Does cystoscopy get easier?

Hi Simc . From a man's point of view I think it does get easier as you know what to expect. I have had well over 20 flexis over the years and always find the anxiety of what you may see much harder than the procedure itself. Best wishes.

I’ve probably had far more cystoscopies than most as I had over 30 years of chronic bladder disease prior to cancer.It can depend on who is doing the procedure,some people are rougher than others when inserting the scope.The more relaxed you can be the better.They will be more painful if you tense up.I was having them every 3 months for some years so got very used to them.It’s important to drink plenty of fluids afterwards and most people on here drink lemon barley water.I think on the whole they get easier because you know what to expect.Jane 

I’ve only had two so far, with my first being well over ten years ago and my latest being in June, and maybe I’m just overly sensitive or have a low pain threshold (I don’t think I do) but it did hurt, especially when the cystoscope went through my prostate area. Everything I’ve read has always said that it’s “uncomfortable but not painful”, but for me personally that hasn’t been the case. 

It'll be interesting to see if they get less painful over time. I didn’t fine my DRE to check my prostrate painful in the slightest, but that might have been affected by:

• the doctor using numbing gel around my bottom before inserting his finger
• the fact that I’d just had the pain of the cystoscope, which made it pale in comparison
• the fact that I’d just seen my tumour for the first time on the monitor, confirming that it wasn’t just a bladder stone, perhaps making me less conscious of any further discomfort

It also hurt when my catheter was removed the morning after my TURBT, and my urethra was in a bit of a state for some time afterwards (and it’s started to be a bit painful to pee again over the past few days), so maybe I do just have a very sensitive tube. 

I feel sorry for men as it must be far more painful for them with their anatomy than for women.
Jane x

To be fair though in the grand scheme of things we probably get off lightly ;) 

I've only had the one flexible cystcopy, that being the first time they checked. All my other biopsies have been under GA .

I had no Idea what to expect, I found it more uncomfortable than painful, it was a bit weird laying there naked from the waste down whilst the room was full of nurses etc. Although they were very kind. I remember the feeling of needing a wee as they went in and was told that's normal.

I don't think I'll ever get used to the "modesty' aspect of the treatments, but I just go with it now..I mean who does get used to it? It's strange asking about the doctors weekend as they insert a tube.....

I can't really offer any advice about dealing with it going forward, but you now know what to expect and I think that must help. Remember it's over in minute's, hope you find something to help you cope, but you will cope for sure..

Saying all that I have had 15 BCG instillations during 2023 and 2024, and the catheter insertion doesn't bother me. I can't remember the size of the flexible cystcopy, I guess it's bigger than the catheter used for BCG.

Take care.

Trevor 

Maybe it is I mean the scope has further to travel for us guys, well further for some and less for others I guess

On the plus side we don't have to shove something rather large outside of us after it's been growing in us for 9 months making us feel sick and tired and achy and the all rest.

So maybe we still get off lightly in the grand scheme of things. 

The catheter used for the TURBTs felt like a hose... I couldn't wait to get it out and it wss definitely painful removing it. I think it night also have something to do with it being left in for a while also. I had to wait 7 hours after the operation before they removed it. The relief when it was out was greatly appreciated.....

Thankfully the catheters used for BCG are a lot smaller.

It took a while for the pain to go for me also, so you're not alone.

Take care.

Trevor 

Like I said I got through it, just it would be easier if I can relax a little more and try not to tense up next time. 

I just don't quite know how anyone can not tense up once you feel the discomfort and pressure, I really can't say I think it was painful as such, although it would be nice if they gave the anaesthetic gel a short while to work before hand. 

It felt like seconds before she was shoving the tube in after the gel. 

You would think they would give you a relaxant or mild sedation tbh to make it a little bit easier. 

I have to say they though it felt like an awful long time tbh to me from start to finish, I have no idea how long it actually was but it felt like an eternity. 

Then again having not undergone hardly any hospital procedure before in my life I guess I have little to compare it to either. 

I know some people are really scared about having a GA, and tbh I wasn't scared when I broke my ankle about the GA, and I had no idea what to expect that time as it was my first go at a GA. And again this time I was like ooh time for a nap, although it isn't a nap of course. 

I do know that for me being out of it and not aware is far better than being awake for it, if I can be knocked out for stuff that woukd be my go to choice. 

I didnt have a catheter tbh after my turbt as the couldnt do the chemo due to the resection of my left ureteric orifice, so haven't had that pleasure yet.