Radiotherapy and weak urine flow

Hello Robina.

Welcome to the prostate cancer forum. You are amongst friends who have a wealth of experiences and understanding of the journey you and your husband have been on since the beginning of the year. Your husband's stats would indicate that he is on a curative pathway which is great news.

With regards to your specific query then it is important that you bring the issue to the radiologists notice. The way to look at it is that RT is killing off the cancer cells and these need to be got rid of and flushed away by the kidneys. The drugs he is on have been prescribed to relax the muscles of the bladder to make urination easier. The radiotherapy can make the prostate swell which narrows the urethra (the tube from the kidneys to the bladder) resulting in retention - it's a bit like the swelling you get with a bruise when the body clears this of its own accord in time. Because the radiotherapy keeps hitting the prostate every day then this bruising can build up and could eventually cause the urethra to narrow to such a point that urine builds up in the kidneys and this can be very dangerous. Many men on this forum have experience of catheters, if it comes to that, and will probably tell you that they don't like it but it is not as bad as they thought. The bruising will go down once the radiotherapy finishes but in the meantime the kidneys need to be protected. If you tell the radio oncologist then he will probably send your husband for a blood and maybe a urine test to check kidney function and whether the issue is caused by a UTI (this can also cause a problem), and then decide if any action needs to be taken.

I know this is not the information your husband wanted but it is important to keep the experts up to date on all changes your husband is experiencing during radiotherapy. They have seen it all before and have a strategy to deal with it.

All the best with the treatment and I am sure others on this forum will give reassurances with their experiences.

Getting my ureter and urethra's wrong. The ureter is the tube between kidney and bladder, the urethra is from the bladder to the outside world and passes through the prostate but constriction of the urethra can cause a backup of urine through the ureter into the kidneys. Give us a break - it is Friday and has been a heavy week with husband in week one of his 4th chemotherapy session. He is feeling well enough today that we are going out for meal this evening at a taverna where the tables are very well spaced apart. The storms have gone and we can sit outside so less chance of infection. 

Hi Robina,

I had a catheter fitted for my prostatectomy.  It was there it had a purpose AND it worked,.

The last thing your husband wants during all this chaos is an infection because the urine is staying too long where not wanted.

People told me that when taking  out I would know about it. no such hing. It was gone without  a blink.

The medics know what they are doing - go for it.

Good luck

Roger

Alwayshope 

Thank you for your very helpful response. My husband will definitely speak to the Radiologist on Monday,  He has been coping really well with the treatment so far and otherwise feeling well.   I wish your husband well with his treatment and hope you enjoy your meal out while he is feeling well enough. Kind regards Robina

Hi RogerH thank you for your helpful reply. My husband has a fear of having a catheter due to stories from others who had difficulty. I have been trying to reassure him with some of the information I have read from others on this forum. Wishing you well in your recovery Kind regards Robina

Hi Robina

do not believe stories as they tend to get exaggerated.

You need to pass urine regularly otherwise you really will be in pain with UI's etc.

Go for it show the world what you are made.  Or perhaps say OK I'll give it a try. Which ever.

Stay strong.

Roger

Whilst in general the info above is mostly correct. Tamsulosin acts on the prostate. The pee tube passes through, as the prostate grows it squeezes the pee tube, urethra as said, that can cause weak flow and surprise dribbles. Tamsulosin works by relaxing those muscles, allowing flow to continue. I was prescribed it and it does help, especially when I was on radiotherapy. It must be taken after food and my consultant said after dinner. But must be after food. It needs food. 
I am 9 months past RT. During it, my pee got shorter and less flow, it slowly got worse but never to catheterisation. Once RT finished, over the next couple of months it got better flow and is almost back to normal, but I’m back to 3 times in the night and urgency. So keep an open mind. They give you something…. And take something away, it’s just the way it is. Fatigue and aching joints are my issue, plus insomnia. But I’m living a great life, just got back from a month tour of Europe in our motorhome, you just have to make a few adjustments. 

Hi Robina

I didn't have problems like your husband,  however, I was told by the RT team that if I had problem urinating- particularly if I couldn't, then I was to tell them urgently. If I couldnt pass urine at all , then I was to go to A&E. Please ask him to speak with the RT tram as this could be serious.

Regards

Stuart

Hi Malnik thank you for sharing your experience this helps a lot. He has started taking tamsulosin later in day Will get him to try taking it after dinner. Encouraging to know you are doing well We look forward to enjoying a holiday after Radiotherapy. Not sur how soon to plan for a break.  Kind regards Robina

Hi Scampidoodle He will definitely ask for advice at next treatment. He is fine during the day just early morning is an issue 

thank you for good advice Robina