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Advice needed - blockages, mucus and despair

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User
Posted 08 Sep 2015 at 13:35
I was diagnosed with prostate cancer 6 years ago - presenting with a psa of 16.5 and Gleason of 8 - unfortunately the cancer was not confined to prostate and was in the lymph nodes as well.

Surgery was not an option so I was put on hormone injections at 3 month intervals. I am currently taking prostap. For the first 4 years everything was fine with good psa readings. However in 2014 I was getting blockages / retention on a regular basis due to blood clots / haematuria. I was in and out of hospital on a regular basis for irrigation and flushing. I had a turp operation in 2014 and later a week of palliative radiotherapy to stop the bleeding. In early 2015 I had an embolisation operation for the same aim of stopping the constant bleeding.

The next problem we faced with the tumour growing was the increasing difficulty of getting a normal urethral catheter fitted - resulting in a suprapubic catheter. However I am now getting blockages because of sediment and small clots. My local district nurse now comes to the rescue on a regular basis. I have had 10 catheters fitted in the last 3 weeks and 2 in one day last week. I have been my situation is going to be difficult to manage. Life is on hold and we can't go far for fear of blocking. My wife flushes every day with citric acid to help break down the sediment. Has anyone else had this situation - any suggestions welcome!

Another massive problem I face is because the catheter goes directly into the bladder it is regarded as a foreign body, and this results in a mucus like substance bring discharged through the penis. This is happening 24/7 and I am constantly having to clean myself. I have to wear pads to cope with the situation and at times the irritation is unbearable. Does anyone else have this problem or know a solution to deal with it?

We are trying to manage this situation the best we can but it is difficult to move forward. My family are being very supportive but the medical care from the urology dept (which is in special measures) has not been great at all.

Any advice or tips on anything that I have mentioned would be very gratefully received.

Thanks

Geoff

User
Posted 08 Sep 2015 at 17:44

Hello Geoff.

Sorry you are having problems.

There have been a few posts recently regarding mucus from the penis following pubic catheters but I don't seem to be able to pick them up for you.

I'm sure somebody will be along to point you in the right direction.

Edited by member 09 Sep 2015 at 17:12  | Reason: Not specified

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails
User
Posted 08 Sep 2015 at 18:50
Hi Geoff

Sorry to hear that you're having such problems with your supa pubic catheter. 10 catheters in 3 weeks!!!!

I know you say you're not happy with the urology dept but I would say it's the urology specialist nurse you need to push to see, either that or you need to ask gp to chase up urology consultant.

I have a few points that may be of some help but your district nurse may already have considered them, nevertheless I will note them incase they help at all.

1, Has a larger catheter been considered, thinking clots of blood will pass through better.

2, Has a specimen of urine been sent, possI by infection causing persistent build up of debris.

Hope this may of helped and things get better soon for.

Lesley

User
Posted 09 Sep 2015 at 13:02

G

These may be the links S may have been referring too. You may need  to copy and paste the links into your search engine.

http://community.prostatecanceruk.org/posts/t10988-My-Dad-keeps-getting-blocked---help

http://community.prostatecanceruk.org/default.aspx?g=posts&m=134604#post134604

I had my SPC fitted just over two weeks ago at first I could not wait to get it out, yesterday I told my surgeon I was getting quite attached to it. No consolation to you I know but the last few days I have been totally trouble free. The slight mucus discharge has stopped and the slight discharge around the entry point was sorted with canesten cream. L suggests Cranberry juice and there is a link to an NHS SBC care document. Some people are allergic to silicone. I use a nappy liner between the pad and the penis  to stop the penis sticking to the pad.  

Hope things get better for you soon.

Thanks Chris

 

 

User
Posted 09 Sep 2015 at 17:13

Thanks Chris, they're the ones I meant.

Sandra

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails
User
Posted 09 Sep 2015 at 21:02
Just to join up the loop, pleased to see my dad has finally posted

Thanks for your feedback

 
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