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Welcome to the Urethral Stricture Support blog. These pages are intended to assist those with questions regarding the disease, expected outcomes, resources, and emotional and informational support. AT NO TIME WILL MEDICAL ADVICE OF ANY KIND BE RENDERED. With your permission, your commentary may be included within the topics discussed within this forum. Moderators Cesar and Tim have a combined 50 years (celebrating a half-century of difficult urination) of experience in living with, dealing with, and overcoming what is broadly considered a disease with a high rate of morbidity. We have experienced every common surgical and instrumental "fix"/"repair" offered including the implantation of the Urolume Endoprosthesis. Both moderators have experience with the Urolume Endoprosthesis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first and only such support group anywhere. Please, do not be afraid or embarrassed to ask any question with regards to your diagnosis. We encourage you to discuss any and all information offered within this blog with your Urologist. A proactive and informed patient usually receives the best care.






With your help, and well-considered posts, the information gleaned from this site should help the countless scores of males aged 18 and over who are encountering the diagnosis of "Urethral Stricture".




PLEASE CHECK THE OLDER POSTS, THERE IS SOME VERY VALUABLE INFO POSTED IN PREVIOUS FILES




DISCLAIMER: We do not provide medical advice. We disseminate information relevant to urethral stricture disease. While we encourage research (and participation in research), we endorse no medication or treatment protocols. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US WITH SPECIFIC QUESTIONS @ urethralstrictures[no spam] at yahoo dot com

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

The advantages of in-home uroflowmetry, AN UPDATE - Part 1

The original post:
In the mid-1980's, my urologist urged me to use a device for uroflowmetry which looked like a small rectangular plastic fish-tank prior to commencing each office visit. The urine flowed through small "trap doors" which activated at four stages. The urine measured at each stage was compared to a chart that provided a mean-value which was charted for comparison to a base-line obtained soon after each urethral surgery. Eventually, I was prompted to purchase one of these now-extinct "manual urine flow gauges" (which lasted ten years) to track thrice-weekly measurements which really did help by forcing me to go for a dilitation/urethrotomy, or whatever - while the stricture was in a more open state, allowing for a "kinder instrumentation" or easier urethrotomy.

Ask your urologist if he or she feels this type of tracking would be beneficial in your case, there is a device *which is FDA approved, and made in the U.K. known as the Uflow urine meter which is not easily available in North America. With shipping, the cost is around $23.00 U.S.  A base-line (in-office) uroflowmetric study will have to be done for comparison to your initial results.  The savings in discomfort should be well worth the investment!

*a brief update: While researching for this post, I read documentation stating that the device was FDA (USA) approved. That information was apparently inaccurate, and that documentation has been withdrawn from publication. I have edited the original post to reflect this change. Today, 13 January 2012, I will make an effort to contact the manufacturer of the Uflow urine meter, Medical Devices Technology International, and report my findings as soon a possible. I can tell you that from what I have read, they seem to be very reputable and quality conscious (my opinion). I am told that the device may not require FDA approval.

Status: Will report

* another update 14 January 2012: we have been in contact with MDTI, and they provided a phone number to their product information and engineering department with statement that the gentleman there will answer our questions to the best of his ability.  I will procure a VOIP phone on Monday, and proceed with a "thoughtful interrogation. They replied to the email request within an hour of its receipt, that's pretty good in my book!

Status: Will report after our conversation. If possible, I will also inquire into direct sourcing from within the U.S. , and make the case that there's probably a market here for the Uflow Urine Meter.

Per:Moderator Tim