Anyone had a Urodynamic Study?

I've never had one, but after reading about it here, and looking up information about it on Google surely sparked my interest. It seems to push almost all of my MedFet buttons 😃

The only issue I'd have is to empty my bladder voluntarily when others are present.

I had one when I was younger. I was given a cloth gown to change into, then I laid down on my back on a flat table. A large and heavy oxygen mask was placed over my mouth and nose (strapped to my head) blowing soothing air for me to breathe. The nurse inserted two tubes into my bladder via my penis (this is uncomfortable but not painful). He then instructed me to turn over onto my front, and he inserted a lubricated wire deep into my anus. He then stuck electrodes (sticky pads with cables attached to a computer) on my bum, thighs and tummy. I then rolled over and stood up, and walked barefoot over to the urinal. This was difficult and embarrassing as my naked body was exposed from the rear and I had tubes dangling from pretty much everywhere. I then urinated into a machine and got back onto the bed. I layed relaxed on my side on the bed for about 20 minutes, drinking water. I could feel the gentle breeze of the air-con blowing onto my warm bum, whilst I waited for the results. The needle then came back in, gave me my results, removed all of the tubes and the mask. I got changed back into my normal clothes and went home. My bum and penis were a little achy afterwards.

@sge113 said

I had one when I was younger. I was given a cloth gown to change into, then I laid down on my back on a flat table. A large and heavy oxygen mask was placed over my mouth and nose (strapped to my head) blowing soothing air for me to breathe. The nurse inserted two tubes into my bladder via my penis (this is uncomfortable but not painful). He then instructed me to turn over onto my front, and he inserted a lubricated wire deep into my anus. He then stuck electrodes (sticky pads with cables attached to a computer) on my bum, thighs and tummy. I then rolled over and stood up, and walked barefoot over to the urinal. . . . . .

I never heard of an ambulatory patient ever being given an oxygen mask for a urodynamic study.

WHY were you given one?

If your condition cannot be ameliorated, why do the urodynamic test? Sounds like a study I was recently reading about indicating how patients in the US are over-tested with unnecessary exams and procedures.

By the way yes I’ve had the procedure done. It was the only time I’ve been in stirrups and the only time I’ve had a probe in my rectum. I also recall the nurse was very gentle and kind and attractive.

Yes, I got it when I was 13,and was no fun. It was done in university clinic. First time getting a catheter into my bladder was really painful, today I know that the pain was caused while passing through the prostate. Afterwards something long was pushed up my bum, I felt it even in my left lower belly. Then came filling and all that stuff. Finally I was glad when it was done, and was more happy when doctors visited me (and my mom) in the afternoon and they mentioned that it has not to be repeated.

Exactly the same as Bob1952 describes it, a bit embarrassing, but a non event really

What DarkWuff said. The idea trips my trigger big time.

A Urodynamics study is not a big deal. The hardest part is peeing on command while being watched if one has a "shy bladder"

As others have said, you are asked to arrive with a full bladder, get undressed and gowned, then sit and pee into a Uroflow meter device that measures the urine flow rate vs time. The flow vs time tells them how well you are peeing and it's no big deal.

For the next part of the test, you get into a Urodynamics chair and semi-recline with your legs spread wide in footrests. The chair has a cutout seat area, allowing access to you, front and back. Sticky electrodes are placed near your anus to record the EMG muscle signals, a thin rectal probe is inserted and the little balloon on the probe ended is inflated. The rectal probe is a Fr 8 catheter, so about 1/10" in diameter. I didn't feel it at all.

Prior to the test, you are cathed with a Fr 14 size to fully drain your bladder of and remaining pee and the cath removed. Then you are cathed again with a specialized catheter, again Fr 8, that has a small measurement balloon and a passage for fluid. When this is all set up, a big funnel is positioned below you to catch pee.

The test starts then and you are slowly filled with sterile saline, about 1 ml per second. The pressures and EMG signals are recorded. The filling continues and you have to call out when you first feel full. The filling continues until you can't hold it any more and leak. You are then told to pee into the funnel as fully as you can.

Finally, you are cathed again to fully drain you and it's all over. Sometimes x-rays of your bladder are taken when you are filling.

The only biggie is that there is a nurse or two with you during this who time. And one sure doesn't get as the nurse does this too you. The embarassment is far too great. Having a Urodynamics test is not an erotic experience... nor does it hurt.

