www.incontinentsupport.org

2lyle and I have the same issues with the bladder,but in my case my Dr called it Decompensated.I was Rxd longterm Foley cath use,and for me it was very good,I still work,and what Drs dont understand is,you cant get up and excuse yourself from a meeting to go and selfcath,if you do,you have missed important parts of the meeting.Business doesnt stop because your in cathing!

Hi mikey1966

I am just guessing but from some of my conversations I had with my urologist in time I will need a Supper Pubic catheter put in.
I already suspected problems when it is first put in but it does surprises me about the bleed for a year is that normal?
I have had some bleeding with a Foley catheter twice last month quite heavy something I did not expect.
I did talk to an IV nurse PT ho told me bleeding with a catheter is not uncommand but if it does not stops in a short time then worry.

With a Foley catheter I also had my share of infections but now with some changes I been infection free for three months now.

Now that I have a catheter I like it as long as I have incontinence.

thanks for the reply

2lyle

Hi Lynnan:

I agree a Foley catheter is much easier to use than self cathing but there are a lot more risk involved with them from infections to cancer. Even though I have been using a Foley for a year and half the long term problems that can occur scar me a lot.

The good side they are so much more concealable and comfortable than other protection. You go to meetings it would be hard sitting in a wet brief for a long time and try to concentrate.

2lyle

lyle,

for me it was a personal choice of indwelling or SPC and i didn't want to go down the route of indwelling. personally it boils down to what you prefer and how you cope with it. long term if you search the internet you will find those who can't manage with catheters and those who are doing extremely well.

in respect of bleeding it was only spasmodic and was soon dealt with at my local hospital.

i am at the stage where things have settled down and it is just a case of keeping on top of those pesky infections. i have had my urine checked but nothing has shown for many months.

in the end lyle you need to see which catheter your best suited and can manage with.

lynnan i agree that when you get used to these catheters they are easy to manage and there is nothing on show to the world and they are easier than the self cathing method.

i have had my catheter in for 4 years but on the internet you will find those that have comfortably managed with catheters for ten years or more.

michael

Hi Mikey:

I have been dealing with incontinence doth bowel and urinary for many years. I have used or tried just about everything and of it all the catheter is the easiest to use and it is so easy to conceal but I would never use one unless it was absolutely necessary to many problems down the road with them.
In my case I have the bowel to worry about and if it will contaminate the catheter, to date it only happened once and I survived.

I have been to many urologist three different hospitals and none would write script for a catheter unless there was a need and the need out weighted the problems that are associated with a Foley or indwelling catheter.

Like I said when I found out about my bladder problems I was told to self cathed and I did for three years with fair success. I was only prescribed a Foley after my hands became so bad self cathing was difficult.

As for a Supper Pubic catheter I don’t know if and when I may have to have one it was just in conversations I had with my urologist. I am getting along with a Foley Catheter quite well it is comfortable no leaks or few and little pain.

For me using a Foley has gone extremely well better than I thought even my urologist said I am doing better than most of his patents that have indwelling catheters.

I am also glad things for you are going well it makes life so much easier. I am always trying to learn as much as possible about SP catheter I like knowing as much as possible before I have to make that decision.

Do you put in your own catheter or your doctor?

2lyle

lyle,

some people are shown how to put in and remove their catheters but for me i go to hospital to have it changed, having it changed by a professional is the safer route i feel.

one thing if you are seriously considering the SPC please be aware that with this sort of catheter you will have an open wound and will need to be taken care of.

when i had my spc catheter first put in i chose to cover the open wound but was strongly advised not to cover it and this in turn has worked out very well.

michael

Hi Mikey:

At the moment I am not considering changing anything the Foley catheter is working fine for me. At one of my office visit with my urologist he mention Supper Pubic catheter and I may need it down the road. At that time he wanted me to continue with a Foley catheter.
I am trying to get all the info I can on Supper Pubic in case the time come I need it.

I had my catheter changed for over a year at my doctor office but now I change my own at home. This was my doctor advise since he knew I could do it because I self cathed for three years prier and putting in a Foley is not that much more different.
My doctor then said changing it at home there is less chance of infections any germs in your home I should all already have immunity’s to.

Changing my catheter at home I have been infection free for three months now that is a first for me.

I knew with a Supper Pubic catheter there is an open wound but interesting about not covering it.

Where the catheter enters your body dose it rub making the skin tender?

That is about the only thing I don’t like about a Foley sometimes where it enters it does get a little tender.

2lyle

lyle,

in respect of the open wound, when people have this operation for the supra-pubic catheter, you will find many mention getting soreness and something called granulations.

i also got soreness and granulations when i first had the catheter put in which is why i was told not to cover the open wound.

eventually the wound will heal and it is just a matter of bathing, showering etc to keep things clean.

for me if it does get sore then i just put some cream around the area and within a few days the soreness is gone.

i have read some cases of where people use some kind of gel around the area but i have never bothered with this and prefer just leaving things alone unless it gets sore.

mike

Hi Mike

From my limited knowledge about SP catheters it seems there is not much different between taking care of a Foley or a Super Pubic catheter.
The most important thing is keeping it clean and when you think it is clean do it again.
Really with having a Foley catheter in is not that much trouble and it gives me so much more freedom I do a lot more I feel better and my wife likes it she likes getting out and with a Foley we don’t have to take several changes of briefs with us it is close to being normal as its gets, ho did I mention I feel better.

It is too bad indwelling catheters have so many problems like infections and by law it has to be prescribed by a doctor. Once you get accustom to living with an indwelling catheter is so much easier and comfortable.

But knowing as much as I know about a Foley I would never recommend it unless it is needed and under a doctor’s supervision.

What my urologist told me is to clean the catheter and area with plain water using a clean washcloth twice a day and use an antibacterial salve each time I use Neosporin.
So far I have not had many sores and I try and stay as active as possible with my disease.

2lyle