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Wondering about raw feeling in Penis

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Posted 4/29/2008 12:51 PM (GMT 0)
OK, its only been a week since the cath came out and Kent is slowly recovering from incontinence. Seems to do well from waking till about mid afternoon, then the dribbling starts alittle. Nothing too bad and it gets better every day. But it seems when he does urinate it burns inside the penis. I know its raw from the cath but wondering if this might be infection or just the way it is. Anyone else have this go on for awhile. He doesn't want to bother the surgeon with every little thing so I figured I would check here first. Everyone is so helpful here and I find I get the answers I need from those who have been thru it. His surgeon did have this same surgery but I just wanted to ask my friends here first.

Thank you again and again.

Cindy

Posted 4/29/2008 1:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Cindy,
I had the same sensation, but it only lasted a few days. It could be an infection, so I wouldn't wait too long to check with the Doc. Don't ever feel as though you're bothering him with "every little thing." All good surgical teams would want to help with any reactions a patient is experiencing. Glad the incontinence is improving. Every little step forward is a step closer to full recovery!
Best,
Mike
Posted 4/29/2008 1:48 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you, Mike. I think I'm slowly convincing him that he should call.
C
Posted 4/29/2008 4:50 PM (GMT 0)

I am 4 weeks post op and having the occasional buring sesation as well.  It seems to be when I use Talc Powder or when I drink certain drinks.  It seems better when I apply an antibiotic topical ointment and just drink water. The very tip is red as well. 

Good Luck

Frank

Posted 4/29/2008 5:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Frank,

Ahhhh, he does use the talcom powder and drinks alot of coffee. Maybe thats it. The tip is red too. Not too bad but enough to cause irratation and an "ouch!" hear and there.

Thank you..every opinion certainly helps.

Hope you are doing well!

Cindy

Posted 4/29/2008 5:09 PM (GMT 0)
My doctor advised putting Neosporin on my catheter where it goes in, which I did. I haven't had any burning sensation since it was removed. I wonder if a little Neosporin on the tip now would help the redness? Couldn't hurt.
Posted 4/29/2008 5:58 PM (GMT 0)

:-)  Hi Cindy, I'm afraid I can't help from personal experience since Rod's surgery isn't til next month. But as a nurse I would tell anyone, no concern after surgery is too small to contact your M.D ! Things are usually pretty easily solved but discomfort and worry are a whole other problem. Catheters can cause irritation anytime and it's been a short time since removal, so I'd give the doc a call  and see what he has to suggest. Feel better soon BOTH of you! Annie

Posted 4/29/2008 6:53 PM (GMT 0)

Thank you, Annie. Can you tell I worry about everything?! :)

I think if it doesn't start feeling better today, he will call. He is trying to drink alot of water which I'm sure will help.

Thanks again for writing and I am thinking of you during your waiting time.

Cindy

Posted 4/29/2008 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
long after the cath came out, I still had a slight stinging sensation. It went away after about a month, I think. It was not always there, but things like vitamins bothered it...anything that increased the acidity I think.  Give the Dr a call - and talk to the nurse. They have heard it ALL. They will probably not even have to ask the doc.  I'm guessing that it is normal and just nerve sensations being weird.

Paul

Posted 4/29/2008 8:09 PM (GMT 0)

Greetings, Kent and Cindy.  I would always err on the side of caution and calling the doc.  A couple of weeks ago I got an infection in my incision.  Judy, my wife and also a nurse, called the doc's office and they said we couldn't see our surgeon but could see one of his partners. We went in and the partner took a look, said give me a minute, and a minute later was back with our surgeon.  They gave me some medicine and it is clearing up nicely.  Morale of the story, if there are issues, the doc wants to know. 

By the way, I had the same burning sensation - nothing unbearable - but it was there.  Trust you are both doing well otherwise.  David

Posted 4/29/2008 8:18 PM (GMT 0)
Paul, didn't think about acidity. He is drinking orange juice and tomato juice. Guess we should cut that back a bit. Thank you for the reply.

