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Greenlight Laser surgery & urine retention after - advice

Posted , 5 users are following.

john10427
john10427

I am 54 yrs old living in NYC.

A little background:

I was diagnosis with BHP in later February 2020, my Urologist had me on Alfuzosin. In early March I passed out while at home and was rushed to the ER (due to being dehydrated). My medication was changed to Tamsulosin by the ER, at my next appt I could see by my urologist face that he wasn't to happy but kept me on it.

I was fine until February when I was having pain & couldn't urinate. I was rushed to the ER 3 times in two weeks, all happening at night the initial rush, after leaving the ER (they took he foley out & send me home).

My urologist examine me with the camera & stated that I had a very large prostate & may need surgery. Liquid was inserted to see if I can urinate on my own & I did so he took out the catheter & also prescribe Proscar (Finasteride). The following day I stopped urinating & was rushed to the ER. A foley was inserted & sent home. My urologist saw me a week later & referred to to another urologist who scheduled me for surgery (April 6th). The foley was kept in (a little over a month) until the surgery which was 2 days ago.

Day of surgery , I was placed under general anesthesia & the surgery was performed. According to the urologist notes the prostate was a 90g & he places a 22Fr catheter. was sent home with the foley & came back the following day to have it removed. I did have a little swelling around the ankle.

Yesterday, the foley was removed & he also prescribed Tylenol 325. We (my wife was with me) decided to go to Target to get some depend briefs (Walgreens & CVS in the area didn't have my size). Took the mile or so ride on the bus. At target I had my first urine flow it was very strong, but I think after leaving Target I think that is where my problem started.

We took an Uber home but due to Fire dept activity & construction the driver had to take an alternate route which was very bumpy. Also I had to walk up 4 flights of stairs (I live on the 4th of a 5 floor building with no elevator). I also sat down at the computer for almost 45 minutes & I to submit paperwork to my job & the insurance company for FMLA & short-term disability. About an hour later I urinated, this time there was blood in there, I expected blood so I didn't panic. That was the first time I notice blood).

About 1 hour later I wasted to urinate again but started having extreme pain in my right butt check, I lay down & a few minutes later the pain passed. After another hour & more pain, we decided to go to the ER.

One of the doctors performed a scan & stated that I had a lot of urine inside. The say I had a blockage & inserted a foley, this time 18Fr & after a while sent me home. They called my urologist & schedule an appt for me to see him for next Monday. This morning I noticed what looked to be something like tissue. Up to now the urine seems fine yellow but not very dark, once in a while there is a little, little blood.

The ER prescribe Acetaminophen-Codeine 300/30 ( I will keep that as an emergency).

The medication I am currently taking are Tamulosin & Finasteride together at night - I plan on still being on these. I am also taking Bactrim morning & night. I am also taking Colace in the morning & I have Clearlax at home in-case it is needed.

Also I did pass my first bowel today (after 2 days), it wasn't much but it was soft. Also I am letting out a lot of gas. I plan on staying home until Monday to prevent from walking up & down the stairs.

Is there any advice you guys can give?

Anyone experience urine retention soon soon after the surgery?

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • michael12274
    michael12274 john10427

    Edited

    Hi not sure about the side effects of a surgery but it seems like you are taking loads of medication at once. Be careful with your liver and your guts flora. Why are you taking Bactrim? You never mention any culture test result which found a bacteria? Also I do not understand how it come that your prostate grew so massive unnoticed? Have you ever had Stamey's test done? or semen culture test?

    • john10427
      john10427 michael12274

      Posted

      Hi Michael,

      Thanks for the advice.

      1. They prescribe a 7 day supply of Bactrim (Suldfamethoxazole/TMP) for UTI
      2. The Tamsulosin & Finasteride is for the prostate.
      3. The Colace (actually Dok 100 Mg) is a stool softener so I don't get constipated/strain during bowel movement.
      4. The Clearlax and Acetaminophen-Codeine 300/30 I have not taken & have these as emergency.
      5. I do a complete blood test & a few other test done every 6 months.
      6. Lipid panel, Comprehensive metabolic panel, hemoglobin & a few other test like Magnesium, Phosphorus, Hemoblobin done once a year.
      7. I have done the Prostate Specific Antigen, Urinalysis.
      8. I have never (to my knowledge) did a Stamey or semen culture test.
      9. I was first diagnose in February 2020 right before the lockdown (March) in NYC (the hospital that service me wasn't seeing an patient - everything was done virtual) & there were a long period of time that I couldn't get an appt/go see a doctor, thus things went unchecked.

      There are things that I know now that I wished I knew back then. I am now getting more educated & trying to learn as much as I can & looking for input & advice from people who have one thru similar situation as me and those who have the knowledge.

