"retrograde urethrogram"

had a retrograde urethrogram earlier today, only urological procedures iv had before is a rigid cystoscopy while under general anesthetic, so i had no idea what it would be like while awake. i had a chat with the person performing it before we did the procedure and he fully explained it to me and i agreed to go ahead with it. assured me i was in good hands, i almost declined the procedure as i was expecting a plastic pyston syringe method and was scared of the foley catheter with balloon seal method as i had heard about how the balloon can cause damage if over inflated, but he said he would very slowly fill the balloon and ask me to comment on discomfort level, but it didn't become painful at all, was about 1.5cc's instilled into the balloon. i for some reason was assuming the balloon would inflate sphere shape and would hurt but i completely over looked the fact that a balloon in a tube expands in an elongated tube shape, similar to those long balloons you twist into shapes. i didnt feel the contrast dye being pumped in at all, just my urinary sphincter kept trying to close even though it was closed because of some of the contrast fluid getting past it, felt like needing to urinate a few times, not urgently though, just got to resist the urge. i had majorly over-estimated it, i was thinking it would be painful after reading some things online but wasn't painful in the slightest, more embarrassing than anything, but the person performing it and the nurses assured me it was fine and kept me calm, very re-assuring and kind staff. overall was just a little uncomfortable while the foley balloon was inflated, about as uncomfortable as having a blood pressure cuff on the arm. he used a 3mm catheter after cleaning area and putting some of the anasthetic lubricant in. i am due to have a V.C.U.G and urodynamics in a month or 2 or so, but as for anyone reading this who is about to have a retrograde urethrogram sometime. don't get all worked up and nervous like i did, i would say wasn't as bad as i thought it would be, but it wasn't bad in anyway at all, just embarrassing haha. the staff perform this procedure 1-2 times a week so they are used to it so don't worry about them being embarrassed too. hope this helps. regards P.S thanks to the staff in the x-ray department for being very helpful and assuring and kind