I had my first EVER Cystoscopy today and I was in fear for the past two weeks about it....one of my neighbors who has had it said it was horrible...most said it was not a big deal. I concur with the later. The nurses, the doctor...all were great and it was really not painful at all (and I'm an honest person)...now 4 hours later I'm having burning when I urinate and a little blood, but...it's all good.
My question....the reason for it was to see if there was something causing an recent onset of "Stress incontinence"...very light, but often during the day. It came on suddenly years now after radiation and H.I.F.U. ~~
Turns out that the two treatments above caused a lot of dead tissue and scarring, etc near my sphincter muscle...and it's not doing what it should be. I was able to see it (in real time) on my guided tour with the camera up me.
The treatment was Kegel exercises....and hope for the best...OR an "artificial Sphincter"...the later sounds scary...I'm opting for the exercises and keeping on wearing pads in my underwear...BUT...if it does get worse...just wondering what the bionic sphincter is like....(for the future, possibly)
OTHER than the scaring....bladder and everything was clean and clear (thank you Jesus!)....and I attach a photo...(close up)
hope this makes people scheduled for the Cystoscopy see it's NOT as bad as it sounds!
John
p.s. hope the photo is not T.M.I. ~the doctor acted like it was a common practice.
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greatjohn
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You got to watch a video of it? I get a cystoscopy every three months thanks to also having had a bladder tumor and it's just the doctor looking through an eye piece saying, looks good... looks good... looks good... while I wince in pain and generally fear the next words will be "oh that's bad".
My first one was awful. The latter two have been better but still painful. The urologist says some men are just more sensitive. Sensitive?!?!? It feels like a sewer pipe being passed up my ADT shrunken junk. It also feels like peeing broken glass for a day or so afterwards, but I still have some Phenazopyridne from my bladder surgery that helps with that.
TMI and modesty went out the window a long time ago for me.
I think there must be different (more modern ways) to do it ...and some doctors don't have it...I was determined to be honest regarding pain. It was easy.... That said the two nurses came in an rubbed the outside with antibiotic...then she shot up type of lidicaine cream...way into me. They waited a good 30 minutes...and then...it was super easy. I am feeling pain upon urination now...4 hours later with everything worn off.
Interesting. They only give me about 5 minutes after filling me up with lidocaine. He probably puts sand in it too, LOL!
To be honest, I've been so focused on the prostate cancer and my MO that I haven't even considered if my urologist is any good. He had a super sense of urgency when diagnosing the prostate cancer and getting me an Eligard shot, I'll give him that.
Thanks for sharing your story, don't get much chance to compare notes on cystoscopies.
Just thought I'd provide an update after today's cystoscope. It went much easier, with the worst discomfort occurring when going through the sphincter. I don't get any warning that it's coming so I tend to convulse and writhe for a few moments until I have a chance to take a couple breaths and relax. Afterwards there's a bit of pain when starting to take a pee, and I'm guessing that's probably the very angry sphincter opening up.
For better and worse I seem to have an impatient urologist. It certainly was a benefit in getting treatment started quickly! Oh, and my bladder was clear, yay!!!
Thanks for sharing! Quite a story. I’m less afraid of having this if I need it in the future. I know you have helped a lot of friends on this site today. 😊
I had a PCa tumor in my bladder and ended up having several cystoscopies. I agree with you - they sound a lot worse than they are in practice. I found them mildly uncomfortable but not really painful.
I am supposed to get this done but have been very nervous about it. I think I have scar tissue as well that is restricting my flow and causing some incontinance. I was under the impression they could do some “shaving” of tissue to help things but if they are just going to tell me Kegels then I may skip it.
it's a very easy process (was for me)...almost NO pain...barely discomfort. The doctor was prepared to do cancer removal (from bladder) etc....just, in my case, that wasn't called for...so I would definitely go through...it will give you a better sense of well being...knowing everything's "ok" up there...and if it's not...letting them snip snip. (or burn...or whatever).
The pain during was NOT.... The pain when peeing (burning) afterwards only lasted really for abut 18-20 hours (after deadening lidocaine wore off)...and it's not been really bad at it's worse. Knowledge is power.
I assume so...if they can get cancers inside the bladder.
