Had bladder retention due to what I thought was an enlarged prostate but ended up being prostate cancer. My original urologist had put a Foley catheter in until he could perform a TURP about a month later. Then, when I had it done, I still wasn’t able to pee, so they gave me the choice of self catheter or putting the Foley cath back in. I asked why it was needed if they did the TURP properly, to which he said he didn’t want to put me through a lot of trauma on top of the cancer diagnosis, so he just did a little TURP. I chose to self cath (prelubricated) & then fire that quack urologist. Found a fantastic urologist who did a proper TURP & I was peeing like a racehorse again. No more catheter, even after having my prostate removed robotically, I didn’t have to have a catheter after leaving the hospital. The original bladder blockage, my bladder had stretched out over 3 times its normal size, sending me into kidney failure, & nearly sepsis. Got quite a bit of urine out me in the ER that I was rushed to after the radiologist read the CT scan & told me to get to a hospital fast. They catheterized me & got nearly 700ml of urine out. Had the floppy bladder (as they described it) for nearly 2 & a half years, but my latest cystoscope showed my bladder was almost back to normal size (will probably never be back to normal). Still peeing great to this day 3 & a half years later, & so glad I don’t have to self cath. Relatively easy to do, but still not fun.

Scary stuff!! Glad you made it through this! Thanks for sharing. 🙏 Prayers for you!!

Thanks for posting this. Similar story on my end. Retention. Foley, etc. Been cathing myself. Hopefully surgery in the next few weeks. I appreciate the humor and honesty. Keep going.

Tom, Great Job Fulfilling the need to know from the receiving end. Doctor & Nurse videos miss what it means to be on the receiving end of the situation. Thank you for posting.

Thank you so much for sharing your story. My dad had terrible problems with his prostate-retention for days leading to ER trips to drain liters of urine. He then had to have a TURP done twice. He was pretty miserable afterwards. This was BEFORE the use of alpha blockers to relax the prostate and prostate shrinkers like dutasteride and finasteride. I started having BPH rather young, 45 years old, I was so scared I was going to end up like my dad. Fortunately, in the intervening years they discovered the prostate shrinkers. They saved me from all that misery. Thanks again for sharing your story.

Well done, light and to the, ahem, point. Seriously, men need to confront this, and hearing it from someone who has experienced it helps confronting this nearly universal problem. Thank you for sharing your experience...

Been there done that!! 😳 Awaiting surgery. Love your special effects!

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I wish the medical staff explained it this thoroughly. I'll be getting TURP surgery in a month or two, but I've never had a catheter, and didn't know what to expect. This video was a big help.

Thank you so much that's been so helpful and informative I've just realised I've got a self-catheter everyday so I'm looking for every bit of help I can get. much appreciated

Great video! I just finished my course of antibiotics to clear up my UTI from my scope which confirmed the enlarged prostate/BPH situation. Loved the comment about the numbing gel not doing squat before the scope insertion. I am at the "still can pee, just can't totally empty" phase so this helped me to be mentally prepared for what may or may not come down the road. Right now I have started on Finesteride so time will tell if that hepls or at least delays a surgical need. Glad you are doing better and loved your sense of humor.

Oh Godhow I feel for you Tom. While I don't have that alarge prostate I painfully remember when I had difficulty passing kidney stones and was emergency admitted to the hospital, knocked out and had a catheter put in which stayed for almost a week while I slowly pee'd into a bag all while flat on my back in a hospital bed. Had lithotripsy perfromed and then had the catheter removed by my urologist. Removal hurt like hell and to this day I continually drink plenty of water or risk stones reoccurring. I also had flomax prescribed however I quickly weaned myself off this flomax for very personal reasons.

