Ultrasound bladder holding

[Kd0758]

I’ve been referred for an ultrasound scan tomorrow for some testing. The letter says to drink a litre of water an hour beforehand and not to empty my bladder etc.

But what’s the latest that I can go to the toilet? My appointment is 12:30 so I’ll make sure I’ve had a litre by 11:30 but I have no idea when I can go to the toilet!

[RachaelC]

I've no advice I'm afraid, I screwed up when I had to do this and had no choice but to go to the toilet just before my appointment so I would say don't drink too much too soon like I did!

[Ycryan]

I didn't have a great experience either, I decided to drink the litre about 40 minutes before my appointment. When I got there they couldn't do the scan as my bladder wasn't full enough, sent me out to the water machine to drink more and by the time they came back to collect me I was pacing up and down desperate for the bathroom.

I barely made it through the scan before I ran out the room to the bathroom, it was awful.

Therefore I'd recommend drinking it gradually about an hour before so that its full enough by the time you go in. Good luck.

[Orlando 2004]

Originally Posted by RachaelC

I've no advice I'm afraid, I screwed up when I had to do this and had no choice but to go to the toilet just before my appointment so I would say don't drink too much too soon like I did!

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I did this too. I was dying to go when I got to the hospital and then had to sit there downing cups of water. You will probably be told to empty your bladder as soon as they've scanned, then they rescan to check it's empty.

[elm]

I used to book ultrasound appointments and we would always advise patients to empty their bladder an hour and a half before their appointment and then start drinking a pint to a pint and a half of clear fluids.

Some patients find it helpful to arrive about half an hour early for their appointment and continue to drink the last of their water in the waiting room. The bumpiness of car travel just before your appointment and a full bladder are not a good mix.

[vampiress88]

Think I will be having this soon too. Have appointment just before I go on holiday but they haven’t set any tests yet.
I need Botox in my bladder but I refused a few years back

[Kd0758]

Oh no! I didn’t realise it was so difficult lol.

I drink quite a lot usually anyway but I always instinctively go to the toilet when I leave the house.

I feel so much pressure to try and drink and not go to the toilet, feels like I’m about to resit my driving test!

[RachaelC]

Originally Posted by Kd0758

Oh no! I didn’t realise it was so difficult lol.

I drink quite a lot usually anyway but I always instinctively go to the toilet when I leave the house.

I feel so much pressure to try and drink and not go to the toilet, feels like I’m about to resit my driving test!

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If it makes you feel any better, they had the option of an internal scan when I went. The irony was that they could see that my bladder was full again by the time the scan took place 🤣🤣 I obviously drank PLENTY of fluids!

[RachaelC]

Originally Posted by elm

I used to book ultrasound appointments and we would always advise patients to empty their bladder an hour and a half before their appointment and then start drinking a pint to a pint and a half of clear fluids.

Some patients find it helpful to arrive about half an hour early for their appointment and continue to drink the last of their water in the waiting room. The bumpiness of car travel just before your appointment and a full bladder are not a good mix.

See more...

I wish the advice sent out was as thorough as your post above, the whole thing would be much easier!

[Elisebev]

I have to have regular ct scans since my cancer diagnosis. I have to drink 2 pints of water before my appointment. Instructions are to drink a pint before you come then you get another pint when you arrive for the appointment. Last time I was there I was absolutely desperate for the bathroom. Luckily they were ok with me going,