I thought I'd post my most recent experience of PRD - regarding urine retention, what appears to be weak bladder etc in case it helps anyone else.
Several months ago I started having weakness when urinating - I put it down to age as I'm 64 and probable scarring from pelvis radiation 12 yrs ago. I have also had a few UTIs during the past 12 months. I already have bowel problems, diverticulosis etc.
I had a CT Scan for a respiratory problem recently, and the amazing consultant spotted urine retention/swollen kidney at the bottom of the scan. My GP complained but I convinced him to refer to me to a Renal specialist.
A further scan revealed a Ureter Stricture (narrowing of the ureter that takes urine from kidney to bladder) so my kidney was swelling and I was unable to empty properly - causes mild incontinence when I cough. I don't have any bad pain, just discomfort and hardish abdomen presumably from holding urine.
I have now been booked in for a Ureteroscopy, a day surgery under General Anaesthetic (thank goodness!). I've been told its a scope through the bladder and ureter, to see what's causing the stricture (trying not to think its cancer-had that before obs). They will probably put a stent in and do the procedure again later.
I'll post again mid June after the op. Best wishes all, stay safe!
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Greenfingers20
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Sorry to hear about your problems voiding urine. Mine is less complicated and related to the changes caused by hysterectomy in 2010. I have to stand up and hover over the loo to be at the right angle to empty my bladder. I think the descending colon /rectum can press forwards onto the bladder neck. I may also have late problems post pelvic radiation in 2011.
My sigmoid colon is scarred and thickened by PRD. I hoped I had avoided bladder neck problems.
I was "double padded" after surgery to both eyes recently. The dressings were taken off after 24 hours. It was embarrassing to have to explain to the nurses the posture i must assume in order to pass urine! They were marvellous and helped me with great patience and kindness.
Thankfully they have saved my vision by relieving pressure on my optic nerves. I now have thyroid eye disease to add to my troubles. Treatment (Azothiaprine) to start today is to stop me making antibodies to the tissues of my eyes. One side effect can be diarrhoea. I do hope not to get it - Gut temperamental at the best of times!
Best wishes for your operation and treatment- more likely to be stricture from other causes rather than cancer. Here's hoping
Hi Jude. I totally empathise with your experience - I think we already found it enough to deal with one/two health issues, without having yet another added to it. It does affect my mental health so have to watch that I keep rising above that.I had wonderful nursing as well during my chemo when I had dreadful diarrhoea and sickness and I can't praise them all enough.
Thank you for your kind words - I'm sure I will feel much better psychologically after the op is done and I know where I am. It's fear of the unknown-and being on permanent fight or flight -
of course, having ones hopes for getting out and about dashed continually by the ups and downs of Covid doesn't help.
Update. Had a ureteroscopy when they inserted a stent -day surgery with general anaesthetic. 6 wks later it was removed under local anaesthetic-easy op!
I can wee better now. An MRI kidney scheduled for mid August then Consultant phone call October.
Hello. Wow! Your problem sounds like the same problem that I have except you sound like you're getting help. I saw a urogynocologist and he said that radiation damaged my bladder. He did a few tests and that's it. So I live with these problems daily. The same with my bowel problems. All the doctors say it's a aftereffect of pelvic radiation.
Go back to your GP is my advice. Demand a referral to Urology consultant - the op I had was Ureteroscopy that looks at the Ureter and the bladder. Good luck Marie.
Hi I read your story with interest . I’m 77 had caesium implants and Radiotherapy 37 years ago . Had the usual problems of bowel back pain etc but recently a blockage in my ureter was shown on a kidney scan . Kidney not functioning well so had surgery but It was impossible to get past the blockage so stent was out in This was unsuccessful and my kidney function was worse . Good news is no cancer bad news they are talking about a nephrostomy . Not good .I’m wondering how you are doing and what your outcome was .
Hi there. Sorry to hear your experience. All I know about nephrostomy is when I worked in NHS the Urology CNSs were brilliant. Ive just had a Kidney MRI this week to see how its functioning. Will know in a couple of weeks.
Happy to chat-sharing is a great relief from health worries.
I’ve just read your post and I’m in exactly the same position as you but a few months ahead . I’ve had the stent it didn’t work ,they can’t get past the blockage in the ureter to drain the kidney so are now talking about Nephrostomy . I’m desperately searching for alternatives . How did your surgery go ?
How annoying and sad this must be for you. I hope the operation is successful and you find some sort of return to normality. Good luck 🤞
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Chronic Radiation Enteritis Sufferer
brachytherapy without radiotherapy for endometrial cancer.
