Hi Peterspot - does it feels though someone has put in a catheter that is made of sand paper? My theory is the urethra becomes swollen and sore having reacted to being really hot or bacteria from our vagina or back passage getting in there. If that is the feeling then I've had this on a number of occasions and this was prior to having a cystoscopy. There was one night when I was in terrible pain and was peeing blood - I had stupidly washed my hair in the shower before bed and shampoo had passed over my intimate area as I washed it out - this always aggravates my urethra because of the perfume. I went straight to my GP the next morning after this terrible episode and my urine was tested and a sample sent off to the lab for testing but there was no infection detected. My urine was tested a few times after that and evidence of blood was still present so this is why they sent my for the cystoscopy. Like you, they reassured me my bladder was fine and no cancer found but they stretched my urethra, as the urologist said it sometimes helps with the pain. I think the theory is that the urethra can tighten or collapses thereby making it less likely to pass urine properly and possible becoming more sensitive. The urologist said they were not sure why women get this horrible burning in the urethra but it could be scarring or interstitial cystitis(a diagnosis which I think means they 'don't know what it is'). Anyway, after the stretching (which was pretty ghastly to have done) I did find I was peeing more efficiently for a a couple of weeks afterwards but this didn't last. I now just make sure I empty my bladder properly each time and use Multi Gyn Actigel after my shower each day, local oestrogen twice a week (Vagifem) and I started back on low dose systemic HRT as well - this combination has reduced symptoms significantly. I do find getting too hot around that area can trigger things, I try not to sit down for to long and avoid anything perfumed or harsh (like normal soap) around my intimate areas.
I do think the idea of a deep seated infection in the bladder is highly likely and hopefully the specialist doing the research on this will publish soon to help bring in better treatment.
For you at this stage local oestrogen is likely to help the situation but please know you are not alone with this and it's unlikely to be just because of the cystoscopy, although it may have triggered a more extreme reaction. I'm sure it will settle but unfortunately this pain makes one tense which will exacerbate the situation. Try to put your feet up, keep cool, try some frozen pees wrapped in a clean tea towel between your legs, drink some bicarb a couple of times a day and actively relax your pelvic floor. BTW - do avoid any acidic food or drinks for the time being as well - even tea or coffee can aggravate. Keep us posted DG x