My URL dynamics was just like Bob spoke about

I got to pee for a nurse I had known from working with, a very stunning woman, not slutty. Long blond hair up in a pig tail.

I think I talked with her about career plans, and I know gave some support and encouraged during placements

No erection,so the peeing and having ultrasound goo spread over the lower abdomen were the only embarrassing parts. No catheter, she washed my dick

Yes after my 6th bladder op in 2017, it was decided that I am to have a urodynamic test by my urologist to find out why and what’s going on.

I have never had one done before and found it not too scary after all.

I had been use to using catheters now and found little sensation of the catheter going up my urethra and the test lasted about 20mins only to find that I still can’t urinate naturally, so back to the catheters.

Now present day I have been told that I have got to have a sacral neuro modulation emplant into my back (like a permanent TENS machine) and before that I’ve got to have a video urodynamic test, should be interesting and that could be done sometime this year

There seems to be a common progression of tests for urinary issues... from least invasive to most. This makes sense:

The first test is very simple and non-invasive. You are told to arrive with a full bladder. You are sent to pee on the toilet and then return to the exam room. The nurse thyen does either an ultrasound bladder scan or inserts a straight catheter to see how much residual pee is in your bladder. If it's less than about 30ml, the tests are done.

The next stage is a Uroflow test. again, you are supposed to arrive with a full bladder. You are again sent to the bathroom and instructed to pee on/into a commode fitted with a special funnel and flow sensor that measures and graphs the amount of pee you pass vs time from start to finish. The equipment looks like this:

https://img.techpowerup.org/201107/uroflow-commode-00.jpg

I have what's called a "shy bladder"... I just can't pee when someone is watching me. So when I was asked to do this test, even though alone in the bathroom, I knew there was a nurse just outside watching the display of my pee flow, and I just dribbled a bit. So the urolologist ordered the next stage.

A full Urodynamics test followed. As I and others have described, this test is more invasive. You get seated in a special chair, legs spread wide, undressed from the waist down and a straight catheter inserted to be sure you are empty to start off. Small ( Fr 8 ) catheters are inserted in your urethra and vagina or rectum to measure the pressures. EMG electrodes, similar to EKG ones, are stuck near your anus and connected to the recording 'puter. The test is then started and saline is very slowly pumped into your bladder via the catheter at roughly 1ml per second. At this rate it takes about 5 minutes to fill your bladder to feel an urge to pee. The saline may have a dye added so the bladder shows up better on x-rays which can be taken during the filling. When you feel the need to pee, you tell the nurse. The filling continues yntil you are no longer able to hold the solution and you start to leak. The filling then stops and you are told to pee into the funnel of the Uroflow apparatus. The measurement catheters are then removed and a straight catheter is again inserted to drain you of residual solution. And you're done. This is what the exam apparatus looks like:

https://img.techpowerup.org/201107/urodynamics-room-00.jpg

The final step is a video cystoscopy. This is the most invasive, but I've not experienced it.

All in all, the tests are somewhat embarrassing in that one of your body's primal functions are involved, but are not painful. A bit ouchie during the catheter insertions, but nothing more.

I have what's called a "shy bladder"... I just can't pee when someone is watching me. So when I was asked to do this test, even though alone in the bathroom, I knew there was a nurse just outside watching the display of my pee flow, and I just dribbled a bit. So the urolologist ordered the next stage.

I have the same condition - "shy bladder" and can relate to what you said. Did you mention this to your doc.?

My experiences have not been good with Urologists in that I'm not one for invasive tests unless I really feeling bad.

I have had it done twice. Not pleasant, but not the worst thing I ever had done.

