Prostate size is close to 300gm. Each time I try CIC, I get stuck at some point which I think is the prostate area. I tried several times, and no longer inclined to want to try again. Used different sizes of Coloplast Speedicath. Recently tried Bromed Nelaton brand FR12, same difficulty. So my question to those of you finding easy with CIC: do you have large prostate sizes like 250-300gm or over? Or are there any particular tips for dealing with large sizes? Sunny side - my prostate seems to be growing outward, so I'm still able to get some decent flow, though with some strain sometimes.
If you haven't tried a "coude tip" you should. They are designed to go around larger and/or obstructive prostates. Some here will say they prefer straights, but the best catheter for you is the one that works best. So if you haven't tried Coude, it should be your next step.
The other thing that might help is to go UP one size. It may sound counter intuitive, but think of hammering a nail into hard wood (not a great analogy lol) -- well, anyway, the bigger nail goes in easier.
I also recommend trying a hydrophillic coating if you haven't because more slippery.
Jim
Also add that many of us have found certain techniques like relaxing, breathing, coughing, etc relax/release the prostate just enough momentarily to let the catheter slip by. You might check some of the other catheter threads for tips.
Jim
I am having the same problem, and my prostate is probably 40-50 grams. I have probably cathed 200 times, but that was three years ago. I had some work done on the prostate, and now have only been able to get it inserted one out of three tries. Tried coude and straight tip. It is getting stuck either at the sphincter, or in the prostate maybe in a false passage? Don't know how to deal with that. I have tried turning the catheter thinking that would help. It came out bloody both times I failed, and left me pretty sore. I think I may be retaining some urine, as the one time I was successful cathing, I didn't need to pee again for about 7 hours.
Tried softer catheters, like Cure. Actually, I tried many and anything but Coloplast Speedicath might solve your problem. Those turkeys are way to stiff. I know many people use them and they can be convenient but they can cause problems. I used to have the same problem with Coloplast Speedicath, with my catheters hitting a wall, not wanting to advance, regardless of what I do, including relaxing, breathing, even Yoga and praying. I had bleeding problems with Speedicath for 3 long years, using 10fr and 12fr. I could never get 14fr or anything larger through. Now 9 months with Cure, I can get any size through, easily, without any Yoga and praying, and without bleeding. I even went as high as 18fr. I would have tried larger size if I could find it, though I normal use size 14fr which is most comfortable. Hope this helps.
Hi Moto, Tried softer catheters, like Cure. Actually, I tried many and anything but Coloplast Speedicath might solve your problem. Those turkeys are way to stiff. I know many people use them and they can be convenient but they can cause problems. I used to have the same problem with Coloplast Speedicath, with my catheters hitting a wall, not wanting to advance, regardless of what I do, including relaxing, breathing, even Yoga and praying. I had bleeding problems with Speedicath for 3 long years, using 10fr and 12fr. I could never get 14fr or anything larger through. Now 9 months with Cure, I can get any size through, easily, without any Yoga and praying, and without bleeding. I even went as high as 18fr. I would have tried larger size if I could find it, though I normal use size 14fr which is most comfortable. Hope this helps.
I also have been unable to "get through" my prostate...I never had a problem at all before turps and also for a month or so afterwards ...but now I am unable to check my pvr by using a cath...I started having problems about a month ago. One time I had a problem & it wouldnt go through but then it sort of popped through as if skipping past some sort of ridge or obstacle...lately though I cannot use a cath at all....luckily I can pee usually normally by standing or sitting.....But Im a tad concerned at not being able to check properly... I have contacted the hospital to see if I could possible pop in on an informal basis and be checked with a scanner...
I can never understand why Guys let their prostates get so big that they dominate their lives when there are surgical solutions available.
Hi Gin,
You might want to go up one size, and see if that helps pop through. Don't know where you are, but if you have a urologist, why not just make an appointment to have your PVR checked. Should be routine.
Personally, I purchased a used bladder scanner so I could check my PVR without having to cath and without having to go to the uro. I also found it very useful in exploring and learning about the anatomy of my bladder and diverticulum. Send me a PM if you're interested in something like that and I can share with you some of what I found on the market.
