URINARY RETENTION

FINISHED 45 TREATMENTS OF IGRT ON 11/7/2012. I STILL HAVE URINARY RETENTION, ANY ANSWERS?

Conbraco,

I have been there. Flow started slowing down about 6 weeks into IMRT. Then, after HDR it got worse. I went on one Flowmax a night, then eventually up to two a day. Had to experiment to determine for me that it was better to take one in morning and one at night, rather than two at the same time, which works better for some people. It would be most difficult at night. I spent many uncomfortable nights on the couch, waiting for that sphincter to relax enough to go. I would pass some small blood clots (like little flecs) during some urinations. Finally had to go to ER one night for emergency catheterization. After that, the fear of not being able to go made it even worse. I went to the Uro and he got me some Cath tubes and taught me how to cath myself. I actually had to do that one night about a week later. Then, one evening I passed quite a bit of blood clotting....actually heard it hit the back side of the toilet bowl and break apart. After that the flow was usually good. I still use two Flomax a day, and I'm almost a year out from treatment. For me, it's all about getting the sphincter to relax. When it flows, its flows good. It's still a little hard to get it started, but only at night, especially after sleeping on my stomach. Rad Onc says I have trained my sphincter too well to hold urine in bladder while sleeping, now I just have to learn to relax. I guess it's partly mental, at least in my case. My final point is, it will get better. I don't worry about it much anymore and it seems to be getting better all the time. Good luck.

Radiation can cause temporary or even chronic strictures, many times they will resolve themselves. I would be talking to my uro asap. I spent the first 1 1/2 years after my surgery fighting a number of severe stricture problems. Hopefully, yours might just be post-radiation swelling. You sure don't want to make that trip to the ER to have a cath put in place.

david

Fairwind, its not safe for all men to self-cath. My urethra/bladder neck connection was so messed up and delicate, that despite all the catheters I were on for that 1 1/2 year period, my uro/surgeon never felt it was safe for me to self-cath, as there was too much damage potential if I did it myself. He was also concerned the 2 times I had to go to the ER, as the first time, they did not follow his precise directions on the size and type of catheter to insert, almost causing a serious injury. No man should attempt to self-cath unless under the care and instruction of their doctor.

david

Older topic but I am very interested.
During cystography doctor saw several small strictures and a large stricture near the bulbar area. He didn't want to press on due to possible damage.
Reconstructive surgeon is doing a scope on the 17th and wants to dilate it.
Success rate is low but I've been near retention episodes Three times and would at least have some temporary fix.

How are things now?

Glen