Day 1 Post Surgery..

For a typical bloke, who just went through life thinking by eating right, not stressing, not smoking, no alcohol, exercised and that was enough to ward off illnesses, my diagnosis was a wake up call. I am really humbled with my interaction with the NHS (after having little or no experience with them until my late mother suffered a stroke), my treatment has been 1st class. I was offered 2 to 3 dates for surgery, one was 2weeks post diagnosis (I think someone dropped off the list), I declined them all because I was not ready! This is the same NHS that had been ravaged by the pandemic! The men and women I have come across within the service have been amazing!

Best of luck with your recovery. Really hope the numbness in your legs has subsided a little too 🤞🏼

Today is Day 13 post surgery. I had the catheter removed 2 days ago. However by Day 7, I began to suffer from this almighty cramps, (apparently similar to pregnancy labour pains). I was not warned about this. The pain felt like it came from my the tip of my penis and pain from inside my abdomen. Called my GP, he felt I should use Buscopan to alleviate the pain, but it did not feel right. So I reached out to my sis-inlaw in Holland, who is a consultant internist in Holland. She told me, what I am experiencing is not cramps but bladder spasms! She reached out to her colleague who is a consultant urologist, who recommended Oxybutine 5mg 3 x Dail it is short acting and vesicare 5or 10mg once daily.. Then went back to my GP, mentioned my conversation with my sis-inlaw. He now prescribed Solifenacin 1ce daily.

Suffice to say a few hours post catheter removal, I had a severe episode again at the hospital. I was so frightened they might want to re-introduce the catheter, I initially tried to manage the pain.. The pain however seems to subside once I have emptied my bladder.

First night of post catheter freedom, with my pads on, I woke up in agony, it was a struggle to get to the loo to pee. I did get there eventually, and immediately the pain would subside. The cycle continued like clock work every hour! My pads which was initially dry, was no longer dry! 

During the day, I kept onto of things by ensuring, I visited the loo to pee whenever the urge came. I did not get a single episode. Next evening roughly at the same time, same pain same issue, pads were even more wet than before! However, this time my wife gave me a dose of the bladder relaxant and codeine. I had a other episode, which was as bad as the first.

My sis inlaw reckons I should use the medication 3ce a day, so not so sure. So don't know if anyone has this issue and how long before it went away..

Chris, Infection might be a probable cause, however, with an infection I would expect the issue to be fairly consistent. It was fairly random whilst the catheter was in place, think I had 3 to 4 episodes (all during the day), now with the catheter removed I had an episode at UCLH, which I think has to do with the amount of water I consumed in a short space of time. Soon as I emptied my bladder, the pain went away like it was never there. Now it appears to occur only at night, did make a promise to myself will not consume anything past 7pm, but lack of discipline let me down, was snacking and drinking water beyond 9pm. I also saw the list of food to avoid, wow! I might as well starve☹️. One I cannot avoid is spicy food, and the recommendation is to only eat bland food! 

Out of interest, why do you have a permanent catheter?

Thanks.

Just to update. The Nurses did get back to me. However, not of much help as I had already with the help of my sister in law managed to resolve things. I have upped the dosage of the medication from 1ce to 2ce a day. Last night I only woke up 1ce to pee and the spasms even though there was manageable. Incontinence 95% in the day time and about 65% at night! Today is day14 of my surgery.

I don't know if it is in the mind, my energy level are still not back 100%.

Gee , disappointing the nurse wasn't more help.  You have had part of your water works removed but did you get bladder spasms before surgery. I did notice that spicy food was mentioned as a possible cause but from your comment I assume it is part of your normal diet. 

Cranberry juice is often mentioned to calm down a bladder, doesn't work for everyone but worth a try, needs to be good quality.

As mentioned 100 percent energy levels can take time to return, post op I often required a power nap well beyond 8 weeks after surgery.

Thanks Chris