Posted , 4 users are following.
Considering the pain I have been suffering, here I am delighted with my new catheter. Mmmm not exectly easy to be comfortable and a couple of small leeks from the valve when coming down stairs.
So I am looking for tips from those who have walked this path before me. Still, it is majic to empty my bladder at the turn of a valve. Mmmm bliss!
So tips, please.
2 likes, 12 replies
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marey georgeGG
Posted
well its in situ now.
keep it clean where the tube leaves the urethra....so saline wipes...not anti-biotic wipes. make up your own or dip your gear in a warm saline wash bowl...or sodium bicarb, baking soda or epsom salt dip. actually an epsom salt bath is a great plan not just for hygiene but also for a fab nights sleep.
there's a strap for round the leg so you can go out and about as normal. hope you can find another male to give you additional tips!!
georgeGG marey
Posted
What has happened to my nickname? Has the catheter shaken it out of you? I hope not, just concern for me. Thank you Marey.
The radiologist took a sample and pronounced it infection free. Another radiologist said to me that radiation makes a similar effect to an infection. Well in amongst the pain it did seem that there was a progressive improvement so I shall be careful to finish the course of antibiotics.
An epsom salt bath sounds lovely. Saline is great stuff. I use it for eyes and had not yet thought of it for this. The tube is rather hard on the very end of the urethra. The scan lady said I would get used to it. I hope so. I move around VERY carefuly. You would think I was made of glass.
i was given a starter kit. A leg bag as you say for getting around. Also a 2litre night bag with a long tube. The full kit to last a month should arrive on Wednesday.
But no more ghastly acute pain - worse than an abcess in a tooth. That is really, really nice.
Very many thanks, Marey
Georgey Worgey aka George
marey georgeGG
Posted
you haven't answered as to WHY you were catheterised when your infection was resolving?
be sure to wear things so that you're hanging down and there's no 'drag' as it were. You can achieve an avoidance of pulling by means of a bit of tape to create a return loop of tube aginst your leg above the bag ...so weight is taken off...if that makes sense...but a nurse could show you for the first 'outing' how best to attach it all so you're well geared up.
same with the night bag...a bit of tape can make all the difference to an avoidance of 'pulling'. Melonin is a nice gentle no rip tape.
georgeGG marey
Posted
There have been problems. They all turned out to be my ignorance and inexperience. My wife thinks they do not tell you in advance to reduce imagined problems. humph! if so, I end up with imagined anxieties. Of course they are easily disposed of by the professionals. Keeps me humble, possibly. Does nothing to increase my trust.
Yesterday, I was utterly humiliated by my wayward bladder. Full of confidence (silly me, will I ever learn?) I set about preparing for my therapy. Step one: empty bladder. Not a drop. After five minutes frustratied effort I gave up and admitted my plight to a radiographer. A bit of a hooha and the Macmillan radiography nurse came. She had a try. It poured out and ended without the usual pain as the shrinking bladder touch the anchoring baloon of the catheter. Delight wrestled with chagran. Whose side is this bladder on!!!
If I wasn't so attached to bladder I would laugh.
SteV3 georgeGG
Posted
You're not alone there my friend, I don't have one at the moment, only in hospitals - TBH, I used to hate the dam thing but it was due to the incompentance of a nurse. It was blocked, for hours before I could get them to remove it and put a new one in, that was a relief.
Most men can stand up and urinate normally, since I had the main 2 operations 3 years ago in January I have to sit down like a woman. Mainly because my legs are not weak, but muscle spasms is not a great idea when you need to go - I'm unable to wear proper shoes, because my legs, ankles and feet swell.
Regards,
Les.
marey SteV3
Posted
very dated the notion that men should stand...that's all changed. And in my house no-one can stand...the ceilings are too low!
you've prob seen the notices 'gentlemen please remain seated throughout the entire performance'....thats now the norm in europe and in germany its considered positively rude for males to stand and spray all over the place at home...as well as in other people's homes.
so les you are ahead!
georgeGG marey
Posted
Seems I had better bring myself up to date. Lately I have been sitting as it slightly improved my desperate situation and partly I could cope the pain seated and bowed over, moaning and weaving my head - anything to make the unbearable endurable.
jimjames georgeGG
Posted
Jim
georgeGG jimjames
Posted
I should have the catheter in for nine weeks in all - the last three weeks of radiotreatment plus six weeks to let the bladder settle down. The bladder was spasming causing acute pain. I now take a couple of pills daily and the bladder is now calmer but still tender. I find the kit easy to manage and use a leg bag below the knee and a 2lr bag at night.
I imagine I would not be able to use your type of catheter until I am comfortable off the pills. I will keep your suggestion in mind as what is usual does not always apply. (we are all different do I hear from the medics). No tubes most of the time sounds very pleasant should I need a catheter for an extended period.
georgeGG
Posted
i found an instruction video on CIC. Ibdoes look wonderfully easy. I expect it takes a time or two to get the nack? Looks cheeper than the tubes and bags but maybe not as they are use once and throw.
jimjames georgeGG
Posted
Yes, some people get the knack right away, and others, like myself, struggled in the beginning.
One reason I think I struggled was because I had never been catherized before so it was more a jolt to the system then I imagine it would have if like yourself I was already used to wearing a catheter. I also developed a UTI from day 1 that unfortunately was not treated promptly by my doctor's staff.
But moving forward, today CIC is about like brushing my teeth , just takes a couple of minutes longer. No pain or trauma at all. If you ever do decide to try it, feel free to contact me either here or through private messaging for some tips. Meanwhile you might want to check to see if the catheters are covered by your medical plan. Here, in the U.S.A. I am covered for up to six catheters a day and therefore I use special one-use disposable catheters called hydrophillic catheters. If I didn't have this type of isurance coverate, I would probably use a more standard rubber or vinyl catheter that can be reused many times.
-- Jim
georgeGG jimjames
Posted