REZUM--HAVE YOU HAD THIS DONE???????

John,

What was the condition of your bladder and the results of your urodynamic tests?

Steve

qmax: 8

mild trabeculation

pvr ~200cc

John

Before you do anything give yourself some time . They do say it take around 90 days maybe more to have the full effect. Like you say it has worked some and your off all meds.

Take care...Ken

true. good point. thanks

Good Luck

Ken

I second the Good Luck. Keep us posted afterwards about the results.

Thomas

It's good you had the cystoscopy performed.

steven,

im having my rezum done on the same day.

best of luck

Hey buddy

I hope all goes well. Do you know how many injection he is going to do. I hope he does not get carried away. I don't think a man need more the 6 to do the job. Anything after 6 is over kill

Good luck. My finger will be crossed......Ken

Hey All You Guys,

Thanks for the support everyone! I will let you all know how my November 29 Rezum goes. It has been over 20 years since I had a percocet and I have never had a valium. I don't now if I will remember what happens, but then maybe that is a good thing 😲

Steve

Hi Changejobs,

I am in Colorado and my Rezum is at 11:45 AM. Where and when are you? The same urologist that did Al's Rezum is doing mine. He highly recommended her and I have found her good to work with. I hope all goes well for you!

Steve

I hope all goes well. But If I was having it I would ask before hand how many injection. She should all ready know the size of your prostate. I feel that 3 on each side would be enough. But that is my opinion

After 3 or 4 weeks please let me know how it goes so I can add you to my list.

Allen was the last guy I have done. So far. Were at 51 done. 29 worked 22 did not and 24 ended up with retro.

Have not heard from Allen yet on that.

Good luck & I wish you all the best...................Ken

make sure you guys have adequate anesthesia. my Rezum procedure was very very painful.

Hello All

I think with any prostate procedure you should not be up. It is painful

Good Luck to all

Ken

If anyone is interested, the how to for Rezum is out there on the web. The name of of the document is "2468-001_B_-Rezum_IFU_.pdf". It goes into detail about how many shots are given depending on prostate size.

im not sure how many.

thanks for the good wishes.

im going to chicago and have it done by dr mcvary. he did kens from ohio. he also was the lead dr in the rezum studies and has done a few hundred.

Kenneth1955,

I had 18 months to study the Rezun procedure before Medicare would pay for it. I found out that YouTube dot com was the best place to find videos on Rezum.

This one was the best of all and will clear up a lot of Rezum myths & incorrect info posted on this site.

It is by Urogolist Dr. Richard Levin at Chesapeake Urology, he is one of the Dr's who was involved in the Rezum trials.

I recommend everyone invest 32 minutes to gain real factual information from an experience Dr who reports that he has even done Rexum on prostates sizes up to 150 g.

This 32 minute video is the best one I found on Rezum, when I was researching it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvTjREdHO0I

I sincerely hope this helps everyone on this site.

Also, Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Al (Allen)

Thanks Tim

This is the one that I printed up 6 month's ago. It tell you on page 15 and 16. But on page 16 it shows the 6 best spots to inject. I think that is all you would need do make the prostate reduce in size. Why do more then you have to

Steam can do a lot of damage if it over done. Same as with a turkey. If it over steamed it will not be done right. Only my opinion

Best of luck to all.........Ken

John98818

Sorry yours was painful.

Maybe your Dr's skills or experience with Rezum?

Prior to my Rezum procedure day, I was given these instructions which I exactly followed as stated:

1.Stop all blood thinners one week prior to procedure and continue taking other prescriptions

2.Celebrex, take 2 pills at 8PM evening prior to procedure. (anti-inflammatory)

3.Cipro 2daily, first pill at 8PM evening prior to procedure, continue 2 per day for 5 days. (antibiotic)

4.Valium, 1 pill 1 hour prior to procedure. (for relaxing)

5.You must have a driver to and from procedure. (they won’t do without this).

Here is what my Dr wrote in my file:

"After informed consent, the patient was placed into dorsal lithotomy position. The bladder was drained with a catheter, and Lidocaine 2% 50 mL was instilled into the bladder. Urojet deployed into the urethra. The Rezum procedure ensued after 20 minutes of anesthetic dwell time. The Rezum probe was positioned and the prostatic urethra was measured from the bladder neck down to the verumontanum. In this patient his right side was treated in 2 lateral locations and the left side was treated in 2 lateral locations. The median lobe was treated in 1 location, approaching from the patient's right side. The verumontanum, sphincter complex were spared. After removal of the Rezum probe, a 16 Fr coude foley was then placed. The patient tolerated the procedure well."<

I was awake during my Rezum procedure and it went very well without problems, I did not even feel Her insert the metal Rezum probe and had no more pain than a hornet bee sting on the 4rh & 5th steam shots, barely felt the first 3. Haven't taken any pain pills since the one before my May 24, 2018 Rezum procedure. Minor blood leakage around cath first 3 days.

My flow volume rate is very good now but still have my expanded bladder with high residual urine after voiding, I knew that Rezum would not fix this but it did remove blockage which caused the enlarged bladder slowly over many years.

Very happy with my Rezum results.

Best wishes

Al - (Allen)

thanks. you're right that I'm not happy with my doctor.

Hi Changejobs,

My Comcast email is screwed up again and I am not getting notifications of posts from patient.info so I have to log onto the website in order to check for any action on this forum. I hate Comcast!

Ken and I have corresponded about his Rezum. Dr. McVary is one of the best and was involved in the clinical trials for Rezum. I am now working with Al's urologist and I like her. We communicate well which is important.

Well will have to post something after our respective Rezums next week.

Steve

Hi Tim,

I downloaded "2468-001_B_-Rezum_IFU_.pdf" a few months ago and just took another look at it. The number of shots are based on prostate size as measured by prostate length and not prostate size as measured by prostate weight which the TRUS does. Not a big deal, but then not what I expected to see, but then when urologists measure a prostate size with the DRE, it is based on length too.

Steve

Al,

Would you believe that I made it to 62 without ever being stung by a bee, hornet, wasp etc. Only mosquitoes and horseflies. Is this going to hurt 😲

Steve

Steven

I have AT AT and the server is messing up to. Had trouble logging on and getting post. Seams to be working again

Allen's doctor seams to care and not go overboard. He only had 2 on each side and 1 in the median lobe. He is doing good. Very happen for him.

Take care and good luck Ken

Ken,

Is AT&T's server messed up or patient.info's server messed up?

I have not received anything from patient.info for about 3 or 4 days. I have had BIG problems with Comcast's email over the last year and in the last 2 weeks it has gotten very bad with several email sources missing again. I hate Comcast!

Yes, Dr. Huff seems to care. I have found her very easy to talk with which I see as an important sign of caring. The prostate size determines the number of injections. I am guessing that I will be 5 to 6 from what my prostate size is.

Steve

That is good that she does care. And that you like her. I think 6, 3 on each side would open it up and do the job. I do not think any man needs to have 14 injections no matter how big it is. I would refuse. Steam does work per say but to much can do a lot of damage.

I don't think it's my internet. I think it has to do with patient site. I was getting the error big red apple for a few hours. I had that happen to me a few months ago. Was not getting the e-mail only a few.

