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Turp experience and questions

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pty10
pty10

Hi there,

JUst wanted to share my experience with my turp surgery. I'm 45yrs old, too young some say for me to having prostate issues but I put it down to my father side of the family (my father and uncles all currently suffer from enlarge prostates) 

For the last couple of years been suffering from weak urine stream, having a full night sleep and waking up in the morning with the urge to go wee just to wee a small trickle. I also suffered from time to time having blood in the urine.

Went to see the Urologist, he did some testing, test on the strengh on my urine flow (very weak the doc said) he put a camera up my penis to see inside and we could see clearly that my prostate was enlarge and was putting pressure on my bladder which probably explained why sometimes I could see blood on my urine. I have a benign enlarged prostate, no cancer worries which is good.

While I decided if I wanted to have surgery, doctor put me on Avodart. It did help but I wasn't sure if I wanted to take antibiotics for the rest of my life. Avodart temporary reduces the size of the prostate but if you stop taking it, you will still have the same problem again and it will only get worse.

Dedided to have the surgery, I had it three weeks ago. spinal block, stayed in hospital one full day with a catheter inserted. Catheter was removed the following day in the morning, had to urine a few times into a container, followed by a scan machine pressed to my belly to see how much urine was left in the bladder. Passed the test and  was allowed to go home that day at midday.

I can see the immediate benefit of the surgery where my urine stream is very strong. When I get up in the morning with a full bladder, no more urine trickle, just a strong urine flow. On the other side, I'm still suffering from post surgery effects, for example, frequent urges to go to the toilet and pee ( I probably go every 40 to 60 minutes) blood on the urine and pain (burning/stinging) everytime I have to take a piss. The doctor says is normal for this symptoms to happen and it will take weeks before everything is back to normal. how long?  it depends on the individual. I can get an erection, it feels a bit different and I will suffer from retro ejaculation ( I was warned about this)

Anyone that had Turp done, how long it took until you where pain free? (no blood and pain)  Did you take any medicine to stop the pain or the bledding?

Thanks for reading,

Henry

6 likes, 509 replies

509 Replies

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  • tim07875
    tim07875 pty10

    Posted

    Had my TURP done 10/13, experiencing the exact symptoms you desribe. Bleeding stopped almost entirely about 4 days ago. Found that taking Ibuprofin helped a great deal with the pain while urinating. Important to do your pelvic floor exercises daily, it will help with the urgency. Not pain free yet, but each day a little better. I see my surgeon next week, and I will ask him the same questions you are asking. I'll forward you his response to me. Hang in there, we did the right thing.
  • rogcal
    rogcal pty10

    Posted

    Hi all.  Had a HoLEP on 7th Nov with catheter out and sent home the following day. Passed some blood for about seven days and then clear urine until day 11 when I had a very bad hematuria followed by retention which required visit to A&E. Spent seven days as inpatient with bladder irrigation via 3-way catheter for 6 of those days. Discharged with 2-way catheter and passing clear urine. TWOC today and delighted with outcome.  Full flow with small amount of blood in urine at finish of flow.  All in all very pleased with HoLEP procedure and just bad luck I had a complication. 
    • rogcal
      rogcal

      Posted

      I forgot to mention that the HoLEP was carried out using a spinal anesthetic and although offered painkillers following the procedure I declined as the level of discomfort was bearable and soon disappeared.

      The same cannot be said about the discomfort I experienced when in A&E following the hematuria and retention. The nursing staff could not place a catheter in my bladder until a Doctor had examined me and with A&E being what it is I had to wait for over an hour before I saw a one and another 30 minutes before the catheter was put in place. Over that period of time I was put on a Paracetamol drip, given Oramorph orally and two 4ml doses of intravenous morphine without having any effect on the discomfort. So much for a high pain threshold!

    • bob120
      bob120 rogcal

      Posted

      I had two hematurias with clotting causing retention, requiring a 3 way cath irrigation for about a week following a greenlight laser in June, 2012. The first was in Dec, 2013. In order to stop the bleeding my uro did a second greenlight, resected the bladder mouth and removed bladder stones. During the course of the three way cath, the hospital staff never checked my hemoglobin. The 3 way cath was washing away evidence of how much blood I was losing, my HGB dropped from 15 to 6. I stayed in the hospital about a week and needed 8 pints of whole blood. In April 2015, I had a second hematuria with clotting requiring 3 way cath and a week in hospital. This time they did regular hemoglobin checks on my blood. My uro gave me a traditional turp and sent me home. Two weeks later the hematuria came back and I was in hospital 3 more days. The hospital staff uro operated again to stop the bleeding and clean out the clots. During the two April surgeries and afterward as an outpatient, I received 6 pints of whole blood. Six months later my hgb is still low at 12 (13 to 15 is normal). I'm now taking an iroon supplement, folic acid and B12 supplements to build the hgb back up.

