[bbqsteve]

Was told in rehab I should watch fluid intakes and try to keep 4 hours between caths. I use a lot more than that due to the fluid intake from narcotics dry mouth. Is every two hours or so too much? Does it physically hurt to cath more often? I gotta tell ya, I don't feel a thing. Also have noticed at end of cathing there is a thick powdery residue. Is this normal? Maybe I just never noticed before the accident. Thanks.

[Kwag_Myers]

What you want to avoid is having your badder fill up and backing up into your kidneys. That will get you a stay in the hospital.

The only concern I have with cathing so often is the increased risk of a UTI. So keep your caths clean. I boil mine (in the microwave) for 10 minutes between uses and I haven't had a UTI in over a year.

Other than that, I can't see how it would be a problem. Before my SCI I used to go every two hours or so 'cause I drank a lot of water.

As for the foreign matter in your caths, it's probably calcium. One of the effects of SCIs is that we all loose calcium through our urine. You may get the occasional piece of tissue or blood in the end - so don't let that freak you out. As long as your urine is clear, you should be fine. If it gets cloudy with a strong odor, hit the cranberry juice.

[tspence]

Due to fluid intake I have to cath every two hours to and when I have a few cold ones its more than that,I have never caused real severe damage cathing that much, but I do have uti's [man my head hurts] seriously tho never heard of the powdery substance,may need to see your urologist about that one.anyway hope you get some answers.

[LuckyinKentucky]

They told me the thick residue is just sediment that for AB's is mixed in during walking but without the agitation from walking it just settles on top.


As for going so much more uti's are probably gonna be a given... which brings the question.. why take so many friggin narco's. That will destroy your body (and mind) before anythng else.

[Meadowlarkmark]

Hey I was always told.." you CAN'T take enough fluids". I hate taking fluids..I guess i have been lucky. UTIs have been few inmy 40+ years with sci.

[bbqsteve]

LuckyinKentucky, on Sep 12 2009, 11:31 AM, said:

They told me the thick residue is just sediment that for AB's is mixed in during walking but without the agitation from walking it just settles on top.


As for going so much more uti's are probably gonna be a given... which brings the question.. why take so many friggin narco's. That will destroy your body (and mind) before anythng else.

I have an intrathecal pump with dilaudid and baclofen from unrelated incomplete SCI since 1994. pain in my lower back, and before this new SCI, in my legs and feet was severe. Now the pain in my lower back above the paraplegia is severe. Can't take too much movement due to pain. besides the pump, a few oxycontin for breakthrough pain after too much activity. Levels of narc way down though after the new T12 complete injury rid me of the leg/feet pain.

[LuckyinKentucky]

bbqsteve, on Sep 12 2009, 11:23 AM, said:

Levels of narc way down though after the new T12 complete injury rid me of the leg/feet pain.

Bonus..er I guess, se la vie, no. Opposite from you my sci brought me hella pain below my injury. Haven t had much success relieving that pain so i guess, to my bonus, it has raised my pain tolerance substantially. The dull knotty aching pain in my back I am usually able to ignore(a good stretch can do wonders though). I will use pain pills ocasionally though when i wanna do really active things that I know will make my back hurt.

[bbqsteve]

LuckyinKentucky, on Sep 13 2009, 01:34 AM, said:

bbqsteve, on Sep 12 2009, 11:23 AM, said:

Levels of narc way down though after the new T12 complete injury rid me of the leg/feet pain.

Bonus..er I guess, se la vie, no. Opposite from you my sci brought me hella pain below my injury. Haven t had much success relieving that pain so i guess, to my bonus, it has raised my pain tolerance substantially. The dull knotty aching pain in my back I am usually able to ignore(a good stretch can do wonders though). I will use pain pills ocasionally though when i wanna do really active things that I know will make my back hurt.

Lots of bonuses, I take life as it comes. It was harder the first time in 1994 as I was working and a father. Now I am experienced in a wheelchair, my youngest kids know me no way else. Grandkids have always known me like this. Now it doesn't hurt to have them on my lap. I sleep well for the first time in years. Spasms are gone. Have baclofen as well as dilaudid in pump which manages both pain and spasms well. Stopped taking somas and oxycontin, just a few oxyIR. Immediate release for getting me in and out of bed. Now blood clot has me on coumadin, so that's new.