The last few days it has been slow. Most of the time when I get up I would have like 30 to 40. The last few day maybe 10 tops

When are you having your done again. Good luck to you.......Ken

Hi Ken,

My Rezum is being done at 11:45 AM on Thursday, November 29. I am expecting both lateral and medial lobe injections with a total of 5 or 6. The cystoscopy showed that the median lobe was the main cause of my blockage but that the lateral lobes were also collapsing the urethra as the cystoscope was being withdrawn.

This is a common pattern. The median lobe puts a bend or kink in the urethra that is the main cause of the blockage but the lateral lobes press down on the urethra too. Think of a garden hose. If you bend or kink it, the flow totally stops (median lobe obstruction). If you step on it, the flow just slows down (lateral lobe obstruction).

Time to go to sleep so see ya,

Steve

Hey Steve

I think she will most likely do what she did to Allen.2 2 & 1 She does not seam to me a doctor that over does a procedure. I wish you well and I hope it works for you

Have a good sleep.....Ken

Good morning Allen

Yes that is a very good video I have watch that before.

The doctor that did your I think is one of the better ones. You had only 5 injection which I feel is good enough to open you up. She does take the concern of her patients at heart.

I will say it again. I think before a man has this done he should be aware of how many injection the doctor plans on doing. They should already know how big your prostate is and not go in blind. You should have some said. The few guys that have been on here that the doctor had done 14 it way to much and all that did is cause scare tissue.

I think he was one of the guy's that ended up with having a Turp to fix the problem

If you look on that report on page 16 it shows you 6 spots that the injection should be place. I feel them 6 would open you up and take the pressure of the urethra. But there are some doctor that do not want to listen to there patient. They have that I'm the doctor I know best. That is when you turn around and move on and find another.

We being different have all different concerns and we have the opinions to pick what we feel will work for us.

The key is doing the research Take care and Happy Holiday's...........................Ken

PS: Continued good heath to all

Allen

I did the same thing when I was doing research on the Urolift before I had it done.

I look at many of the video's on the Urolift. At the time I was having mine there was not much out. It was new and only been on the market for 6 month's. My doctor was new doing it but I was the 20th guy he did the procedure on.

I was able to talk with a few of his patients. I still do that for my doctor. If he has a patient that needs to talk I will talk to them. Even if they just want to vent. After having all the test I had it done 4 weeks after. I had a catheter for a couple of days.

After doing research on it I found that some of the men had no problem peeing before they left the hospital but at night when they got home had a problem and had to have a catheter put in.

I have always had a problem peeing on command so I asked for a catheter. I rather have it put in when I'm out then awake. ( Horror story in 2014 )

My is going on 4 years If I have to have a few more in a year or 2 so be it I will. But for now all is well. You are doing good with yours. You will improve as time goes on.

Take care....Ken

I read some info here on Rezum that showed a study pertaining to its success rate... just a little over 55%... not very good odds...

And you are not calling the many guys here that had a poor result and a ton of pain liars...are you?

Hey, everyone here facing a procedure needs to do their homework... but seems several guys are pumping up the Rezum... not sure why...

Hey Buddy

Research is the key to any procedure and also a Good caring Doctor...Ken

Happy Holidays....Ken

Today started out good.

But just went to the bathroom. It burn or some pain. When I looked in the bowl a line of bright red blood. Going to have to drink more hope it goes away. Not in the mood to go see a doctor.

Thats life......................Ken

JJ,

Your reference to a 55% success rate for Rezum; where did that study result come from?

Certainly there have been a few men who have commented on this site who have not had the results from their Rezum procedure that they had hoped for. That is very unfortunate for them, but they can have the procedure repeated at some point if they want to, or they can have a different procedure. The pain that they reported during the procedure certainly was a strong memory for them. I think that they would agree that they are glad that the pain only lasted for a few minutes.

I'm sure that you would say that I am one of those who is "pumping up the Rezum". Those of us who are now enjoying the freedom from drugs and catheters certainly appreciate how simple, fast and effective that Rezum has been for us. It's unfortunate that Rezum doesn't work perfectly for everyone, but for thousands of men, it has been a godsend.

If you are one of the guys who follow this thread who have not had the procedure, why are you so negative about something that has been so successful for so many, when you haven't experienced it yourself?

I appreciate that Kenneth1955 feels that, by recording a few dozen reports on this site, he has 'data'. However, there are literally thousands of men who go on with their lives, free from the symptoms of BPH, who don't report their success here. Personally, I feel obligated to comment occasionally when a post comes along that needs some clarification for those men who read this forum for help in making a decision.

The study was noted by a guy on this blog. Look it up. I don't feel I am being "negative" to point out what another guy posted... why do you take personal offense to anyone that even "sort of" disputes the efficacy of Rezum? Do you have a study that shows a greater than 55% success rate? If so, let's hear it.

You sound like you have a dog in this hunt... why are you not promoting the much less invasive and tissue damaging Urolift? Why is Rezum better than a Green Light?

Why not try to be a little less sensitive about other's opinions?

Hey, pal... did you have another procedure? Why are you getting blood in your urine... did the Urolift partially fail?

Sure hope not!! GL to you and have a great Turkey Day!

Tucsonjj >... but seems several guys are pumping up the Rezum... not sure why...

First - not calling out anyone for anything!

Second - You have posted here before about not reading many positive Rezum reviews here.

For many years, I never buy or think about purchasing something and/or visiting a restaurant without reading reviews first.

However, I have found that it is human nature to only post reviews when people are unhappy. When happy, they just move on with their life and tend not to take time to post their positive remarks. Same is true on this site on this site and therefore, I believe without happy people posting their positive results, posts here over time are skewed to the negative on current prostate procedures.

So your previous posts and those of others has prompted me to post my actual positive Rezum results in detail for interested site visitors to see and read.

I am not selling any procedure or treatment, just taking time to tell what worked and what I have learned by having had a procedure done.

Best wishes for whatever you are planing to do,

Al - Allen

Ken

I know that I may only have 52 right now of the men that have had the Rezum done on here. ( Over a 2 year period ) If there was a way of getting a hold of all the men that had the Rezum everywhere in the world I would. My data is just for the site and the men on it. So far you can say about 60% did work.

It is like any procedure that we look at on here. We all have different concerns. We have a man that has been keeping track of FLA and there is JimJames with CIC. He has help many men stay away from surgery. You have to do what works for you.

With me I pick the Urolift because I did not want any problem with any sexual function. And to me even 5% chance of Retro is to high.

Discussion like this keep us on our toes. This is how we learn. What you may see I may not see. When looking on the internet you have to watch what date they are . There is a lot of old information on the internet I have found. But that's life.

I am just happy we have this site to talk with one another. Ken

Hey Buddy

No I have not had anything done. I was fine this morning when I went to the bathroom at 9AM no burning no blood. Went at 12:15 and sit down and then I felt the burn and a little pain. Did not think of it until I stood up and found the blood and dripping on the flood.

Got some cranberry juice. Going to try that for now and see what happen when I go again. If it is still there the next time I will get a hold of my doctor. Don't know if I got a infection again. Don't know why all was doing great.

Thank you for the concern. Have a good Holiday.........Ken

Would you believe that I made it to 62 without ever being stung by a bee, hornet, wasp etc. Only mosquitoes and horseflies. Is this going to hurt 😲

Steve

LOL!

