"Urology and ADSU for kidney pain"

I visited the Adult Day Surgery Unit on 18th November for a diagnosis under general anaesthetic, and the Urology department 6 or 7 times since January.

At night time, at the end of a day or after I’ve been on my feet for a while I get a deep pain in both kidneys that gets worse and worse until I find myself in bed drugged up on painkillers. It’s worse when I drink alcohol, and I’ve tried changing my diet to help but not got anywhere. I’ve been having these kidney pains for about 3 years; various tests, first at the GP then at the Urology department, have helped to show the consultants the possible causes of the problem and together we’ve explored different ways of combatting the pain. My kidneys feel much better now although not completely fixed yet!

I have always been impressed with the staffing, availability and attention I have received from the Urology department.

The Urology department knew what they were doing! The staff had clear experience and training and were always on hand to support given the circumstance. I am young and healthy and fortunately haven’t had much experience at hospitals so the process was daunting

Some specific tests/ procedures that I’ve had include:

Cystoscopy - a camera to the kidneys, via the bladder, via the urethra. Once at the GP, twice at the Urology department and once at the ADSU whilst asleep. This is not a comfortable exam, but the nurses were very respectful in a circumstance that is somewhat undignifying which helped nervousness and worries disappear. It didn’t hurt, but seeing and feeling it done is a strange to say the least, the first thought is “Oh my god, what are you doing!!!?”

Self-Cathetisation - one of the causes was my bladder wasn’t draining properly so I was taught to do this artificially. The nurse was very kind, patient and knowledgable and helped to calm me down when I was distressed, gave me contact information and then checked up on me in the following weeks to see how I was getting on

Urodynamics - a test to check the pressure, shape and size of my bladder to check that it still had its elasticity and was therefore still functioning, fortunately it was, but this exam was the worst of them all. I imagine it’s similar to being probed by aliens. The “Oh my god, what are you doing???!” thoughts quickly return. A catheter in the bladder via the urethra to both empty and fill the bladder artificially, and a pressure monitor in the rectum. The nurse was very soothing, was helpful, was funny, kept my attention away from the discomfort and made sure it was over quickly. (A huge thank you.)

ADSU - another cystoscopy, the unit was clean, staff friendly and I never felt worried, even though it was my first time under general anaesthetic. Thanks to all the staff.