Emergency Self-cath First time
Posted , 16 users are following.
I am 54 years old, and I take zero meds for BPH. I have been just managing symptoms by fluid intake and access to restrooms. About 2 years ago I ended up in ER with complete blockage. They sent me home with a Foley cath and My urologist took it out a few days later. He sent me home with self catheters for emergency use. Well up until today, I haven't had to use one... This morning out of the blue, dribble dribble, every 5-10 mins with strong urgency to pee. A few hours later and I had to self cath for the first time. There was a little blood, but I managed to empty my bladder.
My question is, what can I expect for the rest of the day? Week, month? Will I have to self cath all day today?Should I go to ER? Thanks for your experiences!
Bob
0 likes, 39 replies
joe82842 Bobcats
Posted
seems like they should have suggested a medication if you have never taken one for it.
Bobcats joe82842
Posted
I have been prescribed and have taken in the past, it is my stubbornness against drugs and side effects that keeps me from taking them.
DaveCanPee Bobcats
Posted
You are not alone, Brother. Good for you.
jim81578 Bobcats
Posted
Its called flomax or Tamsulosin take it. Will need a perscription...
jimjames Bobcats
Posted
Hi Bob,
Fortunately your urologist gave you catheters, so you don't have to go the ER.
That said, you might want to go to an urgent care clinic this weekend and get a urinalysis and culture taken to rule out a uti (urinary tract infection). Or, if not possible, you can get the
culture taken at your urologists on Monday and talk to him about some further testing.
Some blood is common when you first start to self cath, so not to worry and in fact the blood may also be a byproduct of the UTI.
As to how many times you will have to cath, for now listen to your body. If you have an urge and can't go naturally, then cath. You also might want to start a void log and measure the amount that comes out each time you cath. If it's very little, it may just be a false urgency.
Until things get sorted out, make sure you have enough catheters on hand. As a rule of thumb, if you have zero natural voids you might have to cath as often as six times a day. But not to worry, self cathing is tried and true method of emptying your bladder. Many here, like myself,
are or have done it on a daily basis as an alternative to drugs or surgery.
Any more questions, please ask or check one of the self cath threads.
Jim
Howard31850 jimjames
Posted
Jim - YOU ARE BACK !!! So great to see you again here - we all missed you terribly!! How are you doing?? Howard
Bobcats jimjames
Posted
Thanks for your reply. I have had 2 natural voids today, first one had a little blood, second one no blood. Both were not very much volume, but relief from urgency.
I do see urologist every 6 months- I choose the watch and wait plan. I have been diagnosed with BPH.
ken19524 jimjames
Posted
Jim!
It's great to 'see' you're back!
TKM Bobcats
Posted
Bob,
Did you take cold medicines or antihistamines ? They can put you into temporary retention.
I would recommend starting one of the Alpha Blocker drugs, Tamsulosin, Afluzosin, or Cialis if your problem continues or gets worse. You can continue to self cath but may find that the drugs will help you go longer between self cathing. They will allow you to delay self cathing until you can get to a suitable place to do it.
Since you had bleeding which is totally normal when beginning self cath, you should beware of UTI. Collect your urine in a measuring cup, which you can get from a Dollar Store for, guess how much, ($1.10 ). In California sales tax is 10%. If the urine is cloudy and or has a bad smell, suspect UTI, and see a Doctor for urine test and culture as soon as possible. Beware of after hours and weekends, when offices are closed, or find an Urgent care clinic, because UTI can progress rapidly until you have a fever and endanger your kidneys. You can also buy Siemens "Multistix 10SG Test/Reagent strips for urinalysis" on EBAY 100 for $19.99.
Good luck
Thomas
TKM Howard31850
Posted
Jim,
I second Howard's Welcome Back !
Thomas
rdemyan TKM
Posted
Thomas:
Good point about decongestents/antihistamines. I had that happen to me 6 years ago on Xmas Eve when I was also drinking alcohol. I didn't see your post, but have also mentioned the Siemens strips in my post below.
Cheers.
Bobcats TKM
Posted
Thanks Thomas for the info. I do know about antihistamines and alcohol and the effects they MAY have on BPH. I never touch either of them!
I left my house this morning at 6am after one cup of coffee ( like everyday ). And I was absolutely normal ( for me as far as peeing ).Met a friend and had 1 bottle of water. I find when in close proximity to a restroom that LOTS of fluids keep me flowing better than restricting my fluid intake. If i know I will be on a long drive or something, I wont drink a lot of fluids. By 8am i was peeing every 5-10 minutes and then NOTHING! I rushed home in a panic and used the catheter for the first time in my life.
I do have some cialis and just took 5mg about 90 minutes ago and it appears to have helped. I thought I was going to have to use the cath again, but at this minute I'm flowing very slowly, but flowing.
I dont feel I have a UTI
alan86734 jimjames
Posted
Dear Jim,
SO GOOD TO SEE YOU BACK!!! I'll be quite honest, I damned near teared up when I saw your post! I'll pick up the threads next week.
alan86734.
lester90053 Bobcats
Posted
It happened to me. I had a foley cath for 8 months when my uro gave me a years supply of self caths. That was 3 years ago. I have not used a single one.. My urination miraculously returned. I now keep it that way by taking a daily diuretic pill.
Bobcats lester90053
Posted
What diuretic pill?
lester90053 Bobcats
Posted
Diuretics are available by prescription. See your practitioner.