I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Off-Topic => Off-Topic: Talk about anything you want. => Topic started by: Cordelia on September 20, 2012, 04:28:21 PM

Title: Has Anyone Self Catheterized?
Post by: Cordelia on September 20, 2012, 04:28:21 PM
Has anyone self catheterized? Someone in my family may have to and I thought I'd come here for advice. They have to have the bladder sling surgery for a leaky bladder and was told they'd have to self catheterize for a couple of days post surgery at home.  She is female.

Does anyone know if the catheter has to be in the entire two days or is it something you only do so often during the course of the day?

Just wondering if anyone had this surgery before and what your experience was with the catheter if you had to do that?

Thanks in advance for any help/info/advice.
Title: Re: Has Anyone Self Catheterized?
Post by: Sue on September 20, 2012, 05:03:21 PM
The sling surgery i had was the main contributing factor to my renal failure as it was done too tightly and damaged my urethra. This caused obstruction, urine retention and reflux. At the time of surgery i had in dwelling catheter for about 4 days. I now self catheterise 5/6 times a day. Good luck to your family member, i know this surgery is successful for many , i was just unlucky i guess.
Title: Re: Has Anyone Self Catheterized?
Post by: Cordelia on September 21, 2012, 05:37:07 AM
Did you have much pain post surgery?
Title: Re: Has Anyone Self Catheterized?
Post by: okarol on September 21, 2012, 10:38:25 AM
Jenna has been self-catheterizing for 11 years, 4 to 5 times a day.
She never has had trouble doing it.
Title: Re: Has Anyone Self Catheterized?
Post by: Cordelia on September 21, 2012, 01:03:05 PM
Thanks, Karol.  I've often wondered how people go about doing this, so it's not likely then that the catheter would be in constatly, just intermittedly then, I'm assuming.
Title: Re: Has Anyone Self Catheterized?
Post by: Sue on September 21, 2012, 10:05:47 PM
There wasn't much pain post surgery Cordelia, mind you I had the procedure done at the same time as I had a hysterectomy so I was full of pain meds :)
The catheter remained in for the first days.
Title: Re: Has Anyone Self Catheterized?
Post by: Cordelia on September 22, 2012, 03:07:16 AM
There are one of two ways to go in, right? Vaginally or through the navel, right?
Title: Re: Has Anyone Self Catheterized?
Post by: Sue on September 22, 2012, 06:42:19 AM
I had a suprapubic Catheter, which goes in just above the pubic bone, was left in for about 4 days..... I now self catheterise which is via urethra.
Title: Re: Has Anyone Self Catheterized?
Post by: Cordelia on September 23, 2012, 04:09:18 AM
What is a suprapubic Catheter?
Title: Re: Has Anyone Self Catheterized?
Post by: Rain on September 28, 2012, 11:39:38 AM
I have been self catheterizing since the age of 4.. via the urethra (vaginally).

I also have a narrowing of the urethra that the catheter sometimes get stuck on, they have note on my chart to put a larger catheter in when i go for transplant surgery to try to stretch it. It doesn't happen very often since i use smaller catheters. 

I self cath 4 times a day.  Make sure  it's clean and you use defecting wipes, a good gel (lubricant) and get female catheters since they are 1/2 the size of normal catheters. 
Title: Re: Has Anyone Self Catheterized?
Post by: Cordelia on September 28, 2012, 02:24:53 PM
Does it hurt even with lubricant?
Title: Re: Has Anyone Self Catheterized?
Post by: Sue on September 28, 2012, 07:40:34 PM
I imagine everyone is different but I never have pain when using catheters.
Title: Re: Has Anyone Self Catheterized?
Post by: Cordelia on September 29, 2012, 03:07:05 AM
Thanks   for  sharing your  experiences here  Sue, Okarol and Rain          :thx;