www.incontinentsupport.org

Another visit to my Urologist is done... And now he is worried about retention also. Seemed when I emptied my bladder it was not empty. So that is something else we are watching out for. And with my other ongoing problems I was offered 4 choices.
1)Surgery. My prostrate is enlarged and my Urologist assures me he can fix that. The very thought of surgery INSIDE my urethra and prostrate just sort of scares me. And the possible downside is that it could leave me more incontinent than I am now. But I wouldn't have the retention problem...
2)Different drugs. I have tried 3 or 4 different ones. Some worked for awhile. Some not at all. And the side effects. I really don't want to try that again. And again. Or again.
3)Catheters. Intermittent. That might help my immediate retention issue. But does nothing for my day leakage and frequency and nothing for my nighttime frequency.
4)Wait and see. This is the current choice. I go back next month for a followup and we will check on my retention issue. Was it a fluke occurrence for me? Or is it a problem for me? Seems last October I had retention after a test. And this month I had retention after a test. Other visits have had no such problem... *sigh*
What to do? (That is a rhetorical question. I do realize that no one can answer this for me...)

Scott

ScottK,

Being able to put your situation down in writing is one huge asset that this site provides.

I had my sphincterotomy in 1999, my prostatectomy in 2001. Compared with the sphincterotomy, the prostatectomy was a walk in the park. If you and your urologist decide on a prostatectomy, I'm sure you'll do fine.

Scott, I'll offer back the support you offered me, I hope you get some answers to your questions. I hope whatever you decide to do, it works out for you

Thank you both for the kind words! A pick me up IS what I needed!!!

Patrick, I don't think my Urologist is talking a prostatectomy at this time.. I think he is talking more like TURP (Transurethral resection of the prostate) where the prostrate is hollowed out a bit to remove the offending pressure on the urethra.
Makes me cringe just thinking about it...

And PB&J, choices are limited. But at least I do have choices at this point...

Scott

The possibility of using intermittent catheters needs a bit more thought. If you are retaining some urine, then your bladder has a smaller capacity as a result - as there is always some in. For example, if you bladder leaks at 500ml but you retain 200ml, then you only produce 300mls before a leak. However, if you drain the bladder fully with an intermittent catheter, then there is 500mls of room before leaks - probably enough for you to have enough time to go to the toilet at regular intervals and be dry all the time.

If you use the right catheters it i painless, quick and convenient and has the bonus of making sure you don't develop a urinary tract infection too.

I used to find my retention fluctuated in the same was my general condition does. For that reason intermittent catheters didn't work for me as I couldn't predict when I would need them and when I wouldn't. It was ok for me not to use them in the end though as it always came out within a few hours anyway. The problem was that someomes my bladder filled up loads before flooding.