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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

 

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271 Replies

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  • howard50192
    howard50192 Tinytim24

    Posted

    Hello Brian,

    I.m in the same boat as you I don't want to upset you but the following came from the NHS choices web page.

    Waiting times

    Unless it is being used to treat a serious complication such as kidney failure, a transurethral resection of the prostate is not regarded as urgent surgery. This means you may have to wait several months for surgery.

    Ask your surgeon or GP about estimated waiting times when the operation is discussed with you.

    Read more about waiting times in the NHS.

    I contacted the PALS for the hospital I'm due to have the Turp and asked for a waiting time for it, I also asked for a difinitive time in days weeks and months ( so as to not have the several word ( which is not a number) )

    I'm sure you will then get an Estimated time for Surgery )

    I hope that it helps

    PS. I was fitted with a foley for seven weeks and asked for TWOC.

    • Tinytim24
      Tinytim24 howard50192

      Posted

      Hi Howard,

      Many thanks for your comments.  I was told when I phoned up the "Waiting List" people that it could be anything up to 6 months, but she then qualified that statement by saying it is unlikely to be that period of time.

      I will phone again tomorrow to see if I have moved up the list, they are aware that I am available at any time.

      By the way in respect of your last para, what does a TWOC mean?

      Kind Regards

      Barry

  • howard50192
    howard50192 Tinytim24

    Posted

    Further to my first post, this is the link ( if allowed).

    http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/resectionoftheprostate/Pages/Theprocedure.aspx

    • Inquisitive
      Inquisitive howard50192

      Posted

      Hello Howard, I was interested by your post to Brain and followed the link in your second message. Although the site focuses on England (it acknowledges that Wales, Scotland and N Ireland have devolved powers) the underlying national NHS ethos is layed out under one of the hyperlinks that is embedded in the text. The overarching NHS ethos/rules/regulations for both patients and service providers are detailed in the 140 page text (I know I should get a life but it looked a promising read - it isn't) are in the link and state basically that there is an 18 week time limit for treatment once you become the responsibility of a consultant. However, what appears to happen in practice is that the first 18 week limit is from the time your GP refers you to the consultant and when you get your first appointment. Then another 18 week limit can elapse before any treatment commences. Then once the decision to perform surgery is made andother 18 week limit comes into effect.The only other more acutely defined time limits are associated with cancer treatments. Can I suggest that if you are waiting for an admission date that you tell your consultant that (if you are able) you can turn up at short notice for surgery if they get a cancellation. My wait went from 13 weeks to 5. I had just 24 hours notice but it was worth the scurry. I hope you get an early admission. Keep well, Ben
    • derek76
      derek76 Inquisitive

      Posted

      It should be no more than five weeks to see a consultant after you have been referred by your GP. The 18 weeks should start after that consultation but they have all sorts of ways of delaying you.

      Waiting to have my fairly urgent aortic valve replaced it took 54 weeks.

      My Thulium laser prostate surgery operation  last year was 19 weeks from seeing the surgeon.

       

    • Tinytim24
      Tinytim24 Inquisitive

      Posted

      Hi Ben,

      Thanks for your input once again, I have this feeling that something will happen in the next week or so for me.

      Kind Regards

      Barry

    • howard50192
      howard50192 Tinytim24

      Posted

      Hiya Barry

      TWOC = trial without catheter, It seems strange that you were told that you would have to have the cathatar up until the Turp as because of the chances of an indwelling foley increasing you getting a UTI also bladder stones ( although when you have the turp your bladder will be examined for stones and if found removed ) I had the grey foley that could be left in situ for 12 weeks, when mine was removed after 7 weeks ( I asked for removal ) the part that was in my bladder was coated with crystals( very painful when it was removed as they scratched the uretha I also was passing bladder stones for about a week after, my stream is but a trickle and I have the urge to void every hour ( which is painful ) but I would rather be without the evil tube. At the moment I take Tamsulosin, Ibuprofen.paracetamol, Codeine, Amitrptyine and (Temazepam at night)

      to be honest I don't think any of them help much with the pain ( which seems worst at night ( I go to the bathroom on average 8 times between the hours of 12pm -7.30am, below I have included the reply I had from PALS ( note it says " estimated" ) and may I add that the turp is down as urgent as there are other problems that I have.

      RE: from PALS

      Hello Howard,

      I am sorry that you have had to come back to PALS for more information on your forthcoming operations but more than happy to help.

      I have spoken to surgical admissions on your behalf and they have explained that there are not enough theatre lists for the number of patients and cancer patients have to take priority - which is understandable.

      Admissions can however provide you with an estimated date for the end of October for both operations with the TURP taking priority.

