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

Hopefully I'll never have to wear a Foley again.The RN didn't give  me any written instructions on removing it, I think she just assumed I knew how. You can learn self cath in about two minutes, but I didn't want to take any chances removing the Foley.

Thank you for the advise, I have to remove mine tomorrow morning and don't want to go back to my doctor. I had the resume 2 days ago, I am doing ok for now.

I feel like Rezum would be a good choice and it might help the intrusion into the bladder.  I think my doctor said I had some of my prostate going into my bladder.  I guess thats why they boiled the p*ss out of it.

Tony.  Get it done as soon as you can before it get biger.  If it blocks the bladder.  If that happens the only thing that would help then would be a TURP and you don't what that.  Good luck  Ken 

You sound like a perfect candidate. And the side effects of most of the durgs suck, even if they work. There's a good chance that 3 months from now, your problems will be a thing of the past. One suggestion - ask your doc if you can self cath rather than live with the foley. Less pain and you can live pretty normally right after that way. Get a script and order those speedicaths everyone talks about.

 

Thanks for the info. Tomorrow is the day and I am anxious. But I realize I can't have a life the way it is now. Dr said after the procedure he will put a Cath in and I can take it out the following Wed. I see him the next day(Thursday). So I have no idea about how long I will need one and how often to change them... Do I need a prescription to get them? I'm hoping he will explain all tomorrow. How are you feeling now? This better work!!!

What I'm suggesting is that he give you a cath or two to take home. Remove the Foley the next morning assuming there isn't a lot of blood in your urine. He can show you how to self cath - its much better than living with that thing attached to you for 5 days, pulling on your you know what and making almost every position somwhere between uncomfortable and miserable. You need a script to order one and you won't have time to get the speedicath. But a couve 14 will be much better than that foley...believe me! And many people can pee on their own 1-3 days after the procedure.

I'm OK - not a poster child, but I think I am about as bad as it gets from this procedure. I pee better than I did, not as well as I would like, but my doc had me on merbtryq and I think that is still in my system and making things more difficult. But I'm VERY glad I opeted to self cath rather than live with the Foley. They SUCK!

Pat....I would leave it in for a few days or until there is no more blood.  Your prostate has to heal but I think it will be fine.  Also I got this information -  I don't know if your worried about retro but I got this e-mail from the makers of the Rezum. They said.............  We have not had any instances of retrograde ejaculation in our clinical studys        One of the safety benefits of using steam is that it remains in the natural barries of the prostate.  Rather than removing tissue that can cause lose of sexual function.  Take care and good luck  Ken 

Thanks Kenneth. I'm not sure what a retro ejaculation is. But I'm assuming it refers to the vessel that carries the sperm thru the prostate. I understand Rezum should hurt its function. I sure hope not. I'll report on my procedure when I can.

Retro ejaculation is when the perm is pushed to the bladder instead of where its supposed to go. Most treatments for BPH have that as a side effect. Ruzum doesn't - your ejaculations should be fine. Ask your doc about self cathing - if he's OK with it give it some thought. For many, 5 days on a Foley would be pure torture,

 

Thanks OB. I trust my Dr to point me in the right direction after the procedure. I'll write down what you suggested and see what I can do. After the scope up my urethra. I had a terrible time with painful peeing. I have rheumatoid and pain is my middle name. Thanks for taking the time to respond. The info was very appreciated. .... Also prayers are always welcome. ( Tomorrow at 2:40 CST)

Yes you should be fine. Alot of the other procedures cause retro because they core out the prostate and distroy the bladder neck.  This procedure does not o that.  Don't think about it jut relax and all will be fine.. I will be thinking of you at that time and say a little prayer for you.  Ken

Too many patients fear self catherization. Unfortunately they do require a RX and the better models are expensive. The self caths probably help the bladder to gradually regain the ability to void again, as opposed to the Foley, although I can't prove it. The Foley bag you wear in the day (if you're ambulatory) has to be changed fairly often, especially at night time to accomodate a larger bag. Urine spillages invariably occur, but not as often as with the self cath. Foley's also require periodic cleaning, most self caths are one time use.

Like myself, you are fortunate to have found an MD qualified to perform the Rezum. Too many US urologists are products of their medical school training-where it is taught that TURP is the "gold standard"  and any of the minimally invasive procedures will soon have to be repeated. Hopefully this dogma will soon be proven wrong, but it may take 2-3 years. In my opinion the risks of having the Rezum repeated, outweigh the risks of complications from TURP and the other more invasive therapies. Thankfully a private company in Minnesota was willing to take a chance by developing the Rezum, and obtaining FDA approval. Also that a small number of hospitals and urology group practices are willing to give it a try.

Hi Old Buzzard,

Why do you think that the Myrbetriq is causing you problems? I am considering going on it in a month or two, and am trying to find out about side effects.

