Possible Urine Retention. Any experiences of Self Catheterisation?

I would get the training for self catheterisation if its offered to you. I've done it and if you are prone to retention its a good backup plan to have if you get into difficulties.

Only downside is you have to be very careful with hygiene as its easy to pick up urinary infections. The catheterisation process is very straightforward and modern hydrophilic catheters are very comfortable to use.

I've been meaning to post something on this for a while so here are some notes

Intermittent vs Indwelling Catheters

Having just received training on how to self-catheterize I thought I'd share my experience and pass on the benefits of ISC (Intermittent Self Catheterization) vs indwelling catheters.

I received training on ISC at my local hospital urology department and the whole process lasted about an hour. I must admit to being a bit anxious before the appointment and the thought of introducing tubes into sensitive areas of the body was a bit daunting.

However, a lovely nurse put me at ease and I completed the appointment feeling confident I could complete the procedure safely and independently.

During the training the nurse will explain the anatomy of the urinary system, show you the different types of catheter, explain the process of ISC and finally you will try the procedure for yourself. Important information on hygiene and risks is also explained.

The modern hydrophylic catheters (activated by breaking a small capsule of saline inside the catheter packaging) are amazing and very comfortable and easy to use.

Intermittent self-catheterisation has a number of advantages over the indwelling type.

It has a lower infection rate (UTI)

You can live a much more normal life without having any permanent appliance in or on your body

You can still have sexual intercourse

I received the training as I occasionally have trouble emptying my bladder and ISC means I can avoid the anxiety and discomfort associated with these symptoms.

 Sandberg (Rob)

I empathise with the challenge of peeing to order in a flow test situation.  I am retaining about 0.5L of pee most of the time which isn't good. I have been self-catheterising for about a month and it is actually much easier than I had feared. Like Sandberg, I was given some training at home by a nurse working with the NHS but employed by a manufacturer / supplier to the NHS.  I do it last thing which means I don't need to get up at night and sometimes during the day if I feel I need to. The one thing I'd say is that is has messed up my "normal" peeing pattern.  It's certainly nothing to be scared of.  Hope that helps.   Does anyone know if self-catheterisation can affect PSA results. Mine has jumped since I started - may be coincidence, but wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience?

My husband has been self catheterising for around 5 years now. It was a bit daunting to start but he very quickly got the hang of it. Made going out much easier although finding a suitable toilet can be the problem. Need to be meticulous with hand hygiene and in this time has only had 1 urine infection so for him it was a positive set. 
good luck going forward.

Hi Dave 

Your profile is empty so I don't know where you are in your prostate cancer journey.

I can certainly relate to your retention issue, having had an increasing benign prostate enlargement (later diagnosed as having PCa involvement) for a number of years.  This culminated in a dangerous incident of acute urinary retention, requiring emergency intervention and temporary catheterisation, thankfully for a limited duration.   

The long term impact of urinary flow obstruction includes damage to the bladder (which I understand is irreversible) and reduced kidney function (perhaps with limited recovery). 

So I'd advise you to get the retention issue checked out and resolved as soon your cancer treatment permits.  In my limited experience, I'd recommend getting a full flow rate test to help assess your current state of health.  The solution may be a TURP or similar category of procedure. 

Best wishes for a good outcome to your issues, Personi.     

HI. Thanks for your reply and insight to your on experience. My big problem was anxiety before and during a flow test. So to get to where I am as of today. Three sessions of 20 RT to go without any side effects or urinary problems.  I could add I had no urinary flow problems before treatment and over the last few years. 

In my own opinion I do not have a urinary obstruction problem. Prostate size normal for my age. Kidney function excellent according my doc. 

The real reason for my post was to point out that a Urine Flow test result can be affected by stress and anxiety in a Hospital setting. 

Anyway thenks again for your reply which might help others in the future

 Cheers Dave

Understood, thank you for clarifying.  Good luck with the RT.