Bleeding 5 weeks after mini TURP
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Hi, I had a failed Urolift about 17 months ago and a mini TURP about 5 weeks ago. Since the TURP I had to be re-catheterised for a week and have had two infections. The latest was treated with the dreaded CIPRO and I await a test result to see if I am now clear of infection. The uro said he completely removed one of the urolift clips; both ends and all the cord. He said he got the other end through a hole in the prostatic capsule.
My question is about bleeding. I still get blood at the start of urination and it hasn't really improved much over the 5 weeks. Most times it is just a little colouration of the urine at the start but at other times I can pee a more darker coloured urine for a couple of seconds and once recently there was bright red blood at the start. Is this normal ? I read that bleeding can occur for up to 6 weeks so assume it is but just wanted to check on other people's experiences. I also have some pain in the pelvic region around where I think the Urolift clip was but presume it took some 'digging' to get it out and hoping it will heal up OK. It already feels better than when the clip was in. (Note the clip was at 6 '0 clock through the median lobe).
Thanks for any replies and experiences.
0 likes, 6 replies
HowieF andrew23481
Edited
Sorry to hear about your troubles. My urologist steered me away from Urolift. He said he had to operate to repair two bad implementations. I'm sure it's OK for some people. I had a full TURP about 8 weeks ago. Yes, there was bleeding for a while but not quite as long as yours was. Mine stopped about 4 weeks but I was still passing blood clots into the 7th week. I think everyone is different. Don't fret too much about CIPRO. I read up on it and the negative stuff is rare. I was on it for about 3-4 weeks while I was on Foley catheters. I wasn't 100% sure it was working as every time they checked, I had an infection. If you keep showing UTI's, then maybe ask the URO to try something else. Judging by this forum, which is great, I am finding that we are all individuals and heal at different rates. But, I found that the important thing is to keep the urologists informed as to what is going on. BTW, at my 7th week, the Uro gave me a cystoscopy with the Ginsu attachment... Ha. Actually he was knocking off some clots but it was an extremely painful procedure and he finally told me that I really have another two to three months of healing to do. TURP is like sticking your arm in a cheese grater and then just soaking it in urine while waiting for it to heal. Takes awhile but keep your urologist informed.
patrick45945 HowieF
Posted
"TURP is like sticking your arm in a cheese grater and then just soaking it in urine while waiting for it to heal. Takes awhile but keep your urologist informed."
DANG Howie...not exactly a good endorsement for TURP! Do you regret your decision?
Patrick
HowieF patrick45945
Edited
No. If you think about the details of what is going on, TURP is reasonable and a good idea. You just have to realize that most online sources tell you that it takes 6-8 weeks for healing. My urologist said 2-3 months. But. probably depending on the patient, it could take a lot longer. I really didn't get a "decision" anyway. When you belong to an HMO (Health Maintenance Organization), your geography and membership limits what urologists you get and I gather that many "specialize" in procedures due to training, comfort, expertise and the equipment available. When I went into the TURP, I was unable to pee at all. Nothing! Zero! I was locked into Foley catheters. (Was offered CIC but didn't want to go that way even on a temporary basis). This is actually great. I can pee. I only had three issues post-TURP:
So, as for TURP, it's OK. Unless you are really impatient. You just have to set your expectations. Talking to the urologist before surgery and asking questions plus research was a great help. For example, there was the possibility of incontinence. Remote, but usually gone within the first MONTH. I'm off of the adult male diapers. Retrograde ejaculation? Possible but I'm not planning on having kids and I don't think this is an issue anyway.
I had an interesting discussion with a pharmacist at Kaiser. She wanted to know why, at 6 weeks, I was still bleeding. I realized that she didn't understand that TURP was not "regular" surgery where they stitch you up and put on a band-aid. There is no "band-aid" and the wounds are getting wet with urine all the time. So, I expected things to be slow. If they seem too slow (that is, > 3 or 4 months), then I will just contact the urologist for another cystoscopy so he can give me a status report on the healing. I've seen posts where someone said they were still bleeding up to a year post surgery. Sounds a bit extreme but we all heal at different rates. There may be other less "nasty" procedures. Removal of the prostate in full or part was not a good one for me. As I said, I'm not on diapers any more. Was about 30 days. CIC? I have a very spastic bladder. Always had (and I thought it was all prostate). You realize this when your bladder is "empty" and you still have to go. But, I can't "time" when I will need "to go". There are other procedures, like lasers. But, ultimately, you not only have to do the research, but also look at what your insurance will cover and the expertise of the doctors that you have available.
In general, TURP wasn't/isn't too bad. You just need to remember that there are no "stitches" and no bandages for your prostate and passing blood clots feels "weird" (like your cell phone vibrating in your crotch but, before you can say WTF, that is done). This is definitely MAJOR surgery, at least in terms of recovery. Hope that helps.
patrick45945 HowieF
Posted
Howie,
Thanks for sharing your experience. I hope things continue to improve for you. I have become habituated to CIC and it is pretty much a non-issue for me, much like flossing my teeth and it takes less time. I am prepared to give it a long-term chance to rehab my bladder and avoid TURP and other more intrusive procedures.
Also, since I am on a blood thinner I am concerned about excessive post-op bleeding. Bottom line, as you indicated, it is up to all of us to do the research and choose the best option for our situation by sharing decision-making with our health care providers.
Good luck!
Patrick
HowieF patrick45945
Edited
Great! Glad it is working out for you. I was asked if I wanted to go with CIC instead of the Foley catheteres, but the "squeemish-factor" just didn't do anything for me plus, as I understand, the key to doing CIC is to NOT wait until you are "forced" to go but you need to time it so that your bladder isn't full when you do the CIC so that you have the time to clean/prepare the catheter. With my URGENT having to go (bladder; not prostate) I didn't think I would have been a good candidate. TURP seemed to be where the Kaiser urology department wanted to go and I liked that I would most likely not have to worry about incontinence past 30 days and no Kegel exercises unless a problem happens. RE didn't matter to me since I don't plan on having kids at my age.
Blood thinners are a consideration. In fact, I was on a low-dose aspirin regimen and had to stop that a week before the surgery and I just restarted that a couple of weeks ago, just to be safe.
patrick45945 HowieF
Posted
To be honest, after reading some of the horror stories here on CIC, I dreaded starting the procedure. However, I was very fortunate that my uro hooked me up with a "cath nurse" who came to my home to educate and give me my first lesson in how to do it. I was amazed at how easy it was on my first try and knew immediately that I would be successful in this therapy.
After that first experience, I must say that the "squeemish" factor is all mental. Admittedly, it is not for all of us as some may have physical factors that might eliminate CIC as a possible solution.
Well you know "there's an app for that" and my catheter supplier hooked me up with one that alerts me when it's "time to go" and tracks all voids. They have also been super-supportive and stay in contact with me and call when it's time to reorder the next month's supply. Fortunately for me, all expenses are covered by Medicare. FWIW, I use the Coloplast SpeediCath hydrophillic catheter which comes ready to use with no preparation necessary. It couldn't be easier.
Better than peeing on your own? No. And I hope one day I will walk away from the need to self-cath, but until then, CIC is working well for me.
Lastly, most uros will recommend the procedure they specialize in as that is how they make money as they do not profit by CIC. I am happy that my uro is not pushing me into a procedure which he admits has little chance of success.
Patrick