I'm sure... It depends on the person...the scar tissue...etc. I'm no expert...just letting you know ...I'd go for it..just in case...it's made me happy to see (you actually watch the whole thing on t.v).....that I don't have any cancer spread to bladder, etc. Well worth it for that. You'll have to ask, but my thought would be that (in some cases they can)
Around 18 months after radiation, I had blood show up in my urine. Surgery prior to radiation revealed positive margin at the bladder neck, so I just knew it was bladder cancer! I was REALLY happy to hear him say "the good news is, it's not cancer", a little less happy with "10% of guys get radiation damage and there's nothing we can do". BTW... my experience was 110% what greatjohn said!
Well i'm scheduled for this experience at 0850 on Monday morning so this was an enlightening read for me! Doc suspects possible bladder cancer (already had protons for prostate cancer in 2011) and my bladder is about twice the size that it should be. Wish me well
“Only Thing We Have to Fear Is Fear Itself”: FDR’s First Inaugural Address 1932.
PICKY PICKY PICKY....
Glad to hear nuttin wrong with your bladder... I turned down "artificial sphincter" heard too many war stories about them. This is to the guys out there who fear something going up their willie (probes and stents). I've had many many stents (in and out) and several probes, so I want to assure you all of you that it's nuttin.... As the expression goes "a piece of cake".... So guys "The only thing we have to fear is your girlfriend's husband".
Cecil. B. DeMille was filming an extravagant scene which called for the entire town set to be destroyed.
''He set up three cameras. The scene was played, the town destroyed. Picking up his megaphone, the great director asked: 'Camera One - how was it?' The reply: 'A real work of art, C. B., but the film broke.' DeMille, undaunted, called out: 'Camera Two - how'd it go?' 'Brilliant, C. B., but I left the lens cap on.' Desperate now, DeMille called: 'Camera Three - come in, Camera Three!' And the punchline:
Thanks for your report and I'm glad you have some answers. I am scheduled for a cystoscopy on Sept 3 after having five occurrences of peeing large amounts of blood over a month. Had a previous incident two years ago and then none until late June. A CT scan with contrast was negative for kidney, ureter, and bladder problems. I had 40 IMRT treatments in early 2006.
The artificial sphincter works well in controlling the urine leaks. Eventually it may irritate the urethra and it has to be taken out or it may have a mechanical failure. To me the surgery to put it in seems a major procedure (general anesthesia and 2-3 hours of surgery). Trying the Kegel's exercises seems a good choice to me.
When I was bleeding and the my prostate cancer had spread to my bladder I had a cystoscopy. My wife sat in. The doctor number me up and a young nurse came in 15 minutes later and asked if everything was OK. I cried in a high voice "my penis I can't feel my penis". We laughed and laughed. Procedure went much better than I expected except for the angry tumor that was found in the bladder wall. Love, laugh, life my friends. Glad nothing was found .
I could imaginge it feels like a catheter. I had one in all day and over nite after my implant surgery. Didnt hurt but ucomfortable as hell. Felt like i had to pee all the time while in. The next day my wife pulled it out, felt 2 miles long. But didnt hurt. Yep burning for that whole day.
I am on my second AUS. Not sure if I am bionic but I am sure am happy!
After a radical robotic prostatectomy in 2015, it was determined that I had a Gleeson 9 and that the cancer had escaped the prostate "package" so I went very quickly to and through 39 radiation treatments and 2, 3 month rounds of Lupron. PSA disappeared but I was moderately incontinent 3-5 pads a day.
In February of 2018 I had an AUS implanted at the VA in Asheville NC. Due to tissue erosion as a result of radiation it failed in July 2018. Very heavy incontinence 8-10 pads a day followed.
In December, at Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, another AUS was implanted further back toward the bladder and utilizing some erectile tissue as a buffer.
So far, so good.
Its a new lease on life. I have more freedom. I am more active. I am back on the golf course and even traveling again.
I just completed a 2 year course of Lupron because the PSA had begun to rise and it seems all systems are go for the time being, as the PSA is <.1.
For now life is good. I believe i have some great doctors and will enjoy my days high and dry.
Am having the procedure on Friday (8/16) @ 8am in my urologists well equipped office. Had a number of bladder tests 8-9 months ago. Did very well with them-except for one: my bladder does not empty the way it should. There remains 8-10 ounces of fluid, and most of the time it feels like I have to go again. He put me on this medication last year-Dutasteride/Tamulosin which I thought was working very well (pissing like the proverbial race horse)..Again the bladder doesn't completly empty, so he is going to take a look and see what is going on...glad I read all of the comments...keeeping a positive outlook and hoping for the best......
Glad you're well, I have to have this procedure Monday morning "cystoscopy", been panicking for about 2 weeks worried about the pain. I feel much better after reading your story I hope you're well and hope this goes smooth as yours.
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