I am 77 my urologist wants to do a cystoscopy. I am currently experiencing pain in kidneys with nausea test show no infection. Is it safe?

My Mom had bladder cancer. In the beginning she had one every year, later once a year. This was in her 80s and never complained.

I had a cystoscopy in my 30s I was not concerned. I have had kidney stone in the past (15+years). This is not the same kind of pain. I had an ultra sound earlier in the month showed no stones. As we age the walls of the colon and urethra become thinner and are more vulnerable. My age is my concern and the possibly the pain being worse after.

You are having problems that are causing you difficulties. They haven't been helped or diagnosed in the regular avenues. You really need to know what's going on now. I was hoping Lealonnie weighed in on this one, as I remember when she was waiting for this and other diagnostic procedures. I always say that the "waiting room" is the worst room in the house. Thinking about these things is so awful, yet when you go for them we are told what to do and they are over in no time. This is no more invasive than having a catheter placed for other reasons. It is a sterile procedure and it is very unlikely you would get an infection from this.
And as per your history with sepsis. Anyone can get any sepsis any time in their life. My brother died from a small sore on his leg he ignored, cellulitis he ignored, and it went septic. He was dead in 15 days. Best thing to do re sepsis is keep a strong healthy body, good food, good weight, good exercise. And on you go. Keep strong. Best of luck.
Even though you have once survived sepsis it doesn't mean you will go septic with any infection; in fact you are surviving bladder infections just fine ( I know. I don't mean "just fine"). Dog and human bites are notorious for bad infection.
Can I recommend you try the harmless supplement D-Mannose (about 30.00 for 120 capsules, take one a day; I used Source Natural D-Mannose from Amazon). I was getting four bladder infections a year a bit over a decade ago. As an old nurse I was distressed. I don't BELIEVE in vitamins and supplements and am a western medicine girl, but being threatened with all the procedures and a cipro daily proplylactic (these were climbing into my kidney; a real concern) I tried D-Mannose. I haven't had a bladder infection in decades. My doc just shrugged and said "Some claim they help; others get no help". Two friends, on a Facebook friend, one from my dog park, had same experience. Works like cranberry; doesn't allow bacteria to adhere to the bladder wall, but not acidic. Recommended here often and I do know one person here not helped by it, so the one "failure I know".
You could have something going on that they need to know. You are miserable, and might be helped and the cystoscopy is pretty easy. I recommend you have that. And try D-mannose if you wish to; it can't hurt you; it's a simple sugar (won't interfere for diabetics).
I wish you luck; I hope you will update us.

With any procedure, there is always some risk. From anesthesia to infection to possibly nicking a ureter--but as with anything, you need to weigh the pros and cons.

I'd say to go ahead with the procedure. It's fairly simple and if they can 'knock you out' for it, then even better. If that isn't offered, do ask for something to keep you semi-sedated and calm.

Sometimes docs just need to get deeper into the problem if the standard tests are inconclusive.

What will happen if you do nothing? Sounds like this is the best diagnostic tool.

Good Luck!

I am 63 and had a cystoscopy in December and it was very mildly invasive.....a lot of worrying about nothing. A bit of lidocaine was put on the urethra, and literally 3 minutes later the whole procedure was over. I watched the camera go over my bladder on screen, too. Nothing was found..... they were looking for stones or cancer. No infection afterward, no burning sensation when urinating, a real nothingburger truthfully. I'd do it again in a heartbeat if warranted.

Good luck

My daughter had a cystoscopy (of course she was much younger) and it revealed a kidney malformation that was not detectable on a CAT scan. No infection after that procedure.

My husband had a procedure to unblock his ureter; that DID result in a UTI, but that was because he didn't take the preacribed antibiotics after the procedure. Ended up in the ER and got yelled at by the RNs!

I think you should proceed on the basis that your doctor knows what she is doing. Ask what she hopes the cystoscopy will show and how it will inform treatment.

I am assuming that they are looking for a blaockage or kidney stones.