VCUG (Voiding Cystourethrogram)

My 4 year old had one this past summer at Children's. While it wasn't a pleasant experience, she did great. They had my husband and I stay with her the entire time. We each held one of her hands during the procedure. They showed her a book they had made about the procedure, editing it for her age. She did her fair share of screaming, but did calm down. When they told her to pee on the table, she wouldn't do it. So they gently poured warm water on her and her body involuntarily did it. She thought it was cool that she peed on the table! With your daughter being 3 years old, there really isn't much you can do to prepare her...that will just scare her. The nurses at Children's were WONDERFUL and make the entire thing as easy as it could be.

Oh my! I took my stepdaughter for her 1st one when she was 5, it was not good! I don't mean to scare you , and it could just be how she reacted, but it was awful! Firstly, I will say if by some chance they don't want you to go back with her, I would INSIST. I am sure a lot of it was fear on her side. but it took 3 of us to hold her down. She screamed while they were putting the cath in, but as soon as it was in she stopped. When they put the iodine (I think it was iodine) to sterilize the area, she complained about that burning. As soon as they started, they let her watch the monitor and and see everything that was going on, even when they made her pee they let her watch that. She winced a little bit when they pulled it out, but other then that she was fine. She had one at Community Hospital and 2 at The Cleveland Clinic and they were equally as bad.
It was so bad that she was saying, don't you love me, how could you let them do this too me? I said yes I love you, but they have to make you better, it will be over in just a minute. It is just horrible. Remember, they are depending on you for strength so try your hardest not to cry, it will just scare her more.
It ended up my stepdaughter had curved uriters and had to be on medication every night befoe she went to bed for 1 yr, and then another VCUG, more med for another yr and another VCUG. After the 2nd yr of meds (to help prevent reoccuring infections) she grew enough for er uriters to straighten out. There is a surgery that they can do Laproscopically (I think it Laproscopically) to straighten them. I think they put silcon in to help them straighten out.
Things might have changed, she is now almost 15 and has only had 2 UTIs in the past 8 yrs.
Good Luck and remember to be strong.
Jenn......

Hi. My daughter had a UTI when she was six weeks old, and they did a VCUG and found she had vesicoureteral reflux, which is where the urine backtracks up to the kidneys because a valve is missing/underdeveloped to keep this from happening. We were so scared, as the doctors said she would need to stay on prophylactic antibiotics daily to prevent further UTI (the danger being damage to her kidneys). Ever since they discovered the reflux, she has been on antibiotics (she's three now) and she is tested (VCUG) each year at Kosairs to see if the condition has improved. It is gradually getting better (less reflux) but if it has not fixed itself by the time she is five or so, they may do a surgery. Anyway, my understanding is that the VUR condition is pretty common in girls, but many never know until they have UTI's. The VCUG test itself is not too bad. The child is awake for the procedure. They usually have about three people assisting. They start by putting in a catheter. Then they fill the bladder with a clear fluid (contrast). The best and worst part about this is that it is happening right on the monitor in front of you, this sort of live "xray". It makes it easier to understand because you can see what is happening inside her. At the same time, I am very weak when it comes to medical procedures and holding my little daughter's arms while seeing her little bladder fill to maximum capacity brings me to the point of passing out. It is very hard for me to see this happening to my baby! While the test was easier for her as an infant (the first one she slept thru!) this last test she got mildly upset, but the nurses were wonderful and distracted her with suckers. It's mostly just uncomfortable for the child.(not painful) I think the worst part is when they insert the catheter. Just try to remain calm and act like it's not a big deal to ease her worries. I hope everything turns out well for your daughter. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I'm like you... I was researching online when I found out about her condition. But it helps to talk to someone who's been there. If you are going to Kosairs, they have a wonderful staff and they are extremely child-friendly.

Hello... The procedure itself is painless. However, getting a three year old to relax for the catheter is another story. That can hurt if a patient tenses up. I have had several of these done. As a small child, I was diagnosed as haing an overly large bladder for my age. I didn't need to go as often. Every couple of weeks I had a UTI or kidney infection. This kept going until highschool.

The worst part as a child was thinking I was peeing on myself. They fill your bladder so full, that when they pull out the catheter, you just can't hold it even though they ask you to do so.

I am sorry she has to go through this.
A.

i don't have personal experience with that but my son has seizures so we have been in and out of hospitals and he has to get his blood drawn every six months. and he is deaf so there is no real explaining. i have to say i read about the procedure your daughter is getting. i am betting the worse part like my son is the sitting still and holding down. i don't really think my son notices any discomfort he just don't like them messing with him and holding him down. he screams like crazy. and i am so nervous because i don't want them touching my baby. so i am sure he feels that. i make my husband go in. i don't know how squirrly your daughter is but i always have better experience taking him when he is tired but i know some kids act differently when tired mine lyes more still. i read that the cathater is a discomfort but not pain that would be my only real worry. she might be scared with someone messing with her when you teach your kids that is a nono for someone to.

Hi M.
My four year old daughter had a VCUG procudure done recently. While she certainly was not thrilled, the hospital staff did a wonerful job with her fear and anxiety. We went to Children's (Dayton) and they were very well prepared to handle/manage her fear and discomfort. I imagine (and hope) that all hospitals are. The procedure did not hurt, but is very uncomfortable. It did take 3 nurses to hold her legs still while inserting the catheter, but it was quick, and the whole procedure is over in a few minutes. They showed her a video and talked to her the whole time to distract her. They let me stand up by her head, so I put me face as close as I could without interferring and this helped too. If she has a favorite stuffed animal or blanket, ask if she can hold it during. If not, give it to her right after. Most importantly, and hardest, don't let her see you cry. If you have any more questions, feel free to send me a message.

I would make sure you can sit with her during the procedure. I had this done as a small child and still remember it because I had to go in alone, and I didn't understand what they were telling me to do. "Pee" was not the word we used in our house, so it was confusing. I'm sure things are very different these days, but I bet your calm presence would be a great benefit for your daughter. Good luck--I hope it is quick and painless and helps to prevent any more UTIs!

I have two children who have had this done. My 4 yr old daughter had one this past summer because of UTIs. My son is 5 months old and has spina bifida, so he has them every few months. Are you having it done at Children's? If so, there will be someone from Child Life there, and she will help tremendously. They have those birthday toys that you blow in to, and whistles, etc. When they're getting ready to do something, they'll have her blow the whistle, etc. It helps them loosen their muscles down there, and they can get the catheter in easily. It is a pretty quick procedure.

My neice had lots of problems with UTIs. My sister got some stuff called Clear Tract. It is a white powder that you can mix in any drink and it is tasteless. Whatever it is, it makes the urethra "slippery" and so bacteria cannot stick to the walls of the urethra and cause the infections. It is a natural product and has no side effects. It worked for her, and she has had no problems since taking it. I believe she uses a "maintenence dose" every day.
I'm not saying you should not go ahead with the test, because there might be something more involved here, but you might want to consider buying some of this product to avoid future problems.
L.

Hi M.,
I don't know about the VCUG, but if your daughter's is having repeated UTIs, there is a good chance she has an overgrowth of yeast. Get the yeast under control and the UTIs should go away. Contact me off line if you want to know more: ____@____.com