Thanks,

Neal

Hi Patrick,

If you have to wear a catheter for a week, and aren't allowed to self cath, you should know that unlike a woman's vagina, your urethra (the tube in your penis that the catheter is in) has no natural lubricating fluid. As a result, the end of the catheter coming out of your penis will rub on it, cause it to bleed, and the blood will form scabs which will cause more abrasion, and even more bleeding and pain. The solution is simple. Several times a day clean that area with a cotton swab (Q Tip) soaked in a solution of 50% peroxide solution and 50% water, then apply petroleum jelly (Vasoline) to the area with a cotton swab. That will keep the catheter lubricated and prevent the bleeding and most of the pain.

Good luck,

Neal

Because its making it hard for me to empty completely. I don't actually have overactive bladder, but my doc thought it could help me temporarily because I was having trouble peeing the first weeks after Rezum. It may well have jump started things initially, but now I think its literally holding me back.

I had no real side effects from it, with the possible exception of about 5 pounds of weight gain I can't attribute to anything else.

Good advice - also as good an argument for self cathing as you could ever want. Once you get the hang of it, you can be discreet in any stall and live a normal life with little or no pain. Not true with a foley - I couldn't find any position that was comfortable.

That's very interesting. It's amazing how tone deaf the urologists can be. It sounds like you should only have been given that for a short time, then it should have been rapidly tapered off. That weight gain gives me great pause. I hope you were able to lose it immediately after you got off the Myrbetriq.

Neal

I think it was a good call actually. He was very responsive as I had unexpected and atypical trouble after the procedure and he felt it was probably more my bladder reacting to the trauma than my prostate. It did help quite a bit initially and it was durinng a follow up appt. that he suggested it had served its purpose and that I discontinue it.

Thank you all for your tips and info. Really great to have support. I just got home from my Rezum procedure. I admit I am very sensitive. But It was very painful ....very painful. I can't believe they can't make it more comfortable. It was quick though. So that is all it has going for it. I'm sure I'll be more reasonable in a couple of days. I pray these painkillers work. If it solves this chronic problem it will be worth it. I think they should replace water boarding with Rezum. I'll post again in a couple of days.

I must be the only person ever to have a 98% pain free Rezum. It could be some people have better pain receptors; the MDs may be more proficient, or some combination of the two.

Howdy. Day 2 for me. I much better than yesterday and last night. I am very tired but the pain has gotten less. I'm sure the meds help. I'm very uncomfortable with moving around with this catheter. If this procedure helps it will all be worth it. Still bloody pee still in the bag. More later.

Agreed, the catheter is a nuisance . I noticed an improvement in my stream after one week. The blood in my urine persisted for one month and suddenly stopped. Going on 7 weeks post Rezum and the results are worth it. It will get better.

Thanks for the post. How long did you wear the catheter?

I wore the catheter for five days. The urologist did a bladder voiding test on me the fifth day and everything looked good, so it was removed at that point. Just make sure to keep everything clean. I also used neosporin cream at the point where the catheter entered into the urethra to help prevent infection.

Thanks for the post. I feel a lot better. I actually think the only pain that I have now is from this catheter. I am afraid to move around because of increased tugging and irritation. I'm sure that'll get better too. Two days into this I'm very hopeful this is really going to help.

Pat  Make sure you have it tape to your leg.  Had mine for 3 days.  Drove my son downtown for jury duty the next morning after the procedure.  Ken

Thanks. I found wearing very supportive undies has made all the difference. Also I have 3 extra large gel ice bags. I put one in a t shirt and put it between my legs(under my scrotum.) it doesn't freeze but man does it make a difference. I change it many times a day. I have no pain now. Sleeping much better. This all will be over soon.

If you have to wear a catheter for a week, and aren't allowed to self cath, you should know that unlike a woman's vagina, your urethra (the tube in your penis that the catheter is in) has no natural lubricating fluid. As a result, the end of the catheter coming out of your penis will rub on it, cause it to bleed, and the blood will form scabs which will cause more abrasion, and even more bleeding and pain. The solution is simple. Several times a day clean that area with a cotton swab (Q Tip) soaked in a solution of 50% peroxide solution and 50% water, then apply petroleum jelly (Vasoline) to the area with a cotton swab. That will keep the catheter lubricated and prevent the bleeding and most of the pain.

Good luck,

Neal

Yes it will be out soon.  Good luch  Ken

Yes very good information.  When I had mine I cleaned it a few time a day.  I use a water base lube on the tip.  Have a good day  Ken

A petroleum based lubricant will last much longer.

Good luck,

Neal

And when the water based lubricant dries out, it can get very hard, just like a scab, and can cause the same problem : injury and bleeding in the end of the urethra.

Neal

2-7-18  Has anyone had the Rezum procedure a year or two ago and how s it working?  

Success or failure?

Did you say that rezum should or shouldn't hurt the vessel ?

Guy

Hi Neal,

I understand that your tip is not for insertion, but rather maintenance, that said petroleum type jelly's are generally contraindicated both for self cathing and Foley insertion, so I would therefore ask the medical team if it's suitable as opposed to a water based lubricant, preferably in sterile packets. Also, and this is just a personal observation, peroxide or alcohol can be very irritating to the meatus. If so, I suggest something like providone iodine or BZK wipes which are not alcohol based.

