Unable to go to bathroom

[Lisa1414]

Unable to go to bathroom at all unless with catheter or self cath (been this way for 2.5 months). Started with having turp. Doctors say prostrate is too enlarged and removing it is not an option. Has anyone experienced this and if so what helped. This is miserable. I’m curious if chemo shrinks it if removing it is a possibility? They are convinced this started in lungs (So calling this lung cancer) and then cancer spread to pancreas and prostrate. Had biopsy on each place -all revealed small cell carcinoma. Just finished first week of chemo. Next one in 2.5 weeks.

[Tall_Allen]

So he has small cell lung cancer that has spread to his pancreas and prostate? Does his chemo include carboplatin? Did they check for expression of DLL3 and somatostatin?

[Hidden]

You can try and stop taking anything that may cause inflammation. For me, my urination pretty much stopped at diagnosis and I had to be catheterized. My cancer had spread too much so no surgery to remove was possible.

My stream was really weak for a long time after, sometimes just a dribble. It’s gotten better now after a few years of ADT, radiation, and abiraterone. The one thing I noticed was when I took any supplements that irritated the urinary path, that really slowed my urination. For me, I can’t take vitamin C and antioxidant supplements. Hoping it gets better for you.

[tango65]

This is a link with info about SCLC treatment. For disseminated SCLC the treatment is chemotherapy associated or not with immunotherapy.

cancer.org/cancer/lung-canc...

[Patrick-Turner]

I had PG 3 times normal size at diagnosis and I had to keep pissing small amounts at each time. I have to wake up 5 times a night to pee a small amount, and I've had EBRT, IMRT, ADT since 2009 diagnosis at age 62.But in 2010 the docs could not remove PG because too much Pca was outside PG, but they found no mets, but there were probably plenty, just too small show up in CT scans.

The ADT reduced Pca and PG size became near normal size so it was smaller target for EBRT so there were less side effects of EBRT.

I did think that if the prostatic ureter had constricted to not allow urine flow, or self insert a catheter, I could have had a plastic supra-pubic catheter which is inserted through skin below belly button to allow drainage of urine to a bag worn below your belt line in a pair of baggy trousers or shorts. When it fill up, you lower the zipper, pull out the bag empty pipe, and squeeze the bag and nobody knows what's really going on. But the bag takes 10 seconds to empty, and anyone else in a public toilet might think you have a prick like a horse.

Problems SPC are getting infections where plastic goes through skin and bladder and is prone to being inconvenient to wear. But thousands of ppl have had bladder removed and maybe PG as well, and their two ureters from their two kidneys are joined together and terminated to a stoma on lower side of abdomen, ie, surgically constructed hole in skin with uretic connection made and a plastic plumbing fitting is fitted to get good fit, and not leak and a urine bag is worn.

Similar is done to get solid waste out where someone has had war or work injury, or cancer of part of large bowel, or rectum. So you don't ever need to use your arsole or dick again to pass waste, and you don't need to worry about urine or feacal incontinence and so no wake ups to pee at night.

There are support groups online who know more about all this than I do.

Meanwhile, you sure have a battle with Pca, even though docs say it began in lungs.

Having cancer in pancreas is a major hurdle because most patients with Pan ca have such a low possibility of lasting very long. But for immediate relief with peeing, a SPC should be considered. The problem of self insertion of normal catheter is possibility of rupture while inserting, and that's a huge bother for surgeons to fix if area has ben radiated.

In Chinese and Persian royal palaces before 1900, many eunuchs were employed because they became loyal subjects managing the harems and State Affairs et all.

Both dick and balls were removed at about 8 to 10 yo, and survivors of that horridly primitive operation went to live in palaces which paid the child's parents a pittance. They used a small diameter catheter well crafted from silver and which was carried in a sleeve of their shirt. The silver lasted a long time against the corrosive effect of urine. The castrated boys often lived to 70 because they were never exposed to risks or outside world with life expectancy of 40.

The Lancet magazine has the story behind how researchers found eunuchs never got Pca. Much later, the reason became known when testosterone was identified and its function became defined, and we might assume having no testosterone from before puberty stops a eunuch ever getting Pca. First RPs were done in about 1888, and if course many men didn't survive the op, or survive long because Pca was so advanced at diagnosis. Removing balls was easy, and cheap, and safer, and men who could not piss easily found they could after some time, because the lack of testosterone reduced size and the tight state of PG.

If a man had BPH, he got a fix, but if he had Pca, the fix did not last.

Mostly only rich men ever got surgery because it was always expensive, ( unless done by a barber or a vet after hours ) . Most men died before 55 in 1900, and for those few who lived long enough to get Pca just died in pain quite soon after diagnosis, just like women with Brca, Ovca, and many other cancers.

Patrick Turner.

[Hidden]

I'm surprised that this problem persists after TURP. Was the TURP surgery not successful? I had these types of problems with an enlarged prostate. TURP provided blessed relief. That was 10 years prior to my prostate cancer diagnosis.

[arete1105]

I found lying on a FIR heating pad reduced my prostatic enlargement. I can now piss like a race horse.

[j-o-h-n in reply to arete1105]

Should I bet win, place or show on you?

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 12/27/2020 5:58 PM EST

[RonnyBaby]

I had a catheter for 4 1/2 months - so I can relate - I also had a TURP - so I can relate. I also had never ending urinary infections as a result. The catheters made everything worse, but I had to pee - so there was no other choice.

What appears to be the 'missing piece' of the puzzle - the prostate is STILL too large and the TURP couldn't fix the problem. Inflammation .....

I will venture to offer this much commentary - the prostate needs to be reduced in size. You state that removal / surgery is not an option - that leaves radiation and ADT as the most likely means to try to deal with it.

There are different ways to do this, but until that gets resolved, the catheter will remain as the tool to do the job.

Perhaps some ADT could help and perhaps some radiation treatment(s) could be the answer.

Perhaps some dietary changes might help -I do know that SOME of the foods I eat cause inflammation - there is a common link in some cases but in your case - I have no idea if it could help (diet).

I mention that because I have lived with 'inflammation / autoimmune issues for my whole life.

I get 'quick' feedback - depending on what I eat !

Only a qualified medical oncologist / expert and or radiation professional might be able to help resolve the issues surrounding the 'inflamed prostate / ' size' problem(s).

I offer you my sympathy - it can't be easy suffering thru this right now - hopefully help isn't too far away - I KNOW that the catheter thing for me seemed like it would never end - but it did - finally - after months - before it finally got 'fixed'.

Shrinking the prostate takes time and that is assuming that the source of inflammation can be controlled / managed effectively - the focus needs to be on the reduction in size - at least for now - IMO ....

There are others who have more expertise than I - perhaps 'another' member of this 'club' of PCa afflicted individuals have a better idea - I certainly hope someone can steer you in the right direction !

Wishing you well on your journey .....

[Mascouche]

I used to have urinary problems when my bladder was too full such as during the night but that went away by taking over the counter supplements such as Saw Palmetto or Prostanen. Those can be found in most drug stores and on Amazon since they do not require any prescriptions in order to purchase them. I used to get up once or twice a night to urinate and I can now sleep 11 consecutive hours without having problems to urinate. Best of luck!