Guest guest Posted May 11, 2009 Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 Guy,I am not a pro at this, nor am I a medical person, however, most catheters are removed after a week. Some are continent when it comes out. Others, like me, have a few issues. I had to change a flat tire in the middle of nowhere (no cell signal either!) and pulled the nerve. I am just now getting better after almost 9 months. The key to recovery from the catheter is the Kegel exercises. If your urologist does not give you the info, you can find them on WebMD. My problem started because of back surgery and then prostate surgery while still in a recovery mode.Hope this helps a little.Steve S in ArkansasTo: ProstateCancerSupport Sent: Monday, May 11, 2009 2:15:59 PMSubject: Catheter question Hi, I have read many of you have problems with dribbling and such when your catheter has been removed, sometimes for a very long time. My question is; does anyone know what happens to men who have surgery for something completely different and have had to have a catheter for about the same amount of time as with prostrate surgery? I am curious as to if the same problems and duration is normal if the surgery is different. It seems to me that I have only heard of this long of a problem with prostrate surgery. As I have read the catheter is in place for about 2 to 3 weeks but can cause problems for months or years which seems a very long time to me. Please let me know if this is something you know more about. Thanks, Guy if you wish to write me personally then my e-mail is: guy373comcast (DOT) net Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 11, 2009 Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 Guy,I am not a pro at this, nor am I a medical person, however, most catheters are removed after a week. Some are continent when it comes out. Others, like me, have a few issues. I had to change a flat tire in the middle of nowhere (no cell signal either!) and pulled the nerve. I am just now getting better after almost 9 months. The key to recovery from the catheter is the Kegel exercises. If your urologist does not give you the info, you can find them on WebMD. My problem started because of back surgery and then prostate surgery while still in a recovery mode.Hope this helps a little.Steve S in ArkansasTo: ProstateCancerSupport Sent: Monday, May 11, 2009 2:15:59 PMSubject: Catheter question Hi, I have read many of you have problems with dribbling and such when your catheter has been removed, sometimes for a very long time. My question is; does anyone know what happens to men who have surgery for something completely different and have had to have a catheter for about the same amount of time as with prostrate surgery? I am curious as to if the same problems and duration is normal if the surgery is different. It seems to me that I have only heard of this long of a problem with prostrate surgery. As I have read the catheter is in place for about 2 to 3 weeks but can cause problems for months or years which seems a very long time to me. Please let me know if this is something you know more about. Thanks, Guy if you wish to write me personally then my e-mail is: guy373comcast (DOT) net Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 11, 2009 Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 Guy - I am far from an expert and only know what Drs have told me and I have read on reliable websites. According to the Mayo Clinic website, It is not just the catheter that causes the leaking if you have a RP like I did. As I understand it, (please correct me if I am wrong) guys start out with 2 sphincter muscles - one at the base of the bladder and the other lower on the urethra. During RP the one at the base of the bladder is removed and the other has to learn to take the whole load. That is why most guys leak at least somewhat after the catheter is removed after RP. Kegel exercises strengthen the remaining sphincter muscles so that it can take over the entire load. I am 4 days out from having my catheter removed and am leaking and having small spurts occasionally. I definitely need protection in my underwear. My Dr recommend doing 10 Kegel contractions every hour which I am trying. Hopefully I will be one of the lucky ones who only have it for a couple of weeks. > > Hi, > > I have read many of you have problems with dribbling and such when your catheter has been removed, sometimes for a very long time. My question is; does anyone know what happens to men who have surgery for something completely different and have had to have a catheter for about the same amount of time as with prostrate surgery? I am curious as to if the same problems and duration is normal if the surgery is different. It seems to me that I have only heard of this long of a problem with prostrate surgery. As I have read the catheter is in place for about 2 to 3 weeks but can cause problems for months or years which seems a very long time to me. > > Please let me know if this is something you know more about. > > Thanks, > Guy > if you wish to write me personally then my e-mail is: guy373@... > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 11, 2009 Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 Guy - I am far from an expert and only know what Drs have told me and I have read on reliable websites. According to the Mayo Clinic website, It is not just the catheter that causes the leaking if you have a RP like I did. As I understand it, (please correct me if I am wrong) guys start out with 2 sphincter muscles - one at the base of the bladder and the other lower on the urethra. During RP the one at the base of the bladder is removed and the other has to learn to take the whole load. That is why most guys leak at least somewhat after the catheter is removed after RP. Kegel exercises strengthen the remaining sphincter muscles so that it can take over the entire load. I am 4 days out from having my catheter removed and am leaking and having small spurts occasionally. I definitely need protection in my underwear. My Dr recommend doing 10 Kegel contractions every hour which I am trying. Hopefully I will be one of the lucky ones who only have it for a couple of weeks. > > Hi, > > I have read many of you have problems with dribbling and such when your catheter has been removed, sometimes for a very long time. My question is; does anyone know what happens to men who have surgery for something completely different and have had to have a catheter for about the same amount of time as with prostrate surgery? I am curious as to if the same problems and duration is normal if the surgery is different. It seems to me that I have only heard of this long of a problem with prostrate surgery. As I have read the catheter is in place for about 2 to 3 weeks but can cause problems for months or years which seems a very long time to me. > > Please let me know if this is something you know more about. > > Thanks, > Guy > if you wish to write me personally then my e-mail is: guy373@... > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 11, 2009 Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 Guy - I am far from an expert and only know what Drs have told me and I have read on reliable websites. According to the Mayo Clinic website, It is not just the catheter that causes the leaking if you have a RP like I did. As I understand it, (please correct me if I am wrong) guys start out with 2 sphincter muscles - one at the base of the bladder and the other lower on the urethra. During RP the one at the base of the bladder is removed and the other has to learn to take the whole load. That is why most guys leak at