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Questions That I Hope Some of You Might Be Able To Put My Mind To rest

Posted , 9 users are following.

tom512836
tom512836

Hello. my name is Tom and I'm from the US.  (Hope that's OK)  I'm 77 and 20+ years ago I had a disasterous TURP.  A real butcher job.  I was hemoraging for 20+ days, I was completely incontenente for 4-5 months, retrograde ejack, etc.

On top of all this I could tell the doctor wanted dump me as a patient as fast as he could.  In spite of all this I finally regained control and recovered. (NO THANKS to the SOB that operated on me.)

Fast forward to 2016.  I saw symptoms returning over last few years and were held at bay by Flomax and Avodart.  But this year meds started to fail and a few weeks ago I went into complete retention so for 2 weeks I was married to a foley catheter.  Yesterday, Thursday April 7, I had the green light laser treratment.  It was an out patient procedure.  I left for home around 2:00 PM with a cath that's going to be removed this coming Monday.

When I came home yesterday my prostate area was in god awful pain.  I took ONLY ONE of the pain pills prescribed for me.  I could see by the color of the urine in the bag(s) that I was bleeding. (Which was to be expected)

Here's the strange part:  Around 10:30 PM last night I realized that  ALL pain and discomfort were completely gone and this morning, April 8, the urine is just a light yellow with NO TRACE of blood!

IT IS AS IF NOTHING EVER HAPPENED YESTERDAY!  Have any of you ever heard of this (seemingly) rapid recovery?

I'm a little concerned about what will happen Monday when the cath is removed.  The surgeon says I'll need pelvic training/rehab due to the damage to sphincters caused by first op.  I got them to work the first time with sheer determination.  I hope I don't have to go down that road again.

Are any of you are familiar with this speedy recovery situation?  I'd love to hear about your experiences/suggestions.

Thank you.

1 like, 25 replies

25 Replies

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  • cartoonman
    cartoonman tom512836

    Posted

    Wow and sorry to read of your experiences!  As for the quick change, failing other explanations, I would just go with "modern miracle" and not think too hard about it!  :-)

    Re cath removal:  I hated that experience, and would only suggest a little levity, to get the nurse (or whomever) to pay close attention to what s/he's doing.  My line:  HEY!  I recognize you; it was a past-life experience and you were on the staff of the Spanish Inquisition.  I hope you have learned to be a little more gentle in the past several incarnations."  Sometimes helps.  It worked for me on a crusty old Serbian nurse many months back...  Humor AND the gentle reminder that there is AN ACTUAL HUMAN BEING on the other end of the cath has helped in my experiences...  :-)

    Also:  there is some work you can do on your own, via whifty-nifty "getting in touch with your body" work... to reconnect with those sphincter muscles...

     

  • craig84609
    craig84609 tom512836

    Posted

    Wow, I am sorry to hear that you had such a bad experience with TURP. It usually comes down to the experience of the doctor. I had a kidney stone removed as a young man and the doctor was equally as young so it didn't go as well as I hoped. I still dribble after urination as a result and my body rejected the stint that was in. I can tell you when they removed it , it was a terrible experience and knowing what I know now I would have insisted on a woman assistant to help remove it. Oh well, hind sight is always 20/20 . I would make sure that they are careful and not rushed. It should be ok. I would say that you are lucky that you are healing quickly. Sounds like you will be better off this time.
  • tom86211
    tom86211 tom512836

    Posted

    Tom,

    You have gone through a lot, but at least it appears you are on the mind now. Good news!

    TURP is a cutting procedure and so there is going to be blood after. Don't know what happened to you 20 years ago, but urologists who perform this may be better at it now than 20 years ago. A larger blood vessel or artery may have been severed back then. But, cutting = blood and a longer recovery time.

    Greenlight is a laser vaporization of tissue procedure, and as such the blood vessles are cauterized, so much less blood. The description of your rapid recovery is not surprising. A very positive outcome. 