Glad you haven't any bee stings...I refer to hornet bee stings because their stings put me in a hospital when I was a kid in Virgina. At 75, I'm still scared of bees.

For me, the "pain/hurt" was** only the initial steam injection, not for the total 9 second steam release**. So it was kind of like the initial sting from any Dr injection or blood taking (big issue for me b/c small veins are deep down, hard for them to find one to stick).

So soon, you will know what a hornet bee stings feels like with out having to go to the hospital.

You will be OK,

Al - Allen

Ken I would think blood in the urine is a very good reason to see your urologist.

Hope things improve quickly for you.

David

Ken, I hope that it's only a UTI. The cranberry juice is a good idea, as you know. When I was cathing, I did some research, and I kept seeing good reviews for D-Mannose. So I bought some online and used it regularly. I never did have a UTI, but I don't know whether it helped or just being careful was the key. Good luck to you, and have a nice Thanksgiving.

Allen

This is so true but we have had men come on here and say good and bad about a procedure. That is how we learn.

Hey. If the Turp procedure was so great. They would not be 10 to 15 more new procedure to try. 70 years ago is one thing but we are are people that want the best treatment we can have with the least amount of healing and side effects .Doctors are trying to improve what we have because we all have different concerns.

What concerns me may not be the same that concerns you. I think that enough said. We should all thank god for being born later and not have to deal with only 1 procedure to have and no choice.

Ken

Thank you David

I will see later I can e-mail him. I have no need right now to go to the bathroom A little discomfort but ok. I hope I don't have anything like last year with the inflamed bladder. The blood was not dark

Ken

Me to

Some discomfort. Going to lay down in a little while back is hurting. Been like that for a few days. Just don't feel right

May feel better later.............Happy Holiday..............Ken

Thanks for your thoughts...

I do not have a dog in this "hunt"... only the advice of my UroDoc... who, IMO, is xlnt, and is one of the few here in AZ that is very competent in the HoLep, a very complex procedure... I mention this because I feel it adds to his credibility... he very much DISLIKES the Rezum procedure... and yes, he can do that procedure.

That opinion, added to the negative reviews here, is enough to steer me away from Rezum. But that is just ME... Others have different opinions... but I would hope we ALL wish each other the most success possible no matter the choice.

I started this site! 2 years ago!!! Because the REZUM didn't WORK??

Nor sure why?? But it was a total LOSS for ME!!!!!!!!

So now i'm trying the next thing... URIOLIFT! Please let it work for me.

I have been suffering for years with BPH.... Not sure why. So after Jan 21, 2019 I'll let all my friends know if this procedure works on me............

Thanks guys have a awesome THANKSGIVING!

Jeeze, Ken, very sorry to hear that... must have been a real bummer for you...

I hope it is something that your Doc can take care of quickly, like NOW... so you don't have to go the whole long weekend... not by beeswax, but I'd call him now... maybe get a script for some antibiotics if he thinks it is a UTI...

have a good Turkey Day, pal... keep your chin up!

Just a quick FYI: D-mannose has some good reviews... I take that sometimes... but take a supplement called Bee Propolis daily... I've never had (knock on wood) a UTI.

I also take colloidal silver when I feel a cold or bug coming on... seems to knock it down pretty fast... a natural antibiotic... stronger than the Bee Propolis I think. I use it judiciously... sort of afraid of turning blue if I guzzled it daily!

Good luck with the Urolift, Leon, that is the procedure I plan to have done, when I get tired of CIC...

Let us all know how it goes, GL to you! happy TG!

@kenneth1955: If it is still there the next time I will get a hold of my doctor.

Sounds like you have a plan in place. I am a firm believer in cranberry or cranberry blend juices. I have been drinking them for over 20 years, sometimes with a little vodka mixed in -- but no alcohol since my BPH-AUR condition got very bad.

I bled quite a bit when the foley was put in and a little bit when I first started to self-cath. I am glad that I was not discouraged by the bleeding because self-cath is the best thing that we can do for bladder rehab. It's not like we can lift weights to rehab the bladder wall muscles.

After my Rezum, I will see if the 9 months of self-cath paid off. Because BPH leads to AUR and AUR leads to bladder wall muscle damage, self-cath is important. I wonder how many men who did not have success with Rezum or other prostate surgery did have badly damaged bladders?

While the obstruction is cleared, the damaged bladder still cannot push the pee out. It takes two to tango -- or at least pee well again.

@leon67555: I started this site! 2 years ago!!!

\\

So you started this forum topic 2 years ago? Are you the same as ChuckP?

PD64-01

THE WATER STUDY CLINICAL RESULTS e A PHASE III BLINDED

RANDOMIZED TRIAL OF AQUABLATION VS. TURP WITH

BLINDED OUTCOME ASSESSMENT FOR MODERATE-TO-SEVERE

LUTS IN MEN WITH BPH

Peter Gilling*, Tauranga, New Zealand; Claus Roehrborn, Dallas, TX

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Convective radiofrequency

water vapor thermal therapy with the Rezum system is a relatively new

treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). We present results

from a single surgeon in an office setting, including efficacy by prostate

volume and patient satisfaction data.

METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on 129 patients

who underwent the Rezum procedure by a single surgeon. All

patients were at least four months out from treatment. International

prostate symptom scores (IPSS), maximum flow rates (Qmax), residual

urine volumes, medication usage, and adverse events were monitored.

A scripted patient questionnaire was administered over the phone to

obtain quality of life and satisfaction data.

RESULTS: Mean IPSS improved from a baseline of 18.3 to 6.9

and Qmax from 10.5 to 16.8 mL/sec at 3-6 months out (figure 1a).

Improvements were independent of starting IPSS, treatment of a median

lobe, and prostate size which measured up to 86 cc (figure 1b).

There was a 17% prostate volume reduction on TRUS and 14% based

on PSA levels. The most common adverse events were urinary tract

infections (17%) and transient urinary retention (14%) (table 1). Ninety

percent of patients stopped all BPH medications. Questionnaires

revealed 86% of patients would recommend the procedure to a friend,

and 77% and 74% were either satisfied or very satisfied with the procedure

and its results, respectively (figure 2).

CONCLUSIONS: Rezum radiofrequency thermal therapy offers

a minimally invasive option for BPH management with moderate

improvement in symptoms and flow rate. The results appear to be independent

of prostate size or presence of a median lobe, and patients

are largely satisfied.

Thanks for the info... Interesting.

I also found a study at clinical trials dot Gov that showed a seemingly large number of "adverse events"... the study was sponsored by NxThera (maker of the Rezum device).

**Serious adverse events: 13.24% **

Other adverse events, NOT including serious adverse events: 48.53%

Total Serious and other adverse events: 61.77%!!!!!!

Serious Adverse Events

Treatment Control

Affected / at Risk (%) # Events Affected / at Risk (%) # Events

Total 18/136 **(13.24%) ** 4/61 (6.56%)

Other Adverse Events

Affected / at Risk (%) # Events Affected / at Risk (%) # Events

Total 66/136 (48.53%) 4/61 (6.56%)

And an "adverse event" doesn't necessarily mean the procedure didn't work... or did... but still worth consideration... agree?

@timothy81571 : THE WATER STUDY CLINICAL RESULTS e A PHASE III BLINDED RANDOMIZED TRIAL OF AQUABLATION VS. TURP

\

This is one study among many others out there. Google Scholar is your friend for finding medical studies. You may only get to read the abstracts as many of these studies are in medical journals that require a paid subscription.

