Issue about catheter: I am in the... - Advanced Prostate...

Advanced Prostate Cancer

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Issue about catheter

PARKER3237 profile image
22 Replies

I am in the hospital for a different health issue than the prostate. Suddenly, about 2 days ago; I could not urinate as hard as I tried. The doctor ordered a catheter in place to help aleve the pressure. She believes the prostate is squeezing the urethra to not allow a flow. She is getting ready to discharge me home in a few days and said I will have to keep it in place.

Has this happened to anyone and was it permanent?

Never had issues of urinating before and also started some new medication to reduce the anxiety I have had for over 6 months which seems to be working for now. Can I get rid of the catheter in time?

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PARKER3237 profile image
PARKER3237
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22 Replies
Pinkyboy profile image
Pinkyboy

I had a very similar experience and it caused me more anxiety than it really should have. After starting MPCa treatment and a TURP procedure, things were much better; the Foley cathater came out and I was back to urinating on my own. But, we discovered that I don’t completely empty my bladder, so my urologist has me using an intermittent (one use) cathater twice a day. After a year and a half, my twice-daily “caths” are simply routine… no problem.

I would encourage you to try your best to not be too anxious, you’ll be OK.

Rob

PARKER3237 profile image
PARKER3237 in reply toPinkyboy

Thanks for your input. Hope it is not long term. I already am being medicated for high anxiety and trauma.

Blu4yu profile image
Blu4yu in reply toPinkyboy

Rob would you mind me asking you how much your residual is?

Pinkyboy profile image
Pinkyboy in reply toBlu4yu

Blu… I’m not sure I understand the question. If by “residual” you mean the amount of urine remaining in my bladder aftrr I “go,” it probably averages around 250 ml.

vintage42 profile image
vintage42 in reply toPinkyboy

A residual of 250 ml is 8 oz, a cup. That is the max amount I can hold nowadays.

Blu4yu profile image
Blu4yu in reply toPinkyboy

yes Thankyou, that’s what I meant

Mike1971 profile image
Mike1971

Ask your doctor if perhaps Alfuzosin could help you urinate without having to use a catheter.

Pinkyboy profile image
Pinkyboy

Parker, do you live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area? I am in Hurst.

Rob

PARKER3237 profile image
PARKER3237 in reply toPinkyboy

In Farmers Branch/Carrollton area

Pinkyboy profile image
Pinkyboy

would you be interested in meeting for a light lunch sometime after Thanksgiving; possibly somewhere in or near grapevine?

PARKER3237 profile image
PARKER3237

Possibly but am in the hospital now and hoping to get out in the next 48 hours.

Pinkyboy profile image
Pinkyboy in reply toPARKER3237

Parker … I hope you are able to leave the hospital very, very soon and can enjoy Thanksgiving . It would be nice to have a lunch sometime, perhaps we could “encourage” each other 😉

Back in late April I went on a fly fishing retreat especially for guys with cancer. It was in Glen Rose and there were 14 of us guys. These retreats are held all across the USA and even in the UK by an organization lnown as Reel Recovery. It was a great time, and I learned to value personal connections with fellow warriors.

spencoid2 profile image
spencoid2

My urinary ability varies with no rhyme or reason. Some times I can not pee at all and need to self cath. Then I might be fine for a while. My urologist suggested self cathing daily to "keep" things open but I don't do it that often because it can be very irritating if I am experiencing unusual amounts of pain which I am right now.

No one seems able to figure this out. I am hoping to get another opinion maybe on the possibility of hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Don't worry too much about the occasional need for a catheter, just part of this PC journey.

PARKER3237 profile image
PARKER3237 in reply tospencoid2

Tried to talk to the doctor about this but she insists on sending me home with a catheter in place permanently. I have never had the issue before and always could urinate sometime during the day. The doctor did the "in and out" method the other day. I suggested I could do that at home, but she is being very obstinate about doing the current plan before I leave the hospital.

spencoid2 profile image
spencoid2 in reply toPARKER3237

if there is damage to your urethra the foley indwelling cath can act as a "mold" around which healing or reconstruction of the urethra can occur. if there is major damage and you do not have anything in place the urethra can heal shit or constricted. so suffer with the cath. i have had them and know they are horrible. when i was in a coma i had one and somehow managed to rip it out. i do not suggest doing this :)

PARKER3237 profile image
PARKER3237 in reply tospencoid2

The doctor visited this morning as I am being discharged later today and she said leave it in a while and let home health care and a urologist decide later.

Pinkyboy profile image
Pinkyboy

Parker … please don’t be too concerned about going home with a Foley catheter in place. Apart from showering, the darned thing can be really convenient 😉

spencoid2 profile image
spencoid2 in reply toPinkyboy

unless it causes bladder spasms which can be horrible. you can control them somewhat with will power. keep reminding yourself that spasms are voluntary and that you can stop them.

stealthrider profile image
stealthrider

My dad with BPH went through this. Ended up at the ER and with a catheter. He was able to get rid of the catheter in a couple days and they started him on some medication which I fail to recall the name of. Was ok after that.

PARKER3237 profile image
PARKER3237 in reply tostealthrider

The medicine they wanted to use I tried another version and I was allergic to it.

Conlig1940 profile image
Conlig1940 in reply tostealthrider

I have been on Dutasteride for 4 plus years for BPH .-- With me , age approaching 85 , it does the trick to shrink my prostate .

Important Note : If you are on Dutasteride for a number of years you have to 'DOUBLE YOUR LAB PSA RESULT ". If your lab reports a PSA of 4 . It's really 8 .

j-o-h-n profile image
j-o-h-n

Holy Foley Batman ............ I hated it when I had to use one during hospital stays........ But it is what it is... as long as it's not permanent.

The one thing that's killing us all is "Anxiety, Anxiety and Anxiety"...So don't stick your head in your gas oven yet but try beating the A with laughter.

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n

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