Anybody with Urinary retention?

[Pharaoh]

I think I'm going to have to get catheterized again, Damn! that hurts! When a person starts going through something like this one finds out many doctors aren't that bright and it may take them along time to figure shit out.

I'm just hoping this is fixable :hurts:

[WestHoustonDem]

1. My dad's going through this

and I'm thoroughly dissatisfied with his doctors.

Just be careful, he ended up with a bladder infection that led to all kinds of shit he never should have had to go through.

[Pharaoh]

2. yes that's what I'm worried about

that or renal failure, I just got of the phone with Urology and they can't see me till the 25th,

This is UW hospital, best in the world, and I have great healthcare compared to most,

Is this system broken or in breakdown?
:shrug:

[WestHoustonDem]

3. Oh it's broken

My dad's bladder infection caused a potassium deficiency that put him in the hospital in January and weakened him to the point he had to go to a nursing home for rehab. While there, he tried to get up by himself to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night because they were short staffed and fell. This happened twice. The first time he got compression fractures in his spine, the second time he broke his hip. After the hip surgery, he ended up with 2 staph infections on top of the e-coli infection from the bladder. The antibiotics caused anti-biotic induced colitis, which I diagnosed 2 months before his doctor paid attention, despite my warnings. (I have Crohn's and recognized the symptoms, but didn't snap to the cause). This is a man with medicare, Blue Cross and long term care insurance.

He's still in the nursing home. 2 weeks ago my mother had an emergency hysterectomy so he can't come home until they're both stronger. My sister and I have been taking turns caring for them but I have a 17 year old I've had to leave home alone 3 times this year.

Oh yeah, the system's broken.

[Pharaoh]

4. That is a real mess westhouston

Thanks for your support, it is a sad story for your dad, at 50 I'm hoping this can be resolved under less dramatic circumstances, I've got a hold of some Flomax so I'm hoping that will get me through this without a damn catheter.

Yes Doctors can sometimes be quite smug that we are all dummy's out here, but my sister is an RN and the internet is a godsend of information when your in a medical bind,Doctors need more classes on listening to what their patients are saying.

Sure hope your mom and dad recover soon and are back home where they belong :grouphug:

[Warpy]

5. First, they have to figure out why it's happening

If it's an enlarged prostate, the cure is a TURP, sort of a Roto-Rooter job to clear it from the urethra. Don't worry about it, you'll be asleep. The recovery is rapid and complications are rare.

If it's neurological, you've got other problems and will need education in person, not on a message board.

Sorry about your dad. That sort of thing doesn't happen often, but a cascade of problems in elderly people is not unheard of, especially when hospitals are so short staffed that complications which used to be picked up immediately go unnoticed completely. I know I won't go back even if I'm miraculously cured of spinal arthritis. The system is horrible for anyone but their CEOs.

[WestHoustonDem]

6. Scar tissue from radiation treatment for prostate

cancer is the source. That and an asshole of a urologist - at least my mom switched to a new one for him.

My mom is stronger, but I don't know when she'll be able to handle having my dad home.

[Pharaoh]

8. thanks warpy

Roto rooter don't sound good but being asleep does,

I hope it is as simple as a prostate as these things can get more complex......

[WestHoustonDem]

7. Thank you pharoah - and keep in touch

My dad now has a permanent catheter and is gaining strength.

My mom is home, just not strong enough to take care of Dad.

The internet saved me when I was diagnosed with Crohn's.

[Pharaoh]

9. Crohn's ouch!

We thought our youngest daughter had it,

2 colonoscopys and doctors said so, but they were wrong, she's fine now.

You know, you really don't think too much about your health, until you don't have it, as I am finding out,there are millions out there suffering in silence.

This internet site gives me lots of hope and support,I really appreciate you people out there.:grouphug:

[WestHoustonDem]

10. Thanks to Remicade and other pharmaceuticals

I'm in remission with medication. When I was going through the worst of it, I was glad it was me and not my daughter.

I appreciate every good day I have. And most especially DU.

:grouphug: :hug: