Self-Cath After a Stricture Dilation

Can't say that I've heard of this either.... Then again, I bet you'd rather not have another cystoscopy either.

My dilation was a few weeks ago, and it is closing up fast, so I'll be going back for another round soon.

I can see the logic in what the doc told you. Not sure I'd want to do it when the time comes.

Hi Jon,

My husband had stricture issues after catheter removal and three outpatient with full anesthesia procedures thereafter. Between Procedure 2 and 3 he was given a schedule to self catherize. He did this pretty easily (although he was a nervous wreck at first), but within a few weeks the scar tissue grew back and lead to procedure 3. Third time was finally the charm for him. I hope this helps you in some way. Hang in there.

Thanks everyone for your kind words and encouragement.

I'm happy to report after my first attempt this seems to be more of a mental hurdle than a physical one. While it's not something I would do for fun I think it is something I will likely get better at the more I do it.

If this actually works to resolve my stricture it seems well worth it at this point. Time will tell if I will feel the same way a month or two from now...

Jon

My husband had surgery March 23. Has had a number of complications since, including a lymphocele and strictures. The latest stricture adventure included total retention and a trip to the local ER. Had a catheter in for three full days and removed at our local PCP. Returned to the urologist/surgeon three days later and had another cystoscopy. He tells us that this is not the initial stricture, but scar tissue at the bladder neck. Proceeded to do a dilation with just the lidocaine or whatever it is they insert into the urethra before the cystoscopy. Husband was in extreme pain, of course. Urologist then tells him he needs to self cath daily for a week with a 16 FR. Urologist is a three hour drive from us. When we got home, he was unable to urinate again. He had fortunately ordered 14 FR catheters after the initial retention just in case. At 3 in the morning he tried to get the 16 FR in. No go. The 14 FR did work and he was able to empty his bladder. Sorry for the rambling, but here is my question. Since last Friday, he has been unable to get urine in the catheter, regardless of the size. He is still incontinent so we are not sure if there is no urine in the bladder when he is trying to self cath or if the scar tissue is returning rapidly. He says he has a good stream, which he hasn't had since the surgery. He also says it is painful to cath and feels as though something is there. Just wondering if he should get urine every time? I have suggested that he call our PCP and get a better lesson than he was given in a Rochester on self cathing. In the meantime, thought maybe someone here would know if he should get urine in the catheter. Thanks for any help. This has been a long long long 13 weeks since his surgery.

I had a cystoprostectomy in January. Bladder cancer for 4.5 years after removal of right kidney because of the same cancer (spread to bladder). Had tumors in my bladder neck and two episodes of bladder cancer in prostate. First time the Dr. blasted all the cancer out when he performed green laser prostate reduction surgery on me. 2nd time signaled the end for both my bladder and prostate.

4.5 years of non-invasive tumors and two rounds of BCG treatments left my bladder neck scarred. I had to self-cath in order to try and keep the scar tissue in my bladder neck from preventing the Dr. getting a scope up me to examine my bladder.

Self cath for me wasn't too bad except at the end. I was using a large size (16 or 18?) non-silicon clear vinyl male catheter. They came with individual foil packets of gel lubricant. Lube it up, insert and gently push up into the bladder. Even when the scar tissue made it impossible to get the catheter up beyond the bladder neck, there was little or no pain. Maybe a little when I pushed past my prostate but it was starting to become irritated.

I still have two full boxes of these catheters. Don't need 'em now.

Don't be afraid of self-cath. Good luck!

Still amazed at this self-cath stories. Frightens me after all I went through with dealing with severe stricture issues for 1 1/2 years post surgery. Aside from my doctors fear of me hurting myself or damaging things worse, part of his theory for long term catheter use, was to keep it open to prevent the re-scarring from happening so quickly.

In my case, despite even laser opening stricture surgeries, I once scarred 100% closed in less than a month post stricture surgery. And I mean 100%, to where the doctor couldn't even get the thinnest of wire through, let alone the smallest available catheter.

I still say from first hand experience, that if one is having to deal with constant stricture or closing issues, the best route is to push for the Suprapubic catheter route. None of the ordeal of having one constantly through the penis. I got use to it, and it generally made life easier for me during that long ordeal.

I was never able to have a decent stream post RP, and never without severe pain. I was so traumatized by the entire affair, that I was definitely not a good candidate for self-cathing.

Good luck to you guys that are doing that route. Makes me cringe just reading about it.