The truth about my bladder...

[swordfish]

Hey there,

I was in a c ar accident when I was very young. For over a decade I've done the exact same thing for all these years, what I've been taught;

Apply some lube on cath, insert cath -- every 3-4 hours. Forever.

for the past 4 months... I have been unable to urinate or cath properly. When I try to insert the cath, there is a lot of resistance... at this point, I am lucky if I get the catheter in -- I usually have to wait until SECONDS before the urine comes out on its own, and thats when I shove the catheter (dribbling some on the way) so it has really ruined my way of life. Which is funny, since problem after problem keeps coming.

I am not really experiencing symptoms of a full-blown uti (fever, you guys know the rest)

instead... it is just a very very frequent urination problem. And when I do urinate it is like 250ML and often. It is also cloudy.

I don't really know what to do. I have a lot of other problems... lol, I guess I'll make other threads as time goes by.

for now this is my bladder problem thread! wtf is the problem? my doc just keeps prescribing antibiotics, and sometimes they check and the urine is not infected.

so what is happening here?

I read a few pages of the microcyn thread... is that my solution? is that what is happening to me?

I appreciate it...

[TomRL]

It may be time for a consult with a urologist familiar with SCI.

[JoeMonte]

I would agree with Tom and go see a good Urologist. You should have a dynamics test done once a year anyway. Sometimes i have a hard time too and urine is cloudy. It can be from not drinking enough or medication/ vitamins. They will cloud it up too. Good luck.

[gjnl]

Hi "Swordfish,"
When was the last time you had a full urinary workup: urodynamics study, ultrasound, cystoscopy, urine anaylsis, (C&S) culture and sensitivity (if the urologist is just dispensing antibiotics without a C&S it is not helpful and can be dangerous, because you can develop resistance to the antibiotics)?
What kind of catheter are you using? Many people find a coude tip catheter easier to insert.
Are you taking any anticholinergics, i.e, ditropan, oxybutynin, detrol etc? You may be having bladder spasms that cause you to feel like you have a full bladder. These drugs calm the spasms.
You may have some urethral damage or erosion that is making inserting the catheter difficult.
You may want to talk with a neurogenic bladder specialist about alternatives to intermittent catheterization, i.e., Botox injections, supra pubic catheter etc.

Hope you can find someone who is competent and will to work with you.

All the best,
GJ

[Ragersilver]

Whatever you choose to do always ask any specialist have they any experience with SCI patients,if they haven't your wasting your time.......

[McDuff]

If you haven't tried them yet, I highly recommend uisng a hydrophyllic catheter for awhile. I occasionally have that resistance too, and by using a hydro cath a few times it seems to go away, then the normal caths work well again.

[Solorider]

I've been having the exact same issues the last couple of years. Had a procedure to streatch the urethra which worked for a while, then I got on to "coude tip catheters" they go in way better and I now rarely have a problem. Try the Amci brand.

[SCI-Nurse]

You need to see a urologist, have urodynamics, see if you have an infection, do you have spasms of sphincter?(this is common)stricture? Try using more gel
CWO

[swordfish]

MY FRIENDS, PLEASE READ AND HELP ME DEAL WITH THIS!

Last year I deferred my education because I was self-conscious about my weight. I've overcome that issue. Now, school starts in a few weeks... and I think I am going to defer again. The problem is with my bladder, it is out of control!

I have had urodynamics and all the urology tests done. The result is that everything is okay, except for the fact that I have an "overactive bladder"

the nurse who reviewed my file said that there was nothing I could do and it was part of the SCI life and I had to take such medications as ditropan to control it.

Additionally, I have done urine samples and I do not have a UTI.

So what is this? why after a decade do I have to use a medication to control my bladder?

what do I do?

as it is right now, I am not taking any medications. I have ditropan left, but the side-effects were (very severe drymouth, and constipation, amongst others) and those 2 alone were enough to stop it.

