Had my cysto today looking to see if I had a stricture or blockage since my last check showed about 350cc of residual after doing a flow test with 375cc output.
All clear and I was watching on the screen the whole time. I can tell one and all that a cysto AFTER an RC/Prostatectomy is
WAY better!!!!
Without having the prostatic sphincter there was no pain. I did have the lidocaine numbing gel though. Wouldn't dream of doing a cysto without it.
I also got the training for doing self catheterization and I did it. No problems but there was a
little pain at the urethral sphincter but once past there it was no big deal at all. I'm not planning on having to do this a lot but my uro suggested if I'm having to go through too many gyrations and taking a long time, that I should consider it as a way to speed things up if needed. Also, he suggested that I empty normally to the best of my ability and then self cath and measure how much I'm retaining. If it's not that much then don't worry about it but if it is, then just cath.
It was really scary thinking about doing it given my general displeasure with thinks like cystos before but not having a prostate tightly constricted around the urethra sure makes a HUGE difference!
Also, got training for "the shot". I swear the length of the needle that the pharmacist showed me when he was explaining things was only have the length of the needles he gave me. The one he showed me was about a 1/4 inch in length and the ones I have a longer than that. In any case, it didn't hurt. I didn't inject myself this time, the nurse did. It is certainly effective and I would like to assure the men who are worried about the idea of using a needle "there", you may change your mind after 8 months or 12 months or however long and only then will you discover it's not really a big deal. Doesn't hurt and it is effective! Didn't get a chance to take it for a test drive (and I don't really plan on posting when I do) but it appeared to be quite effective and now I wish I would have just gone ahead and gotten it MONTHS ago!!!
Also gave my sample for the cytology but it takes a couple of days. My uro is pretty confident that it was a bad test at the other lab since they didn't know about neobladder.
I will let everyone know when I get the result. Don't want to say anything now that will jinx things so I will leave it at that.
Mike
