Catheterization and Cystoscopy
Discussion
Following a couple of hospital visits I find myself on the right side of recovery. There is, however, one last instalment to get me to the 'like it never happened' stage: the removal of a kidney stent.
So far, the insertion of it (there were two to begin with) the removal of them (plus the subsequent replacing of one) and also having a catheter inserted were all done while I was asleep. The catheter was removed while I was awake and whilst it didn't hurt as much as I thought it might, it felt very uncomfortable but was over in a matter of seconds. The closest I had to experiencing anything 'going the wrong way' up the pipe was when, post kidney stone removal, a gel was administered to combat the pain I was feeling in that area. It was horrible.
The final procedure is booked in September and it looks like they want to remove the remaining stent while I'm awake (under a local). This involves going in - up the ureter - with a scope, grabbling the stent and pulling it out. It is estimated to take a couple of minutes.
Yikes.
I have no issues requesting a general, but, I don't think they will be keen to oblige.
Terrified.
Looking for some moral support for this might just be the worst thing I've ever asked for on PH!
So far, the insertion of it (there were two to begin with) the removal of them (plus the subsequent replacing of one) and also having a catheter inserted were all done while I was asleep. The catheter was removed while I was awake and whilst it didn't hurt as much as I thought it might, it felt very uncomfortable but was over in a matter of seconds. The closest I had to experiencing anything 'going the wrong way' up the pipe was when, post kidney stone removal, a gel was administered to combat the pain I was feeling in that area. It was horrible.
The final procedure is booked in September and it looks like they want to remove the remaining stent while I'm awake (under a local). This involves going in - up the ureter - with a scope, grabbling the stent and pulling it out. It is estimated to take a couple of minutes.
Yikes.
I have no issues requesting a general, but, I don't think they will be keen to oblige.
Terrified.
Looking for some moral support for this might just be the worst thing I've ever asked for on PH!
Removing your ureteric stent (to your kidney) is possible to be done in an outpatient clinic under LA.
Whilst its understandable to want to not know anything about it, its totally illogical. You're subjecting yourself to pre-op starvation, a long wait, the risks of a GA and the very high likelihood that you'll be cancelled on the day as your op is a low priority. Rinse and repeat a couple of times and it gets boring and irritating quite easily
Whilst its understandable to want to not know anything about it, its totally illogical. You're subjecting yourself to pre-op starvation, a long wait, the risks of a GA and the very high likelihood that you'll be cancelled on the day as your op is a low priority. Rinse and repeat a couple of times and it gets boring and irritating quite easily
Didn’t have anything removed, but recently had the camera up the dick to check for bladder cancer. The anaesthetic gel is by far the worst bit and stings like a b
h. The actual procedure was mildly uncomfortable particularly when pushing past the prostate. Didn’t go snuffling up my ureters and retrieving stents, though, don’t know what that feels like.
Second worst bit was pissing out the saline they filled my bladder with, that really burns.
h. The actual procedure was mildly uncomfortable particularly when pushing past the prostate. Didn’t go snuffling up my ureters and retrieving stents, though, don’t know what that feels like. Second worst bit was pissing out the saline they filled my bladder with, that really burns.
otolith said:
Didn’t have anything removed, but recently had the camera up the dick to check for bladder cancer. The anaesthetic gel is by far the worst bit and stings like a bh. The actual procedure was mildly uncomfortable particularly when pushing past the prostate. Didn’t go snuffling up my ureters and retrieving stents, though, don’t know what that feels like.
Second worst bit was pissing out the saline they filled my bladder with, that really burns.
I was offered something similar after I came back around when my kidney stone was removed. Within about 10 minutes, intense pain kicked in, all around the pubis area. The nurse was quite dismissive telling me it was normal and didn't want to give me anything unless it was approved by the anaesthetist. Another nurse explained that I'd had a scope inserted all the way up to my kidney to removed the stone. The stents on both sides were also removed and the stone side kidney had a new one replaced, so quite a bit of activity in the pipes. Meanwhile, I started to hyperventilate trying to deal with the pain; I suffer with gout and have had kidney stone pain three times however this pain was torturously horrific. h. The actual procedure was mildly uncomfortable particularly when pushing past the prostate. Didn’t go snuffling up my ureters and retrieving stents, though, don’t know what that feels like. Second worst bit was pissing out the saline they filled my bladder with, that really burns.
Another got involved and offered to 'inject' my penis. I asked to see the needle and he explained there was no needle and the gel would be administered via the opening. I resisted the thought for about 30 seconds but gave in as the pain was just so unbearable.
