1. < Bladder Conditions
Profile picture for christophers

Bladder retntion and using a catheter

Posted by christophers @christophers, Jan 12 1:32pm

I had a prostate cancer scare almost 4 years ago and I had a prostate biopsy done. Overnight after the biopsy, I could never empty my bladder again. My urine retention is absolutely awful. I can squeeze and strain, but only a little comes out. I have tried Kegel exercises, Flomax pills and nothing works. I have to self catharize daily, it's an absolute nightmare. I can retain nearly 2 liters before feeling like I have to empty my bladder. One of my testicles has permanently stayed higher than the other as well, not sure if this has anything to do with it. I am really struggling with this, any help would be great, thank you.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Bladder Conditions Support Group.

Profile picture for Jeff Marchi
Jeff Marchi | @jeffmarc | Jan 12 4:22pm

There is a Turp procedure that is done to remove the excess prostate tissue in the urethra that frequently causes this. You need to speak to a urologist to find if that can be done to relieve your problem.

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for christophers
christophers | @christophers | Jan 13 8:16am
In reply to @jeffmarc "There is a Turp procedure that is done to remove the excess prostate tissue in the..." + (show)
Profile picture for Jeff Marchi @jeffmarc

There is a Turp procedure that is done to remove the excess prostate tissue in the urethra that frequently causes this. You need to speak to a urologist to find if that can be done to relieve your problem.

Jump to this post

@jeffmarc Thank you so much for your responses. Have you known anyone who has had this and it worked successfully?

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for Jeff Marchi
Jeff Marchi | @jeffmarc | Jan 13 11:10am
In reply to @christophers "@jeffmarc Thank you so much for your responses. Have you known anyone who has had this..." + (show)
Profile picture for christophers @christophers

@jeffmarc Thank you so much for your responses. Have you known anyone who has had this and it worked successfully?

Jump to this post

@christophers
At least one person in this forum has reported having it done and it making a difference. You really need to speak to a urologist about this. They are experienced with it and can give you a lot more feedback than I can.

You can also search the web and see what AI has to say about it. There is a lot of information available.

People who have prostate cancer don’t usually have a TURP, They have a prostatectomy or radiation so they don’t have the same issues anymore,

REPLY
Profile picture for Cheryl, Volunteer Mentor
Mentor
Cheryl, Volunteer Mentor | @cehunt57 | Feb 10 10:03pm

Since the Bladder Conditions Group was begun there are several discussions focusing on urine / bladder retention. Some of them also mention the TURP procedure. I think there are some members who have had this done and have shared their experiences in these discussions. You are not alone. Many years ago my dad had a prostate cancer scare. He went through a biopsy. Good news, he did not have prostate cancer. Bad news, after the biopsy he developed incontinence. I’m not sure which is worse retention or incontinence! Thankfully the incontinence was temporary and resolved.

REPLY
Profile picture for slarson14
slarson14 | @slarson14 | Mar 27 1:46am

Am really sorry to hear this happened after just a biopsy. My condolences on having to have had prostate biopsy, they can be barbaric and often without anesthesia. I have watched prostate biopsies done. I am appalled and ashamed that in the US, men don't often get anesthesia for this procedure. However, in EU and AUS they do get anesthesia because it is a very painful procedure.

If I were a man I would DEMAND anesthesia for a prostate biopsy.

There is procedure called a urostomy.

It allows you to divert urine away from the bladder into an opening in your abdomen to drain urine into a little bag, instead of constant catheterizing your bladder. It is like a colostomy (for feces) except it is only for urine. I know it may seem extreme, but:

I am a woman. I would not want to be catheterizing MY urethra and it is only about an inch long! I can't even imagine cathing my penis if I had one! Yikes.

Catheterizing always leads to: infections.

It is a difficult choice/decision: catheterizing, a Depends undergarment, or a urostomy. Or other suggestions as above.

Good hunting and good luck. Hope you find something that works best for your situation.

REPLY
2 replies
Profile picture for christophers
christophers | @christophers | Mar 27 8:48am
In reply to @slarson14 "Am really sorry to hear this happened after just a biopsy. My condolences on having to..." + (show)
Profile picture for slarson14 @slarson14

Am really sorry to hear this happened after just a biopsy. My condolences on having to have had prostate biopsy, they can be barbaric and often without anesthesia. I have watched prostate biopsies done. I am appalled and ashamed that in the US, men don't often get anesthesia for this procedure. However, in EU and AUS they do get anesthesia because it is a very painful procedure.

