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Getting the bladder back to normal after a catheter

Posted , 22 users are following.

georgeGG
georgeGG

How do you prepare the bladder for storing a average amount of urine after wearing a catheter for many weeks? At present I can only manage 1/3 to 1/2 the average. Not too good for traveling, going to theatre, shopping etc.

3 likes, 48 replies

48 Replies

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  • georgeGG
    georgeGG

    Posted

    I have searched the web. I find I have a Foley indwelling catheter. The only exercises I can find are the Kegel Pelvic Floor Exercises. They concentrate on closing the sphincter firmly to prevent incontinence. My problem is the opposite. How do I open the sphincter so I can pee? I found one article which might come near my problem. It suggested nerve damage. That can stop the sphincter receiving the needed commands. It may send the pain signals which are really spurious.

    Unexpectedly I have no pain when the catheter is pushed in past the sphincter nor when pulled out through the sphincter. That suggest to me the sphincter is not at all tender.

    I should be glad of comments on my research. I really appreciate all the help you have given me so far. Very many thanks for that.

    • daniel14161
      daniel14161 georgeGG

      Posted

      you need to get that foley indwelling catheter in it will help you a real lot you will not know what has hit you
    • debbi0140
      debbi0140 georgeGG

      Posted

      Hi it's Deb again. Sorry I've bee off the site for a few days. Back to the inital issue. You has that you are having problems urinating. Now if I remember right you said that you had a problem with your prostate. If this is correct then you will not be able to "fix" this doing any exercise. You prostate is most likely preventing you from voiding hence the need for your catheter. Once the doctor has corrected that issue you should be able to void again with no issues. When it is time to remove the foley they (nurses) can help your bladder remember what to do by clamping of the tube leading to the bag for like 15 minutes to being. It reminds the bladder what it feels like to have urine it. If you are still having problems after voiding after the foley comes out there is medicine to assist with that. Good luck and keep us posted on how you are doing.
    • georgeGG
      georgeGG debbi0140

      Posted

      Thank you Debbie.

      Yes the prostate problem is cancer and I had 7.5 weeks of radiotherapy. The difficulty in urinating and the agony started early in the course of therapy.

      So there is no preparatory stuff I need to do. Just wait for the six week review at the end of this month. The Macmillan nurse will have a routine to follow.

  • jay47820
    jay47820 georgeGG

    Posted

    What are the exercise to help weak bladder
    • georgeGG
      georgeGG jay47820

      Posted

      Essentially clenching the muscles from anus to penis. Start with a few times and hold for a few seconds. Each week increase the times and hold for a little longer. No momentary relaxing when you should be clenching. By the end clenching for 20 seconds was no trouble. I needed the exercise after the catheter was finally removed. The urgency was very short to start with and it took a long time to lengthen the period between first call and relief.

      I used an app on my iPad. The app was designed by a doctor and I stuck to it through all nine levels. He calls out the time and what you should do. It is simple and effective. It is exactly the same set of exercises use by ladies.

      I hope my comment helps. I recommend doing the exercises in a thorough way.  

  • Vp1979
    Vp1979 georgeGG

    Posted

    I suffer from IC. Its a miserable disease. I hope you are feeling better now.
  • brian24327
    brian24327 georgeGG

    Posted

    Is it normal to have to urinate several times in an hour?
  • brian60529
    brian60529 georgeGG

    Posted

    you can buy a strap on from amazon it fits around you vital bits and catch any leakage not sure how effective they are but there a good idea the urine goes into another bag a step

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