neurogenic bladder

After many urinary tract infections and problems urinating my urologist put me in the hospital and ordered many unpleasant tests.  I was told my diagnosis was neurogenic bladder and I have to use an indwelling catheter  I am a 50 year old female, this is my first night home with the catheter and I am very uncomfortable.  I don't know how I amgoing to cope, being active and how I am going to leave the house with this leg bag.  It is especially uncomfortable when I sit. I was told I have to return to the office every two weeks to have it changed, using larger sizes of catheters to try to dilate my urethra for several visits.  And that I have to learn how to do this myself.  RIght now I feel like pulling the nasty thing out.   I am not sure if I can live with this thing in me. Does anyone have suggestions for living with this d#*& tube in me?  

[wishforchange]

This must be horrible for you.  If the indwelling catheter really is causing so much discomfort you need to let your urologist know, or even request home visits from a community nurse.  You may wish to ask if you can alternatively be taught to use an intermittant catheter yourself.  This is just a one use rubber tube which you insert to empty your bladdder, urinating into the toilet or a jug if you need to measure it, and then immediately remove.  It is quick and painless once you've mastered the technique and as long as you wash the area and your hands before, hygeinic.  Doing this several times a day may be a better solution than walking around with a permanent catheter.  It also gently stretches the urethral tract if the right size is used.  But I do not know the whole story, so you must accept that there may be reasons sshy this is not for you, eg arthritis of the hands etc.  But definitely let them know this is not bearable and ask about intermittant self catheterization.  Indwelling catheters themselves can leave you open to infection, so should be flushed regularly.  You are a young woman, and I worry that your urologist is not taking that into consideration in their treatment plan.  Also make sure you take cranberry supplements to minimize infection risks.  Please don't just put up with this.  There are other options I would hope.  Phone the urologist or your nurse and discuss these suggestions and most of all tell them you are finding it intolerable.  They won't know unless you tell them!  I wish you all the best.

[OkieAnnie]

I can't imagine having to deal with an indwelling catheter permanently!  That is horrible.  I also have a Neurogenic Bladder.  I had to use an indwelling catheter for about 2 weeks, then I "graduated" to intermittant catheters.  What a breeze!  I have been using the intermittant catheters for 6 years with no problem now.  I do have to take a low dose antibiotic all the time to keep from getting infections, but between that and all of the cranberry juice I drink, I have not had any problem with infections for a couple of years now.  Hopefully you have convinced your urologist to look at other options, because they do exist.  Good Luck.