    If your prostate continues to grow, at some point in the future you may need another treatment - 5 to 10 years in the future. Many here on this forum have had excellent results with PAE and Urolift - they get the most relief with fewest side effects. 

    Hope it is smooth sailing for you from now on.

    My best...Tom

     

    • craig84609
      craig84609 tom86211

      Posted

      Yea, PAE would be my first choice. It is gaining acceptance in the USA and maybe a covered viable option in the near future. It maybe covered by insurance now, not sure. If not it will be soon.
    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 craig84609

      Posted

      I think that we should start puting the turp and the laser away for while because they are so painful for a man to go through.  Coring and lasering out the prostate is very painful and damageing to a mans body.  some men can take it but sometime it takes 6 month's to a year to heal.  No man want that.  The new procedures are much better and the side effects are iess.  Just get information on whatever to decide.  Your the one that has to deal with the out come not the doctor.  Ken  
  • kenneth1955
    kenneth1955 tom512836

    Posted

    Tom I am so sorry for what happen to you so many years ago.  You were only 57 and that was early.  I had a scare at 47 but I would have never had that done if they offered it to me.  I only had a infection but ended up have kidney stones.  Why did you had a green light done.  Did they offer you any thing else.  Sorry about the retenion.  Had that about a moth ago Had 3 blood clogs around my prostate 1 broke and had to have surgery to fix the others.  Muscle spams hurt like hell.  I am glad that you are doing good.  You may have had it easier because there was not to much left in the inside of the prostate.  Having the turp they core out most of it.  That is why you bleed so much.  I hope you contiinue to get better  Ken 
  • tom512836
    tom512836

    Posted

    It looks like my fears concerning incontinence were unfounded.  It's the exact oppisite.  I was operated on Thursday, April 7 and catheter was removed on the 11th.

    The cath was removed at 10:30 AM in doctor's office.  I was successful in voiding the little bit that was in me.  I was told to go home, eat and drink and urinate at home if I had the call.  ( I did but was less than thrilled with the stream.)

    I was instructed to come back to the office, empty my bladder to the best of my ability, and then they performed an ultrasond and told me there was very little urine in my bladder.  I was released with an appointment for follow up with urologist in 3 weeks.

    At NO TIME was "stream" anything to write home about and in all cases I had to bear doen to assist stream.

    It's now 12:30 on Tuesday AM and I can't say I can go at all but I really don't feel that full. (Yet)

    I'm kind of worried and scared.  Anyone else ever in this situation?

    Tom

     

    • tom86211
      tom86211 tom512836

      Posted

      Tom,

      You may have tissue swelling - not surprising after the procedure that you just went through. This should reduce over time. You would gain a lot of information by measuring your urine output - your Urologist can give you a plastic measuring beaker. That way you can monitor the flow - keep a record. As the tissues "settle down" you should notice an increase in the amount or urine you can pass at one time. 

      If you believe the swelling is such that you can't pass anything, you have to go in for a catheter until the situation resolves. I went through this exact thing after radiation to my prostate a couple of years ago. 

      When I was in my measuring stage I was outputting about 1300ml per 24 hours, and about half of that at night. As long as you are able to empty your bladder - even slowly - you will be ok.

      Tom

    • jimjames
      jimjames tom512836

      Posted

      Hi Tom,

      If your fluid intake is normal and you aren't voiding then this is serious you have to see your doctor right away because either you are retaining urine or have some other issue that needs addressing.

      As suggested start measuring your urine output in a plastic beaker calibrated in ounces and/ or cc's or ml's. You can pick up one in any grocery store. Either urinate into that or into a larger container and then use the beaker to measure it. Do a written log with date, time and amount voided. Also log your fluid intake in the same way.

      But again, if you haven't urinated for some time, or very little is coming out, call your dictor right away. A weak stream os OK at this point but the lack of normal urine volume has to be checked right away.

