Difficulty urinating: What helps with urination reluctance?
Age 65. PSA rose steadily over several years. Biopsy revealed grade GG2. I opted for LAPR, which took place 2 weeks ago. Pathology upgraded to GG3, negative margins, no metastases found. Catheter was removed after 7 days after surgery, then reinserted the following morning after experiencing pain due to urine retention. Removed again 2 days later. It's been 5 days since, and I am voiding urine consistently, but the rate is quite slow/weak, say roughly 20-25% of my flow rate prior to prostate enlargement and removal.
There is much discussion about incontinence in this group, but I don't see much about men with the problem of urination reluctance. Anybody else experience similar flow issues after RP? Did it resolve with further intervention? How long did it take? Thanks.
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@tjs911 Yep, sure does sound familiar. I was admitted to the hospital last March in renal failure caused by hydronephrosis due to (unknown at the time) PCa. Left with a foley but switched to intermittent 4 days later. Very happy. Foley and I did not get along.
I had that for sometime after radiation and ADT. Finasteride and Flomax really helped me!
@mjp0512 that’s for sure.
Do you switch from a day bag to a larger night bag. If it’s too personal I apologize for the question.🙏🙏
@taeguab No bag. I use intermittent catheters. Straight to the toilet.
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1 Reaction@mjp0512 I have an appointment with a new urologist in March, the one I was going to was useless. I need to know if it’s my bladder or prostate and if there is an alternative to the foley such as self cathetering or something else. Thanks 🙏
@taeguab It's important to be your own best advocate. Best wishes for an acceptable solution.
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2 ReactionsI am 16 months post RALP and had something similar the first couple months. Pulled the catheter one week after surgery and no incontinence, but stream was weak, maybe 50% of before and some discomfort when urinating. Also had some frequency issues as a result of bladder irritation. I was so happy not to be leaking that having a weak stream was not a problem. The stream improved around the 3 month mark, pain went away, and things are pretty normal now in that regard.
@beachflyer Very encouraging. Thank you.
I assume you are continent based on your comments. I spoke to my surgeon about it and he had me drinking a lot of water to keep things working down there post surgery. The reconstruction of the bladder neck after prostate removal is really significant. Seems like there is a balance (surgically speaking) that the surgeon must strike when stitching things up so that there is no leakage. I attributed my restricted flow to surgical technique and swelling.
@mjp0512 I agree thank you.