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keeping bladder full during treatment

User
Posted 20 Feb 2019 at 13:49

My husband is due to start radiotherapy but is having trouble getting past the planning CT scan. So far he's been for 3 attempts but has a problem retaining the water for long enough.  the last time they did get as far as completing the scan but the bladder wasn't full enough so not in the right position and we need to do it again. He is worried that he'll never be able to hold on to enough liquid without losing control. Does this mean they won't be able to treat him with radiotherapy.

Anyone with a similar experience or any tips or advice out there. We are currently practising, both together to see who can hold on to a litre of water longest! 

Any help will be gratefully received.

Thanks

User
Posted 20 Feb 2019 at 16:28

It took me 3 attempts to get the required result so they could start RT.

I was too ‘gassy’.

I asked a Senior Radiologist after the 2nd attempt what would happen if this continued.

He said they ‘would find a way’ and despite still being gassy on the third attempt they did indeed find a way.

During RT, because of my gassiness, I was required to do around 25 squats before each session.

I got through the 33 sessions with a few gassy hiccups along the way but we got there in the end.

Nil desperandum.

Edited by member 20 Feb 2019 at 16:30  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 20 Feb 2019 at 16:33

As far as holding water was concerned, sometimes I had to leap off the RT table after the treatment and sprint to the toilet.

I had a 30 mile trip home too and I always had to stop at least twice to unload some water.

Believe me you are not alone.

 

 

Edited by member 20 Feb 2019 at 20:32  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 20 Feb 2019 at 17:14

Well, i was ok holding my bladder , a bit tight towards the end ? a fellow patient did not , but changed to warm water and it worked , i did have trouble with gas but peppermint tea helped and not sitting down too long in waiting area , when i was told to start drinking i walked around whilst sipping , and no gas ! i had a strict routine , arrived empty bladder then when told to drink it was ok , mind you after treatment straight to toilet , i was caught out travelling home but i brought a portable  urinal , plus i got a toilet card from thîs site and maclmillian centre to use if needed . 

User
Posted 20 Feb 2019 at 18:46
I'm having RT at the moment (7 fractions completed so far), and the way it works for me is that I have to arrive 45m early for my appointment. I do the enema thing when I arrive, and about 20m prior to my treatment they bring me a flask of water and a glass. I immediately go to the loo and empty my bladder, then drink the water. It's all been fine so far.

Chris

User
Posted 20 Feb 2019 at 21:44
I started having difficulty urinating within a week of starting RT, Malcom. I’ve seen a doctor at the cancer centre today and he’s prescribed Tamsulosin for me, which he says should help a lot. He said that it was an extremely common side-effect. The RT makes your prostate swell up which constricts the urethra.

Chris

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User
Posted 20 Feb 2019 at 16:01

Welcome Baconfused.

Can you give us more information e.g. Gleason score, is cancer contained, has an MRI been done? Any previous treatment?

I had salvage RT in 2017 and my consultant was concerned i wouldn't be able to keep the bladder in the same position, especially as time went on and the radiation effects kick in.

I did have to run to the loo after the sessions as did most men, close call sometimes.

As I had my prostate removed in 2015 he was really concerned Iwouldn't be able to.

If you're husband can’t get through the planning scan he is unlikely to be able to fill his bladder as he progresses through radiotherapy as it can become more difficult with time and dose builds up.

Is there an underlying reason why he cant hold on? Might be worth discussing with the specialist nurses on 0800 074 8383.

Best wishes,Ido4.

 

Edited by member 20 Feb 2019 at 18:23  | Reason: Not specified

Ido4

User
Posted 20 Feb 2019 at 16:28

It took me 3 attempts to get the required result so they could start RT.

I was too ‘gassy’.

I asked a Senior Radiologist after the 2nd attempt what would happen if this continued.

He said they ‘would find a way’ and despite still being gassy on the third attempt they did indeed find a way.

During RT, because of my gassiness, I was required to do around 25 squats before each session.

I got through the 33 sessions with a few gassy hiccups along the way but we got there in the end.

Nil desperandum.

Edited by member 20 Feb 2019 at 16:30  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 20 Feb 2019 at 16:33

As far as holding water was concerned, sometimes I had to leap off the RT table after the treatment and sprint to the toilet.

I had a 30 mile trip home too and I always had to stop at least twice to unload some water.

Believe me you are not alone.

 

 

Edited by member 20 Feb 2019 at 20:32  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 20 Feb 2019 at 17:14

Well, i was ok holding my bladder , a bit tight towards the end ? a fellow patient did not , but changed to warm water and it worked , i did have trouble with gas but peppermint tea helped and not sitting down too long in waiting area , when i was told to start drinking i walked around whilst sipping , and no gas ! i had a strict routine , arrived empty bladder then when told to drink it was ok , mind you after treatment straight to toilet , i was caught out travelling home but i brought a portable  urinal , plus i got a toilet card from thîs site and maclmillian centre to use if needed . 

User
Posted 20 Feb 2019 at 18:20

B

Practicing is a good idea but why  are you trying to hold a litre of water ? I had to drink 3 plastic cups of water which is  about 360 MLS, your requirements may differ. Try to simulate the actual procedure that you are going to do at the RT suite. Wear a pad if required just in case, I was told I could bring a urine bottle into the treatment room and use it if required.

Hope all goes well.

Thanks Chris

User
Posted 20 Feb 2019 at 18:35
Is he drinking the water too early?
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 20 Feb 2019 at 18:46
I'm having RT at the moment (7 fractions completed so far), and the way it works for me is that I have to arrive 45m early for my appointment. I do the enema thing when I arrive, and about 20m prior to my treatment they bring me a flask of water and a glass. I immediately go to the loo and empty my bladder, then drink the water. It's all been fine so far.

Chris

User
Posted 20 Feb 2019 at 20:19
I finished my rt 10 days ago , I didn’t realise different trusts do things different ways ? I was never offered enemas even when once I was given a red card my rectum too full ? Luckily I did a movement , does the water given depend on size of bladder ?? Towards the end of treatment I was having trouble urinating , I thought it was just a side effect but in the end I had to go to a/e because it was acute water retention I had about 700 millilitres in bladder which was catheterised .
User
Posted 20 Feb 2019 at 21:44
I started having difficulty urinating within a week of starting RT, Malcom. I’ve seen a doctor at the cancer centre today and he’s prescribed Tamsulosin for me, which he says should help a lot. He said that it was an extremely common side-effect. The RT makes your prostate swell up which constricts the urethra.

Chris

User
Posted 21 Feb 2019 at 11:45

a litre is what he's been told to do. 5 cups before the scan.

User
Posted 21 Feb 2019 at 12:23

Baconfused,

 

What i did was learnt to release just a small amount. So when the appointment was late and i was desperate i went to the loo and released just a cupful to relieve the pressure. But, it is not pleasant as you know that you need to be as full as possible for the best outcome.

Phil

 
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