9 replies to this topic

[kat2290]

My partner has been having lots of problems with bladder and kidneys over the last couple of years. He was injured 4 yrs ago and has been using condom drainage since then but now his bladder is not emptying fully and he would have about 200ml residual urine in it all the time.

After being to see his urologist he has had a urethral catheter put in as a short term solution but his doctor wants him 2 go back in two weeks to have a supra-pubic put in as a more long term solution.
We've lost quite a lot of faith in his urologist over the last couple of years, so now we are doubting whether the decision to switch from a urethral cath to a supra-pubic is necessary?
What are other peoples experiences of urethral caths vs. supra-pubic. I know you are meant to get fewer infections with supra's but it seems like people still end up having lots of problems with them? What type of cath would people choose?

The other option is to have a sphincterotomy, we are pretty reluctant to do this as my partner really doesnt want to have more surgery, and because it has to be repeated every few yrs. We would still be interested to hear peoples experiences with this?

My partner is C3 and has no movement below the shoulders so doing IC's through the day isn't an option either.

Edited by kat2290, 27 November 2008 - 01:44 PM.

[edlee]

I use condom caths, also,,,,,and I'm sure there is residual in my bladder,,, but,,, I straight cath in the morning and again in the evening so I know I'm empty then.

I really like the idea that I'm draining thru the natural channel thereby flushing it out a bit,,,, That's something you can't get with any other scheme. I hear very good things about the super pubic caths,,,, but am not opting for ANY surgery until I'm forced to it.

There are downsides to all the methods we use,,,,,in the end, I quess that's how one decides,,,,,, not what's best,,, but what's going to give me the least problems.

I think I would suggest that you do as I do for a while,,,,, my urologist sees no problem with it for me,,,,,,

good luck
ed

[aggzy]

hey

i wanted a supra pubic from day dot although my urogist didn't want me to ?

i didn't want people having to allways having to tap mmy bladder oor when im out i didn't want to woorry about condom falling off

also when i wanted to have sex my girlfriend didn't hwve too take the condom off whipe the glue of before anything happen(kinda would kill the moment)

though supra pubics have there down side such as bladder shrinkage and you have to drink at least 2-3 litres of water a day

Ag's

[frustration]

I thought condom drainage and tapping was not recommended any more?

My partner has no arm function and has had a SPC since about 3-4m after his injury. He has a Flip-flow valve (mini tap) on it and empties every few hours during the day. Sometimes if he's going to be out for a while he will put a leg bag on for convenience. It's on constant drainage at night. After 8y of this he has had hardly any UTIs and few other problems. Last time he had an ultrasound to check bladder and kidneys it was all clear. He has good bladder capacity.

He takes Ditropan 5mg 3x per day.

[aggzy]

its too late for me to hqve a flip flow valve wish i knew about them before

my last ultrasound was good too

i get the occaonal uti if i dont drink enough but thats my fault not my caths

most quads i know have free flow or tap and express

Ag's

[russ1]

I've had my supra pubic for 5 years now and had no problems at all. It's a very minor op (in fact mine was done as an emergency on a hospital ward with me watching) is totally reversible if you don't get on with it as long as you keep bladder capacity by using a flip flow valve. I'd have to say that given the choice between a condom cath or a urethral cath or a supra pubic there'd be no decision for me, I'd go with the supra pubic every time, the only problem you might get is that he'd leak once he got to more than 200ml in his bladder and he might have to manage this somehow.

[kat2290]

Thanks for the responses.

Just wondering aswell if there is anyone out there using any drugs to relax the sphincter and neck of the bladder. If so what are peoples experiences of these drugs, would you recommend them? So far I know of about 6 different ones that can be used but I'm interested to hear peoples personal experiences of them.

[edlee]

I haven't heard of any that LOOSEN the sphinter,,,,, most of us have the opposite problem,,,,,keeping it closed till we cath. I haven't had any luck that way either.
ed

[bocktribe]

All those drugs that I have tried have side effects. I have a supra pube tube. I also have all feeling as I only lost motor control. Flip valve or plug the cath and drain when u r full will prevent bladder shrinkage. I just cork mine. Since I still have feeling I drain when I feel the need. However I am on pain meds constantly due to the cath in me.

[frustration]

Aggzy if you have an SPC it's not too late to start using a Flip Flow. You can get them off CAAS.

You might need to start by only switching off for short periods if your bladder capacity is significantly reduced. The biggest risk is that you will go dysreflexic but since you are on a vent, there should always be someone around to empty your bladder (or turn the valve on) when required.