A Day in the Life of a Bladder Instillation

So last week, I had my first Hyacyst bladder instillation. I didn’t ask many questions so I didn’t know what to expect. I obviously consulted Google and came across a few horror stories. I was left in shock after reading about a nurse who inserted the solution into an unsuspecting woman’s vagina instead of her urethra. I think even with no medical training, I would be able to tell the two apart!

With that in mind, I nervously arrived at the hospital and was shown to my room. I changed into my attractive gown and gave the all too familiar urine sample. I was, for some reason, reluctant to drink too much before the procedure so my urine wasn’t looking very healthy. Thankfully, it showed no infection (only the usual sign of inflammation) so the procedure could go ahead.

A nurse took my blood pressure, pulse and temperature. She had some slight issues getting my pulse because I have Shellac gel nails. Even at my sickest, if my nails can look good, it makes me feel better about myself.

My Urologist was running late so I sat there for an hour imagining all the worst possible scenarios. Would it be too painful for the catheter to be inserted? Would they use a catheter that’s too big and hurts? My brain was in overdrive. Finally, my urologist arrived and had with him a table full of weird and wonderful instruments.

He gave me two Trimethoprim antibiotic tablets. I presumed this was to kill off any infection the catheter might give me but I didn’t ask. One of my downfalls is never asking medical professionals many questions. I definitely need to start being more vocal especially when I’m popping pills. In fact, I was supposed to ask my Urologist about what pain relief he would recommend but he was in and out like a whirlwind. I am currently only prescribed Co-Codomol but they don’t work that effectively and make me feel woozy.

I lay down and first he cleaned the outside of my urethra with an antiseptic wipe. Next, he used a syringe with anesthetic gel and coated the outside and slight inside of my urethra to numb it. Lastly, he lubricated the catheter, got me to cough and the catheter went in (he got the right hole, thank God). I didn’t feel a thing.

It’s never pleasant having a stranger’s head in between your legs but there is nothing dignified about IC. I assured myself that this isn’t the first vagina he has ever seen but made a mental note to have a bikini wax before the next one.

He drained any urine out of my bladder and using a syringe, very slowly inserted the Hyacyst solution. I couldn’t feel it going in and it was done in under a minute. He removed the catheter and said I needed to keep the solution in for one hour whilst lying down. I needed to change position every fifteen minutes from lying on my back, to my front and both sides. After an hour, I could pee the solution out and go home. Simple.

It took about five minutes for my bladder to register there was anything in there and about ten minutes for me to think, I really need to piss now. I set my phone alarm to remind me to turn every fifteen minutes. Then the boredom set in. I had a TV in my room but the remote control was too far away and I couldn’t get up. My phone battery was dying and I had to use the remaining battery for the alarm. That meant no social media to entertain me. I was left staring at the ceiling and walls hoping the solution was doing whatever it’s supposed to be doing. Another mental note to bring a magazine next time.

As time went on, the pain increased. Holding a full bladder is never going to be without discomfort but it wasn’t too bad, I would say a 4/10 on the pain scale. I never once thought I wouldn’t be able to hold it in for the whole hour and I could probably have held it longer.

After what felt like an eternity my time was up and I ran to the toilet. My bladder pain was still there. Sadly, no miracle had happened.

I honestly don’t know what I was so worried about.
It was much more straightforward than I had imagined and the pain was bearable.

I am signed off work at the moment due to my IC pain so I headed straight home to put my feet up. By the evening, the pain had increased, probably to a 6/10. It felt like I was being repeatedly punched in the bladder and between the legs (standard pain symptoms for me). I took some painkillers, warmed up my heat pack and sat in front of the TV. My usual viewing of trash TV did it’s best to keep my mind off the pain.

So whilst the procedure was fine, the onset of pain took me by surprise. Still, it was nothing that I hadn’t experienced before. The next few days were hard and then the pain decreased but as ever, never went away.

So, at least I know what to expect from the next sessions and I am hoping they will be less painful. I have had my bikini wax now so that’s one less thing to worry about!

Emma x