The reason that men are doing Rezum (or Urolift - right Ken), over TURP is because of the well known morbidity and complications of the more invasive TURP. Both Rezum and Urolift are less invasive procedures with less morbidity and complications. They both have their pluses and minuses to choose from.

What I have found from the Rezum articles and in the fewer Urolift articles that I read, is that most of these are "small population" studies. For example, this study involved 129 men. In contrast, the classic Finasteride study initially involved over 3000 men and the classic "Combination of Avodart and Tamsulosin (CombAT)" study involved over 4800 men.

Both Rezum and Urolift are new procedures so what is also missing is what we scientists call a long "period of record (POR)" because we only have a few years of data. As 2 different urologist told me (one about Rezum, the other about Urolift), is that the prostate keeps growing so the procedures may need to be done over again.

But they are both less invasive and with less morbidity and complications then TURP and that is the key here on this forum.

Steve

@Tucsonjj: Thanks for the info... Interesting

\

What were the other adverse events? If they were UTI's, then I would not worry about it. If they were UR, it is probably the bladder and not the prostate.

What were the serious adverse events? Remember that with TURP, serious adverse events (i.e. hemorrhaging) are all to common.

The key here is not just how many adverse events there were but what the adverse events actually were. With any surgery there are going to be adverse events.

I which that we could post the links to the articles in this forum but it does not let us.

Steve

Hey Lean

Well I wish you well with the Urolift. Did your doctor say why it did not work. My Urologist and his partner would not even talk to the rep. They do not like what the steam does to the tissue inside the prostate.

Peace Joy and Love to all of you..................Ken

PS. Just got up from a nap still uncomfortable in the groin went pee no blood. So I do not know what that was. I will talk with my doctor when I see him on the 7th. But will keep a eye on it.. I hate taking a nap because I will be up all night

Tucsonjj

Yes do not know what was going on. No blood now. I do have a few Bactrim left took one now and save one for Thursday. I do not mind you suggesting anything.

We are all on here to help one another. I will be alone and will be doing some resting. Hope they have some good movies on.

Love you all. We have a special group on here..Ken

Hmmmmm... not to sound like I know much, but I would not take the Bactrim unless you can get a prescription renewal... a couple will NOT do the job... and will only add the potential of the bugs becoming resistant... maybe buy some colloidal silver, but better yet, ask the Doc to send in a NEW script to the pharmacy for whatever antibiotic he thinks is best... other than Cipro... which I feel is dangerous.

Hope you feel better very soon, but if you have an infection (maybe take your temp?)... small wonder you feel punky.

Life is a little bumpy sometimes, eh? Hang in there. 😉

Steven

Yes I do have a plan. Not going to rush into anything but will keep a eye out. I'm not one to run to a hospital I will wait. ( 2014 Had sepsis )

I got cranberry & apple juice will drink that till it gone. Tired of water. Not suppose to drink cranberry juice. I'm on a blood thinner. It should be fine

I hope the Rezum procedure does good for you. Your doctor is very concern with her patients which help.

All the best....................Ken

I don't remember... I didn't look that close, as I have no intention of doing a Rezum... might be great for others, but I trust my UroDoc and he doesn't like rezum...

I'll probably do a Urolift, if I do anything... ( CIC doesn't bother me, other than the inconvenience)... IMO a good first procedure option... when I get older (now 62) and IF I don't mind RE... I think the HoLep is the best procedure out there...

Yes, not sure why links are not permitted, it is not like we share porno or anything!

😃

It doesn't have to be cranberry juice. Just the action of drinking a lot of water will help flush your system.

While it's tempting to take an antibiotic, usually one is given a course of antibiotic to insure that any bacterial infection will have been completely killed. Otherwise just taking one pill could cause some bacteria to just develop a resistance to that antibiotic. It's not clear whether you have a bacterial issue.

Definitely, let your doctor know right away that you're taking Bactrim

I do recall in the past that JimJames would get special urine testing strips from the drugstore in order to test the urine for things that could indicate white blood cells, blood, and other compounds that could be a clue as to what is going on.

Steven & Tim

I don't have the strength to comment to much on this procedure but I will try:

It is just another way of doing a Turp. The patient is asleep when they do the mapping and you can not very from that. The whole prostate goes. It will cause retro or you may end up with a very little ejaculation.

Dr. Gilling told me in a e-mail that all procedure have risk and retro ejaculation should not be your concern. Peeing better is.

But if you want no risk have a Urolift

Have a good day. Have to get my son from work...ken

All men in pain

I forgot to add to the last post: That Dr. Gilling did not like me questioning him about the procedure because I did not care for it

Ken

Thank David

A few of the others have told me about that. Will not take the other pill. Just every thing going on at one time. That blood thru me I thought we found out what the problem was

Don't know if I should get some cold meds. My eyes are burning I just want all of it to stop. I hope I can sleep tonight but knowing me I will be up and down all night

I'm done sorry

Ken,

When straining to defecate along with urinating pressure can be put on the urethra and cause bleeding. It happened to me while on a fishing trip outside San Francisco in very rough water, while using the head inside the boat. I had a little bleeding, the doctor said pressure was put on the urethra and caused the bleeding. It was healed up later in the day.

Thomas

Ken,

Sounds like you might have to get checked for UTI. You haven't felt right for a couple days, and your back is hurting. The back could be your kidneys getting involved, and you don't want that. Also check for elevated temperature.

Thomas

I found that Alka Seltzer Plus was a pretty good OTC remedy... drop a couple of good old benedryls too... help you sleep.

I hate feeling crappy!

Thomas

Thank you for your kind words

I was thinking about when that happen this after noon. I wonder if it is a kidney stone.When I looked in the bowl the blood was a line from the water to the top. It was open in the middle some what. With my back hurting on both sides. I was wondering.

Will tell my doctor because if it is a stone the UTI will come. Right now going to lay down. Have a 103 fever. I just want to go to sleep maybe when I wake up it will be right as rain. Ho Ho Ho...Sorry wrong holiday

God bless you guys on here...Ken

Thomas that is true I will talk to him on Friday. Don't want to bother him on a holiday I want him to spend it with his wife and kids There 8 and 4

God bless all you you..Ken

Me to

I do have some. I may take it before I lay down...Ken

Ken,

I really do hope that you are OK.

103 is a high fever. High fevers usually mean an infection. Your back hurting on both sides suggests your kidneys. The blood in your pee certainly suggests a UT problem. You could have a UTI that has migrated upstream into your kidneys. It happens. If the pain and fever get worse, get to a doctor ASAP. With the Thanksgiving holiday, that might mean the ER.

I passed my kidney stone in the late afternoon of December 31, 2017. Everything but the ER was closed on New Years Eve.

Please take care of yourself,

Steve

Steven

Thank you

I will let you know. Took some stuff I will let you know how I am later.

Have a good night................Ken

Ken,

It seems pretty certain you have a UTI, with temperature of 103, pain in your back, and blood in urine. When you have those symptoms you probably cannot heal it yourself with home remedies. Don't delay getting help, Like Steven said you may have to go to an Urgent care or emergency room.

