[Q-Continuum]

I am a C4 Quadriplegic and have been using a foley catheter since 1989. I did intermittant catherization from 1983-1989 but the autonomic dysrefexia in between caths was so intense I went nuts. The foly catheter fixed my dysreflexia for a long time but then the bladder infections started causing the dysreflexia to return. The cat and mouse game of treating infections is still a pain in the rear end!

1) Drink 2-3 litres of water a day
2) Once a month for 3-5 days take high doses of Vitamin C (3000milligrams)
3) Every now and then I put vinegar in my water
4) Clean night and leg bags with diluted borax/Javex types of bleach
5) Change catheter frequently
6) Antibiotics :-(

When a urinalisis test shows restitance to antibiotics such as macrobid, septra, cippro, and once or twice to garamycin I really get worried because the dysreflexia is so painful.



Any new antibiotics on the scene?
What methods of prevention do you guys/gals use?

Opinion and ideas are greatly appreciated.

Thank You

Dwayne



P.S.

When I watch Star Trek I usally forget I am paralyzed!



Q

[Q-Continuum]

oh yeah!

Thank you for letting me join your forum


Dwayne

[kanga2433]

This is from a while ago but I would suggest the use of supra-pubic catheter (SPC). The small procedure to create a hole from the lower abdomen into the bladder is minimal and afterwards, if you are like me, you can enjoy free drainage and no more infections. I have tried the urethral catheter and it become infected within a day. MY SPC has now been in place for 19 weeks and has been no problem at all; it should have been changed at 12 weeks but with holidays and the urologist's holidays it's gone longer.

It's worth a chat to the doctor about.