cystoscopy

i had a cystoscopy done earlier today. ive been having a lot of pain and burning after urination so they wanted to take a look at the inside of my bladder. now the dr said it looked fine and nothing was abnormal but i have a lot of questions still and need more explanation. when they inserted the scope inside my urethra it hurt like hell!! he said my urethra did look a bit inflamed. but my bladder was fine so he didnt want to diagnosis me with I.C...ive read so many different opinions on this matter online, i also read that only 5-10% of people living with I.C actual show signs during a cystoscopy. so now its like why am i having the urethritis? he couldnt seem to answer that one. he just prescribed me some kind of medicine to relax the muscles and provide some relief from the discomfort. which is fine but im wondering what is causing this and why it isnt healing and if there is a way to heal it. grr so frustrated. been working on this for months and seeing many different drs thought today might be a turning point and might lead to something but no just more frustration and PAIN! :(

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
I'm not an expert on interstitial cystitis, but I do know that it can be a very frustrating condition and difficult to diagnose.  The classic ulcerations of the bladder lining may not be easily visualized.  Honestly, I think the scope pretty much hurts everybody on insertion.
What I have read regarding IC is that a "multidisciplinary approach" is often the best bet, including gynecology, urology, psychiatry (for depression arising from a chronic condition)
and possibly others.  Your best bet to get this combo would be to go to a big center such as Colorado Clinic or Mayo Clinic.
Hope this helps!
Dr B

[trickn]

Yeah i have been exploring all these areas.
I was told the procedure would be uncomfortable but not painful..well they lied, for me it was. and they didnt go over anesthesia options with me or give me anything for the pain post cystoscopy so im not real thrilled with them right now.
Also alot of questions about what was seen during the cystoscopy, no real redness of the bladder but my urethra was definitely inflamed. also there was a small cysts growth in my bladder they didnt really explain to me.it looked like there was small organisms swimming around in there, is this normal?
also, some of what looked to be "shedding" of the bladder. im not sure..

[trickn]

also, they told me to follow up with my gyno...what approach can i take?
is there anything my gyno can do to treat the urethritis? and pain?
they also prescribed me flowmax...strangest thing. ?