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Hi, Thank you for sharing. You've figured some things out that are working for you which is great! I have spoken to many people and the flip flo valve catheter works great for them. Others not so much, they got the worst bladder spasms. Although many of us share the same diagnosis our anatomy, physiology, overall health play a major factor in which catheter systems works best and thank God theres options. If you can please forward me the link to the study. I'm curious about it and it's success rate. I know, when I got my BPH diagnosis, I desperately tried several medications but the size and irregular shape of my prostate was too far gone. I think my doctor was just pacifying me, when he already knew the outcome. I hope you find the success I didn't. Cheers. Tony

Welcome to the club you never wanted to be a member of. So many of us have the same exact story. It must be a man-thing or shame thing.....whatever it is, as men we need to stop the BS and start taking care of ourselves. It's no wonder women out live us. Regardless, I am sorry you have to deal with all of this but I'm happy to share what I know from my own personal journey to help you out. By the way whats your name?

I get it, I really do. I feel you brother. Here's the thing - You're gonna have to get it together. Trust me I've been there feeling like WTF, I'm in pain, I can't move, I feel sorry for myself, I'm scared, I feel helpless, etc. This is all normal. You can have a few days of this, then it's time to stop because it's not going to change what you have to deal with. Yes it sucks but now it's time to get your head in the game. If you are healthy and was mobile prior to your diagnosis you can still do stuff and participate in your life while using a catheter. You just have to move a little slower. It's really important for your mental and emotional state and will promote a different attitude as you move toward recovery. I did videos on showering, hygiene, taking a crap, erections, and everything in between. Get some boxer briefs - it'll help with the aches down there. Watch the videos, or your welcome to email me and we can have a chat. I'm all about Peer support and you can talk about the things you can't or won't say to your blessed wife. Who, by the way is a saint for taking care of you. I'm certain she's happy to help you but you must help yourself too. Again, I've been there and I was completely alone, so you'e already doing better than I was. So get up, take a shower, hug your wife and say thank you to her for taking care of you and count your lucky stars you have resources. Hang in there mate. Cheers, Tony

@@maletenance tnx alot… what u are doing is helping alot of people in this situation… currently having trouble with hygiene in my man parts coz m scared of touching it frequently that it might come off or there might be some pain

You're welcome! I really want people to have a better go of it than I did. Don't not do it because you're scared because if you don't you are likely to get a bacterial infection and must be put on antibiotics..... that's when things could become really painful. Having a catheter is a cesspool for infection even when you're keeping your privates super clean. I did a video about cleaning. th-cam.com/video/g8Y-BWKL0hI/w-d-xo.html

Hi there, I'm sorry you have to deal with a catheter. It can be quite daunting with limited if any information provided on how to live with the dan thing. However, I will be happy to help in any way I can. Firstly - You no longer pee the way you used to....the urine just kind of leaks/dribbles out all the time. So you could look down and see the bag is full and not even realize it. The second thing is the urine bag you have may be too small. You may need to get a larger daytime bag. You should also get the large night bag which usually comes with a longer tube so it can hang off the bed. Regarding finding blood in the urine - if it's not accompanied by pain beyond the pain of having the catheter, there is no fever, and the blood is not excessive, it's completely normal. The tip of the catheter rubs the delicate inner lining of the bladder causing minor trauma, hence the blood and sometimes blood clots. I did a whole video about it called 50 Shades of Pee. Here's the link. th-cam.com/video/dYbSGa4ouYo/w-d-xo.html Let me know if you have any other questions and feel free to email me at Tony.Alcindor@Maletenance.com. Hang in there. Tony

I've never heard that one before but I'll take it and thank you for the compliment, I'll take that one too. Cheers, Tony

@@maletenance My 82 yr old husband just failed his 1st void test today. Only peed once in 8 hrs and had 2 liters of urine in his bladder, just as much as had in ER weeks ago. This followed knee replacement surgery 5 weeks ago. He got a blood clot in calf and lung, was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease then and is on very LOW dose of blood thinner because of THAT. Has enlarged prostate. Had a lot of blood in urine in hospital due to kidney not filtering out bloid thinnner. 15 days in hospital and now 13 more in rehab. Cant have surgery due to blood thinners. He was perfectly healthy before and VERY active. Just wanted to get back to golf. Can you make a video on void tests and causes of retention. Watching lots of your videos.

