severe pain and discomfort
Posted , 6 users are following.
i had my prostate removed 7 weeks ago have been in 4 times now to get the catheter removed on 3 occasions i was told i hadn't healed the last time which was yesterday they said i more than likely have a urinary infection i told them ihad thrush and had been treating it for the last 7 days i now have to wait another 2 weeks by the way it is the same catheter from day one all the have given me is a 1 week course of antibiotics this will be the 3rd course i've been on they also subscribed me some valium to help me relax i'm not sure this is helping over the last 4 weeks i can only discribe it as hell i feel i have no where to turn they only smile and say it's normal
0 likes, 18 replies
caz11527 greg1956
Posted
It sounds like you are really having a hard time. You will get lots of help and advice on here, everyone is great. My partner had a catheter for three days and was worried about infection but he was ok. He was on Cipro. I'm not sure that the same catheter should stay in place for all those weeks but I'm no expert. Everybody heals in their own time and what is normal for one person is not for another. Hope you feel better very soon .
greg1956 caz11527
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derek76 greg1956
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greg1956 derek76
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jimjames greg1956
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Hi Greg,
Sorry what you're going through. Unless your doctors think it's contraindicated, ask if you can have a suprapubic catheter instead of the Foley. It should be much more comfortable as no tubes in the urethra. Suprapubic's also have a lower incidence of UTI's. Later, if you still need a catheter, consider self catherization (CIC) to empty your bladder. No reason to be on a Foley long term unless you have to.
Jim
derek76 jimjames
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jimjames derek76
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How comfortable or uncomfortable was it for you? Have you ever had a Foley to compare it to?
The suprapubic can be fitted to a bag or with a "Flip-Flo" valve. The advantage of the bag is continuous drainage of the bladder if that is required. The advantage of the Fli-Flo valve is no bag to carry around, and you can then empty into a container or toilet when the bladder fills up. The Flip-Flo used properly can also exercise your detrussor muscles which can minimize or eliminate bladder retraining which is sometimes necessary after being on a Foley. You can also go back and forth between the Flip-Flo and bag, as for example the bag at night for uninterrupted sleep and the Flip-Flo during the day.
I've never been on either but seriously looked into the suprapubic when I was having difficulty self cathing in the very beginning. Fortunately, the self cathing worked out so it was unecessary.
Jim
greg1956 jimjames
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greg1956
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i feel a bit embarrassed i'm not very good with the medical terms al i know is the catheter goes up my uretha and into my bladder it has a baloon attached to it to keep it in place i have the bag strapped to my upper leg i've told the doctors although the bag fills up i leak half as much from the penis
derek76 jimjames
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I had a bag for two weeks after my second laser procedure and found it a nuisance in bed at night as it tugged when I turned. I was always conscious of it during the day when walking
oldbuzzard jimjames
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dennis47445 greg1956
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Greg, I had to wear a Foley for a total time of three months. It was before the surgery and after the surgery for turp. I remember the Foley, would leak when the drainage would get plugged from tissue in the bladder. It was a real pain wearing that thing! I am glad that I am now self-cathing. If you have a choice to self-catheter, I would highly suggest that you do. I was very hesistant to self-cath, in the beginning. I didn't think I had to nerve to insert something into my penis, but just after one try, I found it to be a lot easier than I had thought. Now I am very used to self-cathing, that I must be concious not to be too careless. I don't want to run the risk, of an infection. Good luck!
jimjames oldbuzzard
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Jim
oldbuzzard jimjames
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Thats interesting - how does that work? I would think that if you're incontinent you'd be leaking all the time and that would argue against self cathing.
jimjames oldbuzzard
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