[MFillingham]

A tale of woe or incompetence?

 

Back in November I had a pain when passing water, fair enough, time to see the GP and get that sorted before it becomes a problem.  Before I can see them (Friday evening) I’ll have to wait for the weekend, which might make things a little more obvious as it’s currently a rather general ouch.  Sunday morning and it feels like my balls want to fall off.  The pain is unbearable and it’s clear it’s not just waterworks.  Phone the out of hours and have an appointment to see them at a local(ish) cottage hospital.  Off I pop and it’s confirmed as prostatitis.  Here’s some tablets for 2 week, should be grand!

Funnily enough 2 weeks later and all is great, swelling and pain gone.

4 weeks later, it’s back.  Make an appointment with the GP, who agree it’s a little urgent and see me quickly.  Same treatment, same plan.  Same effect, 2 weeks it’s all gone, 4 week later it’s back.

It’s early in the week, so I decide to try one last time with the GP, same speed seeing the same doctor, who proposes the same treatment.  Unsurprisingly, I’m asking questions now.  Surely doing the same thing expecting different results is madness?

Unsurprisingly, 6 weeks later I’m in the same place.  The only way I’m going to get this looked at is to bypass the GP.  I wait, fearing another long term Sepsis episode like I had with my back but knowing something has to be done.  3 days later, it’s the weekend and I can phone for help.  NHS advice is to go to hospital, I’d do that if it wasn’t for a temperature nearing 40 and some weird and wonderful hallucinations suggest driving might not be the wisest choice, so it’s off to hospital thanks to the SW Ambulance Service.  Once in a Urology ward (Hallelujah!!) there’s a lot of chatter but they’re not happy with me with an unknown infection in a ward, so I’m shifted to a side room.  Lots of antibiotics pumped in  the consultant comes around and decides it’s time to have a proper look.  I have an MRI and CAT scan just to get a clear picture.  It appears there’s a little ‘globule’ of infection sat outside of the urinary organs. Time to hit it hard.  Sent home with a bunch of antibiotics for 4 weeks and I’ll have another scan at 6 weeks.

That later scan shows the ‘globule’ has grown, despite being on antibiotics, so they propose to lance it, well insert a needle and drain it.  However, my markers are showing signs of infection so it’s time to get it done quickly.  Appointment for 9 days later.  Unfortunately, 4 days later, I’m breaking another fever.  I phone the medical secretary for advice and get not much help, despite being told that’s what to do.  A day later and I’m turning up at A&E as that was the other option given to me. I’m admitted and sent up to the same ward I was in last time.  They pump in more antibiotics in the first instance.  I see another consultant who wants another MRI before seeing if the drain option is sensible.  Good job really, it seems the ‘globule’ changed and is now less than 1mm wide but is wrapping around the urethra for about 5 cm.  Scan also shows that the urethra has a few blockages, which I could sort of feel anyway.

 

We have a plan!!!  Consultant takes on look at the scan and the drain plan is out the window.  However, the next suggestion seems more likely to have a lasting effect.  I have a supra-pubic catheter inserted, that will circumvent the whole troublesome area and give it a chance to react to the antibiotics.  I’m sent home again, with a catheter and all the bags I need, antibiotics for 6 weeks and another MRI to be had after 5 weeks.  If that shows the infection has gone, they will then move on to see what’s going on in the urethra (under anesthetic) and they will then have a full understanding of the available option.  Option 1 would be they repair the urethra themselves.  This is the easy option.  Option 2 is a referral to Bristol for reconstructive surgery, they will take the referral and decide if they have the capability to rebuild me.  Option 3 is a complete write off of that whole route and the catheter becomes a permanent solution.

So, how long to resolve an infection,  It’s June, approaching July and all this started mid November last year, 7 months and I’m still taking antibiotics.

I'm Autistic, if I say something you find offensive, please let me know, I can guarantee it was unintentional.
I'll try to give my honest opinion but am always open to learning.

Mark

Topic

[kezo]

Sorry to hear that mate, but you don’t have much luck do you!

Dr kezo says push for option 1 or 2, as reoccuring infections are common with catheters.