I am so sorry to read your note. Your husband has been through a lot. I hope and pray that he soon gets back to golf. You are a great wife for supporting him through it all. It can be very tough on those that become the caregivers. Please be sure to take care of yourself also. As for your suggestion - I think it would make a great video, I just don't have that much experience with void tests. I will have to contact a urologist so I make sure I get the information correct. If you have any further information to share I would be happy to listen and learn. You can also email me at Tony.Alcindor@Maletenance.com. All my best to you and your husband. Warmest regards Tony

How are you now?

@@maletenance fine, everything works great. This was 25 years ago. For the time I had the cath not one but of movement though. 10 years after that I was put in a coma for 3 weeks, I was cathed in both holes because my backside was covered in pressure sores so I spent the period on my side. I never even knew poop caths existed up until that point

@@andrewbatts7678 Oh ok! I thought it was current. I was feeling really bad. I mean it still wasn't pleasant what you went through. I didn't know there was such as thing as poop caths.....is that the same as a colostomy bag? Either way I don't want one of those. Cheers, and wishing you and your loved ones great health. T.

@@maletenance I basically drank myself to oblivion, when fire/rescue found me I had been stewing in my own waste and vomit to the point they had to cut the blankets and sheets , I tried to refuse treatment but DHHS and probate court got involved and appointed a guardian so medical staff could treat me by force. Glad they did, I wouldn't be alive today. It has been about 15 years , I have made a full recovery but you can see up and down my backside where skin grafts had to be applied. But the cath is a supple tube about the thickness of a garden hose with a saline balloon on the end to keep it in place up in the rectum. For example they needed to keep my grafts clean so I pooed through it for about 6-8 weeks.

@@maletenance after the grafts healed it took another 4 months to retrain control of my "bodily functions" if you know what I mean

Has this been rectified?

It's a game-changer and will help him get a better night's sleep. If you have any questions feel free to ask and I'll do my best to answer what I know. Cheers Tony

You're welcome!

I know the video is kinda funny but people needed to know. Cheers, and wishing you great health. Tony

Some people have an easier time than others...they are lucky....the majority of people, well lets just say they wouldn't wish it on their worst enemy. I agree 100% that it's all about the experience of the nurse or doctor. I suffered in the ER the first time. They tried 6 times, jamming it in there and it wouldn't go in. I was screaming bloody murder. Then the on-call urologist got there and got it in on his first try. I think I still have PTSD from the ordeal. I hope never to have one again. Cheers, Tony

Hi, my prostate had grown so large and irregular in shape that it was the only option that was given to me. There really isn't any one-size-fits-all all procedure. There are so many variables that determine whats right for each person. I have spoken to thousands of men and procedures from Turp, to Holep to a prostatectomy is something determined by the medical professional and the patient. Now should I have had a second opinion, in hindsight probably but it's too late to think about that now. I'm just happy that I had medical insurance to cover what I needed to bring me back to health. Cheers, Tony

OMG!!!! I read your message with my mouth hanging open. I can't believe what you went through. It's just awful! This is a procedure that's supposed to help you avoid sickness/disease and they made you so ill. I'm so sorry. I've never known that getting this type of biopsy could go so wrong. It's a warning to all. I might have to make a video about it with all the stats, pros and cons, and what to possibly expect. Glad to read that you are showering and even got a haircut. Doing anything that resembles normalcy is, I think, super important in helping to get through it all. I am sorry you have to deal with the archaic torture device, however, I'm really glad the videos have helped you navigate your time with it. How much longer do you have to have the catheter? I hope not much longer. Hang in there. Cheers. Tony

Thanks Tony. Urologist will be calling today. Keep you updated.