Jim
Moto, Could be a false passage. Maybe your uro could take a look inside, either with a scope or imaging. I had some resistance a few months ago and I did what amounted to a valsalva manuever when I hit resistance. Just sort of held my breath, breathed out, and tightened in on my abdominal muscles at the same time. It slipped right in. Only needed to do that a few times. Not sure if it was the contraction or relaxation phase that helped, but might be worth trying. Also, someone here once suggested covering the funnel with your finger during insertion. It really seems to help some by stiffening up the catheter a bit. Going up one size might accomplish the same thing but I'd try the finger first.
Jim
I don't know where the "breathed out" came from. Eventually of course I breathed out, but not before I sucked in my abdominal muscles.
Yea, you can't understand "why Guys let their prostates get so big..." - because you don't live in their lives - so you will never understand, guy!
Hello Emmanuel, I also have a 300 cc prostate and learned to do CIC 3 years ago when my only other choice was simple prostatectomy. It was a steep learning curve but with help from jimjames and others here I enjoy CIC 4 times a day without any issues. I also have a good natural void as I have no median lobe so I tend to natural void half my bladder and then CIC the rest during the day. At night I awake once and cannot NV so just CIC. I use Coloplast Speedicaths 14fr coude tips hydrophilics. I have done over 4200 now and never tried any other catheters as these always worked for me. The coude tip is critical to get past our big prostates. I hope you are using the curved tip as straight ones can pierce the prostate. Initially I had a great deal of trouble getting past my large prostate. i would get to the start of it ok but then I would wait for several minutes until the catheter slipped in. The trick for me was twofold. First I added a small amount of lubrication down the sleeve and let it coat the catheter before taking it out of the sleeve. That really helped a lot. My catheters are hydrophilic but the lube still helped a lot. Second I got a chart of the entire urethra from the penis tip to the bladder and tried to angle the catheter as I slipped it in to follow the "S" curve. So first I point the penis straight up at the ceiling and then drop the catheter in slowly for a few inches. I hold my index finger over the green cup to help stabilize the tip from swinging. Then I slowly swing the catheter horizontal continuing to push in very slowly. At this point the resistance starts from the prostate. Then after a few inches I swing the catheter straight down towards the toilet and gently push up on the catheter as it goes through the prostate and enters the bladder. Once empty i reverse the entire sequence. Since doing this procedure for 2 years now I have never had any difficulties getting in in less than one minute. it is important to never push too hard or it could cause bleeding. If that happens just take the catheter out and try again in a few hours. Hope this helps. Howard
Not all prostates grow each year, mine hasn't. Also, LUTS can be independent of prostate size. Some with larger prostates have very few symptons. Some with small prostates have significant symptons. As to dominating my life, CIC dominates my life about as much as brushing my teeth does.
Jim
Jim, I am thinking it could be a false passage as well. I will try the finger over the funnel trick, larger size, and other catheters. I have a good supply of Speedicath in both coude and regular, but also some samples of others. I have to make an appointment to see a uro, that will be about a month out I would guess. I have just recently started to see enough change to need to get in there to see him again. Thanks to all for the tips.
MY PROSTATE IS 117 GR,this was back in January 2019 .DON't KNOW SIZE TODAY. Doing Cic 3 years with not much trouble,now i spent 3 days in hospital flushing out my bladder blood cots.They tell it's the catheter causing the problem,it hits my prostate and causes blood clots. Have you had this happen to you? frank,
A friend with just a 35 grm prostate had very bad retention and was self cathing several times a day until he had his GL 14 years ago. His flow has slowed in the past two years and he is taking Cialis.
My prostate was 135 grms before my second laser procedure. It was actually less of a problem then than when It was 75 grms before my first procedure nine years previously. If there is a cure why be afraid of having it ?
My BPH started in 1994 and I have read thousands of posts going back to old usenet news groups and other Forums since then. I still have over 13,000 news group posts on file and can index by subject or poster. GL was by far the most popular and successful in the news group days.
Hello, Emmanuel:
My prostate "was" measured at 265gm. No issues until abrupt retention hit me like a brick during the summer of 2018. First Uro tried to teach me how to manage my retention through self-cathing. Terrible experience! Nurse failed at trying to show me, Resident failed at trying to show me. Each did nothing but make me bleed and cause blood clots, which is bad when on a Foley. Was on a Foley bag for two months while trying to figure out how to solve my abrupt problem. Two Uros later, and two months later, I had a Simple Robotic Prostatectomy to remove the mass. I am now 14 months post procedure and life (and peeing) is great. No meds and no cathing. Problem solved.
Dave