Re: Post Brachytherapy problems-Radiation burns-Intermittent self-catheterization

[Guest guest]

copanahoy wrote:

> ...

> Both he and the Radiation Oncologist both assured me that " over time " the

> inflammation to my Prostatic Urethra would subside and that I should be then

> able to urinate normally. It could take weeks or months though.

> ...

I had the same problem you have, but not nearly as bad. For what

it's worth, probably nothing since each patient is different, the

problem was at its worst for about seven weeks, then began to get

better. By about five months I was back to baseline.

Alan

[Guest guest]

I had a call last evening from a friend who had a RP three months after mine.  He still has problems with incontinence 2 years after the operation.  He does his kegels to no avail.  Normally it is male guards but diapers when he walks any distance.

Does flomax help control it?Doug

 

copanahoy wrote:

> ...

> Both he and the Radiation Oncologist both assured me that " over time " the

> inflammation to my Prostatic Urethra would subside and that I should be then

> able to urinate normally. It could take weeks or months though.

> ...

I had the same problem you have, but not nearly as bad. For what

it's worth, probably nothing since each patient is different, the

problem was at its worst for about seven weeks, then began to get

better. By about five months I was back to baseline.

Alan

[Guest guest]

Sy --

FWIW, I think your doctors are giving you good advice, and that you're smart to

follow it. Your inflammation will probably subside, and your urethra will

probably stay open without help.

My problem is related to yours, but not identical.

I had a radical prostatectomy, and (about 6 months later) developed a urethral

stricture. I had a dilation (no fun!), and decided I'd do _anything_ to reduce

my chances of another such episode.

My stricture was never a _complete_ stricture, but it was pretty close.

I've been doing self-cath for about two years, to keep my urethra open. I

started with once daily, 14 French, and slowly tapered down to three times per

week, with a 16 French catheter. I've never needed to do more than once daily,

and my " residual volume " (urine released through the catheter) has never been

more than 50 ml (two ounces) or so.

I hope to get to " once every three days " soon, and to eventually stop

altogether. But for the time being, " the catheter is my friend " .

I don't re-use catheters, because of the risk of infection, and I use

single-dose packets of lubricant. [i settled on cheap catheters, around $0.80

each, rather than the fancy variants.] I also use chlorhexidine soap (Physoderm

is one brand) on my hands and penis.

Like you, I carry a catheter pack (catheters, lubricant, and soap) when I

travel, and just maintain my standard regime.

All the things they don't tell us _before_ treatment would fill a book.

>

> I went to see my Urologist yesterday who took me off of the Foley Catheter

which I'd been wearing for a total of about 2 weeks saying that too much time

with it could itself be problematic as an infection possibility as well as

causing the bladder muscle fibers to " forget " how to function normally.

>

> I stayed in his office for about 2 hours trying to urinate normally but was

unable to. He showed me how to utilize " intermittent self-catheterization "

which was somewhat scary but actually not THAT difficult to do and was

certainly important inasmuch as I'd suffered enormously the last few weeks

unable to urinate and retaining loads of fluid until I was able to get to his

office to have the Foley Catheter installed.

>

> Both he and the Radiation Oncologist both assured me that " over time " the

inflammation to my Prostatic Urethra would subside and that I should be then

able to urinate normally. It could take weeks or months though.

>

> I am taking Doxycycline 100 mg. as an antibiotic and because it apparently has

some anti-inflammatory properties as well as Naproxen 500 mg. , each twice a

day. I also re-started taking Flomax right after the Foley Catheter was removed.

>

> Anyway, I was wondering if anyone out there has any experience with

intermittent catheterization and how long you were on that regimen? I ordered

an extra Catheter (French #14) as well as extra gloves, and K-Y Jelly to have

with me in my car just in case because I don't dare travel anyplace without

them.

>

>

> Thanks,

>

> Sy

>