Urodynamics procedure?

[Mummybear0213]

Hello 👋

First post on this board so I'll give a brief back story.

I'm 32 and have 4 kids under 6. I had a ventouse birth with my 3rd baby which resulted in a moderate cystocele and rectocele. Since then I've had another baby, a year worth of physio and now my prolapse(s??) have gotten worse and the back wall is now severely prolapsed. I attended an appointment yesterday to sign the consent form for repair surgery + sterilisation however that didn't happen because I'd been taking Solifenacin since July for urinary incontinence/overactive bladder and the meds stopped working, which is not normal apparently so they want to perform the above to see what's going on and if they need to do more during the surgery.

Has anyone had a urodynamics procedure before? Anything I should know? The consultant gave me a very vague description and I'm slightly terrified! Not to mention sad that I'm going through all this at my age.

[Lipsyl]

Hi Mummybear

I had this procedure to determine if I was "eligible" for surgery on my bladder due to incontinence. This was about 30 years ago now so the procedure may have changed. I won't sugar coat my experience but I will tell you what I had done and hope this doesn't further add to your nervousness.

So I was taken to a room which had a shed load of equipment and 2 very lovely nurses who were set to perform the examination. I lay down on the examine table and got into the position for a vaginal examination. Then various tubes were inserted, one in my urethra and another one in my back passage (as far as I can remember). Another nurse who was screened off to me had, in front of her, a computer and various monitors in order to check the dynamics of my bladder. Water was fed into my bladder until it was absolutely full and I could take no more. I was then taken down from the table and sat on a "toilet" which in turn was to diagnose the seriousness and the level of my incontinence, and also to diagnose what type of incontinence I had, This procedure was for me to start peeing whilst the nurse at the computer could determine flow rate/how comfortable I felt and also to let them know that I had finished my pee, all of which was analysed and and sent to my surgeon. The tubes were then removed and I was clear to leave. The whole thing took about an hour or so.

It was an uncomfortable procedure and I felt very exposed and isolated as the exam went on. However, the bantering chat with the nurses, the complete reassurance and professional attitude helped me through the embarrassment and my vulnerability was somewhat alleviated. As I said at the beginning this was 30 odd years ago and the tests and procedures could be nothing like I endured.

I hope you get your surgery and keep that goal in mind as you proceed through the various elements of the examination. Good luck, I hope all is ok on the day.

[Mummybear0213 in reply to Lipsyl]

Thanks so much for sharing your experience, I really do appreciate it ☺️

That sounds pretty much how the consultant explained it to me so I don't think there will be much difference really, although she did say it only takes 5 minutes so that is reassuring!

I've had 4 kids so I'm way past the phase of feeling embarrassed having vaginal examinations 😆

Thanks again for sharing lovely xx

[Lipsyl in reply to Mummybear0213]

Hi

Hope all goes well for you.

xx

[Black_Cat1]

Hi There

I'm sorry you are going through all of this. 6 children under the age of 32 can reek havoc on your body. I hope all goes well for you and maybe some birth control to save your body from stress.

[Mummybear0213 in reply to Black_Cat1]

6? Oh dear god no 😂 i have 4. And I am absolutely done, I currently have the copper coil and I'm on the waiting list for surgery for my prolapse, possibly something to do with my bladder and tubal ligation, no more babies for me! X