Posted , 11 users are following.
I've been self-catheterizing since January. I'm in my eighties, and my urologist recommended TURP, but I chose to go with CIC, which is working to my satisfaction--it's easy, no UTI-problems, and takes only 3-4 minutes.
I can still urinate normally, and catheterize only to drain the residual trapped by a lobe of my prostate which keeps my bladder from completely emptying.
My total volume for the day averages about 2,500-3,000cc, and the total volume from catheterizing averages about 600-700cc.
My question is, should I catheterize after every urination, or would 3-4 times a day be sufficient? I'm thinking that when I get up in the morning, before going to bed (so I don't have to get up during the night), and maybe two more times during the day might be enough.
I travel a good bit, and catheterizing while on the road is quite an inconvenience.
0 likes, 29 replies
dennis47445 charles11940
Posted
I've been self cathing for almost three years. I think your method is fine. I cic around five times a day. I think if I were you, I would cic in the morning to get a fresh start, then if I was at home all day, I would do natural urination the rest of the day, and at night I would cic again, to drain whatever is left in the bladder. My uro, told me that the reason the bladder starts to lose strength is that if it is always full of urine, it will stretch out and lose its ability to compress and squeeze the urine out of the bladder. Also, if you empty the bladder, then less chances of bladder stones! I am 70 years of age. I think you did the right thing by not having surgery. I had three turps in 15 years. The prostate, at least in my case, seems to always grow back.
Barnie charles11940
Posted
I dont see a problem with 3/4 times a day... I have been cic for 10 years...five times a day. as you say I have no problem with that, so why change, if you are happy with cic...no problem
charles11940 Barnie
Posted
Thanks. It's good for a novice like myself to get positive feedback from those experienced with CIC like you and Dennis.
davidKran charles11940
Posted
Hi Charles,
I use CIC and have for a year now. For me I use catheters independently from regular voiding. I had a TURP and the flow is better so I only do it if I feel uncomfortable, or going out to dinner, or if I'm going to bed. My doc says I can stop using it, if I want, but when I'm not feeling well, or uncomfortable, I do use CIC. I'm still 7 weeks out from my surgery and I'm not completely healed from that. I can't ride a bike yet and my energy is still low.
Best of luck,
David
Leo81595 davidKran
Posted
Wait! You mean it is possible to ride a bicycle after TURP? How long after surgery did you finally get back to your bicycle? Is it a regular bicycle or a recumbent? How many times do you ride in a week? How long is each ride?
davidKran charles11940
Posted
Hi Leo,
Yes. I had a TURP in mid-March and at 6 weeks my urologist said I could ride without damaging the surgery site. Though that was really up to how I felt on my seat. And it was too painful for 2 or 3 weeks after that before I rode any distance (about .8 miles each way from home). That was 6 weeks ago now. I still get sore with riding too far, but I can ride up to 2.5 miles at a time now, any day I want to. I found that riding a recumbent bike at the gym and then an upright bike after that helped me gauge it and feel confident enough. Also, I look carefully for all bumps and stand on the pedals when I have to. And bought a larger and better padded seat with shocks on it.
I also was able to give up using any catheters, which is a huge improvement. When I used them I got the Magic-3 Go one-use catheters from Bard. In Florida, I think. Those were the best.
Best of luck,
David
Leo:
Wait! You mean it is possible to ride a bicycle after TURP? How long after surgery did you finally get back to your bicycle? Is it a regular bicycle or a recumbent? How many times do you ride in a week? How long is each ride?
GInAndPlatnic46 charles11940
Posted
I use speedicaths and they are ok.There is one thing that bothers me in that If I push the cath into the bladder far enough for both drainage holes that are near the tip of the cath to work, when it comes to a stop it feels like my bladder wall falls or is sucked onto the tip and it can be a tad painful at times. Also I I have had some bloood show at times when withdrawing the cath. I am still only 5 weeks out of turp surgery though so maybe its scabs or something.
When I push the cath in olnly far enough for the first drainage hole to enter the bladder then I get far less discomfort and it feels more reassuring to me. (I know when one or two holes have entered by the speed of drainage...it literally speeds up a notch or slows down if I pull back out slightly.
My question really is does anyone else notice this sort of "clamping down" on the tip as the bladder finally empties.??
arlington charles11940
Posted
YES - AT THE VERY END - IT FEELS TO ME LIKE THE TIP OF THE CATHETER IS RIGHT ON THE EDGE BETWEEN THE URETHRA AND THE BLADDER AND TOUCHES THAT AREA BRIEFLY.
GInAndPlatnic46 arlington
Posted
Thanks..you mean it feels like the bladder wall touches onto the tip? sorry just want to understand clearly
arlington GInAndPlatnic46
Posted
It might be the edge of the bladder right at the opening - I think I feel it close on the catheter for a second right after the peeing stops.
davidKran charles11940
Posted
So I'm now 4 months out since my surgery, a TURP. I saw my urologist last week and he said "go away. you're done because the surgery was a success." Really grateful because I know it doesn't happen like that for every patient. The one suggestion he had was that improving my bowel movements will help the flow of the bladder too. Bladder continues to improve as we speak. I've packed away all my leftover catheters--haven't used one in two months now. Still riding the bike, but not as far as I once did. I can ride every day if I want. Thanks everyone on this website for all the help and community through this.
Yours, David
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