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Optilume Balloon Treatment for Prostatic Strictures
Prostate Cancer | Last Active: 3 days ago | Replies (20)Comment receiving replies
Hi Dave,
So you had your prostate removed? The reason for your sutures? My problem is in the same area as you, at the Bladder neck. They say my issues are do to radiation damage to the urethra. Scarring and stricture buildup. Just in the past week my incontinence has taken a turn for the worse. Up to a few days ago I was still doing well during the day. Minor leakage. Now that it is not minor I have found some underwear that is more comfortable than the depends called Protech Dry. Can be found on Amazon. $26 a pair. I am a 34/30 pant and bought a large but it was too small. Returned for XL which fit well. Just bought 2 more pair. I just started using these yesterday during the day and depends at night. I still have some control but the leaking is my problem and it is consistent. I do best laying down and worst in the sitting position. Did your incontinence get bad fast? I can't believe I went from doing well during the day (wearing regular boxers) to can't do that anymore overnight. So the Supra Pubic catheter does not eliminate the incontinence? That is a bummer. Does your doctor expect you will regain control of your bladder and is there a fix for urinary incontinence? I had 20 botox shots in my bladder as part of my Optilume procedure. Suppose reduce the urgency issues. That has worked but now incontinence. Ugh! Hang in there Dave.
Bob
Replies to "Hi Dave, So you had your prostate removed? The reason for your sutures? My problem is..."
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Yes, I had a Prostatectomy in May of 2021 based on the recommendation of two Urologist, they both suggested to go with the surgery as it was early enough that there was a very good chance of getting all the cancer and go with the radiation as a backup plan. The first stricture formed two months after surgery. I had the first dilation in July, followed by another one in September, October and November, then the first laser surgery in December. In January my PSA was higher than it should have been and my Urologist referred me to a Radiation Oncologist. Over the next six months my PSA steadily rose, in July of 2022, the Oncologist started me on Hormone Therapy (ADT) followed by radiation to start two months later. On the morning of September 27th, (my 70th birthday) I suffered a stroke believed to have been cause by the drug used for the ADT. I was airlifted to the ICU in Thunder Bay and fully recovered, radiation started the end of the following week, I had 33 treatments. Incontinence started immediately after the catheter was removed after the prostatectomy. I faithfully did Kegel exercises, at least four hundred a day but they didn't help much. The plan is to install an AUS (cuff) if the Optilume is successful. When I don't have the supra pubic catheter connected to a drain bag, it's plugged off and all urine flows through the urethra, even when it's connected to a drain bag, there is still a slight bit of leakage. The supra pubic catheter was put in only to use if a stricture formed and blockage occurred due to my poor history of having them develop so quicky but I'm using it and my Urologist is okay with that.
Dave