Take care,

Thomas

Ken it sounds like you need urgent care right away

Thomas & David

Thank you for your thought. I got about 4 hours sleep still feel like crap. Having trouble breathing, back is killing me. At least my fever is down to 101 and no blood in the urine.

It's something when everything comes up at one time. I will be rest most of the day. I will be alone I will keep my phone next to me.

Made some hot chocolate maybe it will help my throat. Thank you all for your concerns. I hope all of you have a great day with your family....................Ken

Very interesting! I had not heard of either Bee Propolis or colloidal silver. Thanks for sharing.

Good morning

I think I got about 4 hours of sleep had to get up at 7:30 am to pee no blood. Went 2 more time all ready. Fever is down to 101 which is good. I just feel like crap

Back is still a problem, groin is still uncomfortable. After I take my son to work I will be in bed for the rest of the day. I just want to sleep then I will not have to worry about feeling like crap.

I will send a e-mail to my doctor if I see any blood. But with seeing the blood only once a UTI is on the way.

I am not going to take the Backtrim. I did take the one but no more. Hove fun watching the game. Was never much into football. I know if my sons were home that would be on.

Maybe I will just put a movie on and just listen to it. All the best to you and all the guys on this site.................................................Ken

I hope you can get more sleep. That helps fight off infection. Drink a lot of fluids.

Thank you David

I am still drinking the cranberry juice. At least my fever is down.

I have been trying to get some sleep but you know being it a holiday I am getting calls from everyone

I may just text them and get it over with.

Have a good day my friend......Ken

You too Ken. Keep us apprised as how things are going for you today.

David

@kenneth1955: Made some hot chocolate maybe it will help my throat.

\

Hi Ken,

A high fever and a sore throat could also be the Flu. Did you get your Flu shot this year? After the last time that I got the Flu, I now always get my Flu shots.

Sleeping and drinking lots of fluids could be why your temperature has gone down. Good thing that you do not need to self-cath like some of us 🙄

When I passed the kidney stone on the afternoon of New Years Eve, I actually did not see a doctor until January 3. Once I had finished puking 3 times, I felt a lot better and I talked to the family-member-MD who said that I could wait a few days.

When I talk to the family-member-MD tonight, I can ask him about you. He recently helped me to help a friend about her medical problem.

If you are not feeling better enough before you go to bed tonight (I know that you are a night owl like me), make plans to see a doctor on Friday when it probably won't be an ER visit.

Take care,

Steve

Thanks Steve

No I do not get the flu shot never had. but I do get the pneumonia shot but still ended up getting it.

I have all ready sent a email to my doctor he will get it in the morning. I know he is going to want me to bring in a sample.

I just want to know why all of a sudden I am getting kidney stones. I don't eat the way I use to. Making a little dinner. Have to eat something. Then going to take more AS and lay down

At least there is no more blood,.....Enjoy your day.Ken

Ken I hope you get the flu shot.

Drink a lot of water.

Try to get sleep.

Definitely see your doctor.

Hey Tuscon, I am having the Foley taken out Tuesday - it's been 59 days with it - my 3rd one; I'm taking 3 different kinds of cic's w/me, a straight hydrophyllic 14, a straight hydrophyllic 10, and a non-lubricated coude 10. It is my hope not to leave the place with another Foley, but to leave without one, and to have successfully, there, at least twice, managed to do the cic gig on myself, in order so that when , that day or the day after or a week later, when I'm 20 minutes from the ER, and I find I'm not peeing, panic won't ensue, but instead, can just cic, to resolve the problem. Scared? Hell yeah.The Foley's a crutch; works every time; but it apparently is not a long term solution.

Coude hyrdrophyllic 14 is the most common. most successful self cathing size.

I agree. I used the Coloplast Speedicath FR16's, which are prelubricated coude catheters, but I'm sure that the FR14's would be easier for a first timer.

Wow, 59 days is a long time... don't be surprised if you have some issues like erectile dysfunction and some minor damage to the tip of your Johnson that will cause you some discomfort for awhile... also, your bladder probably has shrunk... my bro had a Foley for 9 months (was changed every month but still)... and HE had those issues... so you may need to cath more often... and remember, you need LOTS of caths to take home with you, not just a couple! You might be doing CIC 4X/day like I do... maybe more at first.

I found CIC much easier doing it standing over the toilet, not sitting.

I tried many different brands and sizes... I prefer the LoFric Primo, I currently use a Fr 12, but could use a Fr10 or a Fr14... you will find the right size for YOU after some tries... the hardest to get in was the Coloplast Speedicaths, especially, for me, the Fr16 size.

Don't use a non-lubed cath... they must be lubed with KY or similar if non-lubed... I don't see why anyone would bother... except I found the old red rubber Fr10's really easy to insert and they were not pre-lubed...

GL to you, hope it goes well!

I think it the best (most successful) size varies widely between individuals, and coude tips are usually only given to people with some obstruction, like a stricture... or need help from having previous difficulty with a straight tip. Coudes are much more expensive too.

I happen to prefer Fr12's, straight tip, but everyone is different... I think the best for each INDIVIDUAL is the biggest size that will insert comfortably. I personally agree that hydrophilic is the best, but others prefer the non-lubed (self-lube?) caths.

I personally think the Coloplast Speedicath is the most difficult to insert... but maybe that is just me.

I personally think the Coloplast Speedicath is the most difficult to insert... but maybe that is just me. They come in coude tip AND straight tip.

Speedicath Fr16's gave me tons of trouble, even the Fr12's were difficult. Both LoFric Primo and Cure hydrophilic's were much easier...

Everyone is different, I guess...

The 'everyone is different' sure seems to apply here. I tried some other types and found them to be more difficult. So, for anyone reading these posts and wondering what to do, don't give up on self-cathing. Try different brands and types and hopefully you'll find one that works for you.

On a day when I was panicking (I was able to pee for 24 hours and then suddenly wasn't able to again), after about 3 hours of not being able to pee, as a last resort I'd attempted to self cath (for the first time) with a straight coloplast 14; i ran into an obstacle, couldn't get past it, was in panic mode re AUR, gave up on the catheter, and fled to the ER for insertion of another Foley; since that day (29 days ago today) I've ordered coude 10s, and straight 10s in preparation for the big day tomorrow. I already have a bunch of those coloplast 14s. The plan is to start small, as was prior advised to me on this forum by generous informative souls. So I'll try the coude 10 first, while at the hospital, after drinking some water for about 30 minutes. The urge to pee will be there by then but it won't be acute where I'm all nervous and panicky. I'll just take it real slow. If it works, it will be grand. I've enjoyed the Foley (I call it "The Toy" since I use a valved 3" squirt gun that goes into opening of my johnson whenever I feel the urge to pee) but The Toy & I really need to part ways. It just doesn't seem like a reasonable long term solution. 9 months, as someone mentioned about their brother, yes, that's a long time for sure. Having gone 59 days with The Toy, yes, I suppose I could go 9 months. It doesn't keep me from doing anything I used to do, but there's that need to be mindful that there's a 3" appendage attached to your Johnson that if for some reason it gets yanked on badly, there's going to be trouble. There was serious pain, after it was first installed, whenever I walked. But after a week I was lucky to discover those pains went away and I was able to hike, do treadmill, play racketball , paint the house, et. If I find tomorrow that I am able to self-cath, it seems like that procedure, to urinate, will overall, be less convenient than use of The Toy, but hygienically, its apparently a lot safer. Thanks to all for your continuing insights.

