4 replies to this topic

[daltond43]

I use an internal catheter (Bard 26 FR 30 cm balloon) for about the past eight years. When I have abdominal spasms, urine leaks around the catheter. It's getting to the point where small cracks are occurring and sores are forming. This is severely affecting my mobility. It's a vicious cycle. The wetness causes a sore, I stay off for a week, a week later I have @another one.. I thought of using the stretchy external tape to tighten my penis on the
catheter. I'm concerned that this may cause damage. Larger catheters are difficult or impossible to insert.

Any thoughts on how to reduce this leakage will be appreciated. I'm 40 years post injury from a diving accident in 1969.

Thanks, Dalton

[qbounce]

I'd be more concerned about why you have abdominal spasms in the first place. Have they ALWAYS been so bad as to cause the leaking, or was this a more recent occurance?

If it's more recent (over the last year or so), have you checked to see if you might have a kidney or blader stone?
Or, maybe you might want to consider a bladder relaxant medication like oxybutynin.

Once you have the spasms in check, you won't have need for tape, a different sized catheter, more flushings or cath changes, etc.

[graphic]

As qbounce said, it's worth investigating the cause of your abdominal spasms. As for the catheter itself, is there any particular reason you use such a large size? My understanding is that you should use as small a catheter as possible. I'm using a size 18Fr at present and am thinking of trying a 20Fr, but only because my bladder produces mucus following surgery. Otherwise I'd probably use a 14Fr. Also, have you tried a 10cc balloon? You'll find that a 30cc balloon won't allow your bladder to empty as fully as a 10cc would and could cause more infections. As strange as it sounds, a smaller size catheter might also help with the leaks. I wouldn't have thought that tape would help because the extra pressure could irritate your urethra and possibly damage it. Hope you get it sorted.

Edited by graphic, 31 August 2009 - 11:07 AM.

[Bandy]

i have a suprapubic catheter, and sometimes experience similar problems, with urine leaking. I use a slow release oxybutanin tablet to reduce abdominal spasms, and also use sudacrem on the skin prone to soreness, to act as a barrier.

[Gurdeep Singh]

[quote name='daltond43' date='Aug 30 2009, 05:50 AM' post='127540']
I use an internal catheter (Bard 26 FR 30 cm balloon) for about the past eight years. When I have abdominal spasms, urine leaks around the catheter. It's getting to the point where small cracks are occurring and sores are forming. This is severely affecting my mobility. It's a vicious cycle. The wetness causes a sore, I stay off for a week, a week later I have @another one.. I thought of using the stretchy external tape to tighten my penis on the
catheter. I'm concerned that this may cause damage. Larger catheters are difficult or impossible to insert.

Any thoughts on how to reduce this leakage will be appreciated. I'm 40 years post injury from a diving accident in 1969.

Thanks, Dalton
[/quo
Dear fren, your problem is simply a case of urinary tract infection,cos the spasms are mainly due to the bacterial growth.Since you ae on indwelling catheterize ,better get in touch with a urologist ,sometimes little calculi can be formed cos of prolonged indwelling catheterisation .wish you good health..