Prostate Cancer

[Poultneyboy]

I don't see this problem in other discussions. I had prostate surgery 5 years ago. Now I have a catch 22. If I limit my intake of water because I am going to be in a restricted area or on a trip it limits the number of times I have to urinate which is a good thing but it causes me a lot of pain that seems to be caused by concentrated urine when it leaks down the urethra. The way I alliviate the pain is to drink lots of water but then I have to urinate and sometimes it is not convenient. I usually have to go urgently and often until the water all passes. I have had specimens analyzed by the doctor and they come out negative. The dr. has not helped me with the urgency either. The pain often comes when I am on my feet for extended periods. This has been going on for over 2 years but my PSA levels are at undetectable levels so my doctor can't figure it out without going in and having a look. I think I will go for a second opinion and maybe have a new doctor look.

[kdunbar]

I would seek a second opinion, in fact I had a 3rd and a 4th before I got sorted.

Don't loose hope !

Good luck.

KD

[Poultneyboy]

Thanks for the encouragement. That was going to be my next step but we only have one urologist in town so I will have to go out of town for a second opinion

[kdunbar]

I too had to go out of town, an hour and a half by plane. Which proved fruitless a long storey, but the 4th Urologist got me sorted. See someone who sees hundreds of patients, and has extensive experience. Not someone who sees two patients a week. Have a look at your nearest major city where there maybe 20 + Urologists and choose the best.
Good luck.
KD.

[Poultneyboy]

Have you had a similar situation or was it different and you took several tries with different Doctors to find a solution? I don't know if it means anything but since I have been drinking a small glass of red wine every night it seems to help and the pain is not as intense. I can't stand for long periods so I try to sit whenever I can and I take a golf cart when playing. I still play several times a week when the weather allows. Thanks for the response.

[kdunbar]

No, my situation was different, my problems were preoperatively, that's why I saw 4 Urologists before one would touch me. In fact I was told surgery for me would be hazardous, but I was determined to have it out. Postoperatively my fluid output was enormous, the Dr could not understand where it came from - output much grater than input. Most of this period I had a catheter, and this is how it was noticed. Once the catheter was removed output normalised, maybe it was my wine intake that stabilised matters - I prefer two normal glasses, I owe it to the wine growers wouldn't want them unemployed. I would not suggest you become an alcoholic, but a second glass may do the trick, and should be enjoyable.

[kdunbar]

I've been thinking more about your problem which needs putting right. It is important you don't become dehydrated. May I suggest you not drink straight water but a balanced electrolyte solution. This can be purchased in the pharmacy, and added to water, or you can make it up yourself, add to a ltr of water a tablespoon of glucose and a 1/4 teaspoon of salt (ensure these are dissolved). You could make up quantities and keep it in the fridge. The point is this is much better absorbed than plain water, preventing dehydration with less fluid intake. I think this may help until you get the problem sorted. It certainly will do no harm. The product from the pharmacy contains one or two more electrolytes, and should be better absorbed.
Good luck,
KD

[Poultneyboy]

Thanks for the ideas. I met an old farmer once on a hot day and he offered me a glass of switchel. He said they drank it because they sweat so during haying season. I looked up the receipe on the internet and it had brown sugar, molasses, vinegar, and water. Perhaps they were ahead of their time. I will try your ideas and seek another doctor. I shouldn't complain because I am much better off than a co-worker who discovered his prostate cancer with his first PSA test that was over 15. He died last year and he was a year or two younger than me. We just got back from vacation in S.C. driving 900 mi. We had to make a stop about every hour and not longer than 1.5 hours. I have to be aware of what is ahead down the road so I don't get into high traffic areas where I can't stop. My wife is very understanding and we had a good vacation.

[kdunbar]

It is normal to pass water eight times a day, and maybe like me you have a nocturnal problem, many of us do. Bladder control can be improved with pelvic floor exercisers, quality rather than quantity being the thing, twice a day every day. I believe sit ups also help, by toning the abdominal muscles (there is no evidence for this just my theory). When at home I try to hold on a little longer, also I deliberately stop in mid flow from time to time, I was instructed to do this by the Continence Nurse, it's about control, it has helped a lot.