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Burning and Stinging after Catheter is Removed

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Posted 9/23/2008 6:10 PM (GMT 0)
I had a radical prostatectomy on August 28, 2008.  The catheter, which caused excruciating bladder spasms for the entire 14 days post-surgery, was finally removed on September 10, 2008.  Two weeks later I still have moderate to severe burning and stinging when I urinate (and often the burn is there all the time, whether urinating or not).  This is very uncomfortable and is often debilitating since I can't concentrate on anything else because of it. 

My question is this:  When is this burning/stinging going to go away?  And what in the world can I do to minimize the discomfort in the meantime? 

Posted 9/23/2008 7:42 PM (GMT 0)

I had my catheter in for five weeks. Was placed on an antibiotic at the end of week two to avoid infections.....I'd suggest that you call your DOC as soon as possible.

I had a mild discomfort when urinating for many weeks after the cath was removed.

Posted 9/23/2008 7:50 PM (GMT 0)
Codger,
Sorry you are having such nagging problems. I had bladder spasms that were painful for a short time but only had moderate burning on urination. I am sure you have contacted your doctor (that is first and foremost). My only comment would be to watch what you are drinking. I would stay away from carbonated beverages, beverages with caffeine, and of course alcohol. I drank a considerable amount of gatorade.

I suspect that this will pass and hope it does soon. All of us are different and there has been a lot of "radical" stuff happen to your plumbing. I wish you well!
RB

Age 61
Original data - pre-operation
PSA: 5.1
T1C clinical diagnosis, Needle biopsy - 10 cores, Gleason 7 = 3+4 in 1 core (40%), 7 cores Gleason 6 = 3+3 ranging from 5% to 12%
All scans negative
Lupron administered 4/9/2008 for 4 months (with idea I would undergo external beam radiation followed by seed implants - then I changed my mind).
Robotic DiVinci surgery - Dr. Fagin (Austin) May 19th
Post operative - pathology
pT2c NX MX
Gleason 3+4
Margins - negative
Extraprostatic extension - negative
seminal vesicle invasion - uninvolved
1st Post PSA .04
Posted 9/23/2008 10:02 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Codger.  I had burning for weeks followong prostatectomy, also awful discomfort and leaking around the catheter. After the cathater was removed at 2 weeks, I had a urine test which confirmed a had a bug called citrobacter, which required 6 weeks of antibiotics to clear up.  This bug at its worst caused skin removal from the penis.  But even after the bug was gone, for many months I found myself burning from the urine much of the time.  The only cure I found was to drink more water which diluted the urine.  This worsened my pad usage, but was the better of the two evils.  So try drinking more water.

Berb

Posted 9/23/2008 10:07 PM (GMT 0)
Common advice is to drink lots of fluid to keep your urine dilute. I drank/drink lots of weak tea.
Posted 9/23/2008 10:28 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks for the responses!  I've been drinking almost nothing except water--and have upped my water intake quite a bit--but can't see that it makes much difference.  Then again, drinking more water helps the economy by keeping the pad makers in business, so it's not all bad, right?!  :-)

  

Posted 9/24/2008 12:52 AM (GMT 0)
Some burning can be expected because you still have tissue healing where the connection was made between your bladder and urethra, but it should subside and I can't remember mine being bad enough to command my constant attention, be sure your Doc knows, could be an infection. Any temp ?? or cloudy urine??, both could represent infection, which can be treated. Keep us posted.

Randy
Posted 9/24/2008 6:05 AM (GMT 0)
I have no fever, no infection and my urine is clear. But it still stings--very much like it did when the catheter was in place. I know it has only been two weeks since the cath was removed and I don't mean to be impatient but sometimes it flat out stings to the point of distraction. I'm going to put in another call to my doctor tomorrow as a precaution.

Who knew that this would be so much fun?! :- )
Posted 9/24/2008 12:05 PM (GMT 0)

.....myself, not really stinging after cath removal, but, it just wasn't or didn't feel like I'd imagined. I had read on here how it would flow like a sixteen year old!!  It didn't hurt but was real uncomfortable upon urination.......things are still healing even at four weeks. At probably five, six weeks........no problem, it flows like I was sixteen again!!  Every morning I impress the **** out of myself!!  whahoooo... :-)

Posted 9/24/2008 2:39 PM (GMT 0)
My prostate was removed two-weeks ago today and the catheter came out Monday of this week - 12-days after surgery.  The catheter was a non-issue for me and I actually appreciated having it for that period. 

The catheter removal went well, hardly felt a thing and I've had no irritations since (or when it was in).  My doctor started me on Cipro the day before the catheter came out and today will be my last dose - a three-day supply.  I'm urinating well, still some blood from time-to-time ("old blood" says the physician's assistant) and the incontenence is an issue I still need to get under control. 

The 24-hours following the removal of my catheter I went through maybe 10-pads and had very little control, yesterday fewer, and, hopefully, even fewer pads/leaking today. 

I want to return to work next Monday, but that decision will depend upon the degree of incontenence.  I felt good before the operation, felt good after the operation, and still feel good post-op. 

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Posted 9/26/2008 6:55 AM (GMT 0)
Just a quick update.

I talked with my doctor about the burning/stinging I've been experiencing in my urethra after the catheter was removed two weeks ago. He prescribed a 7 day course of Cipro antibiotics and after only two days the burning in my urethra has all but vanished. I cannot tell you how much better I feel today--this is the absolute best I've felt since surgery and most definitely the best I've felt since the catheter was removed.

The incontinence is still a problem but it, too, has slowed a little since beginning the antibiotics. I'm quite pleased.

Thanks for your thoughts, suggestions and support. This forum is a fantastic resource. SKB
Posted 9/26/2008 1:37 PM (GMT 0)
Good news Codger, I'm glad you have gotten some relief. Good Luck in the future, the hardest part is over, now you can concentrate on getting well!!!
Randy
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