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Chronic Retention of Urine - Enlarged Prostate

Posted , 15 users are following.

Tinytim24
Tinytim24

Hi Guys,

New to the forum. Was catheterised due to retention of urine on 23 Jul 14

because of an enlarged prostate.  I am 62 yrs of age, I am not happy to have the catheter on, but I have been told that it needs to stay in till I have my Turp operation.

I have been on the "waiting list" for almost 7 weeks, it seems strange to me that no priority is given to those on catheters.

It could be a while till I have my operation, does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can go about getting this operation on the NHS quicker rather than later?

And any views would be appreciated on the newer treatment called "Greenlight Laser".

Kind Regards

Barry

 

0 likes, 271 replies

271 Replies

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  • howard50192
    howard50192 Tinytim24

    Posted

    I have just been looking at my admissions letter for my TURP on the 21st of November

    on other letters I've had re: Surgery they have put what the opperation is for IE: Hernia etc. but on this one they say procedure instead of Turp ( strange I thought )

  • howard50192
    howard50192 Tinytim24

    Posted

    I went for my Pre OP. assessment today, bloods questions ETC, the person doing it has told me that I have to use the flip flo valve instead of relying on the bag for the next 3 weeks, they also gave me 5 bottles of protein drinks 3 that have to be drunk the day before the Op. and 2 to be taken 6.30am the day of the op. ( any one know what they are all about ?)

    kind regards

    Howard.

  • howard50192
    howard50192 Tinytim24

    Posted

    Hi brian

    I tried to pm you but can't seem to, so posted on here instead,

    just a quick one to see how you are and to wish you a speedy recovery from your UTI.

    kind regards

    Howard

  • jimjames
    jimjames Tinytim24

    Posted

    Looks like I'm entering the conversation a little late, but maybe others who are waiting for TURP operations might be reading. I was diagnosed with BPH and significant urine retention about a year ago. In fact, I had let things go so far that I had to apply external pressure to my bladder in order to force the urine out.

    The plan was to have a TURP, but first they wanted to either put in a Foley Catheter or have me self-catherize for at least six weeks. The reason for the catherization had nothing to do with wait-time for the operation, but rather the time  allowes the bladder to decompress and hopefully rehabilitate itself to some degree.

    This period or rehabilitation has been shown to promote better results from the TURP itself. Without it, a patient might end up having to cath even after the TURP. So, for those who are put off by having to wait so long for the operation while living with a Foley Catheter, it's really the right thing to do, even if the doctor is willing to operate right away.

    An alternative to wearing a catheter all the time is to have them teach you self-catherization, although looking back, I see it as six one, half a dozen the other. I've been self-catherizing for over a year and now, it's no more difficult than brushing my teeth, but in the beginning it was quite an ordeal, although many report it fairly easy from the beginning.

    I'm still on the fence regarding having a TURP or some other procedure. The self-catherization does the trick (I do it between 2 and 5 times a day) without any of the complications or side effects such as retrograde ejaculation. On the other hand, it would be nice to go to the bathroom all the time without sticking in a tube!

    Jim

    • jimjames
      jimjames howard50192

      Posted

      Thanks Howard. Just wanted to add that after the 6 week or so 'decompression' period, they then do urodynamic testing to make sure that you're a good candidate for TURP. Not sure of the technicalities, but not everyone who has urine retention will benefit from a TURP. A certain pressure and elasticity is needed or you can end up having the operation, and still need to self catherize. So, in effect, the six week wait period gives you a more accurate urodynamic test and that test gives you a more accurate idea as to whether the TURP will work or not. At least that's how they do it in major teaching hospitals in the United States where I'm from. Curious, if they do urodynamic testing in the UK prior to TURP?
  • howard50192
    howard50192 Tinytim24

    Posted

    There has not been much action on this post, I hope every one is hanging in there.

    kind regards

    Howard

  • howard50192
    howard50192 Tinytim24

    Posted

    Hello, You have not been on the forum for a while, I do hope all is well with you and that you now have a date for your procedure.

    kind regards

    Howard.