      When I was in the uro ward I found out that the most frequent cause of hematuria after a prostate procedure is blood thinners. I wasn't taking any so I asked my uro what caused it. He admitted that it was quite possible that the greenlight turp procedures weakened veins in the prostate that eventually started to bleed. Since my prostate is still growing at a very fast rate I'm now taking dutasteride (generic Avodart) to shrink the prostate and/or keep it from growing. An added benefit of dutasteride is that it helps prevent hematuria.

    • rogcal
      rogcal bob120

      Posted

      Sounds a bit of a horror story Bob and hope you are now out of the woods. I was getting worried about my lowering HB abd despite expressing my concerns over that and lowering BP nothing was done.  I calculated that I lost approx a litre of blood in 24 hours following the hematuria which was confirmed at a lter date by one of the registrars. I was on Avodart for 9 months prior to the HoLEP to help maintain its size at 100 grams.  My Uro has stated that he believes that the 34 grams he removed, some of which contained a Gleason 6 PCa, should see me through for the rest of my life (another 30 years hopefully) without the need for any further intervention. Fingers crossed he's correct.  
    • bob120
      bob120 rogcal

      Posted

      Hi Rogcal. My uro expressed similar sentiments about how long the greenlight laser turps and the standard turps would last. Seems he was dead wrong. Before my first greenlight in June 2012 my prostate was about 150g. After two greenlights and before my April hematuria and turp it was about 300g. 6 weeks after my turp I told my uro I wanted to check the size of my prostate every 6 months with a sonogram. I'm also planning on checking my HGB with a blood test every 3 months until it is back to normal. Last month I had my sonogram to measure the prostate and my PVR (post void residual). PVR was good at 32ml., stream is good, but the prostate was measured at 203g. When I saw my uro he said it didn't matter how large the prostate was as long as I had no problem with my PVR and stream. But I said waht happens if I keep growing this fast and it does interfere. His only solution was more surgeries. I had done my own research with Google and asked him to start me on Avodart. If taht can keep it from growing any larger I'm willing to take it for life (I'm 69). I'm not willing to have repeated surgeries every year or so for life. My uro did say he thought I was doing the right thing by doing my own "due diligence" in researching my condition. If the Avodart show positive results on my next sonogram, I may try the PAE procedure. It works like Avodart in reducing the DHT supplied to the prostate, by blocking the blood supply to the prostate from the testes. Results seem to be about the same as Avodart, a 25% reduction of prostate size in 6 months, which has shown to last for the duration of the 4 year studies. If the Avodart works, I'll keep taking it and stay out of surgery.
    • bob120
      bob120

      Posted

      P.S. I meant to say if the Avodart does not show positive results in 6 months I may try the PAE procedure. If it does work I'll just keep taking it.
  • roy88359
    roy88359 pty10

    Posted

    I had the Turp operation just before my 84th birthday. The original problem was diverticulosis of my bladder combined with some restriction beween the bladder and the penis. This resulted in frequent but scanty urination especially at night. Eah morning my abdomen was swollen, particularly on the right side and after an ultrasound examination I was referred to the urology dept of a NZ hospital. The initial treatment was to train (or attempt to) me to self-cathetarisation. This was something of a disaster. The nurse helped me insert the catheter but as the insertion proceeded I felt considerable resistance and pain but this diminished somewhat and we continued the insertion until a second barrier occured. Continuing further the nurse was, I think, a bit surprised that there was no urine flow and as she withdrew the catheter a considerable amount of blood came out. She said this wasn't unusual but added that there seemed to be a blockage in the uretha and proposed that this should be investigated further and put me on the list for an endoscopic ehamination. I returned home still bleeding and within a few days developed an aggressive infection which did not respond to antibiotics and became a serious threat to my life. I was admitted under emergecy to the hospital and treatment with antibiotics and saline drip started immediately. The next day I had a catheter inserted (somewhat apprehensively given my previous experience with one) and from thereon there was an immediate improvement. After four days in hospital I returned home with a catheter in place and for about seven months managed this with no real problems.

    Eventually, I was scheduled for the TURP procedure with spinal block anesthetic. All went well, the operation took place late afternoon and the following day I was allowed to get up and walk around carrying the very large urine bag. The following day the three way catheter was removed and I was required to pee into a bottle. The nurse was quite impressed with the volume and told me if I passed the three bottle test and my retention was low I could go home. Which is what happened.

