Post SRT Update

It's been 9 full days since my final SRT treatment.  I am very thankful for that.  The biggest improvement to report, is that I no longer have those intense burning pains at the SP catheter site.  Those occured at and immediately after the actual zapping during the treatments themselves.  I still have pains and irratation at that spot, but that can be attributed to wearing a catheter for so long.  Today is day 67 on this SP.  My uro is suppose to remove this one for sanitary reasons and will install a fresh one, and check for infection at the same time.

Perhaps 9 days isn't long enough, but the other pains are still as strong now as when I was going through the SRT.  My radiation oncologist did say it might take 4-6 weeks to see a marked improvement, I was just hoping to heal faster.

Usually I start the day out ok.  THe more I walk, go to stores, bend, lift, or just stay on my feet, the more the pains come and increase during the day.  My most miserable times can be later afternoon/early evening, and often I will wake up after only a couple of hours sleep and just lay there hurting.

I know this isn't medically possible, just an analogy to explain how it feels, but it feels like that a rough piece of stick or metal is passed from the tip of my penis and exits from my rectum.  So every movement causes a lot of pain, unless I lay in just the perfect position.  Usually, by morning the pain has disapated, and the process starts all over the next day.  Today is Sunday, and I woke up with it hurting, so instead of doing what I wanted to do, going to have to stay home and rest.

Considering that I have an SP cath, and not a Foley coming through my penis, that there can be so much penis related pain.  Seems like every bad pain or nerve ending comes through the penis regardless.  Other times, I can feel this intense itching f eeliing deep inside both ends of me, but of course, there is nothing to scratch at.

I know, patience patience.  Just wanted to be feeling better by now.  The fatigue factor is about the same, I am good to do things till about 1 to 2 PM in the day, then my energy level is all downhill from  there.

Switched pain meds to something non-narcotic, but when the hurt really hurts, none of them do me much good.

David in SC

Arnie,

SP stands for suprapubic catheter. Instead of a Foley Catheter, which exits through the end your penis. The SP catheter is surgically installed, and sits up higher in the bladder, and exits just to the left of below my belly button. They are intended for longer catheter times and with invalids and some elederly, they can have them for years.

Sonny, one of our brothers here, had a SP catheter installed instead of a Foley when he had his fairly recent surgery in Detroit, and it worked well for him the short time he had it in place.

Most of my problems have to do with my bladder neck scarring closed and not allowing any flow since I had my big surgery a year ago November. Already had 3 corrective day surgeries to "fix" it, and one painful emergency hard dialation session.

When the swelling goes down from the radiation, the plan is for my uro/surgeon to open me back up (probably with another day surgery), and remove the SP catheter. It will involve still another catheter, a Foley this time, for a few weeks, so that the puncture in my bladder from the SP has a chance to heal up properly. When all of this is done, of course I am hoping to pee on my own without blockages.

That is the game plan. Based on the pain I am still feeling after my radiation ended, I do believe my doctor is rigth about how it can continue to swell after radiation ends. I am very sore to the touch anywhere below my belly button.

David in SC

David,


Sorry too hearing about things not getting better. Did you ever understand why there was so much scarring and blockage at the neck of the bladder? Your case seems to be the most severe I have heard of on this site.



Regards,



Steve

David,  One day at a time buddy.  You are one day better than yesterday.  One less pain.  You know I am thinking of you ecah day and hopeing for a quick healing. 

Your Frined in PC

Jeff T

Hello David...
I know when my dad went through radiation, it caused problems, some of them as you described. I remember it took a while for the effects to wear off, but I do remember that he felt much better each passing month.

David:

I haven't posted on your threads in awhile, but just wanted you to know I was thinking about you and wishing you all the best.  This has been a tough year for you and I'm really hoping that 2010 will be a MUCH BETTER ONE!!!

Take care my friend,

Tudpock