urethral stricture surgeons New York State

[marker]

Hello all – I would like to open with an introduction and background on my situation.

My name is Mark and I am 25. I have been dealing with a urethral stricture since about age 12, that has not been treated. When I was younger (once in middle school, once in high school) I had flow tests done, and x-rays for blockage, which yielded no findings per the doctors. Multiple doctors told my mother and I that I was imagining things…The only symptoms I had at the time was pain during urination. I had no issues with flow/stream, or emptying of the bladder. I am assuming my stricture is caused by a straddle injury – BUT, I’ll never know.

Fast forward to age 21 in college, I had a scary evening where I had intense bladder pain. I have a high pain tolerance, but this was even too much for me. I scheduled an appointment at Strong memorial hospital urology (Gareth Warren MD). It was there that a urethral stricture was discovered, via cystoscopy. My flow was never an issue until this appointment, where he attempted to bypass the stricture with the scope to get into the bladder. I had issues urinating for about two weeks, but my flow then returned mostly to its original state. A flow test had been conducted prior to the scoping, where it was determined that my flow rate was lower than the normal (apologize for not having the exact numbers).

For the last three or so years, I have had no issues besides a 2-3 day issue here and there (probably once a year) where straining was required during urination. These blips wouldn’t last long, and I wouldn’t have this addressed due to the worry of going to the doctor. I recently took up a job that is more physically demanding, and noticed that my issue has gotten much worse. On the weekends when I don’t work, my urination is fine (strangely enough). I do plan on returning to a desk job, to combat this. I’ve also attempted to increase water intake.

I have decided that now is the time to seriously think of having a surgery done. Gareth Warren suggested dilation, but from all my research, this is only for temporary relief. I am not interested in having multiple procedures throughout life, as I am young. I would rather have a procedure to resolve, and have it done once and correctly. Self catheterizing daily for the rest of my life I would rather avoid as you can probably understand. If I was in my 50’s, I would probably have a different viewpoint.

A few questions:

Has anyone on this forum gone an extended period without treating their stricture? Did you later on encounter major issues with your bladder, and kidneys?

Does anyone have any good recommendations for surgeons on the east coast, mainly NYS? I don’t have too much faith in Warren after my last visit, as the situation is clearly worsened following my visit to him.

Also, has anyone had any success with homeopathic remedies? I took bee pollen for the longest time, which worked surprisingly (weeks when I did not take bee-pollen, urination was not ideal….). My experimentation with thiosinamium did not improve urination. I did order chimaphila & magnesia muriatica, which is on its way. I will experiment with this for the next month and see if there are improvements.

• This topic was modified 5 years, 5 months ago by marker.

[heyitsme]

My advice to you is find a doctor who has done MANY MANY MANY urethroplasty procedures. Get the retro UCG performed so you can see exactly what you are dealing with. If you are eligible for urethroplasty and you have insurance that covers enough of it, then go for it. If i knew what then what I know now and IF the procedure would have been available in my 20’s, there is no doubt that I would have gone for the urethroplasty and be done with it. Instead I have years of straining and discomfort plus other inconveniences that I could have avoided.

First, find a good doc and get the lay of the land before making any further decisions.

Hope that helps.

[Steve]

Hi Mark,
I have been dealing with urethral strictures for past 4 years. Last Tuesday I had a urethroplasty which was performed by a Doctor Alsikafi of Gurnee Il. who is the president and a member of “Trauma and Urologic Reconstruction Network of Surgeons” (TURNS). I found TURNS through this site. Go to the web site: http://www.turnsresearch.org/. There are 11 surgeons across the country including Dr. Zhao of New York University Langone Medical Center. All these Surgeons have served fellowships under the top Surgeons in this area of medical treatment.

It is very important you use the best doc you can find in reconstructive surgery. Very few docs are experienced in this procedure.

So far my surgery has gone fine. I am waiting for the Foley to be removed which is in three more weeks. Being 74, having diabetes and due to prostate cancer my doc requires 4-weeks. Most patients have there foley removed in two weeks. Heyitsme had his removed in about two weeks and says he is doing fine.

I wish you the best and if you are eligible for urethroplasty and you have insurance that covers enough of it, then go for it. Read the stories on this site. Many people agree.

Keep us updated.

Steve

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