Awesome video man you crack me up I'm going through all this right now and I needed to laugh

Similarly the same problem that I have , had to rush myself to the ER two o’clock in the morning to get help, found out it was the high alcohol content in my seltzer drink that did plug me up , so I drink cranberry juice over ice and water plus I stopped all sugar items and cut the carbs to avoid the insulin to basically cause problems and am losing weight as well , so ease up on alcohol, sugars and carbs and that will help somewhat and go see a Urologist

In process of watching. Have EXTREMELY enlarge prostate. Just started self insertion Tuesday Aug 30. The cath he showed with tip up and blue line is what I'm using as instructed by nurse. MAJOR POINT : KEEP THE BLUE LINE POINTED TO THE SKY & USE SLOOOOO STEADY PRESSURE. WORKS GREAT. Yes there is slight discomfort both in and out. Remember to breathe and DON'T TIGHTEN UP BODY from anticipation. ABSOLUTELY NO SURGERY at this time. Trying some Vitagenix supplement. There is also Gorilla Cherry and probably others. Vita commercial said 90 days to see some results. Had catheter in since late April & changed every 30 days. Saw a bit of ability to void at 60 days, but failed test with it out and one reinserted @ ER late on a Friday. Just went to self-insertion. Also notice this morning had 1 good session of voiding probably 1/3 cup. Stream not real strong, BUT was steady. After not being able to void AT ALL, for a few months, this is heaven.

Love your take on this sensitive subject! Thank you!

A real genuine, decent guy. Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge of catheters. Based on my own research but not backed up by anyone I would advise avoiding dairy products, especially cheese. Dairy is loaded with hormones which is bad for prostate health.

Thanks for the great public service video, Tom...you deserve an award! I waited way too long to get my TURP procedure in 2016. I made numerous frantic trips to the ER due to retention and had very painful nurse catheterizations (but what a relief to get all that urine out!) then I finally agreed to have the TURP and glad I did. Maybe the plasma approach like you had would have been better, I don't know. I can have orgasms, but ejaculation is retrograde. My concern now is that the prostate will enlarge again, so I'm going to buy some catheters to be prepared in case a blocked urethra reoccurs. My urologist told me Ronald Reagan had to have numerous TURPS. I'm supposed to start using an antihistamine and believe that can increase the chances of retention. I appreciate you, and the medical community that helps us pee again!

Thanks for sharing your experience and hope it goes well for you

No doctor or nurse has ever explained this so we'll. Thanks for your candor. I had TURP in 2019 after weeks of nurse inserted catheters. I could not bring myself to self cath. I've been on Finasteride and Silodosin since. I'm afraid they are not as effective as they were immediately post surgery. Flow is hard to start and weak once it does. But, I usually feel empty. I am thinking Rezum in the future, as I never want the catheter and bag again. Oh, first time I had retention I was taken to the ER and catherized. 1400cc ‼️

THANK YOU, I AM 61 AND GOING THROUGH WHAT I THINK YOU WERE EXPERIENCING (NO RETENTION YET) YOUR BRAVE. [THE PROCEDURE ONLY LASTS WHAT LIKE 5 YEARS]

Haven't had to use one yet but I'm sure glad i saw your vid. Not only are you funny but i learned what i didnt know. Thanks.

Thank you. Greatly appreciated. Well done.

Thanks Tom . You explain this very well. I had ‘Green Laser’ …nearly two years ago , was told I should last 5 years but have to go back next week. The self catheter is a pain and didn’t work for me. Kept the leg bag for 8 weeks, not a pretty option.

Thanks for the video Tom, very informative, you have helped me.

Wow, reading a number of these comments makes me feel lucky. I'm 67 and have experienced a number of UTIs in the past few years. June of this year found me in the ER again, but thank God the right one. They hooked me up with a urologist that seems to know his stuff. I wound up getting a Foley inserted and had no pain, only a little discomfort when it passed the prostate. Nothing about any of my procedures has caused any pain. Doc is now talking about laser surgery on the bladder neck, but everything I read says cutting away at the prostate. He says there's only a 2% chance of unwanted side effects. I think I'll chance it to be able to pee normal again. Best wishes to you guys suffering from urinary problems. BTW, my problem was my bladder wouldn't empty completely and the consensus is the remaining urine stagnates causing the infections.

