Aftermath-catheter removal

The catheter has been removed and I'm thankful for that.  I've tried to read & gain as much info as possible as to what happens next.  I realize that expectations can run the gamut of almost immediate continence to guys who struggle with it much longer.  I don't think I've ever posed an issue on this forum that someone hasn't responded to relieve my anxiety or confusion, etc.  So here are a few of my issues.

 

1) Pain in the penis area began about 2 days ago, almost like an urge to urinate accompanied by pinprick like pains.  Today when I had the cystogram there was no pain in the bladder but the pain in my penis WAS OFF THE CHARTS when they injected the fluid.  The radiologists was confused as to why I had pain in this area since the penis isn't really involved in this test.  The nurse practioner suggested that maybe I had a slight infection and if the CIPRO didn't solve the problem the dr. would have to go have a look see.  Ouch.  The catheter slid out fine with little discomfort.  Anyone had a similar problem?

 

2) I am definitely dripping.  I didn't take many fluids in this morning so I got back home from dr. office with only little usage of the pad.  However when checking I see that I'm dripping. 

 

    2a) I can't shut the dripping off with a kegel.  That's to be expected right?

    2b) I also can't start a stream (which may have to do with small liquid intake).  Is all of this normal right after catheter removal? 

 

3) I’ve got some residual pain in the penis.  Could this be as a result of the catheter removal?

 

4) I'm not sure if I would even know if I'm dripping/leaking unless I checked the pad.  That's a strange feeling.

 

Sorry to be so wordy but my mind is racing.  As always thanks for the help.  Typically I'm not this needy! LOL

I had pains after catheter removal, but my symptoms were a bit different. I experienced pain at the base of the penis while urinating. Sometimes a pain can be "referred" from one location to another, I guessed at the time that the pain may actually be the sphincter being used after 5 days. I would describe the pain I had as more of an "ache" rather than a "prick".

While I had very good continence starting the second day after catheter removal, I had very little control on the day of removal. Although everyone's experience with this is different, I would say that leaking on the first day has no predictive value.

RTR,
I am glad to hear that you got the catheter out today. I also experienced a "pinprick" sensation (near the tip) prior to catheter removal and for a couple of days post catheter removal. That discomfort went away. I am now 5 days after catheter removal and am going through about 3 pads/day. I feel sure that I would be using more pads if I was more active, and if I wasn't going to the bathroom frequently to keep my bladder empty.

My best days so far were the first 2 days (maybe because of my inactivity). I have been dry at night 2 of the 5 nights (the 1st night and the 4th night). I have very little leakage if I am just sitting or lying around, but I am guaranteed to leak every time that I stand up. I do have some leakage when walking, but this has generally been a continuation of the leakage from standing.

I also had some mild penis pain, but that has gone away. I still do not have a good feel for knowing when I really need to visit the bathroom, but this may be a result of my going so frequently that there is no pressure from the bladder. I am able to start a stream on command and can tell when I am leaking. However, when I am leaking, I seem to be powerless to make the leaking stop.

I believe that you will find that most of the discomfort that you are feeling will go away in a day or two. I also think that it will take a couple of days for you to figure your body out and know where you are relative to continence.

I wish you the best with your recovery. Keep us posted on how things are going.

---

Walter

Age 58
10/06 - 1st PSA ever - 4.6
11/06 - PSA retake - 5.3
12/06 - Biopsy, 12 cores - negative
7/07 - PSA - 9.0
7/07 - PSA 13.8 (after 10 days antibiotics)
8/07 - Biopsy, 12 cores, 1 positive @1%; Gleason 3+3=6
9/17/07 - Bone scan - negative
9/18/07 - CT scan - negative
10/12/07 - John Hopkins recheck of biopsy slides Gleason 3+3=6
Da Vinci surgery performed 11/29/07 at Northside Hospital in Atlanta
Catheter out 12/7/07