BCG and Stricture

Mr D has had stricture issues for years and sends his sympathy. Like you he is a take the treatment head on person. He too has had very little straight sleep, which doesn't help me sleep through either. As BCG didn't stop a recurrence, he took up the offer of switching to Mitomycin. That has so far treated the cancer OK BUT one particular nurse was excruciatingly rough forcing the catheter. She got it half in and sent for reinforcements. I was wincing just sat in the corner! It really seems to be an art as one nurse slid it in amazingly smoothly. Sadly we've never seen her again. He even tried solafenicin but it didn't seem to make much difference. He's just started Saw Palmetto in the hopes of some benefit. We have had 3 months of trouble ["supply difficulties"] and still waiting [though promised 'soon'] trying to get a pack of catheters he can use at home to try to help. I get a tad cross as if he couldn't manage to empty at all we would soon be at A&E and what would that cost the NHS compared to making sure they didn't run out of such a key product for GP prescription???

Besides, as a registered carer, does nobody official think what lack of sleep is doing to either of our immune systems, mental health etc etc? Which on average will all end up costing the NHS more. 

Denby

I am sorry to read this and wish him well.

So in his case did they operate to remove the stricture?

Why does he still need a catheter ? 

I was under the impression that after the op to remove or limit the stricture I would have a catheter for a few days only.

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply to me it is much appreciated.

Thanks, I'll pass on your good wishes. In his case he had surgery years ago when we lived further south, for what were only described to us as growths in his bladder - no mention of cancer at all. They told him then to self catheterise once a month, a difficult thing to remember to do when life's busy and you don't notice the effect of doing/not doing so. So he forgot all about it until 'up too many times a night' took us to the new GP  nearly 3 years ago. Result diagnosis of bladder cancer and surgeon saying he had strictures. One of the TURBT ops they did something to improve the strictures, I'm not quite clear what, but the effect hasn't lasted in his case.

You're welcome to the reply, we do hope things go better for you. Will be interesting to hear, if you are able to find out, how your team go about improving them. This forum constantly demonstrates there are differences of approach around the country, so it's useful to know.

Best wishes, Denby

I live in Lakenheath Suffolk and I am 66 years old. I had 6 or 7 cannot quite remember TURBT'S. One at West Suffolk Hospital and the rest at Addenbrooke's Cambridge.

I am due to go into West Suffolk 18th September.

Having not had any serious illnesses since childhood I was completely amazed at the level of care and professionalism at both hospitals.

I will let you know how it goes.

Best wishes to you

Steve 

So sorry to hear about your problems - must be awful for you. All the best for Sep 18th - we will be thinking of you. Keep in touch.

All the best.

Thank you for your kind words, its not has bad as it sounds just a nuisance. Other people are going through much worse than me bless their hearts.

I hope it all goes well for you on the 18th Sept.I really feel for you with the constant need to pass urine.I was going every few minutes last year all through the day and night.It was made worse by a hospital acquired urine infection after a cystoscopy.If you haven’t been checked for a urine infection already it might be an idea to drop in a sample for testing.In the 1980’s I had a stricture and they stretched my bladder neck under anaesthetic.Best wishes Jane xx

Thank you Jane for your kind words it is a nuisance to say the least. I attended a pre admission appointment the other day and left them a sample to test. I did have an infection some weeks ago and I feel that I have one now but,we will see what the tests reveal.. My Best Wishes to you also Steve