@JWT Because I have a small prostate and a below 1 PSA, for many years I was told by several doctors and urologists that my prostate was only slightly enlarged. That the Flomax was doing its job and the problem wasn't that bad. They were only doing the DRE's and blood work at the time. I did not know to ask for a cystoscopy, ultra sounds, residual ultra sound, and a uroflowmetry test. I should have demanded the test years before I got them. Then during a routine urology visit I told them I saw blood in my urine in addition to the existing pains in my kidney area, constantly feeling full, and urine that smell fermented. After hearing I was seeing blood I was scheduled for the above tests on a short date.
Results came back as numerous strictures, a small prostate that was very enlarge, and Moderate Trabeculation of the bladder meaning I was retaining I think 300-400 plus ml. My stream was slow and weak, with some start stopping. A TURP followed on a fairly short date. It is fantastic that I can urinate again, it smells better, and no more pains in the kidneys. I was urinating comfortably within a few days.
The trouble is that because of the permanent damage done to my bladder by waiting so long for the surgery I am left with urge incontinence. Post void dribble from the strictures that I think were aggravated during the tests and TURP. And I think because of the amount they had to remove, they also damaged the sphincter resulting in intermittent dribbling. I use external (condom) catheters. I feel very lucky that they got me in when they did, I do not have cancer, and don't have to self catheterize.
Good luck and my advice is to ask for the tests. Even if your primary orders them, because some can be done in hospital or in clinic.
