I am curious how much information there is available to radiologists about VCUG trauma. There seems to be a huge mismatch between what doctors/hospitals advertise this procedure being, vs. patients’ lived experiences. I’m just wondering what discussions about this topic are like within the field, specifically around pediatric patients.
My VCUGs caused my PTSD, vaginismus, and catheter injury. Healing has been so messy. Wondering if anyone else is working through this now in adulthood after blocking it out for years?
Despite research being out since the 1990s stating that these medical procedures (which are very common) cause PTSD and similar results to CSA, no reforms have been made. Just curious if anyone else is currently trying to heal from this, too.
Just curious how common this is, considering how many kids go through this medical procedure.
Anyone else a survivor of VCUGs who now is trying to heal from the pelvic floor dysfunction they can cause? Feeling so alone and discouraged with my healing journey right now - vaginismus, vulvodynia, severe touch aversion, bladder pain, catheter injury - sometimes it just feels like a lot. And of course, navigating PFPT with a trauma history is never easy 😭
I don’t know if I’ll ever get over the fact that the doctors told my parents that there were no risks aside from a small risk of cancer from the X-Rays. Since been diagnosed with Vaginismus, PTSD, and a catheter injury. Healing is so messy 😭
TW: VCUG and trauma
My very common diagnosis of VUR as a toddler resulted in me having to get a few VCUGs. In other words, be restrained, have my legs spread apart and my *down there* sterilized, be forcibly catheterized, then have my bladder pumped full of cancer-causing contrast fluid, then pee on the table I was strapped to in front of a room full of adult men who said they were “taking pictures” (X-Rays) of me peeing.
I now have PTSD, vaginismus, and a catheter injury from this procedure (yes, all professionally doagnosed) and have spent the past several years in intensive trauma therapy. Not to mention, I can’t even get gynecological cancer screenings because nothing can be inserted due to severe vaginismus - so not only do I have a higher risk of cancer from this test, I also am physically unable to screen for it.
I have to take medications for my nightmares so I can sleep. Still can’t use a public bathroom to this day.
There have been studies out since the 90s about how researchers use VCUG kids as proxies for victims of CSA to see how kids remember CSA, since there are many shared components between the two experiences. And still, all doctors have to say about VCUGs is that “there is a small risk for cancer because of the contrast agent and the radiation in the X-rays).
In other words, INFORMED CONSENT IS ACTUALLY A BIG DEAL!!!!!
EDIT:
VCUG: Voiding Chstourethrogram
VUR: vesicouretal reflux
TW: Medical procedures, anatomy (urology), trauma
I was born with a condition called VUR, which basically means that my ureters were not the right size, and that urine would backwash into my kidneys and cause kidney infections, UTIs, etc. This is a very common occurrence in baby through preschool aged girls, and most grow out of it before the age of 5. Some severe cases require surgery.
In order to diagnose this, I had to have a test done called a VCUG. I had multiple performed, but only remember my last one when I was 3.
During this procedure, the child is restrained, her legs are spread apart and her genitals are sterilized, and then the child is forcibly catheterized with no anesthetic and no lubricant. Then, the bladder is pumped full of contrast fluid and the child must urinate on a table in front of a room of adults while X-Rays are taken.
At 3 years old, this procedure was the worst pain I had felt in my entire life. For years afterwards, I could not use a public bathroom. I have diagnosed PTSD and vaginismus, and still have severe chronic bladder pain. There are SO many other ways that this procedure messed up my life.
Studies have been out since the 1990s stating that researchers use VCUG patients as proxies for CSA studies, so see how kids remember CSA because VCUGs and CSA have a lot of the same components. A book about Medical 🍇 Culture just came out, too, shedding light on this dehumanizing procedure and arguing for reform in how (and if) it is performed.
The annoying thing? There have been alternatives to the VCUG procedure available for a long time - other procedures that can diagnose VUR and other issues wothout requiring the child to be catheterized or have to void all over themselves. These alternatives are not as profitable for hospitals, though, so they are rarely performed.
Feel free to ask me anything about my experience, or if you have any questions about VCUGs in general. I am in my mid twenties now.
TW: Medical procedures, anatomy (urology), trauma
I was born with a condition called VUR, which basically means that my ureters were not the right size, and that urine would backwash into my kidneys and cause kidney infections, UTIs, etc. This is a very common occurrence in baby through preschool aged girls, and most grow out of it before the age of 5. Some severe cases require surgery.
In order to diagnose this, I had to have a test done called a VCUG. I had multiple performed, but only remember my last one when I was 3.
During this procedure, the child is restrained, her legs are spread apart and her genitals are sterilized, and then the child is forcibly catheterized with no anesthetic and no lubricant. Then, the bladder is pumped full of contrast fluid and the child must urinate on a table in front of a room of adults while X-Rays are taken.
At 3 years old, this procedure was the worst pain I had felt in my entire life. For years afterwards, I could not use a public bathroom. I have diagnosed PTSD and vaginismus, and still have severe chronic bladder pain. There are SO many other ways that this procedure messed up my life.
Studies have been out since the 1990s stating that researchers use VCUG patients as proxies for CSA studies, so see how kids remember CSA because VCUGs and CSA have a lot of the same components. A book about Medical 🍇 Culture just came out, too, shedding light on this dehumanizing procedure and arguing for reform in how (and if) it is performed.
The annoying thing? There have been alternatives to the VCUG procedure available for a long time - other procedures that can diagnose VUR and other issues wothout requiring the child to be catheterized or have to void all over themselves. These alternatives are not as profitable for hospitals, though, so they are rarely performed.
Feel free to ask me anything about my experience, or if you have any questions about VCUGs in general. I am in my mid twenties now.