Poor urine retention (male) and incomplete emptying? What helps?

I am sorry to read of your troubles. Urinary retention is a horrible condition, making an ordeal of what should be a routine bodily function. I have been taking Tamsulosin for the past 20 years for BPH. The condition is largely under control, with occasional flare-ups of varying intensity and duration. Thirty days ago, I had a biopsy with 20 cores being taken. Immediately following, urination became increasingly difficult until, some five days later, I was in severe pain from urinary retention. Every trip to the bathroom was a 20 minute battle. Thankfully, my urologist heard me and added a daily 5 to 10 mg of Tadalofil (Cialis) to supplement the Tamsulosin, and doubled my Tamsulosin prescription with the caveat that I should reduce at the earliest time possible. Concurrent with the additional medication, I went on a strict vegan diet--absolutely no dairy and meat, and no ultra processed foods. After about a week of the worst symptoms, I was able to go back to my regular dose of Tamsulosin. Now, 30 days later, all of the symptoms are gone, and flow is even better than before the biopsy. This is just my case, and it may provide you with an avenue. I will continue with the vegan diet to see if my improved condition becomes the new norm. They found cancer in the cores, so I know that I will have other challenges ahead of me.
As others suggested, I hope you can find a better urologist--one who can help you with your symptoms rather than defending his own abilities. My best wishes to you.

@dfr72 Thank you for your reply. I tried Flomax (Tamulosin) for a year with no results, I wounder if a higher dose might work. It's horrible, I had these retention symptoms overnight and I cannot pee normally now. I have no ED issues.

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.

@christophers, that sounds incredibly frustrating. What you’ve been living with since your biopsy isn’t just physically uncomfortable, it’s emotionally exhausting too.

I'm sorry to hear that you haven't found anything that has helped. I know you mentioned that your urologist said your bladder is overstretched and that's the cause. Did she offer that diagnosis after testing?

@klp She suggested having an interstem device placed in my body. I tried that for a year with no results. I am not sure that my bladder overstretched in a period of 24 hours. This retention occurred overnight and has not stopped for 3 years. I am really at a loss.

@christophers
What is an interstem device? Never heard the term.

If you are having a terrible problem With incontinence,you can get an AUS (Artificial urinary sphincter) Or if you’ve not had radiation , you can get the ProACT Device installed.

Either one of these can reduce incontinent to almost nothing.

@christophers
I am a male and been self-cathing 9 years due they say to an over-stretched bladder. Got cathing down to a fine science to discretely hide from most friends. Although the ones who do know are very understanding, at least to my face. It is emotionally exhausting as Kelly says, especially if you're getting UTIs as an added bonus. If you don't feel like you have to urinate I'm surprised you don't just go ahead and cath every 4 hours to empty your bladder. Your doctor should have communicated some plan to you I'd think. I've done the Euro Lyft, to no help and I have good pressure they say. Interstem was suggested an option but everything I read says about 30-45% success rate is all. Not willing to potentially reverse where I am at this point since I can manage. Not ideal but I manage it. If they could just figure out why it feels like I have a monthly UTI but no bacterial growth. No medical professional has mentioned IC as a possibility.
Hang in there. You are not alone. You can handle this going forward. I'm new to this group but really appreciate the information and replies of others.

@jeffmarc The interstem device is essentially a pacemaker for your bladder. It helps people with incontinence. Since I have the opposite problem where my bladder retains urine, it did'nt work for me. My bladder doesn't void/empty and I retain urine until I use a catheter to drain it. Will a AUS (Artificial urinary sphincter or ProACT device help with bladder retention?

@wadelong Thank you so much for your detailed response. I do not know what EuroLift is. I do void my bladder with a catheter 5 times a day, I am just worried about what could happen long term with kidneys with the urine sitting in my bladder. My pee is always bright yellow.

@christophers
Neither of those devices would help with your situation.

I would hope you are seeing a urologist that specializes in this area. Having that device already inplanted sounds like you have done that.

This is not one of those common problems with prostate cancer so you might get more information from another group at Mayo that specializes in this type of condition.