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Acute Retention caused by Constipation

Posted , 11 users are following.

hank1953
hank1953

 It happened to me again this morning after breakfast. I had to pee and poop badly but could not do either. The constipation was caused by a weekend reckless eating. I can feel the big stool inside my rectum trying to get out but i could not push it out. It seemed like the full bladder made pooping more difficult. And the full rectum pinched on the prostate and urethra, making peeing impossible. 

   Luckily I was able to poop after half an hour of pushing with different positions. Urination was easy after that. The same thing happened to a friend before, and he had to go to emergency.

   Actually, it did happen to me once before, over a year ago. I was so ignorant at the time, did not even think of emergency. I didn't know that anything can be done but waiting. So I waited for several days before going to emergency. I ended up with UTI, water-flooded kidneys, and probably a bad bladder with retention.

   I think this might happen to other people, perhaps often under the BPH disguise. My question is what would be the best way to handle this situation. I was ready to self cath to relieve the bladder, and considered using something to manually breakup the stool. Luckily I did not have to do that, this time. Did it happen to you ? How would you do it, removing a hard, dry piece of stool from your body, at home ? Taking a laxative would be an answer but it may take too long to take effect. 

Hank

0 likes, 29 replies

29 Replies

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  • slydog
    slydog hank1953

    Posted

    Hey Hank,

    I had the same Catch 22 situation.  I went on a regimen of Miralax in the morning and Colase stool softeners at bedtime.  When it really got bad, I added another dose of Miralax around 4:00 pm.  This kept my bowels loose and made it much easier to pee.  You've really got to watch not straining too much.  You need some over the counter medicine to help.  I had a TURP 10 weeks ago and I am still using both products but weening myself from them.  It seemed to work.  Not much worse than having both exits non-working.  Good luck.

    Doug

    • hank1953
      hank1953 slydog

      Posted

      Thanks for sharing Sly. I am no longer constipated normally. It was just once in a whole thing when I don't watch what I eat. Hank

  • reg52510
    reg52510 hank1953

    Posted

    Hank:

      Consider dietary changes. Eat whole grains, ground flaxseed, fruit and vegetable, and   foods high in fibre. Also, drink plenty of water which is really important. Try to train your body to go at the same time everyday like when you first get up in the morning. I think digestive issues play an important role in "BPH" symptoms.

    • hank1953
      hank1953 reg52510

      Posted

      Thanks reg. I already follow a good diet, just happens to be almost the same as the one you suggested. I don't normally have constipation anymore and my BPH symptoms are very mild now. However, last weekend I became careless and consumed some bad foods. I did not expect it to almost escalating into a crisis.

      Hank

  • dan64553
    dan64553 hank1953

    Posted

    Hello Hank, when did you have your urolift? I suspect that constipation is a side effect of this procedure. My urologist told me to take laxative for one month. Now the  month is up, I still have problem bowel movement if I do no take docusate sodium or colace.

    i eat a lot of vegetables and drink a lot of juice. Actually this s a healthier diet.i really enjoy the benefit of urolift.

    as for acute urine retention, I only had one episode that brought me to emergency room and this made me decided to have urolift done.

    • hank1953
      hank1953 dan64553

      Posted

      Dan, I have not had any procedure done yet. I keep looking into that route but so far  I have not made the jump, because of two main reasons. One is I am not sure what my  main problem is : prostate obstruction, bad bladder, or constipation. The other reason is my symptoms are mild now, with constipation under control and with the help of some meds.

      I can tell that you are happy with Urolift. When did you have it done ? Did it make a big difference for you ? Hank

    • dan64553
      dan64553 hank1953

      Posted

      Hi Hank, I had urolift done 5 weeks ago.i had been exploring different procedures to control my urinary symptoms. Like everyone I looked into internet and talking to different urologists for opinions. But I could not make the jump, until middle of September while I was traveling in Japan, I had first acute urinary retention episode that required emergency room visit to put in a catheter. I made the decision to have urolift done, and I am glad that I did. I have no more urinary symptoms and seems my sexual life is revigorated. I do not take flomax or Proscar any more. I still take a saw palmetto complex for maintenance. But I came to the conclusion that side effect of urolift is constipation, to me anyway.

      my feeling is that if you are not bothered by the bph symptoms and have good sexual life, I do not think you should have any procedure done. If you think you want to improve your life style, probably you should consult a good experienced urologist and make a decision based on his and your opinion.

      hope this help.

    • hank1953
      hank1953 dan64553

      Posted

      Thanks Dan. Before you had Urolift, did you undergo any tests to see whether or not Urolift will help you ? My uro suggested Urolift but he would not give me any tests so I declined.

      Still waiting. My first choice now is Fla. Hank

  • dan64553
    dan64553 hank1953

    Posted

    Hello Hank, I was lucky that my urologist show the size and shape of my prostate on screen while I was lying down watching. At that point he said I was a good candidate for urolift. Some uro might base digital exam to decide a good candidate or not.

    if you are in USA and near state of Florida, let me know I will tell you which doctor works on me. I do not feel like advertise for my doctor on internet. Also do you know Medicare covers this procedure?

     

  • mike03369
    mike03369 hank1953

    Posted

    Hi Hank, I've definitely noticed a correlation between having full bowels and diminished or blocked urination. I try not to eat any heavy meals, with the emphasis on food that will be easily digested. Little red meat, cheese, etc. And no alcohol. It's restrictive but it does help to keep your bowels unobstructed.  Mike

    • hank1953
      hank1953 mike03369

      Posted

      " ... noticed a correlation between having full bowels and diminished or blocked urination... "

      Hi Mike, I noticed this for years, with chronic constipation. When I was constipated,  flow was terrible and bph meds did not help. Now I have constipation under control, my flow is good most of the time.

      " .....food that will be easily digested. Little red meat, cheese, etc...."

      Are you saying that red meat and cheese are easily digested ? What else that are also easily digested ? Would they cause constipation ? I was told to eat lots of fruit and vegetables.

      Hank

    • mike03369
      mike03369 hank1953

      Posted

      hi hank, sorry, i was saying that they can cause constipation and to avoid alot of cheese and red meat. you are correct that vegetables and most fruit are good to eat.  mike
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