8 weeks post RALP; nuisance pain

I am experiencing an average recovery as per the comments here, but I am experiencing some discomfort that I and my Uro are blaming on the sutures where the urethra connects to the bladder. It is intermittant and often feels like it is about 3/4 of an inch from the tip of the penis although sometimes it feels closer to the bladder. I have had two urine cultures and they are negative and my flow is good. The discomfort also leads to frequent emptying when it occurs.

My Uro told me that the dissolving sutures often take months to dissolve and that this may persist for awhile. He told me that one of his patients had so much discomfort that he did a cystoscope and actually saw and removed a large piece of suture which helped the patient. My discomfort is no where near that.

Have any of you experienced this and how long did it take to resolve? Also, do you have any recommendations?

Thanks, Scooter

Yes, ibuprofen 600mg is very effective in curtailing the discomfort.

Hey Patrick

Thanks for the information. It seems that we are taking identical journeys only you are scouting ahead. Let me know if you experience anything else !!

Take care, Scooter

No patience

I understand your frustration and know the feeling. After speaking to my Uro and reading here on the forum, I believe that it is related to the heavy sutures that were placed when the urethra was reconnected to the bladder. Just hang in there. That's what I am doing.

Scooter

Patrick

Looking forward to losing that feeling. 600mg of ibuprofen does help me.

Scooter

No Patience

Of course you should contact your Uro but I am also a health professional and prescribe 600 or even 800 mg after surgical procedures. The ibuprofen otc bottles actually Rx two tablets or 400mg.

My Uro actually recommended 600 mg every 8 hours as necessary but I also know that extended ibuprofen can have side effects so take the 600 mg less often.

You are also correct. The heating pad helps also.

No Patience

I don't think you will need to take the ibuprofen for the rest of your life. My Uro explained to me that the sutures used at the bladder/urethra reconnection are really very coarse and actually barbed so they would not dislodge. You can imagine that it's going to take awhile for your body to dissolve these. Just know that you have an over the counter solution that will help you when needed. I have also found that when I feel the discomfort, I am also leaking more, so two birds hit with one stone, so to speak.

Today I was home relaxing and did not take any ibuprofen. Tomorrow at work is another day. Generally the level of discomfort is becoming less as time goes on.

As far as your surgeon is concerned, frankly, he doesn't feel your pain. If you are having this complaint, bring it to his attention.

Good luck, Scooter