Tamsulosin with a catheter

Hello Chris

I can’t answer that question as it’s medical advice so you need to speak to your team.

I did have a catheter for 10 months so I know how you feel. Remember however you feel your team are on your side and take their advice.

Best wishes - Brian.

Bad luck. I've always continued to take my tamulosin while on a catheter. I assume the catheter is intended as a temporary measure and they will try you without in a couple of weeks.

In this case you want to have a normal dose of tamulosin in your system when the catheter comes out to give you the best chance of getting back to normal.

There was one patient when I was having radiotherapy who was having real difficulty urinating. He was trained in intermittent self catheterisation (ISC) by the radiotherapy team to resolve things.

You might want to investigate ISC yourself if you find an indwelling catheter too much of a nuisance.

All the best Rob (Sandberg)

Thank you Rob,

You're spot on, the hospital which fitted the catheter intend to remove after 2 weeks - a week before RT ends. Given the early effects on my bladder that makes me nervous. ISC sounds like a good option for me: I don't want pain like that again if the bladder heals slowly.

Point taken on Tamsulosin. I've read about people regretting even a short break from it and, regretfully, it's the norm for me currently. The old bod is taking enough of a beating as it is.

Thank you for your insight.

Chris

It may be worth asking for some "flip tops" these are taps/valves that you can substitute for the urine bag. These allow the bladder to fill and you can empty it when you feel the urge through the valve.

The downside of bags is that urine drains continually and the bladder never fills leading to loss of bladder condition/function. The flip/tops keep the bladder working as normal.

I might be inclined to wait until RT finishes before coming off the catheter. If its the radiation causing inflammation then this may not be resolved while you are still being treated.

All the Best Rob

Hello Chris (Odd Man In ) 

So I have been thinking about your case, and not being medically trained I am only going from my own experience.  Iam however under The Christie too.

In my case I had an enlarged prostate which was inhibiting the urine flow, causing my bladder to swell and crush my kidneys. It was decided that I needed a TURP operation to shave the bottom of the prostate and thus clear a decent space in the urethra - in the meanwhile my radiotherapy was delayed until the TURP operation and the indwelling catheter removed.

I am just wondering why you are getting the inflamed bladder - is this because of the enlarged prostate (145ml is 3 times the size of a "normal" prostate) is (was before the catheter) restricting your urine flow, making it hang around in the urethra? Just a thought.

I was told it's possible to have a TURP operation after radiotherapy but it carries increased risks of incontinence and it's harder for the prostate to heal.

Just my thoughts - i know it doesn't relieve the pain but just a little curious as they knew of the size of your prostate before the start of RT.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi Rob, today I can give a good answer in light of yesterday's developments. I spoke with a consultant radiographer who explained in very similar terms to yours the benefits of a flip/flow valve.

She kindly left two for me at radiography reception last night. We have agreed that I will hold off a couple of days for me to monitor what looks like blood in my urine - which is easier if there is a quantity to examine. At least, I know I have no UTI or kidney infection.

She also told me that a catheter may be needed for 6 weeks, in line with what you say. Oh, and I should not drop the Tamsulosin.

Thanks for revisiting this.

All the best.

Chris

Hi Brian,

I should have put in my profile that a TURP was discussed with me in October last year. Based on what you say about healing, I should perhaps not have let my fear of surgery affect my decision - and it was my decision - to wait and see if ADT shrank the prostate enough.

I'm unsure what to do now. I had a very detailed discussion yesterday (see my reply to Sandberg ) but we did not touch on this. The more I think about it, whatever happens with the cancer is not guaranteed to cure the problem that started my journey.

Thanks for revisiting this.

All the best.

Chris

Good Morning Chris

Thanks for the reply.

I think now you have started radiotherapy, get the fractions done, get the period with the catheter sorted out, and once the catheter has been removed give yourself a break to get back to normal. (having had a catheter for 10 months I had to learn to wee again!).

Once you know you are back to your "new normal" and you are still having issues, you can discuss with urology/oncology if a TURP would be a good idea.

Best wishes - Brian.

Simply, I love that reply. Thank you Brian, sincerely.

Chris