Catheter is out!!

@@BUTLERNIXON Congratulations! This is great news!

I'm happy they helped. Cheers, Tony

Thanks for sharing your story and yes it'll help so many out there because it happens to all of us. It's important to let those that come here...no pun intended.....that they're not alone. Definitely not an overshare...we don't talk about it and cover this topic, how are people supposed to know it's all normal and part of it all. By the way I'm really glad the vids helped you out. Thanks again for sharing and wishing you well. Tony

Thank you! It was not easy to get the patent but it was not hard. A lot of time, perseverance, dedication, money, and knowing it would inevitably benefit so many people who find themselves with a catheter allowing them some semblance of normalcy. Now the next part is to convince the medical manufacturers of its viability to their bottom line and improvement to patient's quality of life. I'm determined to get this to market. Cheers, Tony

Yeah, I been hearing a lot of positives about the flip flow. It works for some and not for others. Some suffer serious bladder spasms. It's not always a one-size-fits-all when it comes to urine retention. A lot is trial and error, however, I'm really glad it worked out well for you. Are you catheter-free now? If so what procedure did you have?

Hi Wayne, I'm really happy the hanger trick worked for you. I had an older gentleman write me to say he used his walking cane. He just slid it in between the mattress and left some hanging out and voila! Necessity is the mother of invention. Hey do me a favor when you speak with your urologist and tell him about this channel that offers practical information (not medical advice) on living with a catheter. Probably like most of the urologists out there he did not provide any information beyond medical.....which of course is incredibly important.....but from the hundreds of thousands of people who have watched the videos and thanked me for making them, something as simple as hygiene, sitting, sleeping is not covered by the medical professional. Its peer support which is very much needed in tandem with medical support to get through it all. Cheers, and wishing you and your loved ones great health. Tony

@@maletenance So Tony, I told my urologist about the hanger method and where I got the idea from. The response was, "What a great idea--I am going to remember that to help others." Again, thanks for sharing. I have another surgery coming up on Tuesday where I will need a temporary catheter again. My hangers are ready! 😁

Hi Wayne, Thanks for sharing with your urologist the hanger trick...hopefully he'll share it with others. Also, I think you may have had your procedure..... how are you doing?

Hi Terrie, I'm sorry to read you're having a rough go with your catheter. It is a big pain in the crotch, to say the least. In all the years I have been doing the channel, I have never heard of the bag collapsing, least of all creating a vacuum. I never experienced that. Might I suggest you join the Facebook Catheter Support group at facebook.com/groups/1921771728037940/ They are an incredible group of people worldwide who share what they know. There you will probably find someone who has experienced this phenomenon once you ask the question. If there is anything else I can help with please don't hesitate to ask. Hang in there. Wishing you all the best Tony

LOL! "identify as a 60-year-old" is funny AF. Yes, I am legitimately 60 about to be 61 next month. I have so much I still want to do and hopefully, this body will carry me through to get it all done. Cheers, and wishing you and your loved ones great health. Tony

Thats great! Towards the end, of my catheter use, I started using bands and only did upper body. Squats and lunges had to wait. Cheers, and wishing you great health. Tony

I'm very happy to hear you are negative for cancer. Wishing you continued great health. Tony

Exactly!

Hi Jerry, I am so happy to read your message and that everything went great and you are healing...sans catheter. I am thrilled to have been a small part of your journey. It makes me smile to know that by putting myself out there with such a personal topic it has and continues to help others. I wish you a speedy recovery and continued great health. All my best Tony

This sounds amazing!!! Real MacGyver!!! Do you have picture you could share. I might even do a video about it. You could email it to me too Tony.Alcindor@Maletenance.com

In some ways the internet has been so helpful. I have been able to help so many people with the videos and provide some practical information that is never given by medical professionals. Cheers Tony

Hi Mike, Glad the video helped and you did what you had to do to get through it. It's terrible to wake up in a pool of pee. Just adds to an already stressful, anxiety inducing situation and if a lil tape gives you some peace of mind, more power to you. Cheer's, Tony

Thank you for the kind words and I am happy and humbled that the videos helped you navigate so much of the unknown. You have been through so much and I am very sorry for the loss of your wife. Life can be infinitely unfair at times, with no rhyme or reason as to why bad things happen. I am very glad to read that your cancer is under control , PSA is way down and you're out of diapers. Those are wins to acknowledge. I wish you continued health and send you blessings. Cheers, Tony

@@maletenance Thank you.

