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What Causes Urinary Retention?

Posted on Mon, 15 Dec 2014

Question: Three weeks ago I was having urine retenion . When to Dr and was given antibotic ,told to take two flomax daily. and wore a catheter for 5 days. . It worked great. Until now I can urinate Ok but it feel like i have to go all the time,. Not urgent just distressing. .i started to drink a lot of water so I will urinate more and this relives the discomfort some what...When I urinate I feel I empyt my bladder, but then have to double void. at times..I don't feel that Ii am retaining urine,but it feel uncomfortable until I urinate again. then the cycle starts over again. Been taking Tylenol to help with the discomfort and Klonopin. Can't see my DR untill Monday. any sujestions . Have no Pain or burning when I urinate. Took a urine coulture and it was negitive last time around .. At times i have to press on my bladder to help urinate..

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (45 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Needs to evaluate cause of retention of urine,

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for your query. Based on the information given you had cancer of the prostate 2 years ago which was treated with radiation and now had retention of urine and terminal dribbling with feeling of incomplete emptying of bladder.

This is mostly due to obstruction to flow of urine due to narrowing of urethra (Prostatic part). This can occur due to radiation - what is called as Post Radiation Urethral Stenosis.

I shall be happy if you can post me few more details to help me in making comments on your problem.
1) What is your recent PSA level?
2) Have you consulted any Urologist for clinical assessment very recently?
3)Have you done Ultrasound Scanning pf abdomen and pelvis very recently ?

Normally this happens due to post radiation urethra stenosis .

Please consult qualified Urologist for clinical and digital rectal examination and get following basic tests done to confirm the diagnosis.
1) Serum PSA.
2) Ultrasound scanning of abdomen and pelvisand Trans Rectal Ultrasound Scanning (TRUS)
3)Endoscopic examination of urethral passage and Bladder (Cystoscopy).

Further treatment will depend upon the results of these tests and final diagnosis.

Hope I have answered your query ,please feel free to ask if you have more questions ,
I shall be happy to help you
Thanks and Regards.
Dr.Patil.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (2 hours later)

My latest PSA was .01 Had scan of bladder for retention.My urologist said I have a very small Prostate. I am going to ask him to do a Cystoscope. He told me he wanted wait to see how I faired after last problem before he did a Cystospe.Digital Rectal exam. was normal. I had pain and some burning when I urinated for the last few months ,but after the course of Cipro though my culture showed normal and having the Catheter in for 5 days i no longer have any pain or burning.Main complaint is that I feel uneasy in my bladder. He had me take the flowmax twice a day for 5 days.
most of the time then I think I need to urinate but don't need to. Then I will get more of a sudden urge to urinate and then I go with no problem. At times I feel the need to massage my bladder to make myself urinate to relieve the uncomfortable sensation I get.Urine stream has improved since the catheter was removed. i know something is not right but He just has not been able to find it.He did say that he might be able to help me by as he put it doing a small surgery.

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Cystoscopy will find out the cause

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for follow up.
Cystoscopic examination will determine the cause of your symptoms If it is due to narrowing of urethra doctor may do endoscopic dilatation of urethra.

Thanks and Regards.
Dr.Patil.

Note: Consult a Urologist online for consultation about prostate and bladder problems, sexual dysfunction, kidney stones, prostate enlargement, urinary incontinence, impotence and erectile dysfunction - Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju