8 replies to this topic

[Wicket]

I am female and I have used an intermitant 10F silicone cath with KY lube for three years. Never had any problems until last summer when I had 3 UTI's over July and August. Was on antibiotics for each. For the last month tho it has often been difficult to insert the catheter (I cath sitting up). I saw my urologist who examined and cathed me lying down and he said there were not any problems???
But then I got back home and had the same problem. ???

I am wondering if it is muscle (sphincter) spasms or scar tissue from the infections (If that's possible), or a combination of both...My doctor gave me an anti-anxiety that doubles as a muscle relaxant (clonazapam) as he and I thought it was spasms which has helped a little but not cleared the problem completely. Mind you this whole situation has made me anxious anyway...I mean it should not be diffcult to to insert a 10 F. It's been this way since the UTI's.

(You'd never believe this but I tried using a latex 12 F once during the summer with KY and the spincter was so tight that I could not withdraw it. Tried for half an hour and ended up having to call the paramedics to take me to the hospital where a nurse was finally able to somehow. No blood or trauma from the incident she said but at this point I'll never touch a 12 F again)

I've tried talking to nurses but they don't know much. I have never bled from any UTI or otherwise and incontinence has also been an issue.

Anybody know or have any experience with this? I know this is a lot of detail but it's a pain to describe without it. By now I feel like I'm losing it.

Edited by Wicket, 04 October 2009 - 05:12 PM.

[Tetracyclone]

Ugg. Looks like no one knows anything. I don't, though I have other cath problems. Hang in there and push for appointments with specialists until you find SOMEONE who can help.

[Wicket]

Thanks for the reply. It's just really strange cause it is better some days and not on others. Is it possible to get scarring of the urethra from UTI's if no bleeding has ever occured?
The meds for anxiety help somewhat for the spasms but still not as near as easy as it was before and it's not like I can continue to pop this pill three times a day just to cath.

[qbounce]

I have the same issue, but it's been like this as far as I can remember. Sometimes it's really easy to get in. While most other days/ times it takes some time to snake it in. I'mpretty sure it's just the muscle tightening up, so there isn't much I can do about it.

To be honest, I prefer it like this than having it looser and leaking. I don't like that it takes so long sometimes, though.

[Wicket]

Nk, wouldn't want to be a leaking faucet either but it's often tighter than what is necessary to just seal from leaks.
I don't know if it's unusual to be using a 10 as the 12 is more the norm (for a woman anyway)...when I started cathing years ago I read it was best to choose the smallest size one could cath with without having leaking around the catheter to help prevent urethral traumatization which is more likely to occur with a larger diameter.....ok that was a long sentence...I hope to God that regularly having to insert while it's been tight hasn't caused additional trauma.

I think I will see the urologist again but if the appointment ensues as it did the first time (him not finding a problem)
I wouldn't want to be denied further investigation or treatment. I took the med again last night but this time it didn't seem to help the same way as it did before which only adds to the confusion. I hope to figure out what is going on as this whole thing has really been affecting my quality of life.

Edited by Wicket, 13 October 2009 - 02:14 PM.

[dangerousdave]

Just some thoughts based of my own use...
I have had accidents where there has been bleeding from the ureatha tube, but there has been no noticable scarring.
(Astra) Lofric 12ch Nelaton Single Use Catheters is what I use. These are single use coated caths that you immerse in water befor use. I find that when at home it's usual to use one a day without extra lube.
On occasion they don't go in first time. They ae more rigid then the silicon type and this might help with insertion. It also helps to "sloutch" in the chair or whereever you are. For us men anyway.
As for the meds..............get of em...........they are addictable, and will bring on lethargy.
My main problem is L2 and from what I can recall my bladder was in a state of constant relaxation...I can't pee.
So my valve is always closed.
As for infections, I am gonna try that D-Mannose everybody on this site seems to recommend.
I hate taking meds, if there is a more natural solution, i'll try it.
I aint no doctor, just my own experiances.

[candoco2]

qbounce, on Oct 8 2009, 05:41 PM, said:

I have the same issue, but it's been like this as far as I can remember. Sometimes it's really easy to get in. While most other days/ times it takes some time to snake it in. I'mpretty sure it's just the muscle tightening up, so there isn't much I can do about it.

To be honest, I prefer it like this than having it looser and leaking. I don't like that it takes so long sometimes, though.

This is exactly the same for me. Some days it goes in no problem. Tho more often than not, my sphincter goes into spasm. Is annnoying, because I do my best to empty, and clean up. Theen half an hour later i'm firing off again.
I explained to nurses about it in my SIU, but none of their tips helped. The best way for me is tapping my bladder, when it wont go in well, but I heard this is not good practice. Seems the only thing that works sometimes tho.

Hang in there

[qbounce]

You know, I should have added that it was much worse in the beginning. But as time's moved on, it isn't as tight as it used to be, or as often. I was just reminded of this yesterday when it REALLY tightened up again.

Edited by qbounce, 19 October 2009 - 07:32 PM.

[Tetracyclone]

Folks,

My recent difficulty is/sounds different, but there is something t be learned from all of them.

First, for 12 days I've suffered a UTI. The bug is klebsiella pneumonae, about which google coughs up some data. Its the second most common source of UTIs. Twice as prevalent in Taiwan, now spreading through Asia, as in western countries. Big deal for SCIs, commonly antibiotic resistant, and therefore a frequent source of recurring infection.

Once or twice in the last two weeks I was had difficulty urinating when the need was clearly there, then this morning early, after having drunk 500 ccs of water over 2 hours, NOTHING. I didn't precisely panic, having read so many stories of inability to void on this site, but I was concerned. So I cathed and that was no problem, but there was not as much volume as I expected.

Tangentially, over the last few weeks I have noticed that urination, with and without cath, seems incomplete when the abdomen is bloated, which is usual when I take antibiotics. I'm on Cipro for 2 more days as sensitivity testing SAID Cipro will be effective. I had to increase dosage after 3 days as the symptoms came back with a vengeance. After cathing I did bowel program. Took a shower thinking I'd have to go to ER, but then VOILA, everything worked normally. i dunno what to think other than somehow the large intestine is interfering with the urethra and urination function, because i didn't even feel urgency this morning. Also, i've observed that, pre-bowl program or after large meals, the kidneys work more slowly than at other times.

Conclusion- what happened this morning may be close to normal function, YET it has never happened before. before you ask, UTI symptoms have abated and I'm praying (please Goddess, just do this for me and I'll never be a bitch again. I'll do all the dishes without complaining.)

Reading about the experiences others have I suspect it is pretty difficult for medical people to figure out a given set of symptoms.

One more thing. Someone wondered on a thread "how come they cannot wash antibiotics directly into the bladder?" It does seem like a sensible query... sooo... as I was wondering WHY my urethra was sooo irritable with the infection I decided to fudge on standard procedure and inserted the cath without washing off the providone/iodine solution in which I've been storing it since symptoms began. By the second day the urethra felt normal again. Bingo. Now I will call my medical advisor to be told I ran some sort of terrible risk.

Thanks to all for the opportunity to share thoughts and experiences.

Pwuff