You are so welcome and now well prepared. You've got just a few more days and hopefully be done with it. Good luck with everything and wishing you great health. Tony

I know its after the fact but I'm glad you found me. I guess better late than never. I hope this message finds you doing much better and possibly without a catheter. They are a necessary evil but a bit of a medieval torture device and they never ever seem to come with any practical information on how to navigate life with it. I've heard this same sentiment hundreds of times from people around the world. I just don't get why something that happens to so many people is not given simple instructions. I'm working to change that because it will improve the quality of life for those who have to use a catheter , be it for a day or months. Cheers and wishing you well. Tony

Hi Jerry, I'm sorry you had to deal with everything, however, I'm glad found the videos helpful and recovering well. Yes, the catheter is necessary evil but like you said, "no knowledge on how to live comfortably with a catheter", makes it ten times harder. Its a damn shame that this is what I hear over and over again from people. They put it in and bye bye. It's truly adding insult to injury. I'm working hard to change that. Anyhow, I wish you well and hopefully you don't have to use the catheter any longer than needed. Cheers, Tony

You are so welcome David. I'm sorry you have to deal with all of this but hopefully it' an end to a means. You'll truly be amazed at how great it is to urinate like a racehorse.

Yeah, my urologist said the prostate will grow but by the time the seminal starts to flow.....well....I'll be unalive, unfortunately.

A lot of these procedures only last 3 to 5 years but I guess it depends on how much of the prostate is removed. I just my aguablation yesterday, I’m day one at home with the cath for a week. I hope,

They removed about 80% so if I live to 80 maybe...probably wont care by then. Watch all of the videos....they should offer some help. If you have any questions feel free to reach out to me at Tony.Alcindor@Maletenance.com In the meantime I wish you a speedy recovery.

Hi David, I'm really glad the video helped you out. It was such a strange video to make and post....its somewhat embarrassing but it has helped so many, so it was worth it. May I ask what was your diagnosis that led to Aquablation? Cheers, and speedy recovery. Tony

@@maletenance had the surgery yesterday, came home to day with the cath in me. Really freaks me out. The leg bag I came home with dropped down my leg pulling on my pinus. That is painful with a lot of blood. Over the last 10 years it was getting worse. Strong urges with weak stream. my doc is awesome. So I hope I have a speedy recovery. Just a week with a catheter then the plan is to take it out. Then he told me after the catheter is out things may get worse before it gets better. Bladder spasms, blood in urine and stools. He also did a biopsy of the prostate while I was under. Very glad you made it through. I can’t even imagine having the thing up me for more than a week. But we all have to deal with the cards we are dealt.

Ouch! The pulling after the leg bag dropped must have been painful. Secure those straps really well. Glad to hear you have a great doc. It makes all the difference in the world. With any luck you'll have good report from your biopsies and won't have to have the catheter too long.

Hello, Thank you for reaching out, however, I am not in need of a thumbnail designer.

Very MacGyver! Necessity is the mother of invention.

Hi Becky, those damn nurses who talk about having a catheter like its a #@$%in walk in the park! It pissed me off because they have no idea what it's like and to be so callous and flippant pisses me off. A drop of compassion would go far and what would go even further is some information on how to live with the damn thing. That is the general consensus I have seen over the years of doing the videos and hearing from hundreds of thousands of people.....no information was provided! It's the definition of insult to injury. Thats why I had to make the videos and I am so happy and humbled that they have helped. I don't have all the answers but what I do share about my journey is a good start for so many. As for your question - don't use regular tape. You'll get a rash or worse it'll tear your skin. How about medial tape in the interim? Or maybe even a bandaid until you get more sticky pads. Hang in there. Tony

Me too basically :( One of the girls was new , so idk if they inserted it correctly. My bladder feels full

@@guineapigtalks It could be that she's inexperienced. Make sure you are finding urine in the bag or it could be blocked. Sometimes wiggling your hips helps the flow.

