HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Post catheter bladder spasms

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 2/21/2021 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
Hello, new to the forum. Have learned a lot browsing through and finally thought I would post my question since I didn't find anyone else in quite the same situation (that I could find). Really appreciate the community, seem like a very helpful group of folks.

I had a Davinci RP a little over three weeks ago. Margins are clear and I am very thankful! Have follow up blood work in another 4 weeks or so.

Overall my recovery has been pretty good, but having some issues that maybe someone here had experience with... After the catheter was removed (over 2 weeks ago) I did well for a day but then started to have some excruciating bladder spasms, mostly at night but occasionally in the day time. They put me on B&O and also Oxybutynin, 5mg 3X per day. That got it under control, and now I am just on the Oxy, but it seems like last 3-5 days in the afternoons I am not peeing at all... going 4 hours or so and then just a trickle for another 3-4 hours before finally going well again. I don't know if this is a sign of the drug working or a sign of growing urinary retention. I called the physicians assistant and also talked to the on-call Urologist and getting a little different advice. I'm wondering what you all think. The PA says I should probably stick to the 3X per day Oxybutynin to avoid the spasms and just let them know if I stop peeing, but the Uro seems to think dropping to 2x per day now might be better if I am starting to pee less frequently. I certainly don't want to suffer urine retention and go get a catheter, but the spasm pain is the worst pain I've ever felt and I'm inclined to stick to 3X per day because although urine slows it comes back. Any thoughts on this? Does this sound like a burgeoning retention issue or just the Oxy causing less frequency (in addition to stopping the spasms)?
Posted 2/21/2021 1:58 AM (GMT 0)
Milt, just want to say welcome to the forum. I am clueless as to the answer to your question. But hopefully someone with some experience will chime in, so stay tuned.
Posted 2/21/2021 12:46 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Pratoman
Posted 2/21/2021 1:15 PM (GMT 0)
milt, I don't have your experience either. There is likely a balance point where the spasms are limited and retention isn't an issue. Whether it is 2X or 3X--or somewhere in between, or a half-pill more often, or something is also possible. It might take some experimentation to find the right combo.

Hopefully it will all pass soon.
Posted 2/21/2021 2:39 PM (GMT 0)
Appreciate that. Yeah I mentioned the idea of a half pill for one of the doses and the Uro said it would be like not taking a dose at all (that seems odd to me) he seemed to suggest there isn’t much precision with the Oxy. Apparently it is only a choice between a 4x4 (3x) to the head or a stick (2x) and not much in between. I don’t know.
Posted 2/21/2021 2:49 PM (GMT 0)
If you think you are at risk of developing urinary retention, I suggest that you get a catheter from your urologist. I had at least three episodes of retention and it was the worst pain I've ever experienced. The emergency room was ridiculously slow in dealing with it. After the last such episode my uro gave me several self-cath devices and instructions on how to use. I haven't had to use them, but for a while it was a comfort knowing I had them.
Posted 2/21/2021 4:08 PM (GMT 0)
fiddlecanoe, did they have you on anti-spasm meds like the Oxybutynin? Did you have bladder spasms to deal with or did your retention just happen? How long before it wasn't an issue?
Posted 2/21/2021 6:42 PM (GMT 0)
I was on oxybutynin for a while to help with minor spasms that might have been causing leaks. It didn't help with that. I think my retention happened because there was a "ragged" connection between the urethra and the bladder neck during the surgery. Two uros separately described it as "ragged." It was several months before retention wasn't an issue, eventually solved by a procedure to widen the bladder neck. I doubt that my problem is much like yours. I just want you to avoid retention!
Posted 2/21/2021 6:59 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, it sounds like the retention is as bad as the spasms I had (excruciating). Today I decided to just drink a lot more water and force the issue - either I'll end up going in for a catheter or I'll pee... and I started peeing a lot more. Maybe I've just been avoiding the water a little bit. (it's hard for me to drink a gallon of water a day as I'm supposed to though). So, for now I guess I'll keep taking 3x per day of the Oxy. WIll probably still call Monday morning and see if they have any suggestions. I peed almost 200ml 5 times every 25 minutes by 2pm and that after drinking a 1/2 gallon throughout the day. Seems odd. But at least I'm peeing.
Posted 2/21/2021 8:03 PM (GMT 0)

My dad stands alongside us all, as a fellow prostate cancer patient, as well ...

When I was first diagnosed, I had to undergo a lung biopsy & surgery, since the prostate cancer had infiltrated both of my lungs.

In the hospital, afterwards, I was attached to various tubes and IVs. One by one, the need for each of those was lessened ... but the catheter remained.

When I was released to go home, the catheter was still part of my daily living, while I still recovering.

From Dad's experiences, he emphasized the importance of healthy hydration.

The MOST important thing he taught me, was the importance of WALKING --- because that will help keep things "flowing" as well.

In Dad's famous words, "Fellows have to do whatever it takes to keep their 'WATERWORKS' flowing properly."

So --- my lesson learned from Dad --- "Keep hydrated, KEEP WALKING!"

C-Y-C-L-O-N-E 😋😂😋~ # Iowa State University
Posted 2/21/2021 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
milt, staying hydrated may be part of your answer: While I never had spasms, I did learn that the better hydrated I kept myself, the less I dripped. I think it gives the bladder something to push against and keeps the muscles toned. I suspect it may be similar with the spasms.
Posted 2/21/2021 10:47 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks halbert, yeah, I keep seeing that hydration pice come up wherever I read. Have to keep pushing!
Posted 2/22/2021 12:07 AM (GMT 0)
What I do for hydration is easy: You know that 1 liter mug you got at the hospital? I have one at home and one at work. In the morning, I load it up with ice and water and sip through the day. I like to do 2 a day at work. I do lighten up after dinner, so I sleep through.
Posted 2/22/2021 3:35 PM (GMT 0)
Great tip - I've been using two half gallon milk jugs last few days. Work on those all day and don't have to think about it.
Posted 2/23/2021 6:07 PM (GMT 0)
I didn’t have this problem during or after RALP, but I know people who did. The catheter balloon depending no how long it was in 7-10 days maybe, can cause some real irritation of the nerves at the bottom of the bladder. It can take a little while for them to de-sensitize, more than 2 weeks for sure. Trying to keep the caffeine, liquor low if possible can help. The oxy can of course too, and keeping hydrated will help to re-connect the sensation for those nerves about when bladder is full and need to void.
Posted 2/23/2021 9:40 PM (GMT 0)
Thank for that Paul, that's an explanation that I didn't hear or read yet and it makes a lot of sense. I am a big coffee drinker and have not had a cup for 4 weeks, lol. Those spasms were so painful I was more than willing to sacrifice my morning habit. I've found an equilibrium these last few days. Drinking about 3/4 gallon of water, taking Oxy 5mg 3X/day and at least no spasms, though I urinate every hour at night and it seems every 20-30 minutes during the late morning and afternoon. It's crazy - feel like I have to urinate ALL the time. Seems like the the recovery of my bladder (constant urge to urinate) wanting too pee all the time is pretty much the same symptoms of urinary retention lol.. so I can't tell what is going on. I guess as long as I ultimately pee, which I do half the time, all is progressing.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply