Urethral Stricture

I've been gone for 2 weeks and just read this interesting thread...Warren, welcome. Your question has me stumped, after all these years of hanging around bladder cancer support groups...I can't remember anyone having this problem. I wonder if it's treatable with surgery and if that is worth the morbidity (and have asked someone smarter than I am this question, will let you know).

Wendy

Warren,
I know what you're saying. I'll just wait this one out and hope that the swelling goes down. My Doc is on vaca now and he is the only one I trust so hopefully it doesn't get any worse.
Thanks,
-Vin

Hey Vin,
A stricture is narrowing with scar tissue. Of course it has to start at some point, but mine got progressively worse over years, not days. Based on how inflamed my bladder was when I had the cystoscopy for that stricture problem, there's no question that bladder inflammation played a major role in my symtpoms, even though the underlying problem was the stricture. You probably also have inflammation, but from your treatment. I suppose you could have some inflammation in the urethra as well, but it's equally possible that, since it hurts to pee, you're holding back and that's what's making your stream narrower.
Bottom line Vin. Don't drive yourself crazy. If you're that uncomfortable, call your urologist. The support group is great, but if you need symptom relief and medical reassurance that applies to you, your doctor should provide you answers.
But hey, I'm just saying that because I think calling your doctor is in your best interest. Please feel free to ask me and everyone else anything you like.

Warren,
Do you think it's possible for a stricture to develop in as little as 10 days? Today the pain was equally intense and I noticed my stream was narrower and upon inspection of my urethra noticed the opening was definitely smaller with a ring of irritation around it. It definitely felt like the urine was having trouble getting through. This is beginning to drive me crazy. I wish it would just get back to normal. Any ideas?
Thanks,
-Vin

If the urologist has no trouble passing the catheter, then it's unlikely that you have even a slight stricture. If there's a stricture, somewhere along the urethra it's narrowed so that cystoscopes don't pass without dilation and catheters don't slide in easily

Since my last BCG treatment I've been having some pretty strong reactions. Usually the side effects subside within 48 hours at the absolute most but this time is different.
1. This time I passed tons of tissue during the first 24 hours...almost as if I shed my entire bladder lining.
2. The night of the treatment I had a high fever, chills and cold sweats all night. The next day I was fine.
3. By day 2 I was peeing without any pain, blood, or discharge at all.
4. Then on day 3 my lymph nodes in my groin swelled up to about the size of grapes and were very tender. They were like that for 3 days so i started taking Cipro per order of the DR.
5. The nodes are going down now but the pain during urination is back and pretty intense. It feels almost like my urethra is constricted.
I had pain after the first round of BCG, biopsy surgery, and Turb, but I can't remember if it felt like this. Now all I can think about is stricture.