suprapubic catheter advice please.

Posted , 25 users are following.

Hello, I was wondering if anyone with or who has had a suprapubic catheter Could give me some advice and do's and don't's, tips, etc etc.

I will be having one fitted on Tuesday after having this urethral catheter removed, been 29 days since this urethral one was fitted and I requested the urologist a week and a bit ago to convert me as this one was driving me mad with the infections, discomfort, physical restrictions, internal bleeding and bladder spasms, etc etc.

I requested general anaesthetic as I am quite an anxious person and would probably panic if awake.

Any advice from personal experience / medical training is appreciated. Thanks

3 likes, 113 replies

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  • Posted

    Thank you I will message you both later with a better explanation

    Kind regards

  • Posted

    I have had a SPC now for 2.5 years. I manage to play golf regularly and walk a few miles a day and generally manage the best I can but I do mean manage. My SPC is changed now every 10 weeks.

    It is important to realise that everyone is different. Everyone will have a catheter fitted for a stricture but the fitting and type of catheter can vary

    It will be painful having a catheter fitted and it will often need a local aesthetic. Experience in fitting a SPC is necessary because of variations in patient requirements.

    It will take some getting used to. It will be painful for some time afterwards. You will need to get regular reviews until it has settled down.

    Firstly make sure that you keep the stoma clean . Clean it regularly with a very slight salt solution (you can get packs of these). I suggest you get a plaster cover for the stoma (again packs are available) and clean and replaster at least one a day.

    Clean the area before have a shower and put plaster over after the shower.

    Ensure you have a G Strap to hold the SPC and ensure that it is holding the SPC in a comfortable position. Ensure your leg bag is in a comfortable position and is changed every 5 to 7 days.

    Ensure that your hands are kept clean at all times.

    Ensure that you regularly empty your leg bag

    Ensure you have a stand and a disposable night bag and that you ensure the tap is left open before you go to sleep.

    It is important that you get to know how much fluid you need in you catheter balloon.  In discussion with your Nurse you will find out what is best for you. I started with 10 CLs and its now settled at 8.

    You will need to regularly discuss your situation with your nurse. You will eventually find what is your best situation

    Pain can be caused for any number of reasons.

    The stoma will take time to settle down.

    The Catheter size is important , in order to get good drainage and not to rub on the stoma itself. The balloon must be the right size. The nurse will need to ensure that the SPC does not press on the bladder wall (as this can cause pain). Best way to ensure this is to give the catheter a little tug to ensure that it is seated correctly.

    Once you have a routine stick to it. Ensure you have a routine , during the day, when you go to be and when you get up. Don't rush. Always think what you are doing as one slip could cause a mishap.

    I do have repeated problems it

    Stoma irritation, so I use a fragrance free shower gel

    I do get small blood clots on a frequent basis- this is normal

    The balder wall sheds its lining so do not be afraid if you always see some debris in your urine.

    My best advice to everyone is DRINK a lot of water every day! At least 2 to 2.5 litres! This should keep you bladder well flushed through and helps prevent bladder infections.

    Please be aware that infections are common place. You are likely to get a couple a year so keep drinking.

    Also you will still get pain ( I do after exercise). Paracetemol suits me and I do have to use them regularly but its that or do nothing that could cause pain and I am not doing that. Exercise is vital to well being.

    Bladder spasms can be painful. In my experience you have ride them out. I just drink water and no alcohol is anything that can cause bladder irritation and pain. Also avoid caffeine . Its not good for you!

    The big problem I have found is in general the medical profession does not have a great deal of experience of SPCs. I have found that my district nurse is far better giving advice than any GP that I have ever visited.     

