Information on the Prostate and Procedures

I remember that.  I do know the prostate continues to grow even after  any procedure but it a shame that can cause it to fail  Thank again  ken

I agree, Paul. In 2000, I had an accident at sea which impacted my prostate. I was in agony for 3 days before we made landfall. When I eventually got to a hospital the consultan urologist told me never to take antihistamines - (sea sickness tablets included) ever again. I never have done, but my prostate problems didn't go away.

Yes, antihistamines are one culprit. Decongestants can be even worse. NSAID's can also give problems. There are others. Always check the side effect profile because doctors often don't warn us, even those with bph, amazing as that is. One of the benefits of CIC is that it doesn't matter. You can take your allergy meds and still empty your bladder completely. Your cath schedule and NVs just may be a little different. 

?Are you keeping a void log? You want to adjust your cath schedule so that your bladder volume is under 400ml whenever possible. That would be the sum of your cath volume plus any natural void preceding it. You should also try a natural void before cathing if possible. 

Jim

Yes that is a very good idea.  It is also good to check any meds that you are giving to see if the will not mix with any other meds that you are taking.  Sometime doctor do miss that.  They are human like the rest of us.  Get all the information you can from the internet or even ask your pharmacist they can tell you alot about the pills you are taking.  If there is something that you feel that it will not be good for you to take call your doctor.  Take care all  Ken

Yes, I do as much natural voiding as I can (not much) but don't keep a log. At least three years with this BPH issue has caused me to reduce my liquid intake quite a bit and so I don't really have to worry about volume being above 400. I stay alert to the natural output before and between cathetering, however, as a sign that anything of the alternative stuff I am trying (home-made alcohol-infused sawpalmetto, bee pollen, tilted bed, whole plant food diet, exercise, etc.) is working. So far nothing other than possibly maintaining the status quo. I'll be sure to let the world know should I luck into something. Hey, I lucked into you guys!    Paul

What my doctor thinks is that he did not have a large median lobe when the doctor did it so he missed it and with in 3 months it got bigger.  Because it worked for 3 weeks and they stopped. I think the doctyor did not put in enough implates.  I don't know if you remember Chuck.  He had his right after I had mine.  He had 4 put in.  It worked for a few month's and then it stopped  6 to 8 month's later he had 4 more put in and he was great after.   I would change doctors how can you miss that. My doctor have done the urolift on men that have a smaller median lobe and just pulled it to the one side.   He said it can be done but not on a very large lobe.  That would have to be removed to open you up.  I have never heard of a soft prostate.  Take it easy  Ken  

Surprised a median lobe would grow that much in 3 months, maybe your doc was just being polite FWIW a normal prostate is "soft" and they tend to harden with BPH. Don't know the experience level of his doc, but with these new procedures there will be lots of docs doing them without much experience. 

Jim

Yes I think he did not want to say anything bad aganist the other doctor.  Yes the prostatte is soft to a pointe but the shell is harder.  That is why you can put the implant on them.  What I also think is some doctor are going to do more miss diagnose surgery where when they go in they fined that they do not need to do it but do it anyway.  Thats a shame  Later my friend  Ken

The word used for my prostate years ago was "Boggy"

That's a new one.  Never heard it called that before.  Have a nice day  Ken

I've seen that term used to mean inflamed or infected as in prostatitis. 

FWIW, I came across a legit medical site that advised pure cranberry juice for us types as an infection preventative (not a cure according to my urologist) since bacteria cannot live in an acidic environment. By the same token minimize the orange juice as it is alkaline - a perfect environment.

Today I had confirmation for the efficacy of size 14 over 12. The latter had been fine for this my first week of personal plumbing until this morning when it wouldn't pass into the bladder. Came back with blood inside. Tried afresh, more blood. Rather than impale myself further, I went to my local clinic where we had a go with a 14. This time success.   Cheers, Paul

Hi Paul,

The literature is mixed regarding acidic environment versus alkaline with the newer papers recommending alkaline. Very confusing.

Yes, going to a larger size is one recommended protocol when you can't pass the bladder. Alternatively, technique wise, you can try different things such as focused relaxation, coughing, or a VERY SUBTLE AND GENTLE twisting at the bladder sphincter. You don't twist very far. More recommendations elsewhere in thread. 

What catheter are you using? Coude or straight? Different catheters have different characteristics including rigidity. For example, I cannot use a red rubber 12 (too flexible) but the Coloplast Speedicath 12 works fine. 

Glad the 14 worked out for you. I have both 12's and 14's at home. I started with 14 but now use the 12s. I still keep some 14's just in case.

Jim

Paul,

Just want to add that some blood for the first several weeks is normal. Not to worry.

Jim

Thanks, Jim. Best, Paul