​@@maletenanceHello Tony. Thank you so much for answering my question. Your videos help myself and many other people. Thank you for taking the time to make and post them.

@@maletenance did you have long term effects? Im worried about that 😭

Oh wow Nigel, so good to read that you're doing well. I could not be more proud and humbled that the videos helped you on your journey to recovery. I remember the joy of finally having the catheter removed, just like you, after 3.5 months.....AMAZING! I think for months after I regained my bladder control, I would look up and say " Thank you!" Cheers, and wishing you continued health. Tony

I also had the same surgery. It is a God sent. I had a catheter for 10 months. Everything that could go wrong happened: clogged catheter, catheter falling out and numerous U.T.I. My procedure was an outpatient procedure. It was done in the a.m. and I was released in the afternoon. I was put under. I was sent home with the catheter and returned two days later for it's removal. How great it felt to urinate. It took me about two weeks to stop wearing diapers. Another two weeks to not wear them for bedtime. Glad it went well for you as it did for me.

@@elaineen1 So happy it worked out in the end....for both of us. It is a blessing to be able to urinate on your own.....simple pleasures. Wishing you continued health. Tony

@@maletenance Thanks

@@elaineen1 You're so welcome. Wishing you great health. Tony

Hi JD, It sounds like you're going to be fine....no pain, no fever, and no excessive blood. The light pink is normal and even the blood clots as you've seen in the video's. One of the things that people often forget when looking at the urine bag is that its just urine not mixed with toilet water....so things seem a little more colorful. Keep me posted on what the urologist says and in the meantime hold together brother. Cheers, Tony

@@maletenance hi. Thanks! All seemed to go back to normal color wise. I'm hoping he takes it out tomorrow after the 2 weeks of the meds. I'm curious to see what happens. Watched your video about preparing for post catheter so I'm ready. He may not take it out or it may go right back in. I'm ready for whatever happens. Thanks again. Your videos and replies have made these past two weeks much easier. I've learned so much. Btw, I read that we make more urine at night. I'm surprised how full the night bag is when I wake up. Now I know why I was getting up 4 times a night minimum.

I'd wake up and the urine bag would look like an overstuffed pee cushion. I don't miss it.

@@maletenance hi. He took out catheter a week and a half ago. A relief although I wasn't having any major issues with catheter. But urinating was weak and often. Four days later it stopped again. I paced all night until the office opened at 8:30 am. What a nightmare. I didn't want to go to the ER. That first time was a nightmare. I got in at 9am. Urologist put in catheter again and doubled the flomax and said come back in a week. Well I went back and saw his associate as expected because my urologist was on vacation. The new Dr said why arevwe taking it out. I said I guess my doc wants to see how the double flomax worked. He said he looked at my scans and my prostate is very large. He said if we take it out it could happen again so I agreed to leave it in. I can't keep going back and forth, in and out with this catheter. At least having it in guarantees i won't be I'm the ER. So now I go back next Tuesday and they will do.a camera in rectum to size things up. He mentioned a TURP. I'm nervous because i don't even know my options. Im hoping my issue is the prostate. I.cant live the way it was. Bathroom all night. Weak urination. Full stoppage twice. I want some sort of resolution. Im confuses but hopeful.

I feel your pain. I've been there. It ain't easy and no one knows unless they've had giant straw in their privates. Hang in there, just a few more days. Cheer's

Please language use Hindi

@@Kapil-sb4oq I'm sorry I don't speak Hindi. Maybe you can have the video translated to get the information.

