I'm interested in conversations about and I want to talk about
Know exactly what you want?
Show search

Notification

Error

<123>

Back from RALP

Email this conversation Print this conversation
User
Posted 30 Jan 2022 at 11:58

Dave,were you given a contact number when you were discharged from hospital, if so I would be ringing them. You could try ringing the ward you were discharged from and ask them for advice.

Thanks Chris

User
Posted 02 Feb 2022 at 14:32

so got my catheter out and infected  wound above my tummy button dressed. Wasnt too painful

Really appreciate the kind nurses.

Just getting used to using the pads now for leaks and doing pelvic floor exercises.

Feeling very creaky and aches and pains today, not sure if thats related but glad to be moving forwards with next phase of recovery..

wishing you all well

Dave

User
Posted 02 Feb 2022 at 15:01

Good news that you catheter has been removed and that you are now on the next stage of your journey.

 

You do need to bear in mind that you underwent major surgery and should not be doing too much for a number of weeks or months. I am still feeling a  little tired 5 weeks after my surgery, though do have more energy now than when I did the day after surgery.

 

Good luck with the weeks ahead

 

Ivan

User
Posted 04 Feb 2022 at 12:46

So after getting severe muscle pain in one leg to the point I couldnt walk i visited hospital.

It was very disabling and worrying. Doc seemed to think it was muscle pain from the op (over 3 weeks ago) and nothing serious medically. Not being able to walk is massive though. Also small signs i may have a urinary infection. So cam home with anti biotics, Naproxen for pain and some gastro protecting meds.

Fingers crossed it improves!  

User
Posted 06 Feb 2022 at 03:52

Hope you are starting to feel better Dave and that all is ok.

User
Posted 07 Feb 2022 at 15:33

Now just over three weeks since my surgery and my main target through all this was to be able to watch my team Plymouth Argyle play at Chelsea on Saturday in the FA Cup just 3 weeks after surgery.  The prospect looked bleak after a week or so but wearing the vivactive underwear I got through it all fine with just two used all day. Leakage hasn't shown much improvement yet but I seem to have a bit more control than at the beginning. I even risked a pint after the game before returning to the hotel to change. I'm now focused on the things I can do which is plenty of walking and getting out to watch games. My comeback to golf will be in the Spring in friendly 9 hole games.

User
Posted 07 Feb 2022 at 15:59

It is good that you are getting out and about and not letting the leakage problem put a stop to that.

Re the incontinence, my surgery was 6 weeks ago ( My catheter was removed 5 weeks ago) and, certainly in my case, it took a little while  for my continence to improve from around 85% ( 6 hours after my catheter was removed) to what it is this week: 95% plus. It seemed to gradually improve as the weeks went by and then last week got a lot better. I am still pelvic floor thrusting so perhaps the cumulative effect of thatt is paying dividends.

 

Ivan

User
Posted 10 Feb 2022 at 11:51

Saw my consultant on Tuesday- he thinks my pubic bone is infected or inflamed. May be connected to muscle pain in my legs- which is easing.. but still very hard to walk unaided.

 

hope antibiotics kick in pronto!

 

take care everyone

Dave

User
Posted 08 Apr 2022 at 18:39

So had my prostatectomy back on Jan 12th. Still waiting for my review next month.

Having problems emptying my bladder- was ok initially but now a dribble.

I am down for a camera to explore this as down at hosp next month as  they couldnt get a catheter in.

My main concern is if the dribble dries up and I'm not emptying my bladder what then?

I am supposed to be keeping my fluids up but am really hesitant if im not peeing properly.

 

Any thoughts?

 

Dave

User
Posted 08 Apr 2022 at 19:29

Dave, my post op water works were fine for a few weeks.  After a couple of months I started with smelly urine and a slow flow. My post op slow flow was caused by the migration of hem o lok clips and a build up of scar tissue at the joint.At three months post RARP a cystoscopy found the problem.

As regards going into retention there are a few options. They could try and get a catheter in. If the urethra is to tight, they may use the camera with a guide wire to get a catheter into the bladder.  Another  option is to use the camera and guide wire to get a set of dilators through the stricture and then fit a catheter.

I have had all the above done without any anesthetic and they are tolerable.

Most drastic is to have a suprapubic catheter fitted which goes through the tummy wall into the bladder, i did have a shot of morphine for that one and I was still.coming round from a GA.

If you think you are going int retention don't hang about get your self to urology or the emergency department. My flow got down to 0.5mls per second.

Hope you don't need any emergency attention.

Thanks Chris

 

 

 

User
Posted 08 Apr 2022 at 22:42

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
My main concern is if the dribble dries up and I'm not emptying my bladder what then? I am supposed to be keeping my fluids up but am really hesitant if im not peeing properly.

If you can't urinate at all, go to A&E - don't hang around waiting to see if it sorts itself out as urinary retention can be extremely painful and cause kidney damage. 

I understand the reluctance about drinking but it is counter-intuitive -  you risk becoming dehydrated which can make retention more likely. 

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 11 Apr 2022 at 15:07
Managed to get the flexible camera thing appointment brought forward so going tomorrow.

hope to better understand the issues and resolve them!

Thanks

Dave

User
Posted 11 Apr 2022 at 17:06

Dave , hope all goes well , it is an interesting experience, I was able to watch the screen as the camera went it and the doctor explained what we were seeing. You should find out quite quickly what the issue is. If the stricture is to narrow they may not get the camera into the bladder. I am sure you will let us know what happens.

