6 replies to this topic

[Steven K]

Hi guys,

So I've been recovering from a bad SCI for the last two months and I've started feeling urges to urinate (Thank God!). So far, I may only feel the urge to pee once or twice a day but when I feel the urge, I can void on my own by tensing up my stomach muscles (not really forcing too hard). After I pee spontaneously, I always stick a catheter in afterward to see if I got it all out. Today I measured about 70mL that I got out using a catheter after I peed on my own.

What does a normal person (AB) usually have left in their bladder sack after they pee?

If I consistently have 50-70mL remaining, will this hurt me in the long term?

Thanks!

[ZEN12many]

Hi Steven

I also am able to urinate BUT also cannot completely empty my bladder. My doctor advised that I also cathetor. When I told him that I always cathetor at least once a day, he was ok with that.

If you never empty your bladder completely, you run a greater risk of bladder infections.

Good luck on your continuing recovery.

[P.S. - I grew up in Benton Harbor Michigan and went to college in Kalamazoo -- now in California]

[Millard]

Steven K, on 21 July 2011 - 05:32 PM, said:

Hi guys,

So I've been recovering from a bad SCI for the last two months and I've started feeling urges to urinate (Thank God!). So far, I may only feel the urge to pee once or twice a day but when I feel the urge, I can void on my own by tensing up my stomach muscles (not really forcing too hard). After I pee spontaneously, I always stick a catheter in afterward to see if I got it all out. Today I measured about 70mL that I got out using a catheter after I peed on my own.

What does a normal person (AB) usually have left in their bladder sack after they pee?

If I consistently have 50-70mL remaining, will this hurt me in the long term?

Thanks!

Hello Steven,

I can void naturally but I have a residual of around 350 ml. My urologist said this is unacceptable and anything over 150 ml would be too much. I would love to void and have only 50-70 residual. You are okay with that amount. My volume is too much and is a breeding ground for uti's. Sadly, I must cath from now on to retain my health.


Good luck.

[Tinbasher]

Ask your urologist Steve, residual can become a chronic UTI which will do your kidneys no good at all.



Tin

[Tetracyclone]

Steve, Back when I still measured my residual would be anywhere between 80 and 110 ml. This was too much for my Doctor. My friend who has MS has residual of 60-80, your present range, and her doctor says it is ok not to cath. She gets bladder infections every year or 2.

You will notice that there will be much more residual when your intestines are loaded, so it is better to cath at those times. Talk to your doctor, and you may end up testing out different plans, like no cathing at night, or stopping to see what happens.

Right now you are borderline, but your ability may improve a bit, as you are still early in your recovery.

I cath more than was recommended to me simply because I get uncomfortable.

Best of luck to you.

[Steven K]

Thank you everyone for your quick replies! I learned a lot. I had a urologist appointment last week and won't have another for many months.

I've already had 1 UTI since I've been in recovery, hopefully I won't get any more, I am probably going to go with the plan where I void as much as I can and maybe cath when I feel I need to go and can't pee.

Being summer time it's very hard to tell when I SHOULD be going and when I NEED to be going. I'll drink tons of fluids and then think I should be cathing but when I go, barely any comes out and other times, I'll drink nothing and pee gallons... Anyways, best of luck to you all in recovery, hopefully all our bladders live long fulfilling lives!

[Steven K]

ZEN12many, on 21 July 2011 - 08:04 PM, said:

Hi Steven

I also am able to urinate BUT also cannot completely empty my bladder. My doctor advised that I also cathetor. When I told him that I always cathetor at least once a day, he was ok with that.

If you never empty your bladder completely, you run a greater risk of bladder infections.

Good luck on your continuing recovery.

[P.S. - I grew up in Benton Harbor Michigan and went to college in Kalamazoo -- now in California]

K College or Western? I bet work brought you out to California huh, Glad to meet another Michiganian