[rdtoot]

Does anybody here have problems with there SPC stopping up? I've had mine about 3 months and its constantly stopping up so bad I have to change it.. I'm having to constantly change it every week now. Its like clockwork every 7 days it stops up. I started with a 14f and I'm up to a 18f catheter now and it still does it... I have a whole lot of setament it my urine (which they say is normal) But I have a ton of it and thats whats stopping it up I think..

If I irrigate it everyday it don't just stop up all at once it just slowly stops draining right until it quits draining all together. If I don't irrigate it at all then 7 days later out of nowhere it will just stop up.. And once it stops up theres now unstopping it by irrigating it. Once its stopped up it has to be changed.

Is there anyone else thats had this problem? Anybody have any tips on how to stop it from stopping up?

[russ1]

Are you drinking enough - you need to be drinking at least 3 litres of clear liquid every day - you should output not less than 2.5 litres daily. If you're drinking less than this then upping your output should help.

Other than that I can't help I'm afraid - had my SPC for about 3 years now and it's never 'stopped up' yet but I do drink like a very thirsty thing to help prevent blockages.

This post has been edited by russ1: 24 July 2006 - 12:12 PM

[DaveP]

I had a similar problem years ago and had the catheter tested by a lab to see what the sediment was - it was Urid Acid cyrstals (this also causes Gaut and Kidney Stones).

If you're producing excessive amounts of uric acid, look at what you eat and drink to see what's contributing to this. Apart from that, without a doubt, drinking plenty of water (not tea, coffee, orange juice, etc) is the answer.

Do a search online for info and see if it helps you to identify what you're consuming that's causing this (if it's uric acid, of course).

[rdtoot]

I drink ALOT of water. A few of my freinds even say I drink like a fish so I'm sure my problem is not my lack of water consumtion.. It may be uric acid. I get a boatload of kidney stones. I have to have some kind of kidney stone surgery about every year to year and a half. I'm going to my urologist Aug 1st so I think I'll get some of it out of my cath before I go and have them test it..

Thanks for the idea DaveP

[brackman22]

I've had my SP since '91. First of all I would get rid of the doc that said your excessive sediment is normal. Some is, but not what you explain. I have 22f. I guess that is a bit larger than normal. I've surprised more than one nurse. I flush mine twice a day a rarely get plugged up. I used to before flushing.

I think you're doing everything right. Just remember: You know your body better than anyone else. And with that comes responsibility. I always second guess and look up info concerning what docs have done or said. I'm 39 but still have to wrestle with the men and women with their pious shingles on the wall.

Good idea about the sample. They are not going to want it (trust me) so be sure you explain WHAT it is you wanted them to see. If they want you to give another be sure to give them what you want.

Good Luck

[Zeuss1953]

I don't know if this might help you or not. I don't use a SPC, but I do use an indwelling cath all the time.
One time my Urologist Prescribed Teflon Coated Caths, and within 3-7 days it was plugged up solid also.
We decided I was allergice to the Teflon coated Caths, and they made the bladder produce excess amounts of a film which once inside the cath, eventually plugged it up. I switched to caths that are Lubricious Coated, andproblem ended. I change it once a month now. Hope it helps. Good Luck/
Zeuss

[Stacybaby]

DaveP, on Jul 24 2006, 12:35 PM, said:

I had a similar problem years ago and had the catheter tested by a lab to see what the sediment was - it was Urid Acid cyrstals (this also causes Gaut and Kidney Stones).

If you're producing excessive amounts of uric acid, look at what you eat and drink to see what's contributing to this. Apart from that, without a doubt, drinking plenty of water (not tea, coffee, orange juice, etc) is the answer.

Do a search online for info and see if it helps you to identify what you're consuming that's causing this (if it's uric acid, of course).

Dave...I self cath (in and out), but have had to have a Foley catheter in me for a few months now, and have been wondering what these yellow crystals (that just started this last month) are that keep stopping me up as well. Of course, everyone keeps saying it's normal. But, I have never had "sediment" like this before. I drink plenty of water.

What caught my eye about your post is you said "sediment was - it was Urid Acid cyrstals (this also causes Gaut and Kidney Stones). I went and read the information on "gaut" for had no idea what it was, and my left knee is so swollen. My feet and legs are as well, but my knee is horrible. My home-health nurse says it's normal, BUT that I should see a urologist. So, either she doens't know, or she does know something and is keeping it from me.

I am curious, have you conquered this problem, and if so, how??? I am really sick of going to doctor's.

~Stacy