Hi David, You are right about caution. He just hates calling the doctor and expects it all to go away. I can't convince him otherwise most of the time. But considering the part of the body that it involves, I think he will change his mind. :)
All is well here except for the continual incontinence. Good sometimes but still a battle. But of course, I know it takes time and we are working on understanding the "time" part.
Thank you for writing
Glad all is going well for you!
Cindy
Posted 4/29/2008 10:16 PM (GMT 0)
Cindy . . just a note on dealing with the incontinence issue . . . .I remember it well . . . .seems like it's never going to get better . . . .trust me it will!

What I did as a motivational tool during that time was keep track of how long a package of the mens pads lasted. Ours were 52 per package and the first one was gone in 1 week; the 2nd package lasted 2 weeks; the 3rd one 3 weeks . . . . .made Bob feel like he truly WAS moving in the right direction, because if we hadn't kept track the first week and first package wouldn't be remembered.

6 months ago at the doctor's office he asked how the incontinence was coming and the look on Bob's face was like . . . . incontinence .. . what's that . . .a look I'm sure the doctor was glad to see . . . . .one truly does forget once it's all behind.

Take care both of you.

;o) Linda & Bob
Posted 4/29/2008 11:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Linda,
Thank you so much for writing! We were actually thinking about that today. He does so much better during the morning and then as the day goes on and he takes walks is when he starts dribbling and more.
We will start counting starting tomorrow morning and hopefully it will start easing up.
Thank you again
Cindy
My thoughts are wilth you and Bob too!
Posted 4/30/2008 12:45 AM (GMT 0)
Hello VaFan,
A tip I was given by a very experienced nurse prior to surgery was to use baby oil as a lubricant on the exit point of the catheter tube rather than the commercial lubricants normally recommended (it doesn't get as gluggy) which proved to be excellent advice. It also might be worthwhile if he tries a urinary alkaliniser (sp?). Urine should be slightly acid as an acidic eviroment inhibits the growth of any bacteria (urine is normally quite sterile and germ free). I think the natural reaction to any discomfort when urinating is to limit fluid intake which, of course is the opposite to what should happen. Try to keep plenty of fluid rolling through the system and keep the urine as clear as you can. You can buy PH test strips quite cheaply on Ebay as well as other places on line with which to check acidity, and if too acid, can be adjusted temporarily with the alkaline drinks. I also drank a fair bit of orange juice early in the piece (you do get sick of drinking water) which also caused me a bit of grief which disappeared when I substituted apple juice.
Bill
Posted 4/30/2008 1:03 AM (GMT 0)
Apple Juice! Thats what we'll get tomorrow. We were never told about the acid thing so didn't really think about it until everyone told me about it. Now as I think back to the last week, it seems he has the most discomfort when drinking orange and tomato juice.
Thank you, Bill, for the advice..I will certainly take it!
Cindy
Posted 4/30/2008 3:51 AM (GMT 0)
tonight he feels very uncomfortable. Feels like maybe there is some kind of blockage. He is going to call the doctor in the mornig to make sure. Sometimes it seems to swell alittle and he says this is not an erection but feels a bulge that feels like blockage. I consider that a small cause for alarm so time to make the call.
Thanks again for all the help. What would I do without you all
Cindy
Posted 4/30/2008 5:40 AM (GMT 0)
That bulging /swelling may be due to him exerting a pushing pressure when he attempts to urinate and perhaps a little blood is being forced into the penis causing this slight reaction. All though he may not think so and is feeling down it does get better. He may find passing urine at this stage a little easier if he half sits and crouches rather that standing facing the "throne". Sometimes this has the effect of shortening and opening the urethra somewhat rather than standing upright which may stretch and constrict it a little.
Bill
Posted 4/30/2008 1:06 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you, Bill.

Thats a good tip. Hadn't thought about pressure happening. Didn't even consider the urethra having to stretch and go back. He says the bulging happens when he is sitting not standing. This can really get complicated. He says he will probably just call the nurse today to ease his mind. Quite the impatient man and one who cannot just let it run its course.
Thank you again for helping out!
Cindy
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