Hi from england great vlog sir your a natural ! I've had the day n night bags it sure was uncomfortable trying to sleep with the night bagon and it gave you a real painful jolt if you moved about I dont have to wear anything now and I'm waiting for a Lazar op . Over here everything is free from bags right through to any operation as we get it on the national health service. Try n stay off more than 1beer n fizzy drinks try n drink more water n yes wash those hands as it's so easy to get infected !!!

Been there, done that. Can't emphasize enough what Tom says about washing your hands!! I had surgery and wore the Foley for a week and hated it the whole time. After Foley was removed it was a wonderful feeling to urinate like normal again. I had forgot what it was like after 20 years of pills and TURP and finally catheters. Two days later, blood started showing up and pain started. I awoke one night, went to the bathroom and I got nothing but blood and clots. After that, I got nothing to come out and bladder was killing me. I had to be hospitalized for a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. They had to flush me out with anticoagulant through a Cath and spent 3 days in near solitary confinement to get over that. Having said all that, 3 years later, no problems at all. I would have had surgery a lot sooner if I knew it was gonna be this good.

feb 21 2023 informative video. i'd thot the catheters come as a kit. with a sterile towel and surgeon-like-gloves to wear. the mfg'rs sure assume the user is informed of sterile technique. your procedure of the laser vap'n is a new one. happy for you to have had success w/ it. also the fact that you read these comments and reply to them is a big plus. i've got retention too. and been wearing a leg bag for a month now. due to return to the ER this week for a change-out. also been measureing and recording the volume of pea with every bag - drain. plus give it a smell-test. one doc said its a sign of infection if it has some odor

The SpeedCath you showed, the lubricated one in the green bag, has a coudé tip to make it easier to get past the narrow part in the prostate. When inserted the curved tip MUST BE POINTED TOWARD YOUR BODY or you could do damage to the ureatha or the bladder.

Just got over 9 months of catheters both bag type & self catheter. Selfies were best. Luckily, I had TURP surgery 2 weeks ago and after one week I can now urinate without any assistance. So happy I had it done. Asked doc about the other types and TURP surgery he said is the gold standard and many who have had the others return and get TURP surgery

Wonderful video and loved the touch of humor, Tom how are you doing these days? I'm at the front end of my journey and currently in the self cathing stage waiting to be scoped to determine a path forward. At 73 years of age I never thought this could happen to me but here I am. Trying my best to keep a positive attitude and good frame of mind and again thanks for your video it made my day.

I recommend the HoLEP operation, the acronym translated to the holmium laser enucleation of the prostate. Not as many hospitals offer that op as compared to the TURP, and the technique of the HoLEP takes a longer learning curve for the surgeon. However, the operation seems to offer some advantages over the TURP, namely less blood loss and a very quick recovery period. I also had a blocked bladder with even a self catheter not being usable. A quick trip to Vanderbilt in Nashville saved the day. The op consists of a holmium laser cutting a portion of the core of the prostate away, being stored in the bladder to be removed immediately by a morcilator. The upside to this is that the removed tissue can be bioped to detect cancer. More accurate than the standard needle biop.

There is a lot of misunderstanding and misinformation out there on this subject. I'm in the midst of this ordeal myself; learning mostly the hard way. Also find many practitioners are stuck in the horse and buggy days, and pride/status/inertia keeps many from getting up to date. When Urinary Retention suddenly hits it can be unbelievably horrible! You should know there is a big difference between emergency rooms/hospitals. My ordeal was PTSD scale trauma. I couldn't believe it when the ER triage person did not deal with my tormenting pain IMMEDIATELY. Glad I didn't just take a seat in the waiting room out of "politeness". Second ER installed a Foley. Which is the kind of catheter and bag you go about daily activities in. I wore that thing for more than a month (afraid if I removed it I would seize up with UR again). Mostly the issue is one of "self image". I kept the bag in another bag. Also helped that I was already mobility disabled, so always have the option of getting around on a electric powered chair. Most times people around didn't even notice I was "hooked up to a bag". The next time I had to get the Foley Catheter changed, I asked (asserted myself) for some sedation. 5 mg. valium IV made a world of difference. Some docs will do this, others will not. (other people's pain is easy for a provider to tolerate!). Regarding resolution of this conundrum: there are new physical treatments that even many or most Urologists don't know about. Some solutions do not require general anesthesia or a hospital stay. Some practices do the procedure right in their office. I will almost certainly be seeking out a procedure that is so new, medicare may not even cover it. PAE is apparently least invasive of them all. Fortunately my son-in-law is an MD. I phrased my question in a chatty way, requesting a "subjective" opinion. Remember, doctors need to cya like everyone else. Turns out embolization has a fairly benign history in other applications. (cancer treatment) In making your choice, remember that these days hospitals themselves can be pretty risky places to spend any amount of time. 'Nuf said.

