New to this and need reassurance on what to do.

For a TURBT yes. For a cystoscopy typically no.

Hang in there!

Hello and welcome @whatapain. I'm 56 and was diagnosed exactly 4 years ago to the month. I just had my semi-annual cystoscopy yesterday. The doctor saw no reoccurence, praise God 🙏 Before I left yesterday they scheduled me for my last semi-annual cysto, 6 months from now. If the next one comes back clean I will be at the 5 year mark and they will put me on the annual plan. I took 3 years of BCG treatments like a champ 🏆💪 drove myself to and from every treatment, except the first one (I took my Goddaughter). Don't get me wrong, I was exhausted and painful at times during those 3 years and cried many times, but I got through it. And you will too. Hang in there, do what your doctor says and most of all keep a PMA (positive mental attitude). Good luck and God bless.

Thank you for taking the time. Life has its ways of keeping us in check. Really sucks though. 3 wars - 8 surgeries and still more to come, including the newest being the Bladder Cancer if in fact that is what it is. I understand the PMA, but you know as well as I - it's an up and down battle, yet we survive.

Hi, a basic cystoscopy will be no sedation at a doctors office, they can swoosh in some cells to send to pathology to check if they are cancerous . You may then need a biopsy and that is under sedation at an outpatient facility.

Scoping is in and out. Very quick. Pray for no mushrooms which is what badder cancer looks like. Just had 2nd TURBT yesterday. Yes life is too short but it would be even shorter if I did nothing. I finally found hope in article I read that all of us fighting have a chance. If our bodies build up the immunity needed to fight off our cancer we can live full lives. All we ever get is statistics that we may live 5 years. Hope is all I needed. I am in this to win this. Catch those tumors early and stay positive.

Read all the posts in this category. You will get some excellent information and support.

For a TURBT and cystoscopy I was sedated. For the BCG treatments, my doctor said I could take an OTC relaxing product but I never did. The BCG treatments are very quick and they numb you before they do the procedure. The funny part for me. I was in the waiting room longer than what the BCG treatment took.

I am somewhat like you. I am 74 and for the last several years I have had several health issues that still plague me today. Each month my calendar has several posts for doctor appointments. But for every down fall, after the doctor treatments, I am feeling better. I just hope nothing new happens to me.

Hi Peter - Thanks for the info. It is hard no matter if you've been through something or not but are expecting to go through another procedure. I wasn't a hero but played in 3 wars which didn't help my health. Like you I am 74 and after 70 has been a bad joke. Biggest issue I have the medical system is in the garbage - covid screwed things up and the insurance companies have everyone tied up - health and home - car as well. The greedy people and companies are another bad joke to American's. Keep a positive and you'll make it through anything. I have an appointment on the 5th of Dec to figure out what approach they want to take. I hate surprises, so we'll see. Take care!

@skybolt Their mentality at this point is to go after a biopsy. I've been though a lot but even still each procedure has issues.

As a dual EU/US citizen I consider the US healthcare system far superior from an efficacy standpoint. With my initial grading PR1A+CIS->PT0A+CIS from TURBT1 -> TURB2 they would have insisted on localized treatment. They have tumor boards and very conservative timelines (extended wait times) and limited to no ability to shop the providers. I would probably not be here today as Mayo JAX agreed to emergency RC one week after my first appointment.

Mayo (and other clinics) have far superior facilities and are extremely professional and fast. They can accommodate anything within 24 hours or so in most cases. Virtually impossible in the EU.

EU (like CA) provides all residents with access to care. This is true. But it results in fewer treatments and far slower treatment.

Only a private clinic in DE had a similar treatment timeline.

Went to a different facility and dr since no biopsy was done at ladt scheduled biopsy since dr couldn't see anything. Cystoscopy did result in aggressive urolethial cells; they just don't know the origin. Need origin in order to treat properly. Have biopsy of kidneys and bladder with no anesthesia; seems painful I said to the dr and his reply was yeah but it gives good data. Anyone else had this type of biopsy with no anesthesia?