     

    • Posted

      ALAN THK U FOR SHARING THIS FORUM IS HELPFUL TO ALL-UR RIGHT I HAVE FOUND THE NURSE IS MORE IN TUNE TO THE PROCESS AND HAS THE  ABILITY TO LISTEN AND NOT DISMISS—FOR INSTSNCE THE SP CATH IN MY EFFORTS TO GAIN KNOWLEDGE AND IMPROVE MY QUALITY OF LIFE I CAME ACROSS A NEW SP CATH -I WAD CHATING WITH MY NURSE ABOUT AN ODOR THAT I WAS TOLD WAS THE RESULT OF BACTERIA -HOWEVER SHE TOLD ME OF A NEW SP CATH THAT IS COATED WITH SILVER NITRATE -WHICH SHE SAID THEY HAD JUST RECD FROM A REP SHE INSERTED ONE WHAT A DIFF IT MADE ALSO CUTS BACK ON INFECTIONS —EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS IF U WOULD LIKE MORE INFO ON SP CATH I WOULD BE HAPPY TO SUPPLY U WITH MORE INFO—HAVE A GRT WEEKEND 🎃 BOB

    • Posted

      Thank you alan

      Gosh there is more to it than I thought .

      I dot have a leg bag I'm on a flip flow as it's easier for my job.

      And I'm thinking you are right about the tubing as that what it feels like so I'm thinking something hasn't been done right.

      I'm gonna go vust the nurse at the hospital this week just to make sure she is happy with what's been done.

      I also have a docs appointment and I'm gonna see if he can subscribe anything more for the pain.

      My job is quite physical so I need to make sure everything is nice and settled before I go back .

      Kind regards wendy

    • Posted

      YES CAN U ADVISE ME AS TO WHAT A G STRAP IS HAVE NOT HEARD OF IT THK U ROBERT
    • Posted

      A g strap is the strap the holds the catheter in place on your leg it's a piece of elastic that goes round your leg via velcro and then it has a smaller plastic vercro strap on top and this holds the end where the tube insterts into bag or where the flip flow is

      This stops it all moving

    • Posted

      Me neither had to Google it lol

      I call them a nuisance as they are either to tight of to loose

    • Posted

      WENDY.  ITS A PROCESS GOT IT DOWN PAT—THE LOWER STRAP SHOULD BE FASTENED JUST ABOVE THE KNEE AND AND TIGHTENED SO IT DOES NOT SLIP DOWN THE TOP ONE  SHOULD BE FASTENED  JUST BELOW FULL EXTENSION OF THE BAG WHEN THIS IS COMPLETED SLIDE EACH STRAP UP BETWEEN ONE AND TWO INCHES-IT MAY TAKE U SEVERAL TRIES BEFORE UR HAPPY BUT IT WORKS DONT BE HARD ON URSELF IT WILL ALL WORKVOUT🎃 BOB

    • Posted

      Hi there I'm ok as I don't use a leg bag can't be dealing with them

    • Posted

      Hi Alan, couple if things— what is a G strap, and how long did it take to settle down.  Painful for the procedure or after at home.  Is ten weeks after procedure good to travel by airplane in your opinion Thanks 
    • Posted

      DO U PUT IT IN TO THE END  OF SP LIKE THE PLUG IN OTHER WORDS CAN U REMOVE IT AND PUT IT BACK IN AT WILL -CURRENTLY  I USE THE PLUG🎃

    • Posted

      Yes it basically goes into the end and you open the tap to go to the toilet and close it when finished

      And you can take it out completely if you want to attach a leg or over night bag.

      I've only had the leg bag when in hospital as they like to monitor how much you wee

    • Posted

      THK U FOR SHARING -THE PLUG IS A PAIN TO WORK WITH—IF I MAY WHEN U USE THE FLIP HOW DO U KNOW WHEN U HAVE TO GO AND DO U ENCOUNTER ANY LEAKAGE FROM THE NORMAL OUTLET
    • Posted

      Hey Robert all I do is use the Velcro strap that comes with the leg bag, I take the Velcro strap and loop it over my undies and attach it to my leg bag I find it holds the bag just fine plus I will wear a belt that keeps everything in place (easy peasy), and you can tell when the bag is getting full as it will get heavier and I can wear shorts because it is high enough under the shorts that no one can see it, I found using the g strap agitated my leg while walking since my job is physical.

      Mike

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