The same happened to my father after 3 days. And yes , I did hear him scream.

Thank you so much for sharing. I hav the bag on right now. I am schedued for uro-lift in 2 weeks. I am glad to know I am not the only one that has had times when they cannot pee. I was really worried. Thank you thank you Thank you!

Went threw this same thing. Good video Bro. Got the Green Light Surgery.

I know I'm more than a little late to this party but a huge thank you for the video, it's the first time I've been able to smile and chuckle (and believe me I did that a lot throughout it) about the subject after the misery of the retention problem and subsequent 5 weeks with an indwelling catheter. I've ignored the enlargement thing for too long and it caught up with me 6 weeks ago, 24hrs of agony and a visit to A&E (ER) for catheterisation. For now there will be an interminable wait for an appointment with a urologist but at least after 5 weeks the bag etc has been removed and I have a supply of selfie catheters which are mercifully fully lubricated. Thanks for sharing the info and the many laughs. I think the world of we older men needs more Tom

Being on a fixed income, buying multiple catheters wasn't an option, so I had to figure a way to reuse. I totally agree with the sanitary comment, found out that flushing the catheters with tap water, putting them in white vinegar to sanitize, and not using tap water but instead, distilled water for a pre-use flush made all the difference! Lubrication is also very important to minimize internal chaffing. You should also note that new surgery options are available like rezume, pae & others which make the old surgery ideas seem like butchery! Great video. thanks!

Thanks for that explanation I'm booked up for the Buck Rogers op too here in UK. Only thing is I don't know when yet . I was on the catheter with a valve so that I could turn it on to pee at will but I got an infection which was so sore I had to remove said catheter. I'm now on antibiotics and just coping by not drinking too much at anytime. Wish me luck. I'm heartened that you are ok now . All the best.

Thanks for sharing, stay well!

Great video Tom! Thanks.

Thank Tom. The great white has caused me to bleed and lead to failed attempts. I am in the same boat you were. Thanks for the advice.

Thank you so much for doing this video. I have had a bladder diverticulum for six years which is basically a hernia in the bladder that has grown out to the size of a balloon. So when urine fills in the bladder it will flow into this second chamber (picture a Siamese bladder). In short when I piss I can't remove the urine in the diverticulum until it continues to fill. It results in UTI's, making it hard to empty my bladder taking a piss, etc. Fast forward to last week and I'm finally told that the neck of my bladder is constricted (my prostate is fine and not large). So I now have to have a bladder neck incision to open up the neck of the bladder so I can piss. For the past year I have had to self catherterize for the past year twice a day! Like I said I hear you Tom!!! The problem is that after the operation I will be able to have an orgasm but NOTHING with come out! Retrograde ejaculation it's called and it will be permanent. Also there is a 10-15% risk of permanent inability that I will never be able to have an erection ever again. The shock of hearing this actually made me feel suicidal for a day or two! I am just wondering if you know of any other procedures that can open the bladder neck without causing these permanent side effects? I think I would rather self catheterize for the rest of my life (and these hoses are not cheap and if you travel, go hunting, etc they are a real inconvenience). Anyway again thank you for sharing what we men go through and I wish you all the best health. I really don't know what my options are and I just don't want to think about it.

