Waterworks problem
Posted , 10 users are following.
First day home after LTHR and things progressing well except with the problem of passing urine, in fact, passing anything. It occurred to me that in the age of medical advances in nearly all fields, the only way of encouraging urine to flow is to stick a plastic tube up the urethra. I admit, it did find something for the nurse to do doing the night, but I would have thought someone could have come up with something more sophisticated by now. They have a machine that can tell you how much fluid is in the bladder - I already knew, it was full- but they don't have one to get it out. Nobel prize awaiting for someone.
0 likes, 17 replies
claudia95892 nfmiller
Posted
nfmiller claudia95892
Posted
Thanks Claudia, slowly getting there but it's been a strain(!).
Regards
Norm
michael11283 nfmiller
Posted
Similarly the combination of surgery, anaesthetic and pain relief does tent to stop the bowel working. At least (unlike with the bladder) you can go several days without it doing anything other than feeling uncomfortable. Most of us resort to Laxido or something. Drinking lots is also good in that department.
Hope you are back to narmal soon
Mike
nfmiller michael11283
Posted
Thanks Mike, it's getting better already but that first night was a bit desperate.
Regards
Norm
Rocketman_SG6UK nfmiller
Posted
I had that after my revision surgery - very painful isn't it.
I too had the ultrasound to see if I was 'full up' or not ... like you, I knew I was, but they needed to be certain.
Then a lovely nurse and lady doctor administered the plastic tube for me
Graham
nfmiller Rocketman_SG6UK
Posted
Me too, Graham - it was't all bad news!😊😊😊
teri89306 nfmiller
Posted
During my overnight stay after surgery, they kept giving me stuff to "help the bowels". My first night home, after my husband went upstairs to bed (I stayed in the guest room on the main level), I suddenly felt "the churning". So as I'm wobbling down the hall with the walker, I'm thinking "nice! Hobble me and pump me up with GO PILLS!" I yelled upstairs to alert my husband and proceeded to make it 99% of the way to the toilet. After the explosion, I quietly rolled up the rug that was in front of the toilet and told my husband to please just go toss this in the washer on hot, no questions! Not a fun night at all!
nfmiller teri89306
Posted
😂😂😂 I guess that's why they told me to go easy on the laxatives!
claudia95892 teri89306
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michael11283 claudia95892
Posted
Claudia
Sounds almost as bad as my experiences having bowel cancer. It's like banging your head against a wall, it's great when it stops!!
Mike
arlowood nfmiller
Posted
Yes I'm afraid it's a common side effect of the spinal block anesthesia.
I had my operation mid-afternoon so was pretty drugged up the first night so did not take too much notice of the fact that I was not passing urine. I was monitored the following day and despite plenty of fluids had still not "performed" by about 10pm that evening. Senior nurse decided I needed to be catheterised but with it being night shift I had to wait 2 hrs for the on-call doc to do the needful.
I had the catheter in for just over 24hrs and soon after it was removed I started to pee more or less naturally. However I had to have my output recorded over the next 12hrs to make sure all was back to normal. It was a pain but probably worth it to avoid the after effects of general anesthesia.
My bowels were also bunged up and although I had been cleared by the physio to go home on day 3, the nursing staff were blocking my release because I had not had a bowel movement. Eventually they relented and sent me home with additional laxative over and above the Senna tablets which were normally prescribed. Thankfully my bowels were back to normal the following morning so I backed off the extra laxative and stuck with the Senna to combat the potential effects of the codeine tablets.
I'm just glad |I did not experience any explosive evacuations when my mobility was compromised - not a happy thought when you can't sprint to the toilet.
anniepaint nfmiller
Posted
Regards
Ann
nfmiller anniepaint
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Thanks Ann, Ive been given Lactulose so hopefully that will get to work soon.Looking forward to when I'm off the painkillers.
Norm
claudia95892 nfmiller
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nfmiller claudia95892
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Claudia, you are good - and sensible. I'm eating plenty of fruit and veg but I'm probably not drinking enough water and .. I can't stand prunes! However, it may be that I have to give them a try.
Norm
claudia95892 nfmiller
Posted
nfmiller claudia95892
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Cake & whiskey, now you're talking. I might be able to get a taste for that. I hope I don't have to resort to the prunes, but if I do, I'll let you know!
norm