www.incontinentsupport.org

Ok, so I am a Foley catheter user as well as a regular diaper/pullup/pad user when not catheterized. Anybody that has been around the boards for any length of time has followed my posts and seen my ups and downs relative to my struggle with a severely overactive bladder and incontinence. Something I have noted a few times recently while using Foley catheters is a faint rust colored "sediment" in both the leg bag and the overnight bedside bag. I don't notice it all the time but have seen it a few times recently. One time I woke up in the morning and noticed that the tubing and bedside bag were filled with this stuff and it wouldn't wash out of the tubing or bag so I threw the bag away and replaced it. I am not having UTI's, or any pain. I'm drinking water, Gatorade, and occasionally beer when I have my foley's in. I gave up soda months ago when I began having problems with frequent urination. I refused to give up beer, but very rarely ever drink without a foley in or I'll be up all night....my urine is usually lighter colored and not cloudy or foul smelling as I stay well hydrated because I know I won't be in the bathroom all day and night. As I have been a regular catheter user for 7 months now I rarely have hematuria......anybody have any idea what this might be?? It's rust colored and/or orange colored sediment, it's not very heavy usually, just enough to notice in the bottom of whatever collection bag I have on when I notice it.....

I have used a foley for almost a year now and never had anything like what your describing. Mabe it's just a bit of sediment that can gather in the bladder just below where the catheter pokes through and is sometimes getting sucked up. If it is that is probably a good thing. Supposed you could get a sample and have it analysed. Your not on iron tablets are you.

4wheeldave.

I am not a catheter user so I can't be of much help but you want to know the first thing that went through my mind? I wonder if this is part of what is causing your problems. For sure, call your doctors office and speak to the nurse. Have her ask the doctor.

No iron tablets, Wheels, but that's what it looks like is rust or iron deposits ( I get my water from a well so we are used to iron deposits from the hard water) we don't drink our well water though.....Rope, maybe I'll give them a call tomorrow. I haven't talked to any doctors in a couple months, since the surgery I'm trying to live "doctor free" I haven't seen the urologist since June. I get the impression he's been blowing me off.....he told me he thought I was crazy when he read my chart, then claimed he changed his mind when he met me and realized I really was having a lot of difficulties......I don't know what his deal is....they really are a unique breed.....

I had a think about this and I wonder if it is a little blood produce when the catheter was inserted but which has clotted and produced the iron colour you describe. I don't think it is particularly unusual to have an odd scratch when inserting a catheter and it would account for the colour.

I simple dipstick test can check that out whilst checking for infections at the same time. Take a sample to the doctor.

UPDATE: I did call the urology office and the doctor called me back. I explained what was going on, I said I had no pain, discomfort, definitely no UTI's or blockage as when I have the catheter in it flows freely. He seemed to think that it was protein and/or iron from a little bit of blood produced when the catheter goes in. I rarely see actual blood in the foley but occasionally see bits of bladder tissue in the collection bag. I will continue to monitor but all seems well. He brought up the idea of intermittent self catheterization and I told hime that the idea of putting it in myself made me weak in the knees, and I'd still have to get up at night which is a major problem, plus I'd be self cathing 15-25 times a day when I have to go.....anyway, that's where we're at. I'm at work tonight so no foley in and I'm running to the bathroom, 12-13 times so far since 0800 (it's 1800 now)