Wearing a Catheter

[grannyhotwheels]

I was just wondering how many of you have to wear a catheter?  I do and it seems like I have one infection after another.  I've got a really bad bladder infection right now.  I'm on my second round of Bactrim (Antibiotic) and I'm still having lots of pain.

If any of you do have catheters, what is some ways to prevent infections?  I have a nurse that comes once a week to my home and she is very careful about contaminating anything.  She does it by the book and I still get infections.  We change to a new one once a month.  Should we do that more often?

Please throw some advise my way, I'm so sick and tired of infections I could scream, ok did scream. hahahehe

[ShadowsSister]

Hi There,
I have a suber- pubic Cath. The spasms forced the regular cath out with the Balloon still fully inflated with over 15cc of water. So mine is surgically implanted and I have to get it changed every month. ( Very Painful) but at least it stays in.

As for infections they are a permanent part of using a cath, no matter what type you use. I have had a chronic infection for years, I only get antibiotics if I start running a fever, because I can only use Keflex, the rest I am highly allergic to.

I am so sorry that you are having problems I know how painful this can be. I HATE the Bladder Spasms more than any of the others. They are all Awful, but there isn't any thing on the market that quiets this pain down, not even the Morphine.

I sure hope this settles down and you find some relief soon.
{{{~!~}}} DJ

[syndismilez]

I also self cath and was told a supplement called D-Mannose
is very effective for keeping UTIs at bay. Google it and
you will find some great information.
Hope you can figure something out!!!
Cyn

[Lulu54]

GHW,
Its good to see you around.  I have no experience with a permanent cath, but can tell you lots about intermittent self-catherization.  

About the cranberry juice - yes it works but you would have to drink a whole lot for it to be effective. My urogyno recommends cranberry tablets to help keep the urine acidic.  You can find them at any place that has a good assortment of vitamins and supplements.

good luck,
L

[kmil1999]

So sorry you are having a tough time.  Did they give you pyridium to help with the pain with the antibiotics?

Any time you have a cath done/in you are at risk for an infection.  Caths are notorius for causing infections.

Do you do good peri-care everyday?  Did they explain it to you, or are you even capable to do it?

You might try drinking more cranberry juice to keep urine a little on the acidic side to try and help prevent infections.

I would think that it would help to have it changed more often, but who knows what insurance reccomends.

I was watching tv the other day, I think it was the doctors, and they said they are looking into doing some surgerys, etc. without cathing to reduce the side effects of infection.

Probably didn't help at all.  But I do hope you can figure out a way to reduce the infections.
My best,
Karen