Yes... LoFric Primo work best for me... 2nd place is the Cure hydrophilic. I can use both Fr12's and Fr14's.

was the foley put in following a rezum procedure?

steven,

wishing you all the best.

CJ

One last thought... if you are prone to anxiety, as I sometimes am... you might ask your Doc to give you a prescription for alprazolam (Xanax) or Lorazapam (Ativan)... would really help you relax before your attempt at cathing.

And remember... my WORST problems were with Coloplast Speedicaths... maybe not everyone has the same experience, but why take any chances? Opt for some other brand if possible...

GL, you will do fine IF you relax! 😃

No, it wasn't. This whole not being able to pee thing happened with little warning. I was peeing only once a night. Wasn't always looking for a bathroom. I could go for hours without peeing. Urologist said I had a large prostate, but all else about it was ok. Then I went on a 5 day boat trip and got constipated. 2 days after the boat trip, still constipated, I suddenly couldn't pee at all. I had AUR. Had to go to ER; they put in a Foley. A week later they took the Foley out and I went home. I was back to the ER by evening - another AUR attack. 3 weeks later I went back to have that Foley taken out, and had been on Tamsulosin by this time for 4 weeks. I stayed in the hospital waiting room, and drank water; I wasn't leaving unless I was sure I could pee. Turns out, I could pee again. Not great, but I was peeing enough to void. So, the doc was happy, I was happy, and I left. The following day, at around 1 pm, after 3 cups of coffee and juice, I suddenly could not pee again, at all. Another frantic drive to the ER. They put another Foley in. That was 29 days ago. I stopped taking the Tamsulosin; I'd given it a month - no results.Enought of that. I'm having this Foley taken out tomorrow, and will have with me some catheters. The plan is to have self cathing figured out, regardless of whether I'm able to pee or not, before I leave the hospital, so that no more AUR events will occur again. I figure the bladder can only take so many of those before you've done some serious damage to it! And if in several weeks or a month or two, am still not peeing again satisfactorily, will be seriously considering either Urolift or Resum.In the meantime, I have drastically reduced sugar and sodium in my diet, over the past 2 months. From a lot - way too much on a daily basis for the past few decades - to now, hardly any. And the constipation ended weeks ago. I was told the lower colon is millimeters from the prostate. When you're constipated, the colon presses on prostate, prostate presses on urethra, and voila, AUR. On the other hand, I'm trying to be mentally ready for the possibility that my prostate has simply become too big for my urethra, regardless of what I eat, and that ultimately some procedure like Urolift or Resum will be the only way to get things going again. But in the meantime, if i'm at least able to part ways with the Foley tomorrow, and start self cathing, then at least I can "practice" every time I have the urge to pee. With a Foley in, you can never practice.GLTA

Well if constipation is an issue that could lead to retention, then a diet rich in fiber and an exercise regimen should help.

I think like many guys on here you'll be able to learn to self-cath, and that should help to rehab the bladder. JimJames has a thread on this website about doing just that.

David,

Some types of fiber like the soluble fiber, psyllium, found in metamucil and some breakfast cereals, seem to pack in the lower colon waiting to go out. This puts pressure on the prostate. Non soluble fiber like wheat bran, don't seem to do that so cause less problem. This is all my own opinion and is not backed by any medical research or literature, so take it for what its worth. Experiment to see what works for you.

Thomas

They took the Foley out today, and a half hour later of drinking water in the lobby of the hospital, was able to meet with the nurse, and with his coaching, self-cath on my own, using a Frolic Primo straight 10. Honestly it was a moment of magic feeling that thing lubed up plastic tube go in with no pain, and without it running head on into immoveable roadblocks, a/k/a my own flesh! I just had to keep applying pressure, and it kept going in deeper and deeper, until it hit pay dirt, and the stuff started flowing. I found it hard to believe at first, but there it was. Since then, which was around 1230 today, have managed to pee 3 times, using the original equipment, but it was work. If things go like they did 30 days ago, when the Foley was taken out, and I'd left the hospital thinking (wrongly) that all was fine and dandy, then around noon tomorrow, the peeing will get less and less, until I won't be able to pee naturally, at all. I'm hoping that doesn't happen, but if it does, then will just need to go through the self-cath routine, and hope all goes well again. It is just a good feeling today, to no longer have the Foley in, after 60 days of it, and to have pee'd 3 times with the thing the creator intended for it. I took a simple thing like peeing for granted. It never occurred to me it could just stop, completely, one day. GLTA

edit: Lofrick Primo (not Frolick - ha)

Glad that's working out.

GREAT to hear you were successful in self-cathing... !!!

That must really lower your overall anxiety about being unable to pee... now that you have done it a few times... you should be confident... and good to go... when needed...

I think the LoFric's are the best out there... JMHO...

Saludos!

Thanks, though it doesn't feel like I'm out of the woods yet. I've only done it one time, and that was with a male nurse coaching me, while I was at the hospital. Sort of like practicing the moon landing, at cape canaveral. In about 2 to 3 hours from now, is when the johnson quit peeing a month ago, about 24 hours after the Foley removal. All's well so far, but that's just how it was a month ago around this time (10 am). So all the supplies are set up; I screwed a 4 inch 12 gauge insulated wire into the wooden window frame, with a loop at its end, to hang the intermittent catheter into it, with the outer end of the catheter resting on top of the loop. That way the catheter can hang free and not touch anything. So the plan is I reach for the outer end plastic piece with my left hand, and raise it out of the loop, and with my just washed right hand, will grasp the catheter about 3 inches from its insertion end, and guide it in from there. Will start with the pre-lubed primo straight 10, and if that doesn't work, i've got some unlubed coude 10s on hand. Another AUR has to be avoided.

Ok - have now successfully self cath'd on my ownsome; all by my wee little self. Primo #10 straight. Decided I better just do it now, rather than wait to the moment (probably in an hour or two) where I'd have simply no choice but to self cath, or in the alternative, drive 85 mph to the ER again. It wasn't completely painless, perhaps a tad more irritating than a scratch, and a little bit less painful than a mosquito bite. It wasn't pretty, either; I hope I didn't UTI myself in the process, and at first the urine was just spraying all over the place, out of the catheter's end spout, and even out my peehole, too, till I slid the catheter in another inch; and then it flowed, and flowed good, telling me, I'm not near peeing naturally the amount that's accumulating in the bladder. I suppose after about 5 hours, if you're peeing out 30% of what's going into the bladder, then eventually the bladder fills, until you just stop drinking fluids. Am hoping by having done this self-cathing procedure just now that I've just avoided what would have been the 4th trip in the last 61 days to the ER for AUR (acute urinary retention). The catheter went in without stopping, but it felt like all the time I had to keep up pressure on it, as if the space it was going through was not readily giving up territory. (But then, why should it?) Maybe I should go much slower during the insertion process. At least now with the Foley out, I can still practice peeing and supplement that with self cathing, though I believe it will take many, many more times doing it till I'm feeling safe from the dreaded AUR. Thanks for listening. I don't mean to belabor this discussion forum with this topic nor my own battles with AUR and self-cathing. Hopefully, I won't have much to offer henceforth until such time of getting involved in having a procedure done to open up the prostate some. In the meantime, I'll gratefully keep following here others thoughts and travails on these matters.

