Question about catheter use?

Hi:

My Dad (Gleason Score 9) had a very tought time passing urine due to prostate enlargement. Couple of days back he underwent cystoscopy and TURP. He was on catheter for 2 months and 2 prior attempts to remove catheter went futile due to infection and enlarged prostate. We will know on Monday id everything went as planned. You could request your Dr. if there would a feasible option for your neighbor as well.

Avi.

Let me just say... Self catheterization is every bit as bad as he thinks. The few times I had to do it, since my urethra was inflamed anyway, it was h***. Maybe under normal circumstances and with proper guidance and a self lubricated catheter... But it is still a miserable experience. I guess some guys had better luck with them, but I did not.

And Foley's can get infected a lot quicker than 30 days. I had one infected after only 10 days, pissing blood and thick brown urine into the bag. And I was very very careful, sanitizing everything, sterilizing or using new components whenever possible. I am VERY surprised a professional suggested wearing a Foley up to 30 days. The professionals I have talked to only recommend 14 days max.

BUT with the kidney failure that puts it out of the realm of my experience. Is he on dialysis yet? The best solution I could come up with to keep the urethra open long enough with my own massive prostate was a mix of Cialis in the morning and Flomax in the evening. Like I said, it only kept the urethra open just enough to allow the pressure relief and keep my kidneys from danger, but it did work, and I was able to go a couple hours at a time away from pitstops to relieve the pressure buildup in the bladder. 

I don't know if Flomax is possible, but it works, and even works best together with Cialis taken at opposite times of day. NO other meds worked for me, and certainly NOT naturopathic remedies like Saw Palmetto. Flomax does not shrink the prostate, but it relaxes the prostate and muscle tissue under the bladder and around the urethra. It is generally harmless, except that and the Cialis caused nasal congestion so I had to wear nasal strips at night. Sinus congestion is the only common complaint about Flomax . And insurance will pay for Flomax but not Cialis, even though Cialis has been prescribed for BPH symptoms. Like I said, it was not a miracle cure but it was way way better than wearing a Foley ad infinitum and way way way better than self catheterization.

Of course since then I had mine removed last year and the difference is a GODSEND! BUT I did not have metastasized cancer, so I can't give any more advice than what I just said. Someone else will have to address that.

BTW... One time when I was bleeding from the Foley catheter, and when they removed the catheter, the blood was clotting and jamming up the urethra, making it even worse than the prostate symptoms.

Not surprising the nurse thought it a breeze. Female catheters are only some 6 inches long. Show her a male self catheter that looks like a drain snake rooter and feels like it too. Remind her it has to be pushed through a prostate that is pinching off the urethra, and popped through a valve that shuts off the bladder during sex. A man's urethra is some three times longer than a woman's as it snakes around inside, it is not a short straight shot either like a woman's. Add the inflammation of the urethra that usually accompanies severe BPH, and yes I bet childbirth is painful, but I bet catheterizing an infected male urethra is a close second. Good luck to your friend, I don't envy him at all. As to the nurse, I give her Sheldon Cooper's smile of amicable derision.

I've had a Foley in for two weeks now. No fun. Can't wait til it comes out, but no idea when that will be. Cystoscopy on Tuesday. Sure glad I don't have to self cath, and hope I never do.