Jim

Jim,

      When I went back and read Neal's message, it sounded like he was talking about a method to reduce irritation where a Foley catheter exits the penis when you have to wear a Foley for an extended period of time, and not for insertion. I would probably be tempted to use an antibacterial ointment as opposed to straight petroleum jelly but otherwise his suggestions made sense to me, as long as it's not for insertion.

Ken

Jim as you know I had Foley in for 7weeks, and my Urologist told me to put vaseline at the tip after I reported dryness and discomfort, I didn't clean with peroxide or anything, just soap and water, then smeared some vaseline - it certainly helped.

I’m due to have my catheter removed tomorrow morning but I have been using neosporin ointment. The LVN suggested against it because some allergies to it were reported by some patients and so her suggestion was plain petroleum jelly in individual packets. Since I haven’t had reaction to neosporin on the meatus in the past I chose to use it for lubrication and prevent irritation and dryness.

My urologist and his LVNs suggest petroleum jelly for that very purpose too.

Ken,

I've personally never used a Foley but just putting info out there for people to check. It may be that the type of lubricant outside the urethra doesn't matter although I would think some of it might find its way inside through the movement of the catheter. The antibacterial ointment sounds reasonable, I'd just check with the doc.

Jim

Good luck tomorrow at the Urologist Peter  Take care  Ken 

Well, that's another vote for petroleum jelly so I guess it's OK. I do know however that they only want you to use water based lubricants for the actual insertion, be it Foley or self cathing.

Jim

It's interesting, the nurse who inserted the Foley told me to use Neosporin at the tip, the Urologist told me Vaseline was better. Having tried both I can say for me Vaseline worked better in the long run. But it has to be redone every few hours.

No way any of it will find it's way inside, it's just the tip. Actually I noticed when cleaning a bit of a build up on the catheter tube and that's why I say soap and water to wash all that away. Then reapply.

Mike I don't know if any of the guy's have done this but when I had the catheter in.  I did use Vaseline.  What I did was after I was done with my shower.  I would push my penis up some and put the Vaseline on the tube and then pull the penis down again which help getting the Vaseline some what inside a little.  That gave me some relief.  Take care  Ken PS.  That also helped in the morning If you get my drift.   

Hi Kenneth,

Thank you, this will be attempt number three to go without a catheter to urinate. I’m confident that this will be the successful round.

Peter

I hope so.  You been through enough.  I will keep my fingers and any legs crossed for you.  Ken

This is to Jim and Ken,

You're both correct. I was writing about catheter care AFTER it's inserted and in place. As I have written before, a man has no lubricant inside his urethra, such as the natural lubricant a woman has in her vagina. As a result, as the catheter moves in and out as the man moves about, the catheter abrades the end of the urethra as it exits the man's penis. These abrasions can cause painful bleeding and scabs which can increase the abrasions and bleeding.

The solution is to clean the area with a cotton swab dipped in a 50% solution of peroxide and clean water. I have had no problems with this diluted solution.

Then apply an antibiotic petroleum based ointment such as Neosporin, which also contains some anesthetic, if you have no allergy to it. You will appreciate the anesthetic if you have the abrasions. Do this treatment several times a day. I'm sorry that I suggested straight petroleum jelly before. For people who can use the Neosporin type ointment, it will work best.

Neal

Yes that works very well.  We use what we can.  They don't tell you things like that in the hospital when you leave.  We have to help when we can.  Have a good night  Ken

I feel that I have been lucky, all the problems with the medical team you guys have had I haven’t experienced. I’ve had a call from the urologist on a Saturday checking on my condition, and took time to address any concerns over the phone. The LVN supplied sterile packets of petroleum jelly to help lubricate the meatus and warned about possible allergic reaction to neosporin.

All I’ve experienced has been supportive and caring help from the staff.

Take care everyone, Peter

That is true.  But I can e-mail my doctor anytime and he does get back to me.  When I had a catheter I did not have any problem cleaning it or using a petroleum jelly or something like that.  In November of last year when I came home with a catheter all they told me was to clean it with soap and water.  This nurse was I don't think into her job.  But I know what is good for me and I took care of it.  Not all are like that I have had very good care at some of the hospital.  Most are worth they weight in gold.  Take care  Ken

Actually just started using Neosporin for something else. Like many brands now, they now have multiple products to confuse us. I believe the cream version has the anesthetic but not the original ointment. I like the cream version but just ordered the ointment by mistake!

Jim

Hi jimjames,

I have 3 types here, original ointment, +pain relief ointment and the pain relief cream. My favorite for different purposes is the pain relief ointment.

Regards,

Peter

Hi Jim,

The one I was writing about is petroleum based, but not a new tube.

Neal

Lots of choices. So far I have the regular ointment and the pain relief cream. I just ordered something called Sarna Original Anti Itch Lotion, which has the same pain relief chemical as Neosporin's pain relief cream. So, if I combine that with the neosporin pain relief ointment I basically have your favorite! FWIW I sometimes get a mild case of eczema and that's where I'm using this stuff.

Jim

Hi Neal,

Not sure what you mean "new tube" but I have lost track of the early thread. Are you referring to individual packets of petroleum jelly which in theory would be more sterile?

Jim