I just got back from my urodynamic study. After signing in I was led to the examination room by a nice young female urologist who would perform the test. There was no chaperone present. I was asked to undress from the waist down and to urinate into a special potty chair which measures the amount of urine and flow rate. I was told to lay back onto the examination table while she cleaned my penis and lubricated the catheter. She proceeded to insert the catheter which didn't hurt although I could feel it entering me and some extra sensation of pressure as it went through my prostate and into my bladder. She said that my bladder was empty. The table had no stirrups which was a mild disappointment. She then inserted a smaller balloon catheter with a pressure sensor, inflated the balloon, and tugged it back to my urethral sphincter. I could feel it being tightened snuggly against the sphincter. I was then asked to turn onto my left side so that she could insert a pressure sensor into my rectum. In my only nod to zity, I reached back a spread my cheek for her. She said that was not necessary and I told her that my primary physician used to have me do that which was a lie. The pressure sensor was only placed into my sphincters and not my rectum because your rectum is a cavity and cannot exert pressure, while your sphincters are muscles and can exert pressure. I asked her about this and she said it was true. I could also feel the sensor in my sphincter which was different than an enema nozzle. She then attached several electrodes around my anus and perianal area to measure electrical impulses concerning my sphincters and bladder. I was then placed onto the potty chair and she attached the water container to my catheters and had me cough to see if the instruments were measuring on the graph. I could watch the graph as my bladder was slowly filled with the warm water. I could only take 54ml before I had to pee around the catheter. Although I thought that I could take much more. I noticed that some of the urine had dripped onto the floor and she said that was alright. The urologist was very pleasant and I told her that I was too old and have had too many tests to get embarrassed. Maybe if I was 28 instead of 70 and she laughed. Altogether it was nothing to get worried about. Took about 30 minutes without any pain. I was slightly disappointed that the table didn't have any stirrups. I was given 2 cephalexin antibiotics as a precaution against any infection. I got dressed and left.

After you initially used the potty chair, you were straight cathed to see how well you voided. This is sometimes done with a bladder scanner, instead of the catheter. The catheter used for this is typically an Fr 14, and the smaller pressure sensing catheter is typically Fr 8. The smaller diameter is needed because the patient will later pee with this catheter still in place.

The placement of the rectal pressure sensor in your sphincter is a bit odd. It's supposed to measure tue inter-abdominal pressure so the differential caused by your bladder contracting can be measured. In my exam, it went in 4 or 5 inches.

Having to pee at 54ml is quite low. Typically you don't feel an urge until about 300ml

After I peed in the potty chair she used a normal straight catheter, to check for residual urine. I have had the residual tested by ultrasound on a couple of occasions. As to the rectal probe, I asked her if it was placed in my sphincters and she said that yes I was correct. I could feel it there, however, the explanation I gave her was my own. She said that it was put in only a little way. Also, since the wires attached to the probe were very thin I would not have felt them to the extent that I did. Maybe a doctor or urologist could clear this up. I see my urologist on the 15th. And I will ask him. I agree that 54ml is a very small amount, usually, I have amounts varying from 200ml to 600ml before urgency, however I also sometimes have much smaller amounts. That is the reason for these tests. You can read about all of my 4 laser lithotripsy one of which was canceled in the middle of the procedure due to the stone becoming septic in my ureter and quite literally killed me. Also, my last laser lithotripsy was done to take out a stone in my ureter which ended up in my abdomen where it is still is. I assure you that all of these stories are true. Seems that I have run in to some bad luck concerning my kidneys and bladder. By the way I am not incontinent. Go figure.

I just got back from my follow up to my urodynamic study. As I posted before they ended the test after I could only take 54ml of water and I had the extreme urge to urinate. My urologist explained that my bladder had spasmed causing the problem. He gave me some samples of mirabegron and I see him again in January. By the way, the rectal probe was put into my rectum rather than just my sphincter as I had thought. Sorry for being wrong on that point.

@bigmike406

The probe position was as I thought. In the anal muscles makes no sense

@analot

A urinary catheter is a bit ouchie, but should NOT really hurt. Also the catheters, both rectal/vaginal and urethral, are very small, typically Fr 8, which is about 1/2 the diameter of a catheter used for peeing. The small size is used because near the end of the test, you are told to pee with the catheter in place.

This is a continuation of my urodynamic study. Thursday, January 14th I went to my urologist for a follow-up to my urodynamic study. I was surprised when he suggested that I have an outpatient procedure called Urolift. He indicated that the office procedure would take about 15 minutes to perform. We discussed the side effects which included painful urination along with some blood. There would also be some tenderness in the area for a few days but nothing too bad. I agreed and left thinking that I would hear from his scheduler by the middle of next week. She called me on Friday the day after my visit. I was informed that the doctor uses nitrous oxide (laughing gas) as the anesthetic which was not covered by insurance $99.00. I was to get some antibiotics and 2 Dulcolax tablets from her office. Luckily my wife works for an orthopedic surgeon 2 floors up from them in the same building. She paid the $99.00 and came home with the medication. I take 2 of the antibiotics the day before, 2 the day of, and 2 the day after my procedure. I am to take the 2 Dulcolax tablets at 2:30 pm on Wednesday. I'm not sure how taking them that soon would work inasmuch as she said nothing about not eating anything afterward or the usual instructions of nothing after midnight. I will call her on Monday to clarify. Here is a YouTube video of the Urolift procedure.

https://youtu.be/4-QXAloFUNM

I had two copied but only pasted. I will post the other one later.

