Catheters

[Jan]

I think I want to go this route, I sit here and my day revolves around needing the loo but waiting for carers to come in and assist, hospice day is Wednesday and my MND nurse will be there, carers think it is a good idea, OT thinks it is a good idea and will save my energy by not having to keep transferring. Does anyone here have one and how do you find it? I doubt at the stage I am at that they will do the supra catheter as my breathing is not too good. I have found that I am not drinking enough to the point of dehydration because of this issue

[Ellie]

Hi Jan,

I don't have a catheter but...

If you think it'll reduce your stress levels and is less hassle, go for it. UTI infections are inevitable with catheters, but there are some with silver alloy antibacterial tips and/or with hydrogel which are said to lessen frequency of UTIs.

Restricting your fluid intake because you may need the loo when a carer isn't around isn't sustainable, which you know. I admire you for being proactive, not to mention being brave!

They are easily removed, so if you hate it, you can have it removed.

Suprapubics can be placed using local anaesthetic or an epidural, allowing use of BiPAP if necessary. If you opt for a suprapubic, check beforehand that a nurse can change it in your own home or hospice, rather than it being a hospital-only job.

Love Ellie.

[pete]

Hi Jan,

Just read your post after several hospital stays thanks to sepsis, uti ,constipation it was suggested I try one ,now I had a catheter before for two weeks so knew the limitations ,but then having all the faffing around with bottles and having limited time before needing to pee I gave in and bad one fitted ,utterly brilliant, whatever minus points there are the freedom is wonderful and the renal service that supplies the bits are outstanding ,so no hesitation go for easy to fit easy to remove if it's not suiting your needs good luck and don't worry the stress relief is amazing

Regards
Pete
X

[Barry52]

Hi Pete,

I'm saddened to hear you have been in hospital and I hope you are feeling better now (well you know what I mean in the context of life with MND).

Sorry to bump your thread Jan. Take Pete's advice and remove the stress.

Best wishes,

Barry x

[Ellie]

Blimey Pete, you've had a rough time; Sepsis is no walk in the park I hope you've recovered well.

Good to hear of your positive experience with a catheter.

Take care,
Love Ellie.

[Terry]

Good to hear from you Pete;

But what an awful time you been through and I hope that you are well now. My uncle has used catheters and says that the silver tipped ones cause a lot less problems.

I guess that you tried the condom one like ones first.

Love \Terry

[pete]

Hi Pete,

I'm saddened to hear you have been in hospital and I hope you are feeling better now (well you know what I mean in the context of life with MND).

Sorry to bump your thread Jan. Take Pete's advice and remove the stress.

Best wishes,

Barry x

Hi Barry,

Yes mate, a lot better than I had been the previous three. Months I mistook a high temp which in our house the bride feels thecold so anything under 80 dregs the heating goes on , so the shivering and fluid retention of a nearly two litres watching that drain via the catheter then several bags of broad spectrum anti biotics and god knows what else , I felt a lot better I'm amazed I never knew I was ill but the hospital were brilliant so a huge thanks to them at Walsall .Manor ,you don't have to explain the well wishes we know well what you mean matie.

Petex

[pete]

Blimey Pete, you've had a rough time; Sepsis is no walk in the park I hope you've recovered well.

Good to hear of your positive experience with a catheter.

Take care,
Love Ellie.

How's Ellie

Thanks ,no your right I had no idea what sepsis was but amazed how quick it takes you down and how rubbish you feel,equally how quick you recover if you get prompt and correct medical intervention ,so how are you ?,

I still think that constipation played its part and judging the laxatives dose isn't easy but movicol seems to have resolved those problems ,what a time for the biobidet to go wrong.

Look after yourself Ellie

Xx much love

[pete]

Good to hear from you Pete;

But what an awful time you been through and I hope that you are well now. My uncle has used catheters and says that the silver tipped ones cause a lot less problems.

I guess that you tried the condom one like ones first.

Love \Terry

Hi Terry,

Thank you mate ,I still look in and read your posts, don't know about silver tipped catheter they never asked just popped one in, have to admit it helps when you go out for the day. No more struggling to use a bottle or worse being just seconds too late,if I meet the idiot who told me that mnd don't affect the waterworks or number 2s dept in fact everything can be affected either directly or as a result of mnd absolutely everything it comes down to how unlucky you are and we all must have upset a load of really important lemons ,to have deserved this

[Ellie]

I'm good Pete thanks. Kids are back in school, so mummy's a tad lonely!!

Where would be without Movicol

Love Ellie.

[miranda]

Hi Jan,

Just read your post after several hospital stays thanks to sepsis, uti ,constipation it was suggested I try one ,now I had a catheter before for two weeks so knew the limitations ,but then having all the faffing around with bottles and having limited time before needing to pee I gave in and bad one fitted ,utterly brilliant, whatever minus points there are the freedom is wonderful and the renal service that supplies the bits are outstanding ,so no hesitation go for easy to fit easy to remove if it's not suiting your needs good luck and don't worry the stress relief is amazing

Regards
Pete
X

Hi Pete

I don't check in every day now, so have only just seen your post. Sorry to hear you have been having such a rough time. You sound positive now so hopefully you will have a bit of a plateau ahead. Keep cheerful. Xxx

[Guest]

Are there any ladies on here with catheters? I too am so fed up of relying on others and I don't always want to go when the carers come. This is mainly a problem when my husband goes to work. My mum stays with me those days and sometimes she ends up having to take me to the loo. I'm not comfortable with her doing it as she is 78 and I don't want to cause her any stress..

[Bernie]

Hi Pink,
Sadly I haven't got a catheter yet. I have been waiting for one since last August,when I finale got my appointment the nurse thought I was there for a urethral catheter. I told him that at the previous appointment i was supposed to be getting a suprapubic flip flow type which my district nurse advised me to get. So he said he would organise a new appointment for me.

Up to now no new appointment even though my palliative nurse rang up in December to see if one was heading my way.

I've been told by the District nurses that the first two changes have to be done in hospital then after the nurses can do them.

I really need this doing like you I'm sick of having to be hoisted back and forth so often during the day .

Best wishes Bernie xxx

[Kayleigh]

Hi Pink,

I feel for you because sometimes the things that we used to take for granted, such as getting to the bathroom easily, can now cause us a lot of stress and worry. I don't have a catheter, but I think that you are doing a very positive thing by considering it.

I am up for considering anything that will hopefully make my life easier and less stressful, but understandly you want to make an informed decision about whether a catheter is right for you. Hopefully other ladies on this forum, who have more knowledge and/or experience than me, will be able to offer you the re-assurance you need to make a decision that's right for you.

I hope that something can be sorted out for you soon, so that hopefully the issue will be resolved and your worries will be eased.

Thinking of you,
Love
Kayleigh x