    My recovery was almost text-book. I bled for about five to six days then a clear urine space of about 10 days and then a resumption of bleeding which only lasted 2-3 days. Urine stream excellent and remained so. Some bladder spasms started a few weeks after this and still persist but reducing in frequency and severity. I have had ED for quite a few years but this morning awoke with an erection harder than I had experienced for some 15 years (and I do not think this was due to a need to urinate as I had emptied my bladder about two hours previously) About the retrograde ejaculation I cannot really comment but I did have a nocturnal orgasm a week or so back which awoke me but there did not appear to be any discharge of semen although once my penis has completely softened there appeared to be quite a lot of fluid.

    Now, some 10 weeks after the operation I have resumed all normal exercise and feel pretty well fully recovered.

  • Cat_Man
    Cat_Man pty10

    Posted

    Is it normal to have some rectal discomfort after having a TURP operation. I'm two weeks in and still feels like there is bruising inside.
    • roy88359
      roy88359 Cat_Man

      Posted

      Yes, I think it is. It is necessary for the surgeon to assess the size of the prostate prior to the operation (so I am told) and as at that time you cannot feel any pain due to the spinal block he/she may not be as gentle in inserting fingers into the anus as during a normal examintion and in any case they probably want to proceed quickly. I was sore and felt a little distended for a few days. Defecating felt a little uncomfortable and I took some very mild laxative type medication (supplied at the hospital) which softened the stools. These were only needed for about three days. This was nearly three months ago and except for those first few days has been no real problem. Your discomfort seems to be going on longer and may well be worth a discussion with your GP.
  • Cat_Man
    Cat_Man pty10

    Posted

    My follow up appointment after my TURP operation is next week. This will have been three months since my operation, is this a normal length of time to wait?
    • papromic
      papromic Cat_Man

      Posted

      My follow up was just on five months. If eveything is going okay I wouldn't see a need for it to be any sooner. I found the biggest issue for me was the doctor not giving me enough information about what to expect post turp, particular in regard to bladder spasms and how long it might take the bladder to heal itself.

  • roy88359
    roy88359 pty10

    Posted

    Three months does seem a bit long. In my case the follow-up was after six weeks but unless there was some problem I guess a longer period is OK. However, just before my check-up I had contracted a UTI which was not responding to the antibiotic prescribed by GP and this was remedied at my follow up. So I definitely benefitted from the shorter period.
  • Ian_A.
    Ian_A. pty10

    Posted

    Hi Henry,

    Thanks for sharing your story.

    It was really helpful.

    Regards Ian.

  • david75878
    david75878 pty10

    Posted

    Hello everyone. I just had the Button Plasma TURP done and am going to give updates as to my status. I am a 61 year old male that prior to this was very active. I did alot of bicycle riding, weights and spent about 5 days in the gym. No medical issues other than my prostate. I had two biopsies done within the past years and both showed no signs of cancer. My BPH runs around 12.

    Prior to my decesion to have the BPTURP I had been dealing with BPH for many years.( about 10 years) Took Finasteride to shrink it and 8 mg doxysosyn to relax the muscles. It worked for some time, but then I guess the prostate had a mind of it's own and shut the uretha off while on a vacation. For one month prior to surgery I needed to use a catheter off and on plus self catheterize. No fun, so I decided to go with the button plasma. The urolift was not an option because my prostate was BIG.

    I researched both procedures and decided on the button. ( less down time and it was an outpatient procedure)

    I went into surgery and had the usual general so I didn't feel a thing. I woke up with a large F24 cateter in me and was sent home once I was able. The doctor prescribed me pain meds and a spasm med. The doctor said my prostate was BIG over 100 grams and did the proceedure on one lobe. No medium lobe I guess and took out 50% of the lobe (hope it works).

    Day one- slept most the day with some pain and spasms. The meds worked and getting used to the big catheter was a chore. The one I had in prior was only a 14-16 F. The general anesthesia is a bear so it wipes you out. Drink a lot of water to flush.

    Day Two- Same thing. Pain and spasms so I spent most the day in bed watching TV. I was still trying to flush out the general anesthesia and wash out the bladder so I drank several bottles of water. I noticed a lot of blood and tissue particals in the urine, but I was told that is expected. The spasms can get pretty intense so I made sure I took my anti- spasm meds and the norco (pain med).

    Day three (today)- same as day two except now when the spasms hit, urine comes out around the catheter and through it. Not much, but I think the body is trying to rid itself of this thing. I didn't take as much anti-spasm meds as yesterday so maybe that was my mistake.

    Anyway, I will update as the days go for those who are wondering how long it takes. I did not have much info about post surgery prior to surgery so I hope this helps someone considering the operation.

    The doctor says the catheter will come out in a week. Can't wait!

     

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