totally blocked after Foley removed

I'm trying to find out if anyone has had the same experience as me.  I am 57 years old, diaganosed July 21, open radical prostatectomy September 1.  Foley was in for 2 1/2 weeks.  When the foley was first taken out, I was totally incontient for 3 weeks and then I became totally blocked.  I was then put on a straight cath which I have to do to myself at least 7 or 8 times a day.  I get very painful bladder spasms which can't be relieved except by a straight cath.  I'm up at night every 2 to 3 hours.  It has now been 9 weeks since surgery and I feel like I'm in house arrest.  Has anyone experienced anything like this and did it get any better?

Thanks for the reply M. Kat. Your numbers were very simular to mine. I'm 57, Diagnosed July 21, PSA 6.5 , 10 out of 12 positive ares in biopsy, Gleason 3+4=7 (downgraded to a 6 after surgery) path report -- all clear-- cancer gone. I have not had a post usrgery PSA yet.

Congrats on being dry. Sounds like your recovery went well. I have been miserable beyond belief. Here I am 9 weeks out of surgery and I am worse now than ever. True no cancer but incredible upper leg pain since the surgery. I think the femoral nerve was hit during surgery. Then there is the blockage problem. I have to urinate like crazy and nothing happens. Feels like I am going to explode. I have already cathed myself twice since 6 a.m. Now I will go the other way and have no control for an hour and then go backed to being blocked. Don't know why I get blocked. It may be swelling or possible the uretha hasn;\'t healed or there may be nerve damage to the bladder. I also have been taking a lot of medicine for the leg pain and trying to reduce the bladder spasms. Being told to give it more time. This is getting real old.

I'm glad to hear how great people are doing, however it worries me that I'm not keeping up.

Thanks for your reply.

Although my experience wasn't exactly the same, it may help.  about 4 weeks out from surgery (foley out since day 6), my urine flow started to be restricted.  Over the next week until I saw the surgeon, it got less and less.  The restriction seems to me near the exit end of the urethra and it caused a whole lot of back pressure in the penis (and lots of pain).  I finally saw the doctor on a Thursday and he put me in surgery the next day.

It was a very simple and short procedure, to cut the stricture in the end of the urethra.  I was only put out for about 30-45 minutes.  I had a foley in for one day, but the surgeon told us how to remove it ourselves the next day.

Doesn't sound exactly like what you are experiencing, but I thought I would pass it on.

Hi Riffl
Welcome to our group! Boy you are having a time for sure! You know, you mention feeling like you are behind the rest in your recovery and symptoms . . .however, keep in mind for every one of us who post there are probably several "readers only" who haven't posted yet. All of our journeys and experiences are helping way more than we realize.

I think you need to get on "some" doctor's case about your problem . . if the original surgeon is saying wait and see, go see your family doctor. Certainly does sound like something is going on and the pain cannot be fun either. The pain in the leg needs investigation for sure . . .perhaps an ultrasound to totally rule out a blood clot??

Nine weeks has to be getting "real old" as you say . . . ..please "BUG" some doctor into giving you some answers/results.

Please keep us posted . . .we care about you !

;o) Linda

thanks lab. Not exactly my problem but it good to get new ideas as the docs do not seem to be on top of this. Yesterday was 10 weeks post surgery. Still have the thigh pain and now having to cath myself every 4 hours -- so any ideas are appreciated.