Frequency of catheterization during the day
Posted , 10 users are following.
I've only been self-catheterizing for about three weeks, and wonder if I need to catheterize every time I urinate, or, would it be sufficient to do so only three times a day: upon arising, at mid-day, and before retiring for the night?
0 likes, 22 replies
bob31550 charles11940
Posted
Hi Charles,
Being a 1-month owner of a Foley, I'm wondering the pro's and con's of Foley vs CIC's.
Don't you get a "bladder full" feeling, as a cue?
I understand the bladder holds 400-550 mL; and, over-streching may result in loss of tone.
hank1953 bob31550
Posted
Hi Bob, this is my take on Foley vc CIC. It really depends on how easy it is for you to do CIC. If it is relatively easy for you to self cath, then CIC is definitely better choice. Some people claimed it's easy as brushing teeth. Lucky guys!!!
However, if it's difficult for you to CIC, usually with pain and bleeding, then Foley is the way. Hank
charles11940 bob31550
Posted
I had a terrible experience with the Foley after a bladder stone operation. It was painful, and I constantly felt like I was urinating. It also leaked so badly I had to sleep on a folding cot, outside, with a plastic sheet covering it! The second time was after a kidney infection completely stopped the flow for almost 24 hours, and I had to go to the ER. The Foley was in place for about a week before it was removed, at which time I went back to CIC, which has worked fine since I got the kidney infection under control. My experience with the Foley on this occasion was not a bad as the first post-op experience. I didn't get a "bladder full" feeling while on the Foley, as urine is constantly being released into the bag, or nighttime box. With the CIC procedure I get a mild sensation when the bladder is storing approx. 400cc, but it's easily remedied with urination every couple of hours, and with the use of a catheter about 3X/day.
TKM bob31550
Posted
Thomas
Barnie charles11940
Posted
Best wishes
charles11940 Barnie
Posted
Congratulations on your ten years of CIC. At age 82, I doubt I'll last that long, but so far it has worked out for me, and had become just another daily routine, like brushing my teeth. I am drinking a lot of liquids, so void 8-10X/day, as I have had a couple of kidney infections; and I am using the catheter 3X/day.
hank1953 Barnie
Posted
Caddie68 charles11940
Posted
charles11940 Caddie68
Posted
I'm self-cathing 3X/day, and my residual has decreased from about 250cc, to 75-150cc at present, after only one month of CIC. If this success continues, I'll forego the recommended TURP procedure. At age 82 I don't want to take the risk.
TKM charles11940
Posted
Thomas
charles11940 TKM
Posted
pluff_mud charles11940
Posted
hank1953 charles11940
Posted
Charles, it depends on the individual. The common practice is dependent on the catheter volume. If it's consistently below 200ml during the day, then you might not need to cath at all, except for perhaps once before bedtime. It's what I have been doing for the last year. If it's above 200ml, you might want to cath more often. How often is up to you. Hank
charles11940 hank1953
Posted
Thanks, Hank. My urologist said my residual amount should be less than 100cc, and two ultrasound sounds showed it at 250cc. My catheter volume is now 75-150cc, so has definitely improved. My main concern is that I don't have a continual residual volume sufficient to allow stones to develop in my bladder. I had to go through a laser-procedure a couple of years ago to break up 8 stones that were too large to exit through the urethra--a very unpleasant procedure. I figure that with self-catheterizing 3X/day, I will be able to avoid having this happen again.
hank1953 charles11940
Posted
The ultrasound measurements at the doctor's office tend to be higher because they usually make you sit for a long time before telling you to go pee.
Anyway, 3 times a day is better than once , if you don't mind the inconveniences, or lazy like me. 😀 Hank