      Jim

    • cartoonman
      cartoonman jimjames

      Posted

      Yes, re measuring the output as JimJames suggests.  An additional thought:  You can also do a rough measuring of the flow, about which you are concerned.  Acceptable flow rate is about 10cc/ml per second, or 100cc/ml in ten seconds.  Using a watch or clock, pee til you're finished, check the total time, and divide into the amount of urine.  E.g., 300ml divided by 30 seconds= acceptable flow rate of 10cc/second.  I've gotten so used to that, that on my flow-rate check-up, 4 months post-Urolift surgery, I gave them the correct rate before having the test that confirmed it!  
    • tom512836
      tom512836 tom86211

      Posted

      i am happy to report that today, one week from surgery, I HAD MY FIRST 100% UNFORCED MAN SIZED P*SS!

      Tom

  • gbhall
    gbhall tom512836

    Posted

    Hi Tom,

    I most sincerely hope that Tom86211 is completely accurate in his view that you have been dealt with this time by an expert, who has successfully cauterised everything, and that your healing will be uneventful. 

    Just remember, somewhere around 2 weeks in, there may be scabs peeling off, and some bleeding may follow. Provided you are not taking any form of blood thinning meds (e.g. warfarin, aspirin), that should clear in hours. Drink water to flush out.

    All we men on this site are anxious to follow your recovery, as we are here to learn, to support, and to advise where possible. So please keep us up-to-date.

  • surfman012
    surfman012 tom512836

    Posted

    Hi, just to add my 10 penneth!!...exactly 12 months ogo i had the standard TURP op. I am 67 and very fit!! My op was largely  to clear a blockage at the neck of the Urethra and not expressly to "bore out" the prostate! however as the only real way in was up the prostste, the rebore happened anyway! the op went well, rec overy good out next day no cath`s or  anything..some bleeding and discomfort for 10 days or so! BUT..more often than not even though urine stream was ok and bladder was emptying..a  STRANGE feelng would sometimes  accompany me foir several hours thereafter!! this went on until and up to a month or so ago!! now gone and all seems "normal!!" my consultant informs me that a lot of the feelings associated are "in your head?" because  a very strategic and important body function is being messed with!!! So it would appear that we are all very different in our ways of dealing with this "thing" and the recovery also varies greatly and from day to day( ups and downs!!) and goes on for a lot longer than we may find comfortable! even if it does not affect our daily lives  dramatically! i nbow have to say although my procedeure went (fairly) well and straightforward, i would recommend some serious thinking before going , or, recommending the TURP op to anyone else!! good luck matey! you will recover ok in time!! Syd
    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 surfman012

      Posted

      Syd Did they say there was any other way they could have repaired it without coreing out the prostate.  I think no men should go through that. The turp procedure is very damageing to a mans body.  And what you were feeling was something real.  How can they say it all in your head Did they have it done. No.  Doctor try to down play the procedures side effects so you will have it done.  With all the new procedure out there now I think it time to put that one on the side.  It been a year now and I am glad you are doing well But what if it did not work.  You went through something you did not have to have done and they would most likely try to talk you into doing it again. Life is to short to have to deal with problems that we don't have to...  Take care,,Ken   
    • surfman012
      surfman012 kenneth1955

      Posted

      Hi Ken...yes....well...i was in a panic at the time!!!! UTI...all the classic bph signs...so when told " no prostate enlargement ..but!!!..we need to  do this and that.. i went with it, The surgeon was very understanding, and very competant as it turns out.. i mentioned Green light ..PAE..Urolift...etc, but he said..ahhh well you do not have BPH or associated probs (prostatitus) you have ..blah blah...and as a ex pro cyclist you will recover fine!! and sure enough i did not have bph or prostate probs!! but i got the TURP!! ok, so now i pee wonderfully well, and the sex life is fine(except RE!!) But i now know that a invasive op through the groinal area( more seerious and longer convales) would have done the same job...without the side effects of a TURP!! and the lasting  "feelings" i suppose as a 68 yr old its all a matter of opinion, but as a 50 yr old in the same position.....hmnnn!! anyway thanks for joining in, regards to all Syd.
    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 surfman012

