Problems Peeing after RT? - radiotherapy,bladder control

I developed a stricture after surgery. Three years later I was heading for salvage RT. The concern was the RT would close the urethra so I had a suprapubic Catheter fitted as insurance. I did have problems with my water works ranging from retention to urge incontinence. It is almost a year since the SPC was fitted and I am hoping to part company with it in the next few weeks.

As it turns out my urethra has if anything improved but my bladder capacity has shrunk. Last PSA was down to 0.04.

Best wishes for your treatment.

Thanks Chris

My flow rate stated to slow a couple of months after surgery and I had about 13 procedures in three years 9 of which were dilatations. At worst the flow was down to 0.5 mls per second but I would have to perform self dilatation. Generally I was back into theatre before it got down to 5 mls per second sometimes I did get down to about 3 mls per second.

Prior to RT my flow was probably between 5 and 10 mls per second so the flow rate was not an issue but the consultant's concern was that RT would affect the scar tissue and close the urethra. His first option was bladder removal, no thanks.

I did have one occasion where I was in full retention but that was following a dilatation and I had a urethral Catheter fitted in s treatment room no anesthetic, it was uncomfortable but bearable.

The SPC fitted pre RT had a flip flow valve fitted between the catheter and the bag in an attempt to keep the bladder working normally, so yes I could urinate through the penis with the SPC in. The RT did cause my urgency to get worse so having the valve and bag did mean I could just open the tap instead of leaking.My flow rate has increased since the RT and is between about 6 and 14 mls per second.

Mine is a bit of a horror story and probably not the norm.

Thanks Chris

During RT my need to pee increased to up to 8 times a night at one point then gradually reduced until it reached the pretreatment level by a couple of months after the RT had finished. During the day, I had plotted on a map all the toilets between the place where I stayed and the hospital, so I was never caught short. A Conveen bag system proved to be the answer for long journeys.

A few weeks after completing RT in may 2017 I was passing all sorts of blood, clots and debris, I was told it would clear up in a few weeks. Yesterday I was told the radiation damage to the bladder was irreversible and I needed to accept the bladder would have to go or I would need a SPC for the rest of my life.

Thanks Chris