10 replies to this topic

[Avocado Baby]

Hi everyone,



I'm 28 and have been cathing all my life. I started noticing that I had a flap of skin around my opening quite a few years ago, but didn't really think anything of it. A nurse mentionedit once when I was in hospital a few years ago, but didn't seem concerned. However, I've had a lot of UTIs recenrly, which have got really nasty and I've nearly taken myself to A&E. Since I had my fusion to T8, I've found it really difficult to reach to get myself clean. I noticed last night when I'd done my BP, the flap of skin had got dirty and I'm thinking that that really would lead to infection!!

I'm sure I've seen it mentioned on here before, but what can they do to get rid of it?

Also, when I've had UTIs, I get feverish and shake violently with cold sweats. I went to the dr the other day and he took my temperature and told me it was 'normal'. I'm going to take my temperature when I'm well and see what it is, because maybe it's normally low. Is that something that is common in people with Paraplegia?

Thanka for any advice.

[Smileyblue]

Sorry, I cant be of much help.. I agree that this could be an aggravating factor in respect to uti, although I cant give more input than that as I dont have it..
I usually follow my bp with a shower to make extra sure everything is cleaned up properly.. I also suffer from chronic uti, so much so that I've recently decided to try the "Zapper" that was the subject of great debate a short while ago.. It hasn't arrived yet, but I'll be sure to let u know how it goes once I get it..

All the best.. :-)

[Tetracyclone]

AB-
Sorry for your difficulties. One of those toilet seat attachments that functions like a bidet could help a lot, and yes, some people have a normal temp that is below 98.6 F. Keep a record for your doc, recording each day at 3 differtent times, cuz it varies.

Hoping for the best...

[qbounce]

Levels T6-T10 may be susceptible to autonomic dysreflexia, and your description is exactly how it sounds. Take your BP the next time you feel the chills and see if it's gone up or not.

I get chills when my bladder's at it's maximum capacity. But, it also happens when I have a UTI.

[Avocado Baby]

Thanks everyone.

What's a Zapper? Yeah, I think I'm going to have to start showering after my BP.

I'm now Googling Autonomic Dysreflexia as it't not something I've considered myself to have, because I'm not SCI. I'm not sure what my functional level is anymore. When I went to see the neurologist 2 years ago, it was T8.

I'm going to look at toilet seat attachments. Thanks for that idea.

[jenny407]

Avocado Baby, on Jun 23 2010, 10:22 PM, said:

What's a Zapper?

You look it up with the help of the 'search' button on this site which you find on the upper right hand side (above "... new messages").
It seems to be some device which works with positive and negative poles - electricity. Some people claim it's good for killing bacteria, others say it doesn't work. I'm not good at explaining. Look it up.

Good luck!

[Smileyblue]

Thanks Jenny.. ;-)
I also sent the topic link via pm.. Just after my posting on here, I received my Zapper in the mail (battery excluded of course).. Lol.. As soon as I can get to town for a battery, I'll start trying it out.. I really hope it works! I'm desperate..

[jenny407]

You're welcome, Smileyblue. I put the information here so other users can read it, too.

UTIs can get very nasty. My SCI friend (male) doesn't seem to have those problems, though.
From my non-SCI perspective (which is different, I know): I used to have frequent trouble, too. I found what helps (right at the beginning) are special bladder / kidney herbal teas which flush your system and relax your bladder. They helped me better than other medicine (except, of course, antibiotics).

In the long run, I found homeopathy very, very helpful. I tried acupuncture as well - some help, but homeopathy worked better for me. I'm hesitant to suggest this, though, as I think many people assume it's just make-believe or not strong enough. It helped me. If you really want to try it, you need a good homeopath who does a longer treatment. Perhaps worth trying, if you can find one where you live.

Just my (non-SCI) experience. Sorry not to have a more striking solution. Good luck!

[Smileyblue]

Thanks again Jenny.. Any advice is happily accepted when it comes to this problem.. I'm desperate.. Hence trying out the controversial Zapper..
;-) And from what I've heard from Avocado Baby, she's desperate too.. I'll definitely keep everyone posted on its efficacy.. ;-)

Edited by Smileyblue, 24 June 2010 - 09:13 AM.

[Lucky]

Do you see a urologist?
Over here (U.K) there's a program on T.V called Embarrassing Bodies, it was called Embarrassing illness' I think?
Not for one second am I saying there's anything embarrassing about this but they do all kinds of proceedures and I recall one woman who just hated the fact she had quite alot of excess skin down below. So she went in for what looked like a rather simple proceedure and took the excess away.
I'm sure you'd get that done if it's buggin' you that much?

[Avocado Baby]

Yes, I am definitely getting desperate!! I've just booked myself in for some accupuncture starting tomorrow. I've had 2 UTIs in the last month and they make me feel so depressed!!

Lucky, I am seeing a urologist, although the skin flap thing was an afterthought. I'll mention it to a dr soon.
I saw the urologist about a month ago and he said he wanted me to repeat the MAG-3 scan with an empty bladder this time, because it showed contradictory results to the other tests. I have a kidney, urethra and bladder CT scan in 2 weeks. It can't come quickly enough. This really are making me miserable!!

Thanks for all your input guys and girls.