When can I stop doing CIC?

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i'm just 2 weeks into self cathing and I have started getting consistent 70% natural voids and CIC producing 225 ml., 3x/day

one doctor said maybe could stop cathing if got to 100 ml.

anybody have experience with being able to stop CIC?

if I get a Rezum or Turp I wonder if I could fully empty my bladder without self cathing. if you stop self cathing, how do you know whats left in your bladder after natural voids?

the doctor originally said he thought my bladder was irreversibly damaged, but now look at what I'm naturally voiding... over 70% in just 2 weeks.

any thoughts?

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5 Replies

  • Posted

    It sounds like you are trying to rehabilitate your bladder. You may have shrunk it a little, but if the prostate obstruction is still there it will probably stretch out again, over time. Also the prostate itself usually continues to grow and the obstruction will probably get worse. You may find that the only remedies are some of the treatments, drugs, or continued catheterization. I have been using catheters for 3.5 years now and all sexual functions are still intact.

  • Edited

    Sounds familiar. After a TUIP in November I was self cathing 4X a day with no natural urination. Now, about 2 months out I am at 2X a day (morning and before bed) with the cath and natural the rest of the day. I have also been told my bladder is damaged.

    I have read that if retention is less then 100ml it might be possible to stop cathing, but here is the question: How does one know what is left in the bladder? I do not own an ultrasound and have no way to know except by using the cath and measuring.

    I think (and my urologist has confirmed) that cathing (correctly) does not worsen or cause any issues.

    So, my advise, if you get down below 100ml, go without and perhaps use a cath once in a while to verify that the residual is where it should be.

    • Edited

      I had an aggressive Greenlight surgery in Dec 2022. Similar to you, I was self cathing 5X a day with no natural urination. Although I have a poorly functional/non-functional bladder, I can now pee on my own. As you suggested, I also use a cath once in a while (~4-5 days) to verify that the residual is where it should be, which it is. When I return for a followup appointment, I'll probably ask the nurses to do an ultrasound to check myself.

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