The pain of him inducing the liquid was greater than the pain I was feeling and I told him to stop. He's managed to get quite a bit in (which would have been the pain) but it didn't make any difference as the pain turned out to be bladder and kidney spasms.
When people say they wouldn't wish it on their worst enemy, there are a few people I can think of...
The procedure done under general may have been rigid cystoscopy. That’s where instead of shoving a hose pipe up your knob, they use a telegraph pole.
Well, not really, but it’s a larger diameter rigid instrument, so more traumatic. I would not assume that your experience with the flexible one will be so painful.
They do sedate children for flexible, so they might be willing to give you something. That seems to be a recent change in policy, my 17 year old nephew was born with a congenital defect and had his bladder reconstructed. He’s had regular cystoscopies over his life and I was horrified to find out that they were all done without sedation. I wouldn’t put a little kid through that. He refused to consent to the last one.
Well, not really, but it’s a larger diameter rigid instrument, so more traumatic. I would not assume that your experience with the flexible one will be so painful.
They do sedate children for flexible, so they might be willing to give you something. That seems to be a recent change in policy, my 17 year old nephew was born with a congenital defect and had his bladder reconstructed. He’s had regular cystoscopies over his life and I was horrified to find out that they were all done without sedation. I wouldn’t put a little kid through that. He refused to consent to the last one.
otolith said:
The procedure done under general may have been rigid cystoscopy. That’s where instead of shoving a hose pipe up your knob, they use a telegraph pole.
Well, not really, but it’s a larger diameter rigid instrument, so more traumatic. I would not assume that your experience with the flexible one will be so painful.
They do sedate children for flexible, so they might be willing to give you something. That seems to be a recent change in policy, my 17 year old nephew was born with a congenital defect and had his bladder reconstructed. He’s had regular cystoscopies over his life and I was horrified to find out that they were all done without sedation. I wouldn’t put a little kid through that. He refused to consent to the last one.
I can't say for sure, but, initially they wanted to do it under a local. I pleaded with them to do it under a general because yes I couldn't bear the thought of it and also, given I had bilateral ureteric stents, the pain and discomfort I was in was dreadful: all the known symptoms of having stents x 10. I was on heavy meds to help me get through the day. Peeing five times a night and every 10-20 minutes during the day was one thing but each visit was about 40-90 seconds of kidney and testicle spasms. Eye watering. Well, not really, but it’s a larger diameter rigid instrument, so more traumatic. I would not assume that your experience with the flexible one will be so painful.
They do sedate children for flexible, so they might be willing to give you something. That seems to be a recent change in policy, my 17 year old nephew was born with a congenital defect and had his bladder reconstructed. He’s had regular cystoscopies over his life and I was horrified to find out that they were all done without sedation. I wouldn’t put a little kid through that. He refused to consent to the last one.
I’ve had multiple cystoscopies both flexible and rigid due to bladder cancer, I’m now on yearly flexibles to check for reoccurrence.
The thought of it happening is much worse than the actual act. It’s a bit uncomfortable especially the first time but it’s definitely not agony. They’ll give you some numbing gel up the pipe which is a bit uncomfortable and from there you just need to relax as they go past the prostate and into the bladder.
I wouldn’t put myself through a GA in your position, honestly you’ll be fine - couple of paracetamol and a stingy pee when you’ve done and you’ll have forgotten about it by the next day.
The thought of it happening is much worse than the actual act. It’s a bit uncomfortable especially the first time but it’s definitely not agony. They’ll give you some numbing gel up the pipe which is a bit uncomfortable and from there you just need to relax as they go past the prostate and into the bladder.
I wouldn’t put myself through a GA in your position, honestly you’ll be fine - couple of paracetamol and a stingy pee when you’ve done and you’ll have forgotten about it by the next day.
Take up meditation - very unlikely you'll get a general anaesthetic for this procedure. Catheter in the knob is not a pleasant experience, even with lidocaine applied. Everybody has a different pain threshold as well, hence there not being a GA for this procedure and the risks associated with a GA. Be endlessly thankful that your kidney stone was removed and you weren't awake for that.
SlartiLusso said:
What about the Propofol option? Still requires an anestheolgist so longer to schedule but not a full blown GA. For those are still anxious regardless of how many times they experience it?
Propofol is an anaesthetic agent. Sedation and GA require same preparations pre-op and precautions intra-op.Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff