Any cure for urethral stenosis besides repeaded dilations? Appt in 2 days.

I've been dilated five times and don't feel that the last dilation in Jan helped much at all. Maybe for a few days but that was it. I saw in another post where someone said, "I may be wrong, but seems I have read several articles in the past that say bladder dilation is an obsolete procedure that has not proven to be of any lasting benefit and can cause scarring."

Can someone please offer me links or tell me where I can get info on this? My appointment with the urologist is in two days and I want to have information so I can hopefully get something more permanet than worry about when it's time to go in for another dilation because I can't empty my bladder. It's really a constant battle and I have to pretty much bear down everytime I go to the bathroom. Thanks for any help.

Try checking out ic-network.com. Its a bladder specific website and many people on there have had to deal with urethral dilations/urethral problems.

good luck
d

Thanks. I tried to register but it was unsuccessful. I did look at some of the posts but couldn't find any that dealt with urethral stenosis. I did post an update on my previous post can't empty bladder well. I feel my appointment was a waste of time. :-( I'll just have to continue to push to get my bladder to empty as that's the only way it will empty.

Sorry about not being able to find much information re: your problem.
While its unfortunate that youre dealing with voiding issues, its not a good idea, nor is it normal, to be straining to empty; this puts way too much pressure on the pelvic muscles and can cause further problems.
Dont give up--keep searching for a solution to your problem even if that means several different medical opinions.

good luck
diana

I went to see a new primary care dr. on our insurance today and what a gem he is. He listened to me and I told him everything I have been through. I told him that the urologist was not to sure of prescribing stuff for me helping to void but I was concerned about ruining my pelvic floor muscles because of what I read on the Internet. He agreed that it was not best to strain. The primary care dr. said that he would give me some samples of Flomax to see how I do. He said it wouldn't hurt me even with the other meds I'm on.

He also was interested in hearing about the Xyrem I'm on for sleep and fibromyalgia so I told him that I would call back with a phone number. When I called the rheumatologist office they gave me a number so I called them back with the number. When I got home to compare the number it didn't match up to the one I had. I decided to call it and found out it was a fax number. I'm so angry that they gave me a fax number because that's what I gave my primary care dr's office so he could call to get a physicians pack and find out about the medication. I quickly called my primary care dr. and left a message for the nurse of the new number. While in the office with him I also casually mentioned that I thought there was a website address for xyrem and gave him an address and sure enough when I tried it, the website address worked. He is an awesome dr. and my husband has been to him.

This dr. wants to see me back in a month after I've taken the Flomax to see if it makes a difference. He said that it may take a couple of weeks to notice a difference but I'm glad he was willing to try something. I was very concerned with having to bear down and push to empty my bladder. I will take the first pill either tonight or tomorrow morning. I seem to have more trouble at nightime emptying when I'm awake during the night as I have to get up for my xyrem so maybe I'll look up the drug first to see what it says. I know I am supposed to take one pill a day but not sure of the time.

I'm so glad that I have found a great primary care dr. and if something goes wrong where I need to be in the hospital I can go to the hospital of my choice where I've been before and had my hysterectomy at. The other two local hospitals I have had experience with have been nothing but problems for me and other family memebers. I like the hospital where I want to go because there isn't any problem with certain age groups visiting. I want my entire family that I have here to be able to visit me and during a reasonable visiting hour. One hospital doesn't have visiting hours till 12 noon and then they only allow you to be with a loved one in the room for ten minutes and that's it. I had a friend who went to that same hospital and she said she had a terrible time there. She said it was the worst hospital she's ever been in. I hope that I won't be going there. If I need to have any surgery I will certainly have it at the hospital I want and am glad that my primary care dr. goes there and I'm now an established patient with him today. :-) I'm so happy that I may feel better with my bladder too. Thank God for great primary care dr's.

Glad to hear your appt went well.
Flomas works in women by helping the bladder neck to relax thus allowing urine to pass more freely.
Flomax should be taken at the same time everyday. It generally doesnt matter what time of day unless specific instructions were given to you by your DR.
Be careful when rising from a sitting or lying position--Flomax lowers blood pressure.

Dont hesitate to call your Dr or pharmacist for specific instructions pertaining to your individual needs.

Good luck
diana

Thanks for letting me know about the side effects. I didn't know about them. I just got samples with no information about the drug. I don't like it when I get samples of something without information. Anyway I did take my first flomax at 1:40 am, the time I got up to take my Xyrem. I guess I will keep that schedule since I can still go back to sleep and then wake up four hours later to get ready for the day. Thanks for your response. It means a lot to me.