Bladder Filling for Radiation and CT/Simulation

[Alturia]

I am scheduled for adjuvant whole pelvis and lymph node radiation after a RALP in January 2022. I am concerned about my ability to fill my bladder and hold my urine for the amount of time needed, especially for the CT/Simulation. I did a trial at home following the instructions provided by the RO and had to urinate before the appointment would have even begun. I spoke with the RO and he said just to fill my bladder as much as I could and they would deal with it. Has anyone else presented for radiation with a less than full bladder or even an empty bladder?

[Tall_Allen]

It only has to be comfortably full. If it's not full enough, the technician will gave you some water.

[Alturia in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thanx Tall_Allen

[6357axbz]

It doesn’t have to be completely full. If you feel like you’re in able to hold it while you wait then let a little out. You may want to practice that. Some guys in the group I went through RT with who had a difficult time were issued clamps.

[Alturia in reply to 6357axbz]

Thanx very much

[watertender]

Just had the same experience stressed the whole way and even though I drank enough water was told my bladder was half full when they did the simulation. After some research it appears I may have been somewhat dehydrated prior so other tissues hijacked some of the water before it reached my bladder. Be sure you are drinking enough in the days leading up to your procedure to avoid that possibility.

I was also concerned about not being able to hold my urine not only for the simulation but for the 25 EBRT sessions. So found a handy dandy item call a penile clamp on Amazon which some men use for incontinence. Looks like 6357axbz suggested that also, so purchased one and intend to use it for my sessions. Better than stressing out about having an "accident" on the table. If you intend to use one check with your RO as you may need to wear it during the simulation, I am having a redo on mine since I presented half full and now will be using a clamp.

[Alturia in reply to watertender]

Thanx very much

[binati]

The team who did my RT would tell me 40 min earlier to empty my bladder and have a large glass of water. That would work just fine.

[treedown]

I would get to my treatment approx 15 min earlier because I would have to pee everything I walked into the CC. Even my RO said that it happened to everybody. Then I would start drinking water and never had a issue with bladder 44 times. We had a special room with recliners and I would meditate and do breathing exercises while waiting. In all a very peaceful, not unpleasant experience. I did have a issue with gas because I started eating closer to my normal diet in the last week and day 44 had to go to bathroom to get rid of it. Only took a few minutes and I was good to go. Other than that no issues.

[Alturia in reply to treedown]

Thanx very much

[j-o-h-n]

A glass was enough......... the water came later............

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Saturday 07/16/2022 5:37 PM DST

[VHRguy]

My system worked for me after some experimenting. Stop drinking anything two hours before the appointment. Then, I drank a specific amount of water 30 minutes before the appointment time. It took a few days to figure it out, but 12 oz did it for me. That set me up to be full at the appointment.

Playing with the amount I drank at the 30 minute point let me adjust how full my bladder was at the appointment.

[Alturia in reply to VHRguy]

Thanks very much. I was thinking about experimenting with reducing the volume of water and shortening the time before the appointment when I drink.

[Andy1569]

I have 10 of 44 treatments yet to complete.

Getting and keeping my bladder full has been a full-time job before each treatment.

The average bladder holds about 16oz.I've been drinking 50+ oz of water every day for years.

So, on every treatment day I start drinking water early at 5 - 6 am.

I drink 3 to 4 16oz bottles over the next several hours until my daily RT appointment at 1:40 pm.

During the day I'm urinating as necessary, and I go straight to the rest room to urinate when I arrive at the treatment center just before my RT.

It's been the only way for me to make and keep my bladder full enough for the treatment.

My technicians have been telling me that my bladder is about 3/4+ full at the treatment time and that has been acceptable.

[Scout4answers]

I had a conversation with my RO, Dr Stan Liauw just last week and he said to me “ If you still have a prostate I would be much less concerned about the level of liquid in your bladder . The amount of liquid is much more important when radiation follows after surgical removal.”I pee when I arrive at hospital, after my one hour drive and immediately drink 1 and 1/2 glasses of water about 15 minutes before my rad treatment. I still have a prostate. All seems to be going well.

[Alturia in reply to Scout4answers]

Thanks very much