My turn to see a urologist

[JDinVirginia]

Well, I find that, as others often have been, I am nervous about my approaching cystoscopy. The last time I was cathed was when I was post-operative from my spinal fusion. On that occasion, despite the fact that I was full of post-op opiate pain killers the pain was excruciating. The nurse said that on insertion she felt an obstruction like she had encountered in some men with a swollen prostate. It appears that she was correct, so I am not looking forward to the scope pushing past the narrowed channel going through the prostate.

Surprisingly, I am more concerned about the embarrassment of having my private parts handled by a strange female for the cleaning and numbing. It was different when previously I was cathed as I either was in pain from the surgeries or in so much discomfort from needing to pee that I paid no attention to much else. Somehow, in a sterile diagnostic setting, emotionally it will be more personal and invasive. Almost all of you guys and gals already have had this done and survived, so I will just suck it up and get it over with. Just had to vent (after all, isn't that what this forum is here for?)

--John

[justej]

john -
i understand completely. having my bits exposed was hard for me too.
i hope your cystoscopy goes well. im also glad to hear your first urologist appointment went well and you had a good experience with the doctor.
good doctors are key to making the emotional side of all of this a bit better.
good luck with the test and definitely check in and vent as much as needed.
i sure know that venting here has helped me.

[JDinVirginia]

Well, today is the day. In a few hours I'll find out what all you guys have been talking about when you mentioned your cystoscopy.

The last time I had a regular cathetization (post-surgery) the pain was excruciating. That is not normal and, at that time, my prostate already may have had problems.

Hopefully this time the Cipro that caused me to have such bad diarrhea will have done its job and eliminated the infection/inflammation in my prostate. Anyway, I hope this goes normally with only the usual discomfort vice real pain. I don't know whether the urologist again will do the Mother of All Rectal exams, like he did last time, or go directly on to the cystoscopy. I'll find out soon enough.

As I am bowel incontinent and have been through a specialist clinic for that, I have gone through a LOT of very embarrassing procedures I would never have imagined before - like having a female therapist keep her gloved finger up my bottom while I demonstrated Kegel and trans-abdominal exercises. Regardless, I think today will be unusually embarrassing for me. Some things just are not logical. I'm 72 years old and worried about being embarrassed?

--John

[4wheeldave]

Good luck John. Hope things go as well as they can.

4wheeldave.

[Ender]

Good luck, John. I have a cytoscopy scheduled in June; I'm not 100% sure what to expect. Hope yours goes well (or as well as it can, I suppose).

[PB&J32]

Good luck, John!! I hope all goes well today!!

[JDinVirginia]

I am soooo relieved to report that the cystoscopy went well. Those who had it before me described it very accurately to this group - thank you guys.

The numbing gel stung, but not severely. I was very much concerned about pain as the scope passed through the prostate, but the nurse reminded me that as the doctor is viewing during the insertion it goes in much slower than a nurse normally inserts a urinary catheter. With that, plus the effects of the Cipro on the prostate, discomfort was moderate, but not severe pain.

Embarrassing but the nurse was totally professional.

I spent more time on my back waiting for the doctor to come in than the procedure itself took.

No conclusive results yet. Somewhat enlarged prostate and I am scheduled for urodynamics testing. That part does not worry me.

Thanks everyone for your good wishes!

--John

[JDinVirginia]

I should clarify that, when I said that the discomfort was moderate, it was enough to make me moan aloud when the scope pushed past the prostate, then all was o.k.

Urologist was concerned about urinary retention, pending results of urodynamics testing, and mentioned possible of intermittent catheterization.

If the problem does not clear up, I asked him about options to help me during long trips - cruising - to eliminate the possibility of bedwetting at night and to somewhat reduce overall diaper usage. I am talking about 25-30 day trips - normally a LOT of diapers unless I can resupply. I cruised for 30 days when wearing diapers and being only bowel incontinent but I now require a significantly greater number of diapers due to the added bladder incontinence. When I asked about the possibility of using a condom catheter at night, my urologist mentioned intermittent catheterization instead.

I will note here that the best medical solution may not turn out to be the best travel solution from the viewpoint of having to live with it. We just cannot ask the cabin stewards to deal with wet sheets and it would be wrong to send wet diapers to the ships laundry. Some cruise ships do not have washers and dryers available to passengers. However, I think the ship we are planning to go on next does, so that I could occasionally wash cloth diapers. I still would wear a disposable underneath to try to keep the cloth dry. It could be that intermittent catheterization at bed time then wearing a cloth diaper just in case would be an option - if I could stay dry long enough and that still is TBD.

Why now? Bucket list, of course. I am getting older and if some things are put off much longer they will never happen. I would like to get in two more cruises before I have to stop long travel.

One cruise we are looking at begins and ends in London. London would be excellent for diaper resupply. No problem getting diapers delivered to the hotel. Local supplies reliably available in certain retailers. We would spend some time on the ground touring from London either before or after the cruise.

Perhaps I should start a new thread on this topic but I am not sure there will be enough interest. Let me know. Possible title - Diapers, Enemas, Catheters, and Cruises?

--John

[wheels5894]

I'm up for advice on intermittent catheterisation if it helps as I have been doing it for nearly 2 years now. It was odd at first going to bed with no protection but it really is no longer needed!

[JDinVirginia]

Wheels,

Could we start a new topic on intermittent catheterization? I think I have read through all of the old messages.

I'll go ahead and start the topic and hope you will chime in.

--John