Going slowly worked best for me. Then I could feel the different anatomical features along the path to the bladder. When I got to the sphincters, it usually went right in. But sometimes it just didn't feel like it wanted to go in. In those situations, rotating it back and forth while applying light pressure seem to 'talk' the sphincter into letting the catheter enter.

Also, you should never touch any portion of the catheter that will be inside of your urinary tract. Even with washed hands, the chances for a UTI increase by touching that part of the catheter. You should be able to get the catheter to enter the penis by holding it by the external part and letting it enter by itself. This requires holding the penis up so that the catheter enters vertically. The catheter expert on here named JimJames refers to this as the 'dive bomb' method.

It sounds like you're on your way. You'll improve your technique as you go.

The Lofric Primo comes with a sleeve as part of its packaging. If you tear off the sleeve as you extract the cath from the package, you can use it to guide the tip without having to touch the catheter directly.

The Lofric Origo also comes with a sleeve, but it's a separate piece of plastic that is mounted on the catheter inside the package. I think that makes it a little easier to use, but it's not really much difference. I think the catheters themselves are identical.

Glad you are having some success... you soon will do it easily like 2nd nature...

FYI... I always feel a good amount of resistance, not at the prostate, but at the sphincter... or bladder neck... only an inch or so from "paydirt"... sometimes a lot of resistance... sometimes only a little... but ALWAYS have resistance.

I put mild pressure against the resistance, do NOT force it or you might bleed... I then wait until I feel the urge to pee... and like another guy here suggested, I twist the cath a little, counter-clockwise, maintaining the mild pressure... it eventually "screws in".

I have been getting some leakage around the cath pretty often, no biggie, since I cath directly over the toilet, but probably because a Fr12 is a little small for me... but since it goes in easier... I'll probably stick with that size... I do have some Cure hydrophilic caths Fr14, they work fine too, with only a little more resistance... I have much more leakage if my bladder is very full when I go to cath.

I kept a little "holder" from another cath sample... I wash it off after each use with anti-bacterial soap... keeps my fingers off the cath... I did read that you don't need to go nuts over "sterilizing" everything... washing your hands and being careful not to let the cath hit a unclean surface is sufficient... if you are uptight about germs, try a Cure hydro cath, they come with a little sleeve... I still think LoFric is the most comfortable, but not by a huge amount...

I just screwed in a little hook into the wall by the toilet... I hang the Primo caths on it after opening them up... the LoFric Ogio is a hassle, because there is nothing to hang from... the Cure has a sticky thingy on the back you can attach to your wall...

You will get comfortable with it all soon!

Hi JJ -

It's not real obvious, but the LoFric Origo has a sticky tab on the back too. You just peel the label up from the lower left corner. I always wipe down the outside of the package with alcohol before opening it too, to prevent contamination in case the cath bumps the package on the way out.

George

Hi, George,

Ah... I remember now, yes it does... thanks... I still didn't like the packaging... it seemed to be cumbersome to get the cath out... unlike the Primo. Yes, it often bumped the package on its way out. Only tried a few samples...

I wonder why they don't put a little anti-microbial in the lube water... just for added protection against contamination... I guess some schools of thought hold that we all use too much anti-germ stuff... and might make the bugs "resistant"... maybe so.

Went ahead and self cathed a 2nd time, around 2 pm, and it went much better; I got some out first by natural peeing, and then got the rest out with the Primo straight 10. I put it in much more slowly, trying to get a sense of what it was encountering on the way in. For the 3rd time (tonite, tomorrow?), I am definitely going to try using that little detachable sleeve near the spout on the Primo to hold onto the catheter with. And like you mentioned, too, I got some leakage. I suppose that's because it's only a 10, leaving some room for daylight at the opening to the bladder. Some Fr 12s will be arriving soon and so I will give them a shot. All in all, though I'm not entirely at ease with the whole process of self cathing yet, I can say that 33 hours post removal of the Foley, they've surely been the Answer to keeping my A out of the ER, and to hopefully end any more days and weeks of living with a piece of plastic residing 24/7 up my loins.

Sounds like you are well on your way to being very comfortable with CIC. I use LoFric Primos all the time, I am not aware of any detachable sleeve... ??? Maybe you meant some other type/brand of cath? I kept two detachable sleeves from some other brand sample caths I got... but sorry, I can't remember the brand name... Bard maybe... you can call up the nice people at 180Medical and ask for samples, tell them you want some with detachable sleeves... though... I really wouldn't worry too much about sleeves... unlike others, I think washing your hands well with anti-bacterial soap, then wiping your fingers off (and the tip of your Johnson) with rubbing alcohol is plenty good to prevent any UTIs... but to each their own... you can even cut a drinking straw into sections and use it as a "holder", once cleaned with alcohol...

Yes, I think the leakage is caused by either of both of two things... waiting too long to cath, and having lots of pressure waiting to blast out... or using a cath that is too small. As mentioned, I do not worry about minor leakage, I want comfort and ease of insertion... I might make my next order Fr10's instead of current Fr12's... I still have some Fr14's I use occasionally... you will figure out what is best for YOU... and your loins. 😃

Hi JJ -

The package of the Lofric Primo has two separate tear locations. The top one detaches the water packet from the package. The second one allows you to rip off the top of the package to serve as an insertion sleeve. If you grab the catheter's funnel end through the package and pull, the sleeve section comes off and you can use it to help with insertion.

Search for the video for "LoFric Primo instructions" and you can find a 28 second video on YouTube called "LoFric Primo - a brief introduction to a catheter that includes sterile water" that shows how it works.

George

I believe some people use an iodine swab at the tip of the p..nis to prevent a UTI. Also, wearing some kind of surgical glove in addition to washing your hands may also be preventive.

Good luck to those who are having their procedures today, I believe it might be Steve and someone else, Changejobs?

Thanks, George! Never knew that, I'll give it a try next cath, appreciate it! The problem with the Cure brand hydro-cath with sleeves I tried is that the sleeve is so long, it rubs against the head of my Johnson when I insert... if not really careful... ouch!

Hope the Primo sleeve doesn't do that!

I might be doing something wrong. My Lofrick Primos have that sleeve, but getting it fully detached from the upper and lower plastic parts I'm finding, is not easy. I've had to use a scissors, to get it separated, and obviously have to be careful not to touch or cut the catheter with them. Then, even when I did get the sleeve free, using it to grip the catheter was a whole other problem. The hydrophillic catheter, I found, was too slippery for the sleeve to do much good. I couldn't get a decent enough grip on the catheter, with the sleeve, to get the catheter past the sphincter. So far, having done this only 4 times now, am finding I do seem to need my thumb and finger holding the catheter just above the urethra opening, in order to keep feeding the catheter inwards. Holding only the spout does not seem to do it for me, as far as getting enough leverage, even dive-bombing it, in order to keep the catheter moving inwards/forwards. Any ideas / suggestions are welcome!

I decided to stick with my plastic sleeve from a bard cath... the Primo thing would be better if you didn't have to tear it off, it is not perforated in any way, so becomes a bit of a hassle, for me anyway... I clean my re-usuable sleeve before and after every cath...

I think some are a little too concerned about getting a UTI... iodine? Gloves? Jeeze, seems a lot... but whatever makes guys comfortable... I use anti-bacterial hand soap, and rubbing alcohol on my fingertips and the tip of my Johnson... even the alcohol is a bit much... but I figure why not...