Tom Gavin , Where have I heard that name before ? The "coude" tip is supposed to be pointing up there's a mark on the funnel end that should be pointing at your belly button. Except, I don't use those and I have no idea what is the purpose. I use Rusch Flocath Quick, by Teleflex. It is hydrophilic catheter with the water pouch. This one is the best and I tried at least 8 or 10 different kinds. This is year 9 for me. Never less than 5 times a day. 1825 times a year is 16,425 catheters. I have had no UTIs since I started. The trick is to get all the urine out. I move the catheter in until the flow starts. When the flow stops I slide the catheter out about 2 inches and back in to drain the residual. And repeat.

Thank you for the info and the explanation.

Thank you so much. Good job.

My mate drank colloidial silver and it reduced his night time trips to toilet dramatically, first time he'd slept a full night in ages he said.

Enjoyed your video. Doing the Speedi cath lubricanted. 3 times a day. Thank goodness not the great white shark kind. I’m also doing flow max two pills a day. First time I’ve ever done this. It’s not that bad. You made me laugh several times. Good job on the video.

For my brothers having watched Tom's *excellent* video about Self-catheterization (I had to GOOGLE that term for spelling correctness) I just wanted to add here in the comments that the first catheter he showed, the Magic-3, is the one I use and I can highly recommend it. And that "shark tip" that was on the second catheter he showed is called a coudé tip catheter (pronounced “coo-day”.) The idea is that as the catheter is going into your urethra it eventually has to head North, up into your bladder. If you keep the coo-day tip oriented upwards as you push it in, it will (thanks to that bend) travel up and into your bladder without poking the wall of your plumbing. And, here's the good news, the Magic-3 also comes with a coudé tip. Ask your urologist for a "Magic3 Coudé Tip Hydrophilic Catheter". 👍🏼 BTW, Hydrophilic just means that when you squish that silver packet full of sterile water, the surface of the catheter will become SUPER lubricated. Hydro (water) phillic (a fondness for water) 🤓 And thanks, Tom, for this video. I'm glad your procedure went well and that you're peeing like a pro again! 🏆

Thank you Tom. I go in this Thursday for the laser version of the TURP procedure. I sure hope it’ll work for me!

Don't have to yet but thanks Tom for the info I try to care for mine but I still like a martini from time to time so will need this info in the future. Thanks again!

I use a Coloplast Spedicath Flex Coupe Pro. Self lubricated so it goes in and out easy. No strange tip to cause issues. It is in a sheath so there is no touching of the tube. Check it out.

thank your for this video, Tom.

Thanks for a great video Tom - hope you are well. Your description of the retention pain, hospital cathetization and self-catheritation are familiar to me and absolutely correct. What has been your experience - 3 years on from the TURP? I opted for medication - dutasteride but reckon TURP is in my future. Loved the humor! 😊

Tom that was really helpful thank you

Thanks for sharing.

Good stuff when they did mine ... I thought they were working for rotor rooter...

Self catheterise are the words you need .

Thank you for posting this video brotha. I experienced the same exact thing. I'm at the stage where they took out the catheter with the bag that goes attached to it, and I chose to self catheter. I too had an enlarged prostrate that was so bad it blocked the urinary tract. Except I wasn't as smart as you. I waited to go to the doctor until I finally collapsed. I was in so much pain that I have NEVER experienced that much pain in my life. I wanted to cry, but about all I could do was scream like a little girl. Lol. Anyway, I literally thought I was dying. Spent three days in the hospital hooked up to I.V.'s and having blood taken out all hours of the night. I just had my first appointment with the urologist yesterday. I'm trying to get used to this self catheter thing but it hurts like crazy when I have to get past the prostrate that is blocking the urinary tract. And then after I'm done, it feels like I didn't completely drain the bladder. Is this normal? I just want all this to end already. I try to urinate like normal but I can tell it's still blocked. I hope that this gets resolved soon because that turn of events changed my life. Probably forever. I never expected this. I have always been very healthy. This was the first time in my life I had ever been to the doctor. Thanks again my friend. I wish you nothing but the best to you and your family. God bless. Mike V. Albuquerque, NM

the sonic gram- water ablation surgery of prostate seems the best solution.

very Good, Thanks.

