Long-term Consequences of CIC (self-cath)

Men's health
1

Could anyone who has been self-cathing for more than 5 years tell us if there have been any long-term consequences of daily CIC which worsen (or improve!) over time? For example, after 5 years or more does the urethra lose elasticity, or does the internal sphincter muscle weaken which leads to dripping problem?

I have been CICing for over 2 years now (4 times a day) and was hoping for some breakthrough technology to fix my BPH but I am starting to think that may not happen. So if I have to do CIC for the rest of my life I was wondering if things change at all after 5 years, say compared to how things are at 2 years?

I can live with CIC the way things are now, I just don't want things to get worse. One possibility is that the prostate keeps growing and makes it harder and harder to CIC as the years go on. Has this been a problem for anyone? Thanks.

2

Howard, I know of one person from another forum who did CIC for 11 years. But he gave up last year and opted for a procedure, claiming that he'd had enough. Another one is Barnie on this forum, who has been doing it for 9 years. My observations on others on long term CIC is that after a period of several months of significant improvement, things usually stay about the same. So CIC for life is a good possibility, only if one desires. Hank

3

It will not stop your prostate from growing. When I went into hospital in 2012 for heart surgery they could not get the catheter past my 135grm prostate and had to use a supra pubic one. I did also have prostatitis  at the time.

4

Hi, Howard31850. Good to hear from you again!

I now have a little over 3 years of CIC so not too good a subject for your purpose. I would think that if your cathing does not cause bleeding, pain, or other signs of trauma, you should be O.K. assuming that your urethra and sphincters remain healthy.

Warm regards, Alan.

 

5

10 years now ...no problem.   I use 5/6 times a day.   I might be wrong but I have read that Prostate virtually stop growing after certain age...not sure, but maybe someone else can answer that point.  It certainly has NOT got harder to use

6

Thanks Barnie for responding.  That I good news indeed! Do you also have natural voids? Did you at one time have natural voids when you started CIC but over the years they have stopped?

I still have good natural voids in between CIC - about 150cc. So I worry that over the years CIC may make my bladder lazy and the natural voids will stop. Also do you ever have problems with dripping?

I guess I worry too much. Thanks again and all the best. Howard

7

Thanks Alan. Good to hear from you. I just worry that many years of CIC might damage the urethra and the sphincter muscles but the note from Barnie is encouraging. CIC for me now is like brushing my teeth (as jimjames had promised - where is he?) so I could continue it forever. Take care. howard

8

Thanks Hank - that is good news. I do not want to have any surgeries - just keep away from hospitals. Thank goodness for Medicare! Take care. Howard

9

I had very little natural voids, that why I was seen by urologist....Had a scan...my bladder was full and he was surprised that I didnt even feel like peeing..went straight on catheters.... had no natural voids since...as  you say  my bladder was now  weak.. They have a technical term for it.....No I dont get any dribbles.. I know there are a lot of new procedures but  I have been on them for so long I dont what to to explore them whilst everything is going ok.  

10

Howard, I read that most prostate growth occurs between the ages of 50 and 70. Hank

11

Hi Hank, I got my u/s results today - showed my prostate has grown to 297 cc from 240 last year! I turn 70 next year so I hope you are right. Howard

12

What advice were you then given?

13

I meet with my uro on Friday to discuss the results. He is very supportive of CIC, especially since my kidneys look ok but he wants to do a robotic simple prostatectomy on me!

14

Howard, your prostate is large. However, as long as you don't have any problems with CIC or constipation, there is no reason to have any procedures. BTW, what is your diet like ? Meat, fruits, veggies, dairy, etc ? I've read that certain diets may encourage prostate growth. Hank

15

Barnie - do you CIC at night? Does the urge to pee wake you up or do you just get up on your own or set an alarm? I always have trouble getting back to sleep after I CIC in the middle of the night.

16

I have trouble sleeping in general but after I CIC sometimes it feels so good that I can lay on my stomach and have an empty bladder. I can go several hours if I CIC right before going to bed; when I need to go the feeling is more like a nervousness; I toss and turn and can't get comfortable. If I walk around a bit then I start to feel a pee urge.
Incidently, I've noticed that sometimes when I can't go back to sleep, drinking some water makes me sleepy. Not even too much. I think I'm alert (not tired) because my body is telling me I'm dehydrated.

17

Hi all, This is a great support group. I have just started CIC and have the same worries as Howard. I used to have reasonably strong natural voids 2-3 times a day but my PVR volumes were high ranging in the 500-600 ml marks for about 2 years since I was diagnosed with BPH.

On my last visit to my Urologist, they detected a PVR of 900ml and my doc immediately put on me on a self cathing (3 times a day) schedule.I have noticed that my natural voids have started reducing with just 1 or 2 in the morning after I wake up. My doc is also recommending UroLift but he is not sure if that will make any improvements.

Would love to hear from others. Thanks.

18

Howard - I usually have trouble getting back to sleep after CIC in the night. So I stay up an hour or so, watching TV or reading. Sometimes I eat a small amount (1/4 cup of cereal, Bran Buds). It helps if I do some hamstring stretches, and arching the back up and own while on hands and knees, 30 to 50 reps. This gets me a little tired plus gets my metabolism up, so I can stay warm when it is a cold. Some other exercises might work as well.
I have been CICing 4 years now and have not noticed relaxing of the sphincter, or dribbling. I have found that if I run the cath up to the sphincter, then grip the penis around the cath and pull the penis forward, it pulls the sphincter over the catheter, rather than pushing the catheter through the sphincter. I also droop the abdominals and other muscles down, and find the catheter goes in more easily. -Thomas