      I do hope that this information will be helpful.

      Please get back to me again if you need further help and support

      Kind regards

      XXXXX

      Patient Advice and Liaison Service

      Hengrave House

      Torbay Hospital

      TQ2 7AA

       

    • howard50192
      howard50192 Inquisitive

      Posted

      Hi Inquisitive, I've already done so ( my TURP is classed as Urgent because of other complications)  I don't know what their defination of Urgent is....lol

      regards Howard

    • howard50192
      howard50192

      Posted

      definition ( excuse typo )
    • derek76
      derek76 howard50192

      Posted

      The police use TWOC for vehicle theft, Taking without consent.

      Have you asked to be referred to another area? Perhaps Plymouth does not have such a long waiting list.

    • Tinytim24
      Tinytim24 Inquisitive

      Posted

      Hi Ben,

      I just read your email again.  And I have read the waiting times for referrals

      on the NHS website "which in effect quite clearly states that it is 18 weeks from when the hospital receives a referral letter from your GP". 

      The 18 week period starts wef that date.  If your operation does not happen within that period you can then start taking respective action.

      In other words I read this in a different way to you but will bow to your more experienced insight into these matters.

      Kind Regards

      Brian

    • derek76
      derek76 Tinytim24

      Posted

      When I qouted the 18 week rule to my cardiologist in 2011 he said that it had been suspended for part of that year!  

      We have had posters here who checked around the country with different hospitals and found that they had 26 week waiting times for prostate surgery. If they don't have the staff or facilties it just does not happen. In theory you can ask them to send you to a private hospital to make up for their shortcomings.

       

  • howard50192
    howard50192 Tinytim24

    Posted

    Thanks for the reply derek ( Taking a cathatar without consent...LOL )

    I should have put this link.

    http://www.baus.org.uk/Resources/BAUS/Documents/PDF%20Documents/Patient%20information/TWOC.pdf

    regards Howard

    • Tinytim24
      Tinytim24 howard50192

      Posted

      Hi Howard,

      Thank your for the link, which nicely explains it all. 

      I have Chronic Retention and I would rather have the catheter in place until my operation.  My SpR in Urology and my GP supports this view, and in addition I wish to protect my kidneys and give them a break.

      Maybe the wise men on this forum will have a view?

      Kind Regards

      Brian

  • howard50192
    howard50192 Tinytim24

    Posted

    Hiya Brian

    I just had a thought that when my foley was in I used to get very sore where it went in,

    so my doctor prescribed " EMLA " cream it contains Lidocaine which numbs it very well, it comes in a very small tube but you don't need much of it ( the first time I used it I put to much on my finger so after doing the tip I rubbed the remainder on the rest) the result was that I could not feel my penis for 5 hours ( not recomended LOL )

    Wishing you all the best and hope things go well for you. 

    • Tinytim24
      Tinytim24 howard50192

      Posted

      Hi Howard,

      I take it from your email that you are self-cathetersing?.  I have a similar item which is called "Cathejell" (which also contains Lidocaine), which was delivered to my home in a box with other items by the District Nurse a few days after I was catheterised.

      I will be due a visit from the District Nurse to my home in the next week or so as my 12 weeks will be up, and she will changed the catheter for me. Hence everything is in this box for her to carry out her duties.

      Since I have had this catheter on, I have had one UTI, this was when l

      was catheterised for the first time. Otherwise I have coped quite well.

      Have you had your initial "outpatients appointment" yet? prior to your forthcoming TURP Op.

      Kind Regards

      Brian

       

    • david91143
      david91143 Tinytim24

      Posted

      Hello folks

      I am a mere 54 but was rushed to A&E after a retention problem - I too was in pain and unable to pee. I had a double slipped disc in Jan and an operation on my spine in June. I've had the cath in for 10 days now and it's coming out in another 10. Unlike some comments in this chat chain, I am still not 'comfortable' with the internal feelng and still get considdrable discocomfort at the exit end of my penis.

      Brian I live in Wales. Is this cream you mention available at regular chemists? I read on the web about putting a drop of olive oil a the penis tip and this helps a bit but I am still conscious of it at work, travelling, walking etc. I get a rash on my leg from the bag top strap too so I have found it a lot easier if I put the strap through my pants and over the waist-band - this takes the weight off my leg and also off my penis. Much bettter - but not suggested by the health professionals, since they've never have tto wear the contraption! We learn by trial and error - and by usefu chat sites like this...

      Keep posting Brian, I'm very interested in developments

      Howard - I have a similar problem to you - but neurological ather than prostate (so we think so far) However, if you're peeing less than your kidneys are producing you should go back to A&E for a foley catheter. I was in terrile pain so while I bitch about the catheter it's nothing compared to the pain you are in. I had 750 ml in my bladder when they put it in. It was a great relief - and I don't have to get up in the night now !