I think that is plenty of prevention.

Hi Nisvan -

I found that if I grip the funnel end of the catheter through the sleeve and then pull the package separates fairly easily. Squeezing the packaging against the funnel helps provide a tighter grip on the sleeve material.

I tried using scissors before figuring out that trick. I would wipe them down with alcohol before using them to try not to introduce any contamination.

I mainly use the sleeve to guide the initial insertion. Then I push with the other hand from the funnel end, while holding the sleeve with thumb and finger just above the urethra opening like you do. But I'm using size 14FR, so they're probably stiffer and easier to handle than the 10s you're using.

There's a textured unlubricated section of the catheter that runs for about an inch or inch and a half below the funnel that can be used to get a slightly lower grip. You don't need to keep that part sterile since it doesn't enter the urethra.

George

I agree... that "sleeve" is a pain... way to hard to use... I break the water pouch, then hang the whole thing on my wall... where it is easy to take out the lubed cath... trying to get the sleeve separated is not worth the hassle and mess...

Try to get a few drinking straws from McDonalds or where ever... I think a 1-2" piece would work well...

Also, what I used to do with no sleeve... is to hold the cath a little higher, and crimp it a little... then proceed to guide it in... crimping it does not block the flow or collapse the tube... bending it during insertion (letting it unbend, of course when you get to flow)... may make it so you don't need a sleeve at all... if your hands are very clean, grabbing the tube is not that big of a deal... I would not sweat the germs... if you worry, use a little rubbing alcohol on your finger tips prior to cathing...

Hi David -

At one point jimjames was recommending using a product called Microcyn. It comes in a spray bottle and can be used to spray the tip of the p..nis before cathing. I don't know if he still recommends it, but I've been using it. It's a lot less messy than iodine.

He suggested getting the veterinary formulation called MicrocynAH. I got an 8 ounce spray bottle on Amazon for about $20 and it's lasted me for months.

George

Hi, George,

Is that stuff really any better than good old rubbing alcohol... especially 91%?

I use a mix, because 91% stings a bit on the old John Hancock...

I think I read a comment here, wish I could remember specifics... but I think it was from a Urology Doctor... said guys were too concerned about keeping everything surgically sterile... said just some reasonable precautions, mostly washing your hands prior to cathing... is sufficient... I go an extra step with the rubbing alcohol... because it takes a few seconds and I never had a UTI... never much wanted one either!

Just an FYI... I agree... better safe than sorry!

Hi JJ -

I don't know if Microcyn is better than alcohol. It was something jimjames recommended, and he has done a lot of research on this stuff.

George

Hi,

I am sure it is a great anti-microbial... just doubting if it is really necessary to use such an expensive product for a pretty mundane use.

I'm also sure it wouldn't hurt anything, so those that feel the need... head on!

But not me.

Got adventurous today and wondered how these unlubed coude 10's I have might work. I have been using the Lofrick Primo straight 10s, with no problem. I lubed up the coude 10, and it went in about 3 inches and just stopped. It felt like nothing was going to get it past whatever it ran into. So then I tried a coloplast pre-lubed Fr 14, as I have about 90 of them. This was the type catheter I'd tried in a panic a month ago, when I was having AUR, and I failed in that first attempt ever at this (it refused to go in more than halfway); I ended up driving to the ER at 85 mph. This time though, it worked. And there was no leakage. Now this'll sound really strange, but I'm almost starting to enjoy the self cath procedure. Really emptying the bladder out with a catheter is a good feeling. Just knowing one can do this, is knowing how to save your life. 2 months ago had the idea of self cathing been told to me and that I'd be doing it, I'm sure I would have said, No Freakin Way, Get Out, Not Happening, Not a chance! Now, I think every guy who has symptoms of BPH ought to learn how to self cath, and always have a few catheters nearby, whether in the house, or car or boat, because it could one day save his life.

Glad you are getting in the groove... you are lucky, I have lots of problems with the Coloplast Speedicath, was that the one you used? VERY comfy going in, but couldn't get past resistance...

Yes, it feels great to drain the bladder completely... in MY case, I was probably constantly carrying around 700ml+ even after peeing... until the whole thing just stopped. So being empty after cathing is a real pleasure... and, I am sure, VERY healthy compared to ALWAYS lugging around a lot of stale urine!

Yes, Tuscon, the coloplast speedicath 14 straight, is definitely comfy going in, and when it gets to the prostate it grudgingly slips through it w/o stopping, and then when it gets I guess to the sphincter just below the bladder?, it stops. The catheter actually feels at that point like my innards are trying to push it back out. I held it there, waited, pivoted the johnson to 45 to 60 degrees upward, coughed a few times, tried to think of anything but what I was doing, pushed a bit, and surprisingly it just goes through. Like you've got to knock on the door first and give the secret password. The stream then comes definite and true, with no splatter or leaks. Was able to use the speedicath twice now. 2nd time, from walking into the bathroom to buckling the trousers back up, was under 2 minutes.

It is TUCSON, bro... not Tuscon. 😃

I think you will find, as I did, that the Speedicath is one of the worst, for resistance... the LoFric and Cure hydro's are far better, IMO.

Also, I never tilt the Johnson UP, other than for the first insertion... I cath standing up, over the toilet and keep the Johnson pointed 45* or more DOWN. Seems to make it all much easier... but if UP works for you... cool!

Yes, I always have to wait a bit against the final resistance... until I feel an urge to pee, then it goes in... seems to be the easiest when I get up around 2-3am... I am already very relaxed...

Oops - sorry man, apologies; yes, truth be told, i've been trying all directions - anything that'll let her on through! I am definitely hanging on to my primos - a line of last resistance, because when all else fails, they'll be there to save the day and get the job done.

No sweat...

Hey, you might try a Fr14 Primo, eh? The Fr14's for me are less likely to leak, but the Fr12's and especially the Fr10's are easier going in...

I might alternate monthly orders... never had a fail with the Cure Fr14's... never tried a LoFric Fr14...

Yes the Fri 14 Primo could be just the thing. I do like having those 10s though. They're my insurance policy against a 14.... not working! Anything can happen with this stuff. I'm still surprised, every time I do it, that it actually works. To see that liquid come up into the tube after I've virtually manhandled the thing up the Wrong Way Buddy direction, has yet to cease being a Holy cow It's Working! moment.

I keep a few 10's around too... very good idea... just in case!

You are becoming a seasoned vet at CIC, Bro!

😉

CIC has saved my life - having been to the ER 3 times in the past 70 days for AUR. - It was yours, and others', steady encouragement and guidance in this forum - that gave me enough confidence to overcome the mental obstacles of using this less than 5 minute procedure to prevent what otherwise quickly becomes calamity, havoc, crisis.

Glad to help... as others have helped me... most guys here are really great... some, like Steven, can be real jerks.

I too am very relieved to be able to cath and be empty several times daily... MUCH healthier!!

I now can take the time to decide if, when and what procedure I want to have done to try to correct my inability to pee on my own... I m leaning towards Urolift... and later in life, the HoLep... but in no hurry as they ALL seem to have possible side effects and some time to heal...

I'm glad you're getting the help you needed. Someday I might need to self cath and it's great to know this out there and available.

You bet, hope they help!!

JJ