Well folks, last night was 1½ weeks post urethrotomy for my urethral stricture, and 1 week since I removed my foley catheter post op. It was time to do my first of 3 weekly, for the rest of my life, self catheterizations. I was very nervous. The only time I had catheterized myself before was 8 years ago after the cancer surgery when I had a clot that wouldn't pass. And that was quite different because
- I was desperate to urinate
- I didn't have urethral pain or inflammation, or possibly a recurrent stricture that I would have to pass the catheter through.
So I chose to do it just before bed so that fatigue and sleep would get me through the following hours if I was uncomfortable. Sounds contrary to common sense, especially considering that late at night is the worst time to reach the doctor if something goes wrong. But my experience with the pain of "stricturitis" is that sleep won out and got me through.
Anyway, I did pass the catheter, and met resistance at what I think was the site of the stricture - although it could have been entry into the prostate or even passing the bladder sphincter, but I think it was the stricture because I had to advance further beyond that to reach urine.
The pain was not unbearable, although I did have burning immediately afterward. I was concerned about my ability to pass urine afterward so very shortly after I passed a few drops which were visibly bloody. The next urination was not visibly bloody. I've left a message with my urologist to find out if my experience is OK or indicative of a problem.
I still have some urinary discomfort and frequency, not extreme, but let's not forget I had those symptoms before the urethrotomy which is why I had the surgery, and let's not forget that I still had post-op urethral pain and urinary symptoms
before I catheterized myself.
Overall, I think I'm doing better today than I was yesterday, so I'm hopeful. Of course, I did take some Xanax before bed so I could calm down and go to sleep. Perhaps I should have taken it before catheterizing myself
. I hope the next self-cath (Tuesday night) is even easier and recovery continues from here.