I catheterize -- maybe every 2 hours now. I don't even count. I am not able to go (unless I'm lucky) unless it is MOMENTS before (or after) I have begun to urinate. So I often end up leaking and changing my pants.... I can't go to school like this!

it just feels like im falling apart... its as if this shitty sci life is not enough... IM TRYING TO DEAL WITH IT, IS IT TOO MUCH TO ASK TO BE "HEALTHY" AS I DEAL WITH IT?

thanks guys...

[gjnl]

The bladder changes over time. What was normal for you ten years ago is not going to be the same now. That is just what happens with neurogenic bladders. I was in a similar position to yours most of last year. I was having to be cathed every 2 hours, the bladder didn't hold much urine, and I just didn't have a life outside my home. I consulted with my urologist about a number of procedures and selected the most conservative approach, a supra pubic catheter (SP). I have the outpatient surgery in June, and have been very pleased with the results, a new sense of freedom, and confidence that I can leave the house and not have to return in an hour or so to cath.

I would suggest talking to your urologist about alternatives to cathing. Meanwhile, search this site and the internet for supra pubic catheter. There is a ton of information here. Many people on this website have had the procedure and found literally a new life.

All the best,
GJ

[Grange]

I agree with other posters that you need to seek counsel with another uruologist. One that is very knowledgable on SCI!!!!!

[russianboss]

i used to have similar issue while taking Ditropan XL, constant leakage and crazy urge to pee when i just peed an 1 hour ago. After all the test switched to oxybutynin 10ml 3 times daily, works great, first the dry mouth was uncomfortable but controllable with water, battled constipation by adding lots of fruits and vegetables into my diet. Now if i have cloudy urine i drink mineral water/water, cranberry/pomegranate juice lots of it, my bladder is no longer leaking and dry mouth is a lot better, hopefully it remains as is. Hopefully you will find something that works for you.

[tarheelandy]

Swordfish,
I can totally relate. I've had the "pefect bladder" for the 3 1/2 yrss since my accident. Last week, one day it just totally change! Wednesday, I am normal, Thursday I am having accidents. Continued for another day and became a mess. After soaking bed, chair, et, we decided go buy a foley. I have had one in for two days and am not at all happy about it! Feel like I have lost some independence (as I'm sure you do). I have an appt scheduled with a Urologist in Jan. but meanwhile, am stuck with the bag (which hangs down out of my pants..). Good luck to you with your struggle!

[gjnl]

Swordfish,
I can totally relate. I've had the "pefect bladder" for the 3 1/2 yrss since my accident. Last week, one day it just totally change! Wednesday, I am normal, Thursday I am having accidents. Continued for another day and became a mess. After soaking bed, chair, et, we decided go buy a foley. I have had one in for two days and am not at all happy about it! Feel like I have lost some independence (as I'm sure you do). I have an appt scheduled with a Urologist in Jan. but meanwhile, am stuck with the bag (which hangs down out of my pants..). Good luck to you with your struggle!

Hi "Andy,"
While you are waiting for an appointment with your urologist or if you find that you will be using a foley or going to a supra pubic catheter, take a look at this leg bag holder (there are others, but I like this one the best).
http://urocare.com/products/FabricLegBagHolders.php

All the best,
GJ

[swordfish]

I cant use a condom cath because my penis retracts to much and slips off.

I'm not willing to do any type of surgery (re; suprapubic cath) because I hope to someday walk again haha

[wheels09]

I cant use a condom cath because my penis retracts to much and slips off.

I'm not willing to do any type of surgery (re; suprapubic cath) because I hope to someday walk again haha

I hope we all walk again someday. The supra pubic surgery is easily reversible.I know,I had one years ago. Just remove the cath and it heals leaving a small round scar.

[DaleB]

I've run into symptoms very similar. After a few years caths stop going in easily. Switched to hydrophilic caths and that solved it. Then I went from being able to hold ~500cc before spasm voiding down to about 200cc. Ditropan, max dose, didn't help. I enrolled in the Allergan Botox study and my problems were solved. Botox and hydro catheters are what got me back on track.

[swordfish]

And the rest of you?
Feeling kinda hopeless