Had FLA on Feb 8th.
Posted , 17 users are following.
I finally headed down to Houston and got to meet Dr. Karamanian in person for my pre-procedure. As everyone else has reported, both he and Donnie are very professional and obviously very caring toward their patients. The next morning I arrived at 6am, was preped by Donnie and finished with the ablation about 3 hours later. No real pain at all and I was in and out with the sedation throughout the precedure. I found the catheter to be very uncomfortable, it really causing pain at the end of the urethra each time I moved. I got very little sleep that first night.
The next day we had the post procedure brief in the office, along with a shot of antibiotics. Dr. Karamanian was able to point out the results of the ablation. I would make them available for review but forgot to ask for a copy.
We flew home after two more days in Houston and everything went well. I emptied the bag just prior to boarding and once during the 3 hour flight.
The catheter continued to irritate the urethra so much I was dreading the removal. It proved to be anti-climatic as there was only a little stinging as I withdrew it. I wax very concerned that I might not be able to pee and would have to have a catheter reinserted. I was pleased that I had a urine flow--actually a dribble that had contined after 5 days, maybe getting a little better. Hopefully it will continue to improve in the weeks ahead.
I am now a happy membet of the "K" club. Dr. K also mentioned that I was his 100th patient (no, there was no prize), I don't know what number BPH patient I was.
I will continue to post with my progress in the weeks ahead. My main hoal is to get completely off flomax.
1 like, 69 replies
Tim-B richard11472
Posted
It can be slow going at first, but be patient. I had FLA on 12/12/17 and had some ups/downs over first few weeks but now at 10 weeks out, I am the best I've been in over 25 years.
Everyone is of course different, so hopefully you will see slow and steady improvement.
Good luck.
-Tim
richard11472 Tim-B
Posted
Thanks, Tim. Good timing as last night I was barely able to force any urine out, just a couple of drops each time I pushed. This is the one week mark since the catheter came out and the first really difficult time I've had. Hopefully it will continue to get easier to pee as the swelling goes down.
Glad to hear things are going so good for you, hopefully my improvement is right behind you by a few weeks.
Rick
hank1953 richard11472
Posted
" I was barely able to force any urine out, just a couple of drops each time I pushed. "
If you know how self Cath, this is the time. Otherwise, consider having a Foley. Until things become better. Hank
Tim-B richard11472
Posted
My only other suggestion - don't push too hard.
Relax, wiggle your toes, warm bath/shower etc. I too was swollen for the first few weeks.
It will get better, though slowly.
kenneth1955 Tim-B
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Tim I am glad that all is going well for you. I know it's been a couple of month's Have you tested the pipes yet. I have to ASK Take care Ken
Tim-B kenneth1955
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I am doing much better now. 2nd catheter came out on 2/12 and I've been rapidly improving ever since. My flow as of today is better than it's been in probably 25 years and still improving.
kenneth1955 Tim-B
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I'm glad for you. Let's hope it continues and no more catheters Take care Ken
Motoman Tim-B
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Why did you have a 2nd catheter put in, this seems pretty long after the procedure? When was it put in a second time?
Tim-B Motoman
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First catheter came out 7 days post. Unfortunately, I could not urinate (at all), so I did CIC - which wasn't an issue (actually quite easy). At 3 weeks post, I developed a fistula and had to go to ER to have catheter put in for 4 weeks (which was 2/12) at that point, I took it out and everything worked like a champ. This past Monday (2/26) was 2 weeks since removal and I stream strength and hesitancy are better than before the procedure. Worst part of the fistula was dealing with the urologists
hank1953 Tim-B
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arlington Tim-B
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I wonder if he would give us the option of CIC'ing immediately post-surgery rather than Foley.
Motoman arlington
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arlington Motoman
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Motoman arlington
Posted
Tim-B hank1953
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Yes, the fistula was a complication from the ablation. It is a very small percentage of men who have this issue (mine was Dr K's 3rd incidence). As to location, it was so small it could not be seen on either a CT or cystoscopy exam (though all doctors said they did not expect to be able to see it - if they could, then it would have been a bad thing). Dr K said he knew where it likely formed based on where he had ablated and that it should heal in 3 to 4 weeks (all the others had) and so did mine.