They fill your bladder with water during a normal cystoscopy to see the bladder walls. However, with a hydrodistension, they fill it with water beyond its normal capacity to stretch the walls. This allows them to see more. They put you under for this because, as I understand it, you would otherwise be screaming in pain. You probably had a regular cystoscopy and not the hydrodistension.
I had pain most of the time, not just when I was urinating. If you have ever had a urinary tract infection, that's what it felt like to me. It's actually what I thought I had until the bacteria culture came back negative, which is not uncommon in IC patients. However, there really isn't a "normal" set of symptoms for IC, which may be why it is so hard to diagnose. The symptoms vary quite a bit... some people don't have urethral pain, just bladder pain, and some people don't have pain at all, just the urge to urinate all the time. I believe some people do have nerve pain, but I don't know for certain.
I'm glad to hear that your symptoms are not too troubling.  There are definitely more mild cases of IC and in most cases it is not progressive, so even if it is IC, you may not need anything for it ever. One thing you may want to keep track of is your diet. IC bladders tend to get irritated by acidic foods such as citris, coffee, vinegar, chocolate, etc (these are the most irritating). Many of these are GI irritants anyway, so you're probably avoiding them already. But it could be helpful to notice if your symptoms get worse after anything you eat or drink.
--------------------
Lisa
IBS-A, Interstitial Cystitis, Migraines
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
Posts
Re: About IC
