Bladder Urgency

Hi Argy48 you sound to be doing the right things to mitigate your problem.  It isn’t something I have experienced but my logical mind wondered if when you need to pee urgently, what amount of fluid are you passing.  In other words, is it physical capacity with a small bladder or just a feeling that you need to go but not genuine.  I suggest a chat with your GP.  Best wishes. David 

Argy48,

I was exactly the same as you.  It's now 3 years since my Radiotherapy ended and I only really started going out again last year.

I had to work out exactly where any public toilets were, because when I had to go, "I had to go!!"

The hospital tried prescribing Tamsulosin but I was on so many tablets for other conditions I couldn't.

Then I was finally prescribed the Tamsulosin last October.  What a game changer!!  I'm able to hold my pee in and be able to live normally.

A lot of men are prescribed Tamsulosin.  It doesn't work for everyone but ask your Oncologist/ Nurse about it.

My GP wouldn't prescribe it unless done first by the hospital.  Now it's on repeat prescription.

I'm even down to one visit to the loo a night.  I was peeing just a little but always needed to go.  Now I'm peeing a lot more each time but not needing to go so often.

Thank you, David. In terms of volume, it's not a huge amount but my loo visits are always productive if somewhat slow to get started to times, particularly during night-time visits, although these are not particularly frequent (sometimes twice, normally at least once but very occasionally none).

Thank you so much for the info, Steve! That sounds like a distinct possibility and as I'm not on many other meds (just thyroxine after a hemithyroidectomy many years ago and Amlodipine for slightly raised BP) then maybe it's an option. You've just proved once more the value of this  forum, so thank you again!

If it worked out for me , then I hope it can for you.

The Oncology Nurse did say that if it didn't work, there was another option in tablet form.  Can't remember what the name was.

Hello Argy48 

I am well aware of your problem, only my large Prostate stopped me from weeing and the answer was a catheter until the solution could be organised and that was a TURP operation. For the NHS guidance on this see this link: NHS TURP Operation.

It might not be for you but it sorted my issues out (details in my profile by clicking on my avatar).

Don't forget we aren't medically trained but it's an option.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi Argy48,

You had some questions about the bladder in your opening post.

Prostate size can certainly affect frequency and strong urge. As the prostate gets larger, it can restrict the urethra where it passes through the prostate. This makes it difficult for the bladder to empty completely. The result is frequency since the usable capacity of the bladder can become greatly reduced.

This restriction in the urethra also makes the muscular walls of the bladder become very thick and strong because it has to push so hard to empty. This can result in an unstoppable urge when the bladder says it is time to go.

Unfortunately, radiation usually does not improve these urinary symptoms and often makes them worse.

Many doctors recommend addressing these symptoms before radiation is performed since it is is more difficult to deal with after radiation. 

Hopefully medication or possibly a TURP will improve you situation. 

Thanks for the info, Brian. I'm going to contact my very helpful Macmillan Advanced Practitioner at the hospital where I was treated to see what he thinks. I have certainly got much more idea of what may be the problem and how it might be alleviated since posting here. What an amazingly helpful and caring facility this site is!

Thanks very much, Stampede. You've explained very clearly why I may be having the issues I am having and I suspected having a super-sized prostate, coupled with the RT, isn't helping. I'll contact my Macmillan specialist who is invariably helpful and quick to reply. It sounds from another respondent as if a TURP may be indicated although I have some anxiety about this having spoken to a friend who had it some time ago. However, que sera sera and maybe some medication might help first.

Hello Argy48 

Argy48 said:

. It sounds from another respondent as if a TURP may be indicated although I have some anxiety about this

Just for clarification - I am a needle phobic wimp - but I needed the TURP.

I checked into Hospital 7.00am on Friday morning, surgery at 9.30am with a spinal anesthetic so I was awake throughout. Back on the ward by 11.30. Catheter out by 6.00am Saturday morning and home by 1.30 pm Saturday. No pain whatsoever and cracking care throughout.

Having had a catheter for over 10 months I had to learn to wee again but with the Squeezy App and a Positive Attitude I am pleased I had the operation.

I hope this helps.

Best wishes - Brian.