Thanks Chris

User
Posted 15 Apr 2022 at 15:58

never really sure if this is helpful to others but anyway an update on me!

went to outpatient appointment for flexible cystoscopy (camera up the penis) to see why i was struggling to pee. They found that the neck of the bladder had become too narrow- practically pinhole size and i wasnt emptying my bladder of infected urine. to cut a long story i got admitted originally with a plan of a supra pubic catheter and sort out the bladder later but after some debate ended up agreeing to surgery for bladder neck incision- to open it out and a regular catheter. 

That's what i had - as an emergency. I asked for the laser cut i had read about with better outcomes but the gadget wasnt available for a day or two. So went with the other type that generates heat, less good i read. Anyway I am back home now after a two night stay- ward was like the wild west. Try with the catheter out in a fortnight then self inserted catheters intermittantly. Drinking loads of water and hoping for no more infections! 

 

what i learned here was that this should have happened earlier- my consultant hadnt been informed of the couple of infections. Also - know your stuff- ask questions and dont be too passive- not easy when youre feeling unwell. Double check things.

 

Anyway- thanks for the support good luck with your own journneys

 

Dave

User
Posted 15 Apr 2022 at 16:38

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

never really sure if this is helpful to others but anyway an update on me!

went to outpatient appointment for flexible cystoscopy (camera up the penis) to see why i was struggling to pee. They found that the neck of the bladder had become too narrow- practically pinhole size and i wasnt emptying my bladder of infected urine. to cut a long story i got admitted originally with a plan of a supra pubic catheter and sort out the bladder later but after some debate ended up agreeing to surgery for bladder neck incision- to open it out and a regular catheter. 

That's what i had - as an emergency. I asked for the laser cut i had read about with better outcomes but the gadget wasnt available for a day or two. So went with the other type that generates heat, less good i read. Anyway I am back home now after a two night stay- ward was like the wild west. Try with the catheter out in a fortnight then self inserted catheters intermittantly. Drinking loads of water and hoping for no more infections! 

 

what i learned here was that this should have happened earlier- my consultant hadnt been informed of the couple of infections. Also - know your stuff- ask questions and dont be too passive- not easy when youre feeling unwell. Double check things.

 

Anyway- thanks for the support good luck with your own journneys

 

Dave

glad you now know the reason and it has been sorted for you but not what you needed im sure. I agree with your point that we shouldn’t be too passive about any biases issues, post-op or however long down the line. Glad you are also home and hopefully on road to recovery 🙏

User
Posted 15 Apr 2022 at 18:04

Dave , thanks for the update, lets hope it only needs one go, i did self dilatation for a while, get a variety of catheters if you can. I found the tiemann tip catheters were good, they are angled at the end so can be rotated to find the right spot. Be very gentle when you start doing self dilatation.

Thanks Chris

 

User
Posted 16 Apr 2022 at 17:23

Hi D@ve. Sorry to here about the slow flow and UTI. My slow flow made me scared to drink much and I think that is what caused my UTI. Are you drinking cranberry juice (unsweetened)? I hate the stuff but I'm drinking loads of it to try to ward off further infections. Chris

User
Posted 30 Apr 2022 at 11:30

self catheterisation isnt too tricky now i have the hang of it.

Hoping the bladder starts to work better soon getting leakage. Am doing the pelvic floor exercises. Anything else i can do? I guess it takes time 

 

Dave

 

User
Posted 03 May 2022 at 13:00

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

never really sure if this is helpful to others but anyway an update on me!

went to outpatient appointment for flexible cystoscopy (camera up the penis) to see why i was struggling to pee. They found that the neck of the bladder had become too narrow- practically pinhole size and i wasnt emptying my bladder of infected urine. to cut a long story i got admitted originally with a plan of a supra pubic catheter and sort out the bladder later but after some debate ended up agreeing to surgery for bladder neck incision- to open it out and a regular catheter. 

That's what i had - as an emergency. I asked for the laser cut i had read about with better outcomes but the gadget wasnt available for a day or two. So went with the other type that generates heat, less good i read. Anyway I am back home now after a two night stay- ward was like the wild west. Try with the catheter out in a fortnight then self inserted catheters intermittantly. Drinking loads of water and hoping for no more infections! 

 

what i learned here was that this should have happened earlier- my consultant hadnt been informed of the couple of infections. Also - know your stuff- ask questions and dont be too passive- not easy when youre feeling unwell. Double check things.

 

Anyway- thanks for the support good luck with your own journneys

 

Dave

 

Hi Dave,

In reply to your point about whether its helpful to others I can answer a resounding Yes.

I was diagnosed with PC last week and have been offered the choice of surgery or RT. I'm frantically reading up on the subject before meeting specialists to discuss and ask questions so posts such as yours are really helpful to illustrate the potential issues.

Really hope the flow improves for you.

Gordon

User
Posted 03 May 2022 at 13:17

cheers Gordon-

flow improving!

I wasnt given a choice except surgery or not. It can be overwhelming to see all the info out there and try figure out whats best for us!

Happy to answer an questions you might have about the surgery..

cheers

Dave

 
Forum Jump  
<123>
Email this conversation Print this conversation

Join the online community now.

Click through to become a member and gain access to support, information and real time replies.




MenuTop ▲
©2025 Prostate Cancer UK