Best type of catheter?

[Scaper1]

Hi all. For those with an in-dwelling catheter, have you found some types/ brands to be better than others?

I have an ongoing problem with sediment, despite having neither UTIs or stones, and I'm wondering if it's the catheter itself. All my urologist can suggest is going up a size in catheters (from 14 to 16), but I worry that this will just increase the irritation and sediment.

The sediment also tends to increase around each period, but I'm not sure what the connection is there.

[A-M Owen]

I too have had problems with producing too much sediment. My catheter size was eventually changed from a 14ch to a 16ch, this seemed to improve the situation, it certainly did not make the situation worse. Apart from the most obvious advice of increasing your fluid intake, introducing Cranberry Juice and or Cranberry Capsules there are a number of other suggestions you could discuss with your Urologist or Specialist Catheter Nurse. I have found Bard Biocath Hydrogel Coated Latex Long Term Foley Catheters as the best I have tried to date. There are a number of specialist 'catheter washout' solutions available eg.Bard Optiflo, available in three or four different formulations depending on the type of sediment you are producing. They are easy to use, without the need for professional supervision once you have been shown the procedure. My final thought is the possibility of your taking an 'bladder antispasmodic' eg. Detrusitrol (Tolerodine), you might find this or similiar beneficial if the accumulation of sediment causes your bladder to spasm and to 'by-pass'. hope you might find some of these ideas of help to you. Good luck.

[SCI-Nurse]

While catheters that are coated with silastic or teflon do accumulate less encrustations, for some people that is not enough. We are not sure why some people develop more of these that others, but the best way to manage this is to do a daily instillation (not irrigation) of the catheter with Renecidin solution. Ask your urologist about this. It will require a prescription.

Of course drinking plenty of fluids helps as well. If you have an indwelling catheter, you should be drinking a minimum of 3 quarts of water daily, ideally more.

(KLD)

[knowthill]

I went to the clear type, not that they plug up less just that I can see where it is plugged and I can fix it from there.

[Scaper1]

Thank you so much for the suggestions! I should probably have mentioned that I drink a lot, anywhere between 6-8 litres a day, mostly water or broths. I've been wondering if perhaps that's part of the problem - how much fluid intake is too much? I take extra salt to keep up a normal sodium level, but maybe that much water throws other things out of whack. Does anyone monitor their urine Ph? Does that make any difference? Or certain foods?

Thanks again, I really appreciate being able to discuss these problems with other women. :)

[nancygail]

I instill 30ml renecidin every other day ......it works no sediment.Also,I drink about a gallon of fluids daily.I wouldn't back off your fluid intake.

[Scaper1]

Thanks! My uro was down on the idea the last time I asked, but my GP can prescribe it I guess.