    • Tinytim24
      Tinytim24 howard50192

      Posted

      Dear Howard,

      Sorry to have been "off the Forum" for a while.  I have had some problems, (still ongoing).  How are you? and have you had your operation yet?

      Kind Regards

      Brian

    • howard50192
      howard50192 Tinytim24

      Posted

      I had the turp on the 21st November, just over 2months ago ( just on the mend now)

      I'm well pleased I had it done. Have you had a date for yours ? I thought withg not seeing you on here you may have beat me to it.

      kind regards

      Howard.

    • Tinytim24
      Tinytim24 howard50192

      Posted

      Hi Howard,

      That is fantastic news, very pleased that you are now on the road for a full recovery. 

      Keep in touch.

      Kind Regards

      Brian

  • colin27427
    colin27427 Tinytim24

    Posted

    Hello I am new to this forum and seemed healty with a PSa at 2.3 my last test. However on the weekend i was having a few  drinks 6- full glasses of hard stuff and later that night i could not pee just a few dribbles and it was painful as if i was passing stones.In the am i went to the hospital to have my blatter drained. They put in a catheter the one with a valve on it as its easier i guess. Very painful when they hit the prostete i guess. Well today i had it taken out and tonight i am having trouble peeing.Whats my next move. Hope you guys can give me some advice.I am 73 but in good health i thought until a few days  ago.
    • ianC
      ianC colin27427

      Posted

      Whilst I assume your catheterisation and its removal would have been done by a urologist, I'd still suggest you ask for a consultation with one and see what s/he suggests. And quickly, 'cos urine retention is not nice and probably means you'll be getting up several times a night.

      The solution may be as simple as the drug tamsulosin (it worked fine for me and others, with no obvious side-effects; but others here don't like it).

      Or a prostatectomy - boring out your prostate, which may be the cause of the trouble by clamping down on the urethra. Tho' why it should come on so suddenly seems odd to me.

      But either way you need a specialist investigation. You will also need to be persistent to get a quick referal - perhaps threathening to go to A&E again (which you may have to do anyway before you see the specialist).

      Good luck

    • jimjames
      jimjames colin27427

      Posted

      Hi Colin,

      We're not doctors here but what happened to you sounds like acute urinary retention which is a medical emergency and which is why they catherized you in the hospital.

      urinary retention can be caused by prostate issues (BPH), urinary tract stones, constipation and other issues.  Did they tell you the cause? If not, you really should be seeing a specialized doctor (urologist) who will figure out what happened and how to treat it.

      Please report back and then maybe some of us can be more help regarding our own personal experience with treatment options but first you really need to get a diagnosis to find out what the problem is.

      Jim

    • david91143
      david91143 colin27427

      Posted

      Hi Colin, I'm 20 years younger than you but fitness and activity levels don't seem to be a facort in 'plumbing' disorders - nor, in my experinece, has alcohol.  I had a similar problem that you describe but in my case it seems to have been brought on in connection with nerve trauma after a back/disc injury for which I had spinal surgery.  I was offered Tamsolusin and or a Protstate re-bore but now am back to OK without medication.  I had the bag-catheter in for 6 weeks.  Through the day now my flow is quite normal and i don't have any problem starting or fully emptying.  However I still have a poor follow first thing in the morning and if I have had to hold my bladder for a long time (say a meeting at work).  I am now thinking more that this is not a full-time prostate issue, so no need for the op, but I had such a bad time with Tamsolusin that I am instead thinking of falling back onto intermittent catheterising when needed - it's a horrible thing when you can't empty your bladder and only those who have really been through it (the guys in this group) can understand the horror.

      Like the replies you have already had you need to find out more - go back to your urologist and discuss it - and give tamsolusin a try if your flow is reduced from how it used to be.

    • Tinytim24
      Tinytim24 colin27427

      Posted

      Hi Colin,

      Sorry to hear about your problem.  I am trying too catch up with the latest posts on this forum. Been away for a while.

      Hopefully you are in a better place now with the quality advice from Ian/Jim.

      Best Wishes

      Brian

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