Prostate Size and Difficulty with CIC

Also add that many of us have found certain techniques like relaxing, breathing, coughing, etc relax/release the prostate just enough momentarily to let the catheter slip by. You might check some of the other catheter threads for tips.

Jim

Hi Moto,

Tried softer catheters, like Cure. Actually, I tried many and anything but Coloplast Speedicath might solve your problem. Those turkeys are way to stiff. I know many people use them and they can be convenient but they can cause problems.

I used to have the same problem with Coloplast Speedicath, with my catheters hitting a wall, not wanting to advance, regardless of what I do, including relaxing, breathing, even Yoga and praying.

I had bleeding problems with Speedicath for 3 long years, using 10fr and 12fr. I could never get 14fr or anything larger through.

Now 9 months with Cure, I can get any size through, easily, without any Yoga and praying, and without bleeding. I even went as high as 18fr. I would have tried larger size if I could find it, though I normal use size 14fr which is most comfortable.

Hope this helps.

I also have been unable to "get through" my prostate...I never had a problem at all before turps and also for a month or so afterwards ...but now I am unable to check my pvr by using a cath...I started having problems about a month ago. One time I had a problem & it wouldnt go through but then it sort of popped through as if skipping past some sort of ridge or obstacle...lately though I cannot use a cath at all....luckily I can pee usually normally by standing or sitting.....But Im a tad concerned at not being able to check properly...

I have contacted the hospital to see if I could possible pop in on an informal basis and be checked with a scanner...

Hi Gin,

You might want to go up one size, and see if that helps pop through. Don't know where you are, but if you have a urologist, why not just make an appointment to have your PVR checked. Should be routine.

Personally,

I purchased a used bladder scanner so I could check my PVR without having to cath and without having to go to the uro. I also found it very useful in exploring and learning about the anatomy of my bladder and diverticulum. Send me a PM if you're interested in something like that and I can share with you some of what I found on the market.

Jim

Moto, Could be a false passage. Maybe your uro could take a look inside, either with a scope or imaging. I had some resistance a few months ago and I did what amounted to a valsalva manuever when I hit resistance. Just sort of held my breath, breathed out, and tightened in on my abdominal muscles at the same time. It slipped right in. Only needed to do that a few times. Not sure if it was the contraction or relaxation phase that helped, but might be worth trying. Also, someone here once suggested covering the funnel with your finger during insertion. It really seems to help some by stiffening up the catheter a bit. Going up one size might accomplish the same thing but I'd try the finger first.

Jim

I don't know where the "breathed out" came from. Eventually of course I breathed out, but not before I sucked in my abdominal muscles.

Jim,

I am thinking it could be a false passage as well. I will try the finger over the funnel trick, larger size, and other catheters. I have a good supply of Speedicath in both coude and regular, but also some samples of others. I have to make an appointment to see a uro, that will be about a month out I would guess. I have just recently started to see enough change to need to get in there to see him again.

Thanks to all for the tips.

Yea, you can't understand "why Guys let their prostates get so big..." - because you don't live in their lives - so you will never understand, guy!

Not all prostates grow each year, mine hasn't. Also, LUTS can be independent of prostate size. Some with larger prostates have very few symptons. Some with small prostates have significant symptons. As to dominating my life, CIC dominates my life about as much as brushing my teeth does.

Jim

A friend with just a 35 grm prostate had very bad retention and was self cathing several times a day until he had his GL 14 years ago. His flow has slowed in the past two years and he is taking Cialis.

My prostate was 135 grms before my second laser procedure. It was actually less of a problem then than when It was 75 grms before my first procedure nine years previously. If there is a cure why be afraid of having it ?

My BPH started in 1994 and I have read thousands of posts going back to old usenet news groups and other Forums since then. I still have over 13,000 news group posts on file and can index by subject or poster. GL was by far the most popular and successful in the news group days.

Hi Jim - Great to see you back - you saved me and others here.

My prostate size has remained steady at 280 cc for the past 4 years now as determined both by ultrasound and MRIs,

As you promised 3 years ago I now CIC faster than flossing my teeth though it does take about the same time as brushing!!

I wish you all the best and good health. Thanks again.

Howard

Hi Howard,

Thanks for the nice words. I actually started brushing my teeth the other day during self cathing while waiting for the flow to end 😃 I won't go into the multi-tasking details, but it was a bit of "look ma no hands". Glad you're doing well!

Jim

What does your Urologist advise ? 280 cc is massive. Have you ever asked about having a stent fitted ?

Hope that you washed your hands 😃

Hi derek -the only other option available to me is the robotic SP that davecanpee had performed. Holep is also a possibility but I am too big for any other procedures.

I think you asked how our prostates get so big. In my case I do not have a median lobe so i could always pee ok but not great. My original urologist (I've had 7 and counting now!) 20 years ago just gave me avodart and flomax but never scanned me for 15 years!! By the time I really had trouble I was at 280cc.

LOL. I actually use the no touch "dive bomb" method, so hand washing is technically optional although always recommended.

Jim

I was also fortunate in not having a large median lobe but the lateral lobes that were described as being like a floppy bottom squeezed my urethra. My GPs and Uro's all gave me accurate estimates from their DRE's that were later confirmed by scans or cystoscopy. I let mine grow from 35grms to 75 over nine years but only because I was waiting on a good laser system being developed.

I could never take the drugs as they affected my blood pressure (down) and heart rate up to about 140 bpm..

My simple mind thinks that we only need the centre of the prostate bored out and not much more. Last time I had 88 of the 135 grms taken care of.

Howard, the largest prostate that was done with hoLEP was 1.1kg.