Doctors...Neurogenic bladder and self catheterization

[flatbutt]

Hey Docs...well my present treatment plan now includes self catheterization QID. Not fun. I have the technique down pretty well but I'm passing blood. Not alot but....my Uro says not to worry. But I am likely going to be doing this a long time. So am I damaging the urethra permanently?

[Drdogface]

I'm not a physician but am a Veterinarian. I would think your biggest risk would be infection but sounds like you already have one. The membranes you are dealing with heal very quickly but do avoid excess trauma and take all meds as prescribed. This can't be fun ! Take all precautions you can to be gentle on yourself and get a second opinion on the diagnosis and treatment !!

[genrex]

The short answer is that yes, the frequency of your catheterizations is causing trauma to your urethra, which results in the build-up of scar tissue over time.

The scar tissue will cause the urethra to get narrower at the sites of the scar tissue, and you will probably need an outpatient procedure every 1 - 5 years to dilate the urethra back to it's normal size (typically a size 22 - 24 catheter diameter). The outpatient procedure takes about 15 minutes. After a certain number of those procedures, most urologists will recommend that you get a shunt installed to replace the scarred areas of the urethra. I'll probably need to get a shunt down the road, also. For now, all I can suggest is to use plenty of the lidocaine anesthetic ointment, give it a good 10 minutes to work (if possible), and use a smaller-diameter catheter like a 14 French or a 16 French, because that will help minimize the pain, trauma, and scar tissue formation.

You can get a plastic syringe from your urologist, specially made to squirt the lidocaine ointment into your johnson. Then use your fingers to work the ointment down the shaft, to cover the inside of the urethra as much as possible. Maybe give it another squirt, what the heck. Also put a big dab of lidocaine ointment on the tip of the catheter. Every little trick helps. (By the way, ask the urologist for two of the special syringes, so you have an extra one.)

Hang loose, bro.

_

[on2wheels52]

You are a tough guy.
Jim

[flatbutt]

Thanks guys.

"hang loose"? Now that's funny!!!

[recycled sixtie]

Well I am not a medic. professional but I did have a catheter in place for 2 weeks. The only problem with blood in the urine was when it was plugging the top of the catheter and the urine would not drain. So they had to remove the old catheter and put in another one. It was painful for the nurse to put the catheter in and take it out. Yes you are a tough guy but u gotta do what u gotta do. My fil is 96 and he has a catheter in full time. I have an enlarged prostate and the psa level is one notch below non-acceptable levels. So far so good but I get 6 month
psa readings. Hang in there brother!

[greglepore]

Man, I feel your pain-did this for a while as while I was in the rehab hospital. No fun, but you gotta do...