This is my other YouTube link.

https://youtu.be/e20Ak49YD6E

@bigmike406 looks intense! All that with just nitrous?

Good luck with the procedure. The Dulcolax, taken at 2:30 the day before should have made you poo once or perhaps a couple of times before bedtime. you should definitely have to poo, but it's not like a colonoscopy prep. The doctor probably wants your rectum to be empty of big, hard poo so you don't strain for several hours after your visit.

It wasn't bad at all. Maybe a bit awkward, but not bad and actually pretty interesting.

I got one late last summer (2020); I had been catheterized during a previous hospitalization for an unrelated issue, and the nurses suspected my bladder wasn't emptying completely. So it was off to the urology department for a urodynamic study.

I was gowned up and instructed to sit in a partially-reclined chair, legs spread partially apart and my "equipment" hanging down for easy access. The technician was a woman who appeared to be about thirty-five, and the hospital's former policy on genital and rectal treatments (limited to members of the same sex when I'd undergone surgery many years previously) seemed to have been relaxed.

Two sensors were taped to the bottom of my thighs, and a rectal probe inserted, but only for about two inches or so. I had taken a Fleet enema on my own in anticipation of this, and as a common courtesy to anyone having to penetrate me, but this turned out not to be necessary.

A single indwelling catheter was inserted, and a cuff and drainage tube provided for when I was expected to void. I was told to expect some discomfort when the bladder was full -- but for whatever reason, this never materialized (though I did pass some of the irrigating solution onto the floor rather than into the cuff after the catheter was removed).

I was told that the results of the study would be explained later, but again, this never came to pass, and I can't dismiss a suspicion that the entire procedure was little more than a "fishing expedition".

I just got back from my Urolift procedure. After I was taken back to the prep room I was instructed to remove everything from the waist down and to put on the cloth robe with the opening in the back. Soon after I sat down a young pretty female aide came in and took my blood pressure. She left and soon returned with a shot of an antibiotic which said was to go into my butt. This was a surprise since cannot remember ever receiving a shot in my butt. I stood up and lifted my gown to expose the area. I said that she should be able to find my butt and she said that she could. She pinched the area up and injected the medication. It did not hurt at all. she again left and soon returned with two syringes of lidocaine gell and a small spray bottle of betadine to wash my penis. She proceed to wash my penis with the betadine and after firmly taking hold and stretching it injected it with the two syringes of gel. Before much of the gel uzed out she put a metal clamp on my penis to keep the gel in place. I was soon walked to the procedure room which was right across the hall. Of course, my ass was sticking out as I crossed the few steps to the procedure room. Once inside I was met by a total of three pretty aides and was instructed to sit on the procedure table as "close to the edge as possible almost as if you would fall off". After I sat down as close to the edge as possible, two of the aides grabbed the sheet on either side of me and pulled me back a little farther. I was then told to lie back and put my legs into the stirrups in the lithotomy position. One of the aides pulled my gown back to my waist thus exposing my genitalia. By that time they had already seen everything anyway so it didn't matter. The aides put the mask over my face and began giving me the nitro's oxide. I was told to take slow deep breaths which I did. The urologist entered and placed himself between my legs. Since I was laying down on the procedure table I could not see any of the instruments. I began to feel a heaviness on my legs due to the gas. I could still feel and hear some of what was taking place. I felt the doctor take hold of my penis but could not feel or see him placing the instruments inside. I heard a slight click each time he inserted a needle through my prostate. I think that I heard at least 4 separate clicks. I never felt the needles going through my prostate. After the urologist was finished I was given oxygen to clear out the nitrous oxide and told to lye back until my head cleared. I was taken to my prep area and given a cloth to wipe myself with. She told me to try to urinate into the toilet. I could only pee a little bit and it came out with only a slight pink tint. I was expecting more blood than that. It did hurt some at the tip of my penis when I peed but much less than I expected. I still feel no pain in most of my urethra and none in my prostate. The aide again entered and took a scan of my bladder and my blood pressure. I am still numb from the gel and the doctor prescribed the antibiotic Cefdinir 300mg twice a day for 7 days and 14 loratab 5 also for seven days. I return to the urologist on January 28th for the follow-up. So far I am in no pain except for a slight burning sensation at the tip of my penis. The whole procedure took less than 10 minutes. I will see what it feels like after the anesthetic gel wears off.