least somewhat after the catheter is removed after RP. Kegel exercises strengthen the remaining sphincter muscles so that it can take over the entire load. I am 4 days out from having my catheter removed and am leaking and having small spurts occasionally. I definitely need protection in my underwear. My Dr recommend doing 10 Kegel contractions every hour which I am trying. Hopefully I will be one of the lucky ones who only have it for a couple of weeks. > > Hi, > > I have read many of you have problems with dribbling and such when your catheter has been removed, sometimes for a very long time. My question is; does anyone know what happens to men who have surgery for something completely different and have had to have a catheter for about the same amount of time as with prostrate surgery? I am curious as to if the same problems and duration is normal if the surgery is different. It seems to me that I have only heard of this long of a problem with prostrate surgery. As I have read the catheter is in place for about 2 to 3 weeks but can cause problems for months or years which seems a very long time to me. > > Please let me know if this is something you know more about. > > Thanks, > Guy > if you wish to write me personally then my e-mail is: guy373@... > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 11, 2009 Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 Guy -- Problems with incontinence, after prostate surgery, aren't caused by the catheter. Men have two independent valves that control urine flow. During prostate removal, one of them is taken out. So we go from two valves to one valve -- and leakage becomes a problem. I don't think that just " having a catheter in " for a few weeks would cause any long-term problems with urine leakage. From personal experience, I can tell you that occasionally, " having a catheter in " _can_ cause problems with urinary tract irritation and narrowing. That happened to me after prostate removal, and I can't say _for sure_ whether it was the catheter, or the surgery, that caused the problem. So there are risks inherent to catheters (including infection), but incontinence (as far as I know) isn't one of them. > > To: ProstateCancerSupport > Sent: Monday, May 11, 2009 2:15:59 PM > Subject: Catheter question > Hi, > > I have read many of you have problems with dribbling and such when your catheter has been removed, sometimes for a very long time. My question is; does anyone know what happens to men who have surgery for something completely different and have had to have a catheter for about the same amount of time as with prostrate surgery? I am curious as to if the same problems and duration is normal if the surgery is different. It seems to me that I have only heard of this long of a problem with prostrate surgery. As I have read the catheter is in place for about 2 to 3 weeks but can cause problems for months or years which seems a very long time to me. > > Please let me know if this is something you know more about. > > Thanks, > Guy > if you wish to write me personally then my e-mail is: guy373comcast (DOT) net > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 11, 2009 Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 Guy -- Problems with incontinence, after prostate surgery, aren't caused by the catheter. Men have two independent valves that control urine flow. During prostate removal, one of them is taken out. So we go from two valves to one valve -- and leakage becomes a problem. I don't think that just " having a catheter in " for a few weeks would cause any long-term problems with urine leakage. From personal experience, I can tell you that occasionally, " having a catheter in " _can_ cause problems with urinary tract irritation and narrowing. That happened to me after prostate removal, and I can't say _for sure_ whether it was the catheter, or the surgery, that caused the problem. So there are risks inherent to catheters (including infection), but incontinence (as far as I know) isn't one of them. > > To: ProstateCancerSupport > Sent: Monday, May 11, 2009 2:15:59 PM > Subject: Catheter question > Hi, > > I have read many of you have problems with dribbling and such when your catheter has been removed, sometimes for a very long time. My question is; does anyone know what happens to men who have surgery for something completely different and have had to have a catheter for about the same amount of time as with prostrate surgery? I am curious as to if the same problems and duration is normal if the surgery is different. It seems to me that I have only heard of this long of a problem with prostrate surgery. As I have read the catheter is in place for about 2 to 3 weeks but can cause problems for months or years which seems a very long time to me. > > Please let me know if this is something you know more about. > > Thanks, > Guy > if you wish to write me personally then my e-mail is: guy373comcast (DOT) net > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 Guy, I should add one thing to my reply and that I think having the catheter in did make a few complications. (But that said I am not sure which is caused by the catheter and which by the urethra being reattached to the bladder with stitches) Since the catheter was removed, I have an increased urgency to pee before my bladder gets too full and when I do pee there is a sort of slight burning sensation. Luckily each of those is lessening each day and I am still only 5 days out from it being removed. > > > > Hi, > > > > I have read many of you have problems with dribbling and such when your catheter has been removed, sometimes for a very long time. My question is; does anyone know what happens to men who have surgery for something completely different and have had to have a catheter for about the same amount of time as with prostrate surgery? I am curious as to if the same problems and duration is normal if the surgery is different. It seems to me that I have only heard of this long of a problem with prostrate surgery. As I have read the catheter is in place for about 2 to 3 weeks but can cause problems for months or years which seems a very long time to me. > > > > Please let me know if this is something you know more about. > > > > Thanks, > > Guy > > if you wish to write me personally then my e-mail is: guy373@ > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 Char, I was on antibiotics the whole time the catheter was in, plus 2 days after. It is getting less and less each day, so I do not think it is an infection. One of the nurses said that is it normal for while. I imagine that the catheter causes a lot of irritation to the urethra - I know it sure felt like it was! > > > > > > Hi, > > > > > > I have read many of you have problems with dribbling and such when your > catheter has been removed, sometimes for a very long time. My question is; > does anyone know what happens to men who have surgery for something > completely different and have had to have a catheter for about the same > amount of time as with prostrate surgery? I am curious as to if the same > problems and duration is normal if the surgery is different. It seems to me > that I have only heard of this long of a problem with prostrate surgery. As > I have read the catheter is in place for about 2 to 3 weeks but can cause > problems for months or years which seems a very long time to me. > > > > > > Please let me know if this is something you know more about. > > > > > > Thanks, > > > Guy > > > if you wish to write me personally then my e-mail is: guy373@ > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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