      Posted

      Glad your doing so well.  Had a scare when I was 47 about 14 years ago and was told that I had prostate cancer.  The main thing they did was take out the prostate.  I told him no way and he said that was my choise.  Lucky it was only a prostate infection.  It's hell to get old.  Over the last 2 years I have been through alot Had a urolift done in 2015 and pee great.  I have high blood pressure sugar and a-fib Have to take viagra sometimes but sex is good and my orgasm are very intense.  My urologist that I have now is great and he knows that I will never give up my prostate in any way.  I think that I fine it hard to take is that you did not have a enlarge prostate and you still had it done did the doctor talk you into because you were panicing.  Could you have just waited a few years.  Did you still have a output.  I think I would have waited.  I know doctors can talk people into alot and they down play the side effects. If you would have had the other surgery you could have healed the same being your a cyclist But I think he used your panic to push the surgery.  Oh well can't go back Lift goes on..Take care my friend and enjoy all you can  Ken  
    • surfman012
      surfman012 kenneth1955

      Posted

      Hi, yes indeed, i was in a panic to be sure!! and therefore blind to other procedures!! Never had a major illness in 67 years saw to the panic!! i was originally diagnosed over here in Portugal( where we mostly live) and the Dr was reluctant to use ANY invasive procedeues!! the Urologist was non-committal!! and i was in difficulty(tried all the usual drugs)(tamsulosin, cipro, flomax etc) no real effect except side effects!! so panicked back to UK and the rest is history!! i did find out, after!! i could chosen green-light laser which amounts to the same thing! I will say the Dr`s and staff were all fantastic and considerate so no criticism there!! BUT to anyone considering prostate surgery....do ALL the homework and get the facts first!! hey ho..onwards and upwards...regards all,Syd
    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 surfman012

      Posted

      Yes can't go back But I did look ingto it all he had to do is make a smalt cur in the bladder neck and it would have opened you up.  I ALSO SAID GET THE INFORMATION AND GO HOME AND RELAX AND THING ABOUT IT FIRST.  Life goes on  Take it easy  Ken
    • surfman012
      surfman012 kenneth1955

      Posted

      Hi Ken, yes you are right, i actually had what is called a TUIP( trans urethal  incision of the prostate or bladder neck) the surgeon did not explain clearly at the time all the differences, only the side effects!!"" they will be the same"" there was some misunderstanding going on...but, i was in panic mode so , mainly myself to blame!!! but never again..as they say "wiser after the event!!!"" any way onwards and upwards, cheers...Syd
    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 surfman012

      Posted

      Yes Syd.Anytime they cut that you will et retro.  Here is anothing thing we men have to think of.  We must trust our Doctor if we can.  I just read a story on another site about this poor guy 55.  His doctor told him that he needed a Turp he told his no.  The doctor asked him why.  He then told the doctor that he does not want to deal with retor and he did not want the turp.  His doctor told him all would be the same and he should not worry about it.  I think is name was Ray.  Ray said no that he what to have a Tuna procedure.  After fighting with the docotr the doctor   Said ok  Ray know that the tuna does not cause retro and sign the papers.  Will Ray had the surgery but not what he asked for.  The doctor told him that there was some bleeding and he had to do the turp The doctor got his way.  Now ray is so upset that he does not want to have sex of any kind  That doctor should not have done that. This is a heads up to all men having surgery make sure you only have the surgery that your doctor tell you about.  You know once you sign that paper the doctor has the right to do anything he wants.  A month ago I went in to bladder retention and had to have emergency surgery for the bleeding.  I made sure that before I went in that the doctor signed a paper that my prostate was not to be removed cut or cored out any way...He was not my reg doc and I did not know him.  No one does anything to me unless I give them my permission.  We have to many doctors doing that turp to to many men that don't even need it.  Please get the information you need and take your time..  Take care all  Ken    . 
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