@@maletenance Got my foley catheter removed on June 30th. I could not express in words the pain I felt when the catheter. Was scared of peeing for 2 days due to irritation. My huge respect to you for making these videos, putting them no TH-cam and replying to comments. It takes courage and selfless attitude to do this and serve people for free.

You are so welcome. It makes me smile to receive a comment like yours. To know I'm providing help to demystify life with a catheter is humbling. Although it's been three years, I still answer all of the comments and continue to provide peer support to people from around the world. It is an honor to help. I wish you and your loved ones great health. Tony

Hello Jena, Thank you for the kind words and I'm so happy you found the videos helpful. It is a damn shame that the only information you were given was "You'll get used to it". How about they have one put in and see how it feels. I bet they would be singing another tune! It upsets me that hundreds of thousands of people have found the videos, so many express that no practical information was provided on how to live with a catheter. It is the reason I started the channel....I just had to help. Anyhow, I hope your husband is managing better. If you or he have any questions please email me at Tony.Alcindor@Maletenance.com. I've spoken to so many people and it helps. In the meantime, both of you hang in there. Cheer's Tony

What's up Big D. I'm so sorry that you are having a rough time with the catheter. It is unfortunately a necessary evil. I'm glad the videos have helped you. I am always amazed and shocked that again no information was provided. What is wrong with these offices?! Some simple information would save people so much time, pain, anxiety, and tears. I've been there. How are you doing now? Are you managing any better? Please feel free to reach out directly if you have any questions. Tony.alcindor@Maletenance.com In the meantime hang in there. Cheers, Tony

You are so welcome! Good to see you haven't lost your sense of humor...."clean up in aisle 3" LOL

I've heard this a thousand times.....catheter in and basically get out! Damn shame. Sorry, you had to go through that. I'm working to change it by providing pamphlets but it's tough to implement as practice to provide some practical information. I'm not giving up though. Cheers and wishing you well. Tony

Hi JT, I'm really happy that you are finding the videos helpful. That was my intention when I started the videos, to offer some practical information, where none, very surprisingly and shamefully, is given. It is the beginning of a journey with so many unknowns, however, hopefully, you are on the path to overcoming your health issue. Take it one day at a time. I remember my journey like it was yesterday; the toll it took on me....not just the physical which is a whole can of worms, but the mental and emotional toll it took. I felt broken and wondered many times what life would look like. That was something no one talked about, the mental gymnastics it takes, which is so important to getting through the whole thing. If you'd like to speak to me, ask me anything, or vent, I'm happy to connect. Only those that have been where you are can truly understand how you feel. I've spoken to many people from around the world and it seems to help with the nervousness and anxiety. Tony.alcindor@Maletenance.com Cheers, Tony

The ER supplies nothing! It unfortunately is not their job. Fix you up and get you out. I might suggest for some supplies any of the major suppliers, B. Braun, Coloplast, Bard, Cathcare. I don't believe Walgreens will have what you need. Amazon used to have some items but really the best best is one of the supplies. Also one that does not require a prescription makes ordering easy.

@@maletenance thank you for replying and for your time.

No problem and no thanks are required. Just want to make sure you feel supported and get your head in the game.

@@maletenance i do feel supported. i do thank you. sharing your story and the tips have made a huge difference. i guess now its time to sit tight and wait until may 30 to see urologist. seems like a long time to wait from the day i left the ER, May 16.

Listen JT, I'm gonna tell you straight up.....it makes no sense thinking that you're stupid. It's in the past and a waste of time to blame yourself. It happened and it's really best to put your energy into getting better. Getting your head in the game. I'm telling you this because I've been there doing the woulda, coulda, shoulda.....it just depressed me. There is going to be a lot of information given to you and you need to be focussed as best you can so you can make proper decisions. It's a lot to process and digest. I suggest taking notes or if possible taking someone with you to the appointment. As for medication activation....it really depends on so many things for it to have the desired effect you are seeking, including more time might be needed. I did several medications myself and if you've seen my videos.....well you know the outcome.