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
wendy31857 ollie64
Posted
Kind regards
alan44099 ollie64
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.
robert02169 alan44099
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
wendy31857 alan44099
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
robert02169 alan44099
Posted
wendy31857 robert02169
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
robert02169 wendy31857
Posted
GOT IT THATS WHAT I USE DIDNT KNOW IT BY. THAT NAME 🎃
wendy31857 robert02169
Posted
I call them a nuisance as they are either to tight of to loose
robert02169 wendy31857
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
wendy31857 robert02169
Posted
Hi there I'm ok as I don't use a leg bag can't be dealing with them
yoshiro67881 alan44099
Posted