3 replies to this topic

[shaynababy]

After many years of constant UTI's I have been told by the urologist and Infectious Disease docs that it is time to consider a different approach to emptying my bladder. The urologist presented me with 4 choices, 2 involve wearing a bag and the other 2 would involve creating a new bladder in me.
Needless to say although I am anxious to see a change in the constant UTI's, I am pretty nervous about having this surgery done. I was hoping to get some feedback here.

Right now I have a supra pubic tube.

Hope everyone out there is keeping themselves warm in this deep freeze! Never fear Spring will get here.

[icarus_melt76]

Hi shayna.....over the years different things have been suggested or offered by different Urologists. Other specialists (ha ha) have said surgery is the 'only' way to go about the problem. Keep in mind this is all from personal experience...31 years next month. Try anything, and give it a good long try before even considering the knife. I finally resolved myself to anything BUT surgery because of the following.

After being reassured about their expertise, track record and wonderful history with that particular surgery, it still comes down to you signing your life away then (as with me) finding out one of his lackies was actually cutting while he observed, or didn't in one case. Even small procedures can leave you with almost any problem not anticipated. From pressure sores while recuperating in bed, to ending up with more problems than before. Remember we don't heal up very fast, they're always yelling about understaffing, etc. To kill some wicked leg spasms early in my quad career, this 'SUPERMAN NEUROSURGEON' said he had performed a remedial procedure (cut L2 to S-1) 'countless times' in 'all' the big cities in North America without incident. Everthing but a written guarantee! I agreed....the spasms were pulling me right out of the chair.

The rest was mostly told to me by a nurse (friend from highschool) who had assissted in the O.R. The quick fix took about SEVEN hours. She said this guy didn't even touch the scalpal but in a confusing manner told his prodegy/lackey/student/intern where and what next. Needless to say, there was almost no change in spasms. After a few weeks face down with sutures healing on lower spine, a brilliant physio came telling me it was time to get in the chair and start getting some strength back. I argued with him about giving things more time. No! Got up for a hour or so, pushing gently up and down the hall. Third day of this when the doctor comes buy on his rouinds and informs me the stitches had all ripped through the tissue. SWEET!! They basically threw in the towel and shipped me back to quad school by ambulance, to heal there. SEVEN FUC%#$G WEEKS ON MY FACE. The summer was gone, the spasms were still breaking foot boards and was told my signature would keep me from going to court. Couple years later I started finding pressure points that would stop a spasm in its tracks. Can't impress upon you enough........surgery is way down the list as an option. NO TURNING BACK! Good luck.

[shaynababy]

Icarus,

Thank you for sharing your experience. Sorry you had such a difficult time.

I agree whole heartedly with you that I should be extra cautious before letting anyone do surgery on me. As I was reading through some of the old posts on this web site I took note of the topic "Cystistat To Treat Uti's" by 'alan' posted on Jan. 18, 2007. After following the links for "Cystistat" and doing some further research on this product I have decided to bring some notes along with me to my next doctors appt. in a week or so. I realize that my infections are alot more frequent than 4 times a year but who knows, any chance to stay away from surgery is worth looking into!

Shayna

[icarus_melt76]

Thanks for listening. Best of luck.