HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

update and more questions

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 3/5/2010 4:44 PM (GMT 0)
Howdy:

I took a break from HW for a day. But I'm back.

 

I had surgery on 1/26. I had been recovering well (some incontinence) until Sunday. Then I started feeling bad, no energy, queasiness, burning in bladder, increased incontinence. I went to my local physician on Tuesday. A urine test showed red blood cells (expected, I guess) and some white cells. He put me on cipro and ordered a culture of the urine. I have improved about 75% in all symptoms starting the 3rd day on cipro. Yesterday I got a call from the doctor’s office. The culture was negative – nothing at all growing. They said there is no infection; stop the cipro. I still feel far from 100% and it did seem to respond to the cipro. Is the negative culture reasonable assurance that I do not have an infection? Then how come there were white blood cells?

I might add that I don't know if things are getting better or worse in the incontinent front. I started with occassional squirt...squirt. What is happening now is that I start the day with a normal urination. But quickly I start getting the feeling that my bladder is well-emptied except for a few drops. I go and sure enough there are a very few drops. Two minutes later, same problem. It is VERY annoying and irritating (literally). (I also wonder if this is causing infection type symptoms). These annoying urinary symptoms are there almost all the time when I am standing. Basically, I keep having to tense my muscles. I can actually get by with no pads at night (no problem) and at home. I do wear one when I go somewhere. So, is this constant "few drops left" sensation just a part of the recovery process, or is it due to or causing an infection. As I said, I don't think I am retaining much urine in my bladder; it's just those few drops in the urethra.

 Incidentally, as I mentioned in previous posts, I've delayed my first post-op PSA due to this, although I'm not sure an infection impacts PSA sans prostate. My local physician seems to have a concern that it could although he said he really doesn't know. Ford Hospital (where I had my surgery) said it shouldn't matter.

Mel

Posted 3/5/2010 4:54 PM (GMT 0)
I think like others in one of your other threads - that you're worring yourself sick.

I vote you NOT give incontinence another thought for THIRTY Days. Just get on with life...go with the flow...use pads as needed etc etc bla bla bla.

Then in thirty days - re-evaluate your situation.

Posted 3/5/2010 5:47 PM (GMT 0)
I know what you mean about thinking that your bladder never turns off. the solution I stumbled upon was to distract my mind.
As an example:
I gave a dinner party and was so busy cooking chatting drinking eating etc and ENJOYING myself that I guess my body went onto auto-pilot and coped perfectly fine, and HA HA! after my guests had left I noticed that ALL of them, both men and women had had to make at least two visits to the bathroom!

Alfred
Posted 3/5/2010 5:51 PM (GMT 0)
Mel...some of the symptoms you mentioned are still around for me at the 17 month mark. Honestly I start the day okay, but by evening I feel the urge quite alot and only a few drops seem to come out. Yeah, it's irritating and annoying, but in time you just get use to it. Some things are going be different. You don't have a prostate anymore. You have...a NEW NORMAL...to deal with. Don't worry, all things will improve with time. Either the bladder will become more like what it use to be, or you will get more comfortable with the changes in your body without the prostate.

I also have to mirror what Steve said above....and as I told you on another thread....stress and anxiety can cause symptoms in your body you would never believe could be related. One of the biggest factors for heart attack is stress...and there isn't a test that will determine that beforehand. Try to relax and think positive. I know its hard to do, but your health needs it.
Posted 3/5/2010 5:55 PM (GMT 0)

It will be good to get back to work next week!

Mel

Posted 3/5/2010 6:03 PM (GMT 0)
Mel
- in contrast to your doctor - please do not stop the cipro - even though nothing is showing up in the tests there - this antibiotic is a cyclical type and should be consumed for the full time of the initial prescription.
I am afraid that any lurking bugs that are in you (and not tested for) may develop into super bugs
-stopping a dosage early is - one of the main reasons for the superstrain bugs that plague hospitals now - or - way back when in Viet Nam there was an outbreak of super-syph since the soldiers were taking bootleg or half prescriptions of medicine for sexual diseases.

-also - put the worrying on a shelf - write down I HAVE PROSTATE CANCER on a sheet of paper - put it in a ziploc bag or box and put it in the freezer - and walk away....

(forgive me if I am a little obtuse... you have to make up the concluding details... of who, why what when and where (or how))

meditative hugs
BRONSON
Posted 3/5/2010 8:16 PM (GMT 0)
Bronson is spot on. Never stop taking any antibotic until you complete the entire regime for all the reasons he stated. Good catch Bronson...I missed that in his post.
Posted 3/5/2010 8:17 PM (GMT 0)

My gut feeling would be to continue with the cipro, but I have to listen to the doctors. I've had 2 doctors tell me to stop it (my regular doc and one who is a friend). I may call another friend who is a doctor.

More importantly, the Ford nurse said to stop the cipro and talk with the doctor at Ford; I am supposed to call later this afternoon.

Mel

Posted 3/5/2010 8:41 PM (GMT 0)
That's a first for me too, never had any doctor stop a run with an antibiotic, they always insist in finishing out the prescription even if you are feeling better.
Posted 3/5/2010 8:42 PM (GMT 0)
Although the best advice is to finish any round of antibiotic for all the reasons Bronson mentions, I imagine you have mentioned to them that your stomach was upset by the Cipro? That would offer a reason for them to say stop when it might otherwise be normal to finish it out. You don't need any extra / unneeded intestinal issues so soon after surgery.
Posted 3/5/2010 8:43 PM (GMT 0)

I42:

The stomach problem resolved once I got on yogurt.

I'm awaiting a contact from Ford Hospital.

Look, if all the doctors say to stop, then I stop.

It is strange however.

Mel

Posted 3/5/2010 8:46 PM (GMT 0)
Well Mel, I am a big believer in being fully compliant to your doctors, so if he says stop, then stop, don't owe any explanation.
Posted 3/6/2010 4:34 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, I had my surgery Jan. 20. My incontenence is about the same as you. I wear depends and change 4 to 6 times, sitting usually ok moving around zippo fill my diaper understand the frustration. Looking into the afex under wear waiting for replies of anyone who has tried it.

Thanks

Rich

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply