My husband had his prostate removed laparoscopically for prostate cancer. The surgery went well. He had a catheter for a week. It was removed and all seemed well. Good control, no leakage. None of the things he feared. But then urine flow slowed then stopped, and we had to go to the ER to have a catheter re-inserted, 16 hours after removal (OF COURSE this could not happen during office hours, so we could just go to the urologist). 2 days later it was removed again. This time he lasted 50 hours before it slowed to a trickle again. He had decided to go to work that day. In the interim I had read about taking hot baths to relax the urethra and bladder and taking ibuprofen to reduce swelling. The flow had already been stopped 5 hours before I knew of it and could suggest them. He tried those, but it was too late; no idea if they would have helped anyway. Doctor’s office said probably not.
They tell us, "Oh, this happens all the time." Sure, "normal" from their perspective. Just how many times is a man supposed to have a catheter re-inserted? But it is demoralizing for him. It is wearing us out.
What can he do to keep things open? All along he has been drinking a lot and urinating (or trying to) frequently, as instructed. The only exception has been at night (he usually gets up once, but will set his alarm more often if it will help). I appreciate any suggestions you can offer.