Urine retention.

[Thetoad]

Radiotherapy for Intermediate Favourable seems successful 26 months later, PSA down to 0.83 and dropping each time so far. But I've noticed a weaker flow over the last few weeks and yesterday I was very ready to pee, but could not even produce a sample to test for infection. Waited two hours at the Drs until finally managed. No infection. Back to normal flow for me now, but all very worrying and uncomfortable. Dr said maybe the rt had narrowed the urethra or it was scar tissue. If it is urethral stricture I believe it can be dilated, but interested as to why it happened and how it 'fixed itself.'

[Tall_Allen]

Late term urinary issues do happen. I had it a year after prostate SBRT. It went away on its own after 1-2 months. Avoid overdiagnosis. Treat symptomatically with Flomax if you need it. If it gets really bad and you can't pee at all, go to the ER to get cathetered.

[Thetoad in reply to Tall_Allen]

Doc will arrange a scan and take it from there. No further problems during the last four days.

[Thetoad in reply to Thetoad]

The scan showed incomplete voiding. Bladder wall, kidneys and aorta all ok. Prostate normal! Seeing Dr Monday for a chat and hopefully a solution. I seem to find it difficult to ‘pee on demand.’ Maybe psychological?

[Thetoad in reply to Thetoad]

And Dr has referred me to a Urologist. Scan showed 203 ml before voiding and 149 ml after. Hmmm …

[Thetoad in reply to Thetoad]

I saw the Urologist and he was ok with everything. A bit of urine retention is normal for my age of 75. Happy with last psa of .83 and I can now have yearly tests. Pleased about that as I am a worrier. Next one in March.

[Adf2529]

I’m 67 and struggled w urinary issues after radiation therapy for 15 months before resolving gradually. Fingers crossed because urinary retention and urgency can be a painful problem. Agree w Tall Allen. Treat symptomatically w Flomax. Be careful about intrusive “fixes” urologists may recommend. The after effects could present further problems because scarred, radiated tissues do not behave necessarily like non-radiated ones.

[Thetoad]

Had a bit of a problem on Sunday. Desperate for a pee but couldn’t. Then the opposite - every 10 minutes or so but very little. No infection but invisible trace of blood in sample. Waiting nervously to find out why. AND my first psa rise since rt about 32 months ago. Very small, .83 to .99, i.e a rise of .16. Hopefully not an issue!

[Thetoad]

And a quick update. Urine flow is still weak and a bit more frequent. Dr is not concerned. I do need to pee if I wake up at night but usually it’s the cat who wakes me, not an urge to relieve myself. Psa went up slightly from .83 to .99 last November but has dropped to .68 now, June ‘22. I’m hoping that yearly will be ok in future. Stay safe everyone.

[Thetoad in reply to Thetoad]

.55 now, Nov. ‘22. Good! 🙂