      I have an appt schedule with my regular medicine doctor in early June & I will ask him for a liver & complete blood work test. I will also ask the urologist what test can he schedule for me next time I see him.

    • michael12274
      michael12274 john10427

      Edited

      Thanks for explanation John. Semen culture test and Stamey's test (prostate fluid extortion) is a must with anybody having problems with prostate and urinary track. Especially when you had few UTI s . Ask your Urologist how does he know that Bactrim is working if he doesn't know what kind of bacteria he is dealing with. There is no magic drug which kills all bacterias. It is very unprofessional in my opinion to prescribe random antibiotics and treat people like laboratory monkeys. Mind you you could be infected with more then one kind of bacteria.

      take care

    • michael12274
      michael12274 john10427

      Edited

      John also if you wish I strongly advise you read the leaflet which should be inside every medication packaging you been prescribed. Check out especially part which explains side effects of that drug.

      The fact that you getting separate medication for constipation is telling me that your liver is getting hit badly already. Be careful please

    • john10427
      john10427 michael12274

      Edited

      Thanks Michael.

      I read all the leaflets & the Dok have me a little concerned. I haven't taken any of the Clearlax as of yet.

      My bowel movements are working fine now so I don't see any reason to continue taking the constipation medication. I can always switch to prune juice if needed.

      I will have a test done for my liver. I had one done last year but will take one at the next available chance.

    • michael12274
      michael12274 john10427

      Posted

      Prune juice is good. I eat dried prunes on regular basis. Top up your guts with 1 month of natural probiotics. You can get them in pharmacy. They could be in tablets or sachets. I recommend it.

      take care

    • john10427
      john10427 michael12274

      Posted

      Thanks Michael.

      I try to drink about 4oz of prune juice every day.

      I also eat Yogurt (with probiotics), Tempeh, Miso soup, Banana. I used to eat plums & dried prunes - I think I will start doing that again.

      I haven't had any major problems with the bowels, I am just being cautious.

  • john10427
    john10427

    Edited

    Today is exactly 3 weeks when I had the Greenlight surgery so I will give an update.

    1. Urine Frequency: That have been reduced. I still get it but not as much as before, I get it when I drink a lot of water during a short period of time.

    I do get up about 3 times at night to urinate.

    1. Urinary Incontinence: For the most part, that too have been reduced or almost gone.

    2. Urine urgency: I no longer feel the need that I have a few seconds to make it to the bathroom as I can hold it in until I get there.

    Whenever I get the urgency it is mostly during the day - I do not get it at night. At night I can hold it until I get to the bathroom (but I do not hold it, I go right to the bathroom), I also have a urinary bottle near my bed so I do not have to walk all the way to the bathroom.

    1. Burning when urinating: That is mostly gone, I still get it but maybe once or twice a day.

    2. Urine leakage: I still get it when I cough, sneeze, laugh or it come or for no reason.

    3. I had 2 episodes of when my feed (ankle) swell up. Both times happened when I sat down too much, I elevated my leg & it was back to normal in a few hours.

    4. I do wear a diaper whenever I go out. I have no problem wearing one, the only issue I had was finding one that I liked. The ones that I tried irritated me, especially the inner part which felt like plastic. The Depend Real Fit is the most comfortable ones that I have found so far.

    5. Bowel movement: My bowel movements is not what it used to be before. No constipation or the likes it is just the amount that comes out at a time, which is not that much. I try not to strain or push & just come back when I feel the urge thus I go to the bathroom more that usual but not complaining.

    6. Bowel spasm & stomach discomfort: The bowel spasm is mostly gone, I still have discomfort in my stomach but not sure if it is due to gas.

    7. Blood in the urine: There is still blood in the urine, usually at the beginning of the stream. It is mostly wine color but sometimes red. There is no thick blood or clots but there is some blood most of the time when I urinate. This is what is stressing me out the most, I read that it will take longer for me as I had a large prostate (90g) before the surgery but my mine will not be at ease until my urine is clear.

    8. The urologist told me to stop taking the Tamsulosin but continue taking the Finasteride (which I am doing). He also scheduled a 3 month follow-up appt with him.

    As of this past Monday I am back at work.

    I try to take it easy.

    I do not lift anything heavy (more that 8lbs). My wife & young son now do the grocery shopping, laundry & lifting.

    I live on the 4th floor of a pre-war build with no elevators so I have to walk & down 4 flights of stairs whenever I go got.

    I try not to sit for a prolong time as my butt start to hurt & I feel a little more discomfort in my stomach . I have one of these donut chair pad but it is of no help - I need to find a better one.

    I think that I have covered everything, I will update if I think of something that I missed & as I progress.

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