Thanks for this. I travel with a catheter, you never know when the meds will fail.

Awesome video thank you for sharing my surgery is in 3 weeks have to self catherer for right now🥴

Thanks for sharing

Use an antibacterial soap,available at drugstore or Amazon.

Thanks Tom

The self-catheter is the only way to go. I had the Folger Catheter for two months. It was a bummer.

I self-catheterise 3 times a day, had all the tests first, endoscopy, cancer tests, many visits to hospital, taken and returned home by ambulance transport, was shown how to use the system by two nurses, I get a box of 30 at a time called VaPro Pocket 40 cm long and 4mm diameter made by an American company in Libertyville IL Total cost to me ZERO. Thats because I'm English and I'm a patient of the NHS I sometimes like to take the piss hahaha

THANK YOU TOM! GOD BLESS! NEW SUB. ALWAYS THUMBS UP!

Thank god

I had acute retention, went to emergency they tapped bladder with catheter. Sure, it was a shock going in. Then relief. Wore it at home for 5 days. You get used to it. If you can distract your mind! The removal was not bad.

I have an indwelling catheter which is changed every 3 months in the day there’s a valve on the end which you just open when you need to pee.at night just attach the bag and dispose of in the morning.

What size catheter did you get for Magic 3?

I am in the same boat you where. retention. I was wanting to know about the self cath thing. This was super informative!! What I am also hearing that scares me is the TURP doesn't work frequently!! yikes whats up with that.

Great video!

Tom. Thank you for your courage to share your medical problem. Thank you even more for sharing your experience and knowledge. I am going through this journey due to a dysfunctional bladder due to chronic urinary retention. My bladder isn’t able to contract and now I have an indwelling catheter. I have had it for three weeks and just got a new one that I will have for a month until my next visit. Can you tell me how long it takes for your urethra to become desensitized? I am fearful of the discomfort of self cathing and even more fearful of how to keep sterile, especially in a public restroom. Please help?

Thanks!

Thanks Tom, very useful info that is hard to find. I'm considering having a catheter nearby in case I get a complete retention. How did your surgery turn out longer term, was the recovery very painful, how much was the cost and do you feel normal now, and last, are you happy with this plazma procedure as opposed to other types of surgery. Thanks again for the good info.

New to this. What do you was with?

Hi Tom, Just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to do the Vid. as you said most of us guys are headed this way, and unfortunately with blokes, we just don't want to know 'til it hits us like a train! I've tried Once to self cathertise, and it was a disaster, the infection I developed about 4 /5 days after the attempt, was sooooo painful, and my advice to anyone out there, is ask your Doc for a course of antibiotics, before you make your first attempt, just so you have them ready, just in case you get infected...nothing worse than having the Delay with getting water tests, then getting to the chemist to get the drugs, far better in my mind to have a box of antibiotic ready and waiting should you need them. Of course DONT use them if you don't have an infection, but I think theyre nice to have ready and waiting just in case. A question: Re cleanliness, what do you think about wearing surgical Gloves, sterile types? would that be a good thing to do, even though you have washed your hands three or four times already? Cheers once again, Mike (UK)

Thanks for the best explanation I have heard. Question, I can’t find the Magic 3. I’ve got a large prostate as well. Do you have a link? Best to you post surgery.

I have a enlarged prostate and getting the TURP precidure

Hey Tom, was there any side effects with the plasma vaporization? Retrograde ejaculation, or anything else ? Thanks in advance.

Just starting this journey!

Lucky you, i lost bladder muscles have to deal with it forever.

I have been useing 16fr for years, no problem.

They tried to teach me to insert one today but my prostate was swollen and it wouldn't go through. I am passing blood clots and blood tonight. Very sore. Must go back monday to try again. They will try a smaller diameter with an end meant for swollen prostate. I am trying to stay positive. Doing this 3 time a day for two months sounds horrible. Will it get easier or painless the more I do it?