      Good luck all

    • howard50192
      howard50192 david91143

      Posted

      EMLA cream 5% can be bought over the counter at the chemist it costs just under £4, David.

      I hope that helps 

    • derek76
      derek76 howard50192

      Posted

      I'd not heard of it before and looked it up. It is evidently used to help delay ejaculation.

      "Apply enough Emla cream to cover the head of the penis 15-20 minutes before you plan to have sex. The more cream you apply, and the longer you leave it on, the less sensitive the penis will become. Take care, as with time the penis may become completely numb. Wipe off any excess cream before you start sex or you will transfer the cream to your partner and so reduce their sensitivity and enjoyment"

      Good job they warn to wipe off excess cream:-)

    • howard50192
      howard50192 derek76

      Posted

      Well derek if they can manage sex with a foley in, they must be very clever

      ( I would have thought sex would be the last thing on ones mind when  they pain have prostate pain. )

    • Tinytim24
      Tinytim24 david91143

      Posted

      Hi David,

      Welcome to this great forum.  Sorry to hear about the discomfort you are in.

      Howard has already answered your question in respect of the cream.

      What helped me was using "Simple" soap (pure soap with no perfume or colour) when I take a shower.

      Hope this information is of help to you.

      Kind Regards

      Brian

    • david91143
      david91143 derek76

      Posted

      Thanks Howard for the advice re EMLA, I'll see if my local chemist has it today. Sounds a bit more pro-active than olive oil. But I'll take Brian's tip and not do the whole bloomin schlong!

      On sex with a catheter: I read elsewhere on the net that you should not 'slap the bishop' while you have a catheter in.There was lots of outraged advice - from women nurses - about incredulity over lack of abstinence. I don't think women will ever understand male sexuality, even the 'experienced and broadminded' ones. Howard, I take your point that, yes, when you are in a lot of pain you have no thought of sex but it doesn't take long for our bodies to take charge once the pain has gone! I had my catheter inserted at 5pm, wnt to bed at 8 feeling totally exhausted, woke at 10 with discomfort: only to find that I had a raging nocturnal woody! Nature will out you see...

      I seem to be solo here as I have not had a uti along the way. I fear this, as I heard it's really painful so I am really carful with hygene when handling the bags etc. I was told in A&E by the doc, twice, that it is likely any ejaculation would be 'retro' but not to worry about it: it will come down through the bag eventually as cloudy pee. At the time I thought 'that ain't gonna happen!' but today It did - an auto shoot. It wasnt painful, it wasn't retro and it wasn't ghastly. Nice as it reminded me of my masculinity. Someone futher up the chain said about retros: did yu just read about this or did it actually happen? Should I expect trouble over the next few days?

      Cheers

    • derek76
      derek76 howard50192

      Posted

      When I had a catheter in for two weeks the practice nurse told me it is possible and offered to explain. Don't, I said:-)

      Out of curiosity I did google it later.

      Ejaculation is the best thing for the prostate. Low dose daily Cialis is prescribed to help with urine flow.

    • david91143
      david91143 derek76

      Posted

      yes, derek, I read this re prostate health several years ago - so gladly took the advice to exercise regularly... ;-)

      Beore I had the retention proble I was having a glass of Andrews Liver salts every day for the bladder irritation - maybe I should start doing it again?

    • derek76
      derek76 david91143

      Posted

      Presumably you showed your wife the articles as well:-) I didn't know that Andrews helped the bladder
    • david91143
      david91143 howard50192

      Posted

      Hi Howard,

      I went to the pharmacy today and they had EMLA - - but wouldn't sell it to me! Said I had to get it on prescription!

      I gather from Derek's remarks that it is meant to be sex-aid/thing. Maybe I'll try the internet. You two seems to be getting on with it OK without medical supervision....

      thanks

    • derek76
      derek76 david91143

      Posted

      Lloyds online pharmacy says that a prescription is needed. Others do not and people seem to use it on their skin when having a tattoo. Possibly as with other medical products there is a stronger version that needs a prescription.  
    • howard50192
      howard50192 david91143

      Posted

      I bought a tube from Lloyds after asking the chemist his advice of what to use, after that I asked my doctor for a prescription for it, he did so no problem.

      this may be your best route ( when you do ask the doctor tell him they are small tubes and you would need at least 2 a week ) I hope this helps.

      kind regards

      Howard.

       

    • howard50192
      howard50192 david91143

      Posted

      RE: Emla cream

      Google chemistdirect. they sell it with no mention of a prescription needed.

      kind regards

      Howard

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