9. To go where no one has gone before...
So a cystoscopy was booked. A cystoscopy is an endoscopy of your bladder, basically a camera through your urethra to diagnose conditions, investigate etc. There are two main types of cystoscopy; rigid or flexible. Flexible scopes only requires local anaesthetic. A rigid cystoscopy requires general anaesthetic and different instruments can be attached for surgical removal etc.
First of all I had a pre-op. 14.01.19. The usual blood pressure, urine sample, consent forms etc. I had to see a nurse about the risks of the procedure and she said “Right you’re getting bladder Botox procedure and a cystoscopy.”
I was like hell no!! I haven’t agreed to this! I had a look at my notes the consultant had written and it said cystoscopy and Bx. Bx in medical terms means a biopsy. This is where they scrap some cells for further testing. Good job I checked because otherwise I’d never be able to pee with the Botox going on🤣 (usually for severe overactive bladders). I think I embarrassed the nurse a little but you definitely have to be aware of the procedures they’re doing, you have to be aware of your health. Research is key! 🔑
She explained what I might need to bring with me to the hospital; dressing gown, slippers etc for the time in the ambulatory suite - a new department in the Women’s so you don’t have to be under general anaesthetic for these procedures, you’re in and out and can recover at home instead of staying in hospital.
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I had to be at the hospital quite early in the morning and mum wanted to stay with me the whole time. We got called in and my mum wasn’t allowed into the suite with me😥 I think she was a little more scared than I was. I was quite relaxed because I thought this would be give me some answers finally!
I went into the room with my bag of tricks and sat down on a ‘blue’ chair (significance of this will come later😅). I sat down next to other women, mainly older than me which can be quite daunting too and just began lightly chatting whilst watching the TV. The women were all in there for different reasons not all cystoscopies.
The nurse called my name, explained the procedure which again they got wrong! She said so you’re here for a cystoscopy of your uterus. Well no, a cystoscopy first off means in the bladder only and I couldn’t understand why they don’t read the notes properly it’s scary how wrong they could be! I corrected her and said it’s my bladder and a possible biopsy. She just gave me a dirty look in disbelief.
Sorry to the nurses who I have embarrassed or insulted but I have to make sure it’s right🤷🏻♀️ She gave me a hospital bracelet and them hideous gowns. I got changed, knickers off, the total gross part, put on the dressing gown to match the other ladies and my slippers and went to sit on a ‘red’ chair this time. This meant that was it, you’re on your way. We were all lined up like we’re ready for the slaughter house🐄 👍🏻
We sat patiently till our name was called into the side room, consisting of a desk, a bed, multiple surgical instruments, two nurses and the consultant ready to go down under😫
I sat down first and discussed my condition what they’re going to look for and the procedure. I also weirdly begged for pictures of my bladder as I wanted to see and record it🤷🏻♀️ he said I couldn’t take a picture of the screen but the images that go in my notes I could take a picture of so all good!
I laid down on the bed, feet in stirrups and took a deep breath🙈 he sat on the stool cleaned the down below area, with what I presumed was some surgical wipes and then said he’s ready. First of all they fill your bladder with a saline solution they do this using a catheter. The nurse beside me told me to grab her hand. I looked and did. I knew this was going to hurt.
So in it goes. Up my urethra. The instant feeling, I’ll be honest is horrific, an instant wave of feeling sick, I almost asked for a bowl🤢 They told me to pant and breath through it as if I was in labour. I could feel it move every inch into my urethra and then into my bladder. It was then an instant feeling of needing a wee, I panicked a little thinking I was going to wet myself😩 but this was to expand my bladder so it could be seen on the screen.
He pulled out this catheter and the rest of the fluid poured out all down to the floor. I’d thought I’d wet myself but they reassured it was just excess fluid when the tube was removed.
He then grabs the next tool, the cystoscope. My one was flexible, hence the reason I was still awake! So in he goes again feeling the tube move every inch up into your bladder, once it reaches the bladder you get instant relief, actually it’s more comfortable there, if that’s even possible in this situation.
I took my mind off things by looking at the screen. What other time do you get to see the inside of your bladder I was fascinated😏
He never noticed anything malicious, no growths, no reason to take a biopsy. He did find trepidation lines - five of them - which indicates early signs of an OVERACTIVE BLADDER. In your 20s you shouldn’t have any at all! Older ladies and men will have several lines, especially if they overactivity. See the image below!⬇️⬇️⬇️
He checked both my ureters which lead up-to my kidneys. Both looked fine! I then asked what are the red things floating which at first he didn’t notice.
He took a picture and they’re floating blood clots, either from past infection, kidney stone production where blood from the surrounding tissue and then led to my bladder, he had multiple reasons but couldn’t give me a definitive answer.
Interstitial cystitis was not on the cards, he found no signs, so I felt like all of this was a waste of time😭
He took everything out, the nurse dried all the areas, took my feet out the stirrups and then told me to stand up slowly as everything might feel weird.
I sat back on the chair, dressing gown on and talked to the consultant. He prescribed me with 3 months worth of antibiotics (Cefalexin 250mg) as a prophylaxis so my bladder could recover from infections.
He also advised bladder training. So out of caffeinated, fizzy drinks and alcohol only have one a day. Obviously this can be hard if I’m going out, busy day and purely forget but I do try!🥴
I took pictures of the bladder images he took. Left the room and went to sit back on my red chair.
Everything felt out of place down there. I remembered I urgently needed a wee and went to the toilet and to also put some knickers back on.
I expected a scene from Carrie with blood everywhere but for me it was okay. The stinging was there and uncomfortable feeling after but nothing too malicious.
I sat back down, got given one cefalexin to prevent any infection and a tea with biscuits for some energy. The nurses were all lovely during the procedure and very comforting afterwards, some of the women came out white as a sheet, horrible to see them before and after.
I had to sit for half an hour before they took my blood pressure. The nurse called me in, took it, hesitated and said I might have to stay for a while because it was low.
I asked how low because naturally I do have low blood pressure. I have been dancing since I was 4 and the sort of ‘athletic’ element of that as they call it, reduces blood pressure. She was annoyed by this as it wasn’t in my notes before, but I said it wasn’t my fault🤷🏻♀️
I was free to go, collected all my stuff, walked out of the suite, awkwardly I felt, and back towards the main waiting room, to see my mums face light up when she saw see me. She genuinely ran to me to get my bag and help me walk.
I was fine, I could walk just everything felt in the wrong place, like they he muddled it all up.🙈 I was exhausted to be fair and we just waited till my dad could pick us up.
We went home, I fell asleep and recovered for the week with some paracetamol and ibuprofen to reduce any swelling.
I experienced some bleeding generally on my pads during the week and definitely when weeing. It just felt like UTI symptoms. The aftercare was just rest really and I was bag to myself in a few days, the ‘everything out of place’ feeling did stay for about a week or so but eventually got back to my normal.
3 months of antibiotics then began...
