Prostate

[airtech]

I have had enlarged prostate for may years without any issues. Take Tamsulosin. Recently finding clothes damp, not wet with pungent smell, actually makes my eyes smart. I'm guessing seepage. Whats the right direction from here?

[Motorman]

See your doctor, ask for a PSA test, then a DRE may be done. You should rule out any chance of cancer. I have had prostate cancer and if caught early it is curable. If all is well your doctor might arrange for further tests/minor procedure. But above all see your doctor.

[airtech in reply to Motorman]

Thanks for advice PSA test already on the cards, will see GP for results.

[kalgs in reply to Motorman]

See your GP . I sometimes think forums can frighten people as much as comfort. You know the score because you’ve been before regarding your prostate. My wife is a continence specialist practitioner. Advice from her is see your Dr and don’t worry about something that might not exist .

[airtech in reply to kalgs]

Thanks, will do. Sadly not blessed by good GP practice!

[Hidden]

Have a chat to your GP, I had a few issues with my bladder a few years and I thought it was my prostate. I was sent to a urinary clinic in Malton for the day, what a brilliant set up.Within 15 minutes of arriving I was sat with a consultant who had obviously throroughly read the notes our GP had submitted.

After our chat he sent me off for a series of tests, the first of which involved drinking a few litres of water and waiting as long as was physically possible before needing to urinate.....when i needed to urinate a machine was used to measure the flow and immediately after a nurse scanned my bladder to see how much fluid I was still holding. After a 15 minute wait I was back with the specialist who sent me for further tests.

After quite a few tests, cameras in places you dont expect them to go, prostate examinations I again sat with the specialist.

He told me that I had a sensative bladder, something Ive never heard of!!

He prescribed me Tamsulosin and Tolterodine and gave me clear instructions to reduce my coffee and fruit juice consumption.....it worked.

I was very impressed with the NHS that day.

Having to rush to the toilet a dozen times a day and several times a night was a thing consigned to my memory.

[airtech in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your response, sounds like you have an excellent doctor. My condition is like sweating urine, you don't see anything it just gets damp and stinks. I pick up on the cold feeling to know its damp.

[Hidden in reply to airtech]

It sounds awful mate, I know how embarrassed I felt with the occasional accident.Light coloured trousers were a no no

[Chapdog in reply to Hidden]

how long did it take before the Tamsulosin took effect? (I’m now on my second day).

[Ramilia in reply to Chapdog]

Chapdog,

Just to let you know that if you reply to someone called Hidden, they are not a member of the group anymore. It's a name the admin give to everyone who has closed their account.

[Chapdog in reply to Ramilia]

👍

[kalgs]

BPH changes over the years and prostates enlarge for most men. Don’t delay see your consultant/ GP . They will examine you and arrange a PSA . Don’t jump to conclusions.

[airtech in reply to kalgs]

Thanks for your response. Trying not to envisage the worst, PSA on for this week.

[Hidden in reply to airtech]

A PSA test is only a possible indicator of potential prostate cancer and is not 100% reliable. A rectal examination of the prostate can in some situations be more revealing of prostate condition. Urology specialists will also look for other symptoms as well, such as bleeding. And prostate cancer, although one of the more common forms of cancer, is only one of several other conditions of 'waterworks' problems that can affect men in their advancing years, some of which are only a nuisance rather than life threatening, such as the early stages of BPH. Even prostate cancer can be of the 'watch and wait' type, rather than of an aggressive nature.

[airtech in reply to Hidden]

Understand and thanks for response.

[Hidden]

In my opinion (with some personal experience) you are likely to have chronic urinary retention which means you are unable to empty your bladder properly. You might think you have emptied it but there is a lot left inside, and sooner or later you leak. This may happen at night. It is a degenerative condition, one cause being increasing BPH. So don't delay, go see your GP soonest to get a referral to urology specialists. An ultrasonic bladder scan will establish your residual volume after you have 'emptied' it. A healthy adult residual volume should be less than 150ml, better much less. If you have residual volume above 500ml you likely need some form of intervention. To confirm what the problem is you may require a uroscopy where a camera is inserted inside your 'waterworks' (not as bad as its sounds). A TURP or similar may be required to clear up your problem. Short to medium term assistance is available by self catheterisation if your body allows, the alternative an indwelling catheter. Again catheterisation is not as bad as it sounds once you get used to it. I had to have two TURP operations and a bladder neck incision before I was sorted out. But for the immediate future (but not as a solution) you could try double voiding which is where you try to empty your bladder, leave it for a couple of minutes, then try again. And if you get nothing done the chances are things will further deteriorate, and apart from the embarrassment factor, your bladder may enlarge permanantly, and there is a danger of kidney damage as urine backs up. although a simple blood test will establish if your kidneys are OK. But do not let it get to the stage where one day you find you are unable to pee at all, that is a medical emergency and you should get down to A&E.

[airtech in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for informative response. Will pursue along those lines.