Hi,

I've been on here before and have had a supra pubic catheter for the past 3 years. I thought it was the best thing I ever did and still do, but I've been having some "autonomic dysreflexic" symptoms. I'm a c4,5,6 quadriplegic and was wondering if there's anything I can do. I'm almost positive it's due to my catheter. I get it changed every 4 weeks and I do drink and take "cranactin" pills as well as vitamin C. I did read where a gentleman took "curfalexin" once a night. For some reason, I feel like I'm on the verge of a bladder infection too yet I know I shouldn't be.

Any suggestions?

Thanks so much.

Nick

neotrin, why do you think it's your SPC that is causing the AD? Are you having any other symptoms of UTI such as smelly urine, shivers, etc.

are you able to test your urine? you can get test sticks called 'multistix' from a pharmacy or drug store, so you can keep a check on bugs and blood in your urine.

drink lots of water and flush your kidneys out, if your urine comes clear and clean then I think it's something else causing your AD.

Thanks for the repy, newbie.

My urine is fine and I do get it checked. Maybe this is just the way it is going to be?

How about going to your urologist and request for bladder and/or kidney stones. Indwelling caths are more prone to forming stones, so it couldn't hurt check it out.

neotrin,
All catheters become infected if left in long enough. The bacteria causing the infection produce mucus (biofilm) and stones. These interfere with catheter drainage, resulting in bladder distention and and then autonomic dysreflexia. If the catheter is changed once a week, the amount of bacteria should become much less, resulting in much less catheter blockage. Be sure to change the drainage bag at the same time. Also, the newer silcone, silver coated catheters are more resistant to bacteria than the older latex rubber ones.

Spencer

Hi Nick,
Aside from Bladder infections, the other common causes of AD can be :
1.Constipation,Faecal impaction,Rectal irritation (Enemas etc) Haemorrhoids.
2. Skin problems (Ingrown toenails,Burns, Pressure areas, Tight clothing.
Regards
Jasperb

I have a SP and it's the biggest problem I have. Long story short I started getting bad spasms a few years after getting one back in 1988. Since my bladder was always draining it shrank which allowed the tube to hit my bladder wall. After having lots of spasms and getting dydreflexia often I asked them to remove it, but was told my bladder was too small and too scarred to be stretched out again. That ruled out cathing, unless I wanted to do it every half hour. I could have done a surgery where they use a chunk of my bowel to make the bladder bigger. I told them no thank you and cursed under my breath, because I was told I could reverse it if I wanted to in the future. In the end I had to up my use of muscle relaxers. I was already on Baclofen. They put me on Oxybutynin to calm the bladder down.

My bladder shrank a lot, because I had to finish 2 years of high school and didn't drink much water during the day as to not fill up my leg-bag. Now I drink almost a gallon a day and it still is a problem, but not as big of one. I take a daily sulfa to fight off infections and drink a lot of cranberry juice if I start feeling I might have an infection.

I should say I know several people that have no problems from their SP and their bladders still hold a lot. It is by far the easiest way to deal with urinary control I think.