomorrow, morning, noon and night, so that I am relaxed for the procedure on Thursday. Thank you again to those who replied.

Great, hope it all goes smoothly. Look after yourself afterwards