Hi, Inserting Cath can be “extremely” painful for many, as it just depends on individuals anatomy. Your v fortunate it wasn’t painful.

I need the thicker one.please send me a message where to buy and what is the name of these catheter

Thanks for sharing Tom...I have a lot of problems peeing now and would like to have a catheter on hand in case of an emergency, but all of the places I've checked require a prescription to order them. Do you know of a place that doesn't require a prescription? Thanks!

ive got the same problem any pain when you put it in did you feel like you had to pee even after your bladder was empty

The older I was getting, the more I had to urinate in my late 50's. I couldn't hold it too long or urine would come out in a very slow drip due to an enlarged prostate. I was later diagnosed with prostate cancer & had a robotic prostatectomy. I've had a Foley catheter for a week post surgery & had the best sleep Surgery ended urine retention, but urinary incontinence reared its ugly head forcing me to wear diapers & then pads. My bladder had thickened through the years & I can hold 8 oz. (the normal bladder can hold 1 quart) & I'm chomping at the bits to pee going 25-30 times/day. 11 years after prostatectomy & I'm still incontinent. I've had 4 UTI's not understanding why until recently. I've learned that I'm not emptying my bladder completely which is the cause, so I'm spending a lot more time at a toilet (or a tree). I've recently elected to have Botox injections in my bladder which helps ease the urge of always having to go. Works great during the day, but I can't drink any fluids 8 hours before bedtime or I'm running to the bathroom 4-5 times per night-meds don't work. Will be seeing my urologist to check for a UTI & ultrasound of my bladder this week. A common side effect of Botox injections is urine retention. I'm trying everything to keep some quality in my life. I miss being a young man when I didn't need to pee at all at night.

Thanks for the video Tom. Did they suggest TURP as a first line of treatment to you?

Hi Gavin, Thanks for your very thoughtful video. You refer to your procedure as Plasma vaporization. Is that the exact name? The closest thing I could find was something called “bipolar “button” plasma vaporization (BPVP)” If the procedure has a specific name and acronym, can you give us as much info as you know please, please. There are so many minimally invasive treatments it is hard to know exactly which you had? Thanks, Very much Eugene

We’re you sent home with a catheter for a few days till it heals? Could be the laser took care of need for that. I’m suppose to get a “Roto rooter”job, doctors words not mine, and God I hope my Genofinator procedure is as successful as yours. Thx for a great funny and in-depth video. Nice job.

Tom, great video. I have an enlarged prostate forcing me to get up several times a night [wreaking havoc on my sleep], but my doctor said nothing can be done surgically. Who was your urologist doctor and where did you have the procedure done?

Hey Tom and followers! I got a second opinion from my company Ma General Brigham..so prostate is not issue but bladder is..some hope now to keep bladder stable thus preventing kidney damage b self catching 4 x a day.. Sadly more painful than I hoped for..maybe less pain when UTI resolves

Thank you very much Tom. Your story is just like mine, i was having a party for retirement and woke up in the same condition. I am now using a self catheter, which I am used to. However, the urologist never mentioned any surgery. So, will I possibly be doing this forever? The Urologist told me to try and pee first so I am peeing out some without it, then put it in and empty out my bladder, with different amounts each time. Since there are different amounts, does that mean it's not emptying all the way? Anyways, thanks again Tom, hope everything works out for you!

Hi Tom, the VA has me on speed cath. I wear nitrile gloves every time I cath. Here's the problem, the darn cath is so slippery, I'm having a hard time getting it in. You know what I mean. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks .... Jorge from Denver

Thank you for this. I had a foley to leg bag for 3 weeks-not fun. I am peeing again but feel I never really fully empty. I have an emergency self cath just in case I go back into retention. How hard was self cathing? I hear some guys do it for decades and treat it it as trivial as brushing their teeth. Also, cysto not fun, favorite part was the urologist pushing through the prostate area. Just relax he says, yea right. Anyways, median lobe enlarged and causing a “ball valve” effect where I really can never empty fully. So it’s either self cath as needed or surgery in next cpl of months