https://youtu.be/e20Ak49YD6E

https://youtu.be/WHhn8Srnhis

Had the study done to determine it the bladder or the the prostate was causing a very sudden urge to and pee ,flow very son after. wound up getting Botox injections in the bladder wall. That with some oral meds seemed to have managed the problem ,not cure it. due for another test and more Botex in about a month

Last Tuesday, Feb 1st (my birthday), I had my second urodynamic test. Upon entering the procedure room I noticed that there were two aids instead of the one last time. The elder was the same one who performed my last procedure. The other was a student who was learning. I was asked to pee into the special potty chair which measured the force of the stream and the amount of urine. Although I felt full I produced only about 200 ml of urine. I was then told to take off everything below my waist and put on the gown. I was asked to lay down on the procedure table and the student performed the test from this point on. She washed my penis with an antiseptic. She then grasped my penis with her gloved left hand and inserted a well-lubricated catheter to drain any residual urine. this didn't hurt although there was some pressure as it passed through my prostate. A smaller pressure-sensitive catheter inside of the catheter used for the installation of the saline solution was inserted into my penis. This was taped to the head of my penis with Scotch tape. I don't remember them doing this on my first test. The catheters were also taped to my leg to prevent it from pulling. I was then asked to turn to my right side for the insertion of a thin pressure-sensitive catheter into my rectum which was then taped to my butt. I could barely feel this throughout the rest of the procedure. Two electrodes were taped on either side of my anus to measure electrical impulses to my bladder. I was then asked to go sit on the potty chair for the rest of the test. I stayed on the procedure table during my first test. The catheters were attached to the machine which would slowly instill the saline solution from a bag hanging next to the device. There were also two large syringes of saline attached to the catheters. The student pushed saline from each of the syringes to clear the catheters. After they were cleared the installation of the saline was begun at the rate of 20ml per minute. I was asked to tell them when I would get up to go pee if I was watching my favorite movie. I was also asked to cough several times to test for stress incontinence. After I would them when I would go pee, I was to tell them when the urge was so great that I would ask to pull over if I were on a country road. I mentioned that I was feeling some pressure and they interpreted it as I had to go even though I felt that I could take more saline. They looked at the graph and said that the pressure was staying level and not going down. At that point, the test was finished. I was allowed to empty my bladder with the catheters in place. I begin to urinate, however, my penis was pointed upward and I began to pee on the floor. I tucked my penis toward the potty and finished. The student began to take the tape from the tip of my penis. The tape was twisted to hold the catheters and she fumbled around a bit while trying not to hurt me. She asked me if I could remove the tape since it “was sensitive down there”, which I did. The catheter was removed from my rectum and electrodes were unattached. I thanked them and asked the student if I was her first patient. She said that she had done a couple before me. I told her that she did fine. Everyone has to learn. I was allowed to get dressed and exit.

@bigmike406

You experience was very similar to mine, described earlier in this thread.

Also, you wrote “…the special potty chair which measured the force of the stream… ". This is not strictly correct. The purpose of the Uroflow test is to measure the flow rate of you pee vs time and compare the data to the average profiles. This comparison tells the doctor about obstructions in you urethra.

As you have found out, this test is not a particularly erotic experience.

Yes back in November a week before Thanksgiving I had both a urodynamics study and cystoscope in an outpatient surgery setting and was sedated for it , I was told I could stay awake or take a nap I chose to nap.

I was awoken by the nurses in the recovery room as they were just standing around talking and joking .

One of the nurses said something funny and the other nurses where like say what so was I .

A few minutes later after getting vitals I was wheeled to the pre / post op holding .

To eat a snack and drink some water . And to have a required urination to get discharged .

I was unable to pee , so a nurse did a bladder scan and made the decision to insert a Foley catheter and discharged me with the catheter.

Back to the recovery room nurses I was the last patient of the day and the nurses where done for the day after prepping for the next day and ready to leave for the day. I did chit chat before they tooK me back to the pre-op holding .

The only thing that I remember after opting to nap during the procedures was the urologist saying that he's ready and the anesthesiologist saying meds going in then an oxygen mask put on my face. I was in lala land from the meds. This was done under sedation like a colonoscopy , not general anesthesia.