On the bright side your home, unlike last time.  🙂

[joss]

I must say @MFillingham you certainly been in the war zone so to speak. You did the right thing seeing your GP and then bypassing GP at A&E to finally get on urology ward. Actually then see a consultant, who puts test and scans in to action.

I think your GP should have made a referal,but that would take time in hindsight. The option for reconstruction sounds a tad scary. I do hope it can be sorted with minmal surgery. Please do keep us uptodate.

Joss
Current car: BMW X2 sDrive 20i M Sport 5dr Step Auto In metallic Portimão Blue. 04:10:2025
Previous car:Peugeot 308 GT Premium 1.2 Pure tech Petrol.

[MFillingham]

@kezo yeah with my track record on infections, having a catheter permanently doesn’t appeal too much but there again, a complete reconstruction of the urethra doesn’t exactly sound fun.

@joss, the last 2 years have been testing, I’ve definitely reconsidered my priorities.

Thanks both.  After the reluctance of the GP to see me for the big infection, I wasn’t going to give them too much of a chance to mess it up again.  I’m not unhappy that there’s plans in place, although it’s safe to say none of them fill my heart with joy.

I'm Autistic, if I say something you find offensive, please let me know, I can guarantee it was unintentional.
I'll try to give my honest opinion but am always open to learning.

Mark

[kezo]

I remember when I was c18, I had my urethra scraped. Can’t remember what the proceedure was called though.

There are animations and surgeons carrying out these procedures on youtube, if want a peek lol.

[MFillingham]

Slight update, I’m still taking antibiotics.

Had a MRI on Sunday, requesting doctor will have results in due course (NHS speak for a week or so) and will then see what, if anything needs to happen.  Judging on how I’m feeling, I anticipate more antibiotics maybe a stronger dose (please) so that I can actually get infection free.

 

This bloody heat isn’t helping, I’m sweating in places that I really don’t want to think about, I’m guessing most of us are, but keeping the entry point for the tube clean is almost an hourly task right now.  If nothing else I need to see someone just to make sure I’m doing the best possible things for long term use.

I'm Autistic, if I say something you find offensive, please let me know, I can guarantee it was unintentional.
I'll try to give my honest opinion but am always open to learning.

Mark

[MFillingham]

Well, it appears the answer is just over 6 months!  The latest scan appears to have ‘reduced’ to the point where we’ve moved on to the next step.  I’m really uncomfortable with the thought of that, they’re going to knock me out (thankfully) and then put a camera all the way up the urethra.  I’ll give you a minute to think about that and recover.  What makes that more worrying is that I’ve suffered with the skin thickening and constricting the passageway when it was in use.  Now it’s been completely out of use for a couple of months so far, I can’t see that being an easy prospect.

 

They’re looking to see if the damage done is repairable by them, repairable with a referral to specialists in Bristol or whether I’m now stuck with a catheter for the rest of my life.  To be fair, now that I’ve gotten used to it being there, the catheter isn’t a massive problem.  I can see how people live with them for decades, if nothing else, I now don’t have that old man rush when I get home because I need a wee….

 

Gone Infection is definitely good news, the rest….

I'm Autistic, if I say something you find offensive, please let me know, I can guarantee it was unintentional.
I'll try to give my honest opinion but am always open to learning.

Mark

[kezo]

It’s good to hear the infection has finally gone 🙂 – What next with your percy thrower, is down to yourself and the hospital on long term outcomes and negatives of each choice.

 

[joss]

Don’t worry as you will be asleep when the ram rod your dick lol. Seriously good luch and I hope it can be successfully repaired. @MFillingham

Joss
Current car: BMW X2 sDrive 20i M Sport 5dr Step Auto In metallic Portimão Blue. 04:10:2025
Previous car:Peugeot 308 GT Premium 1.2 Pure tech Petrol.

[MFillingham]

Thanks guys. There’s going to be some difficult discussions to be had once they’ve seen what needs doing.

I'm Autistic, if I say something you find offensive, please let me know, I can guarantee it was unintentional.
I'll try to give my honest opinion but am always open to learning.

Mark

[Jojoe]

Them “ram rods” frequently cause infections, I’m sure the doctors know what they’re doing, but with your history, I’d insist on antibiotics before during and after. Good luck.

Enyaq EV

[ajn]

As mentioned best of luck..

[Author]

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