If I were a man I would DEMAND anesthesia for a prostate biopsy.

There is procedure called a urostomy.

It allows you to divert urine away from the bladder into an opening in your abdomen to drain urine into a little bag, instead of constant catheterizing your bladder. It is like a colostomy (for feces) except it is only for urine. I know it may seem extreme, but:

I am a woman. I would not want to be catheterizing MY urethra and it is only about an inch long! I can't even imagine cathing my penis if I had one! Yikes.

Catheterizing always leads to: infections.

It is a difficult choice/decision: catheterizing, a Depends undergarment, or a urostomy. Or other suggestions as above.

Good hunting and good luck. Hope you find something that works best for your situation.

Jump to this post

@slarson14 Thank you.

REPLY
Profile picture for Jeff Marchi
Jeff Marchi | @jeffmarc | Mar 27 11:25am
In reply to @slarson14 "Am really sorry to hear this happened after just a biopsy. My condolences on having to..." + (show)
Profile picture for slarson14 @slarson14

Am really sorry to hear this happened after just a biopsy. My condolences on having to have had prostate biopsy, they can be barbaric and often without anesthesia. I have watched prostate biopsies done. I am appalled and ashamed that in the US, men don't often get anesthesia for this procedure. However, in EU and AUS they do get anesthesia because it is a very painful procedure.

If I were a man I would DEMAND anesthesia for a prostate biopsy.

There is procedure called a urostomy.

It allows you to divert urine away from the bladder into an opening in your abdomen to drain urine into a little bag, instead of constant catheterizing your bladder. It is like a colostomy (for feces) except it is only for urine. I know it may seem extreme, but:

I am a woman. I would not want to be catheterizing MY urethra and it is only about an inch long! I can't even imagine cathing my penis if I had one! Yikes.

Catheterizing always leads to: infections.

It is a difficult choice/decision: catheterizing, a Depends undergarment, or a urostomy. Or other suggestions as above.

Good hunting and good luck. Hope you find something that works best for your situation.

Jump to this post

@slarson14
I had three Transrectal biopsies (16 years ago). It was not much of a painful procedure, Did feel minor discomfort when Each sample was taken, but it was not a big deal. Had no problems at all as a result of it, didn’t need to be Under anesthesia. Drove myself home after and had no real side effects following the procedures.

I’ve heard some people had difficult times, but I think it’s unusual.

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for slarson14
slarson14 | @slarson14 | Mar 27 12:28pm
In reply to @jeffmarc "@slarson14 I had three Transrectal biopsies (16 years ago). It was not much of a painful..." + (show)
Profile picture for Jeff Marchi @jeffmarc

@slarson14
I had three Transrectal biopsies (16 years ago). It was not much of a painful procedure, Did feel minor discomfort when Each sample was taken, but it was not a big deal. Had no problems at all as a result of it, didn’t need to be Under anesthesia. Drove myself home after and had no real side effects following the procedures.

I’ve heard some people had difficult times, but I think it’s unusual.

Jump to this post

@jeffmarc

That is awesome for you. My husband had transrectal biopsies 2 years ago. They took 14 punches. No cancer, thank God. It was brutal for my husband.

I have had four kids and each was as natural as possible and extremely painful - until I got an epidural with the fourth child. It was heaven to have the epidural and I was angry that I was not offered the pain relief with the other three (the other three were more from the 'childbirth is a natural things and you should just enjoy the experience' mindset of the 70s and 80s. What a crock of garbage!

Childbirth and prostate biopsies may not be painful or traumatic for some people, but not all. And for medicine to assume anyone should just "grin and bear" the "discomfort" is a travesty because pain management is not rocket science.

I have come to believe with all my heart and brain, everyone experiences pain differently.

Childbirth is so painful it puts a woman "out of control" with pain. As can prostate biopsies: my husband was about the kill the doctor, had they not been holding him down with three "assistants".

My husband was a Marine and can take pain, trust me.

Am so happy your experience was not like his.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.