Introduction
Urodynamic investigations look at the function of your bladder and its relationship to the pelvic floor. This is usually performed by the Urogynaecology Nurse Specialist and will provide your Consultant with information on how your bladder fills, stores urine and subsequently empties.
Before you arrive
Please complete the enclosed fluid diary. It is important to be as accurate as possible and fluid intake needs to reflect your normal day-to-day habits. This will help us to see how your bladder functions in every day life. If you are unable to measure fluid every time, it is better to put a tick rather than not record anything.
The following medications may affect test results.
PLEASE STOP TAKING THEM TWO WEEKS BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT UNLESS YOU HAVE BEEN TOLD OTHERWISE.
- Tolterodine / Detrusitol
- Fesoterodine / Toviaz
- Trospium Chloride / Regurin
- Darifenacin / Emselex
- Propiverine / Detrunorm
- Solifenacin / Vesicare
- Oxybutynin / Ditropan / Lyrinel / Kentera patch
- Mirabegron
- Duloxetine / Yentreve - must be reduced slowly over 4 weeks
PLEASE NOTE Duloxetine / Yentreve should NOT be stopped if previously prescribed for non-bladder related conditions.
Amitriptyline – must be reduced slowly PLEASE NOTE –– should NOT be stopped if previously prescribed for non-bladder related conditions
Do NOT stop any other prescribed medicines
We are unable to perform the test if you have a urine infection. If you suspect that you have an infection, please visit your GP and have your urine tested and, if necessary, treated. We will re-book the appointment once the infection has cleared.
Test Procedure
You may eat normally prior to the test. The test takes approximately 45 minutes. Please remember to arrive with a comfortably full bladder. You will be asked to empty your bladder into a special commode (flowmeter) - in private - to assess your urinary flow. Your urine will then be tested to exclude urinary infection.
A small catheter with a pressure line connected to it will be passed into your bladder via the urethra (water pipe). A small pressure line is also inserted into your back passage, or vagina. This is to measure the pressure within your abdomen. Having these tubes inserted is not painful but you may find this a little uncomfortable. Once they are in place, the bladder is filled with sterile fluid via the catheter. The pressure lines allow us to monitor how your bladder behaves during filling thus providing an understanding of your bladder sensation.
When your bladder is full, the filling catheter will be removed leaving the pressure lines in place. You will be asked to stand, cough, bear down and listen to running water to test the bladder further. You will then be asked to pass urine in the flowmeter. Both pressure lines from the bladder and back passage will then be removed.
During the investigation every effort will be made to ensure a minimum of discomfort and a maximum of privacy. With your consent, a doctor/nurse who is training in Urodynamics may be present.
Following the test
You may find passing urine slightly uncomfortable and more frequent for the next day or two. We recommend that you increase your fluid intake for the following 24-48 hours. This will flush out your bladder and help prevent infection. Should you develop a burning sensation on passing urine that does not subside after 48hours and/or a fever, you may have developed a urine infection. You should contact your GP surgery and inform them that you have recently had a Urodynamics test. A course of antibiotics may be necessary.
Contact Information
This page is intended to give you additional information to that received from a healthcare professional.
If you would like any further information, or would like to discuss the test, please contact the:
Urogynaecology Nurse Specialist
01932 722124
Please leave your name and contact number with a short message and we will return the call as soon as possible (although this may not be the same day).
