Urination

[waters3]

Hi All,

I have a question regarding peeing on your own; if possible. Do people with SCI ever urinate on their own. I was under the impression that people were cathed and this was the only way to urinate if you had no function below the site of your injury. For 4 months Anthony had a tube that was constantly in his penis and his urine would flow into a bag hanging on the side of the bed. At Jackson memorial they took out that tube and they would cath him every 4 hours (self cathing?). Two days ago he started urinating before they would cath him; thus the bed getting all wet. I was out of town when this started and they have been putting a condom on and the bag hanging on the bed in between their cathing him. He has had about 3-4 inches of urine collecting in the bag before they cath him every 4 hours. They said he has been urinating on his own. or are these just accidents. They said this is a good sign. I have not asked his Dr. yet about this. Any information if I understand this right please.

Cindy, tampa fl
mom to Anthony C4,5,6
inury 3/28/03
getting ready for rehab at Jackson Memorial

[Hope & Bill]

HI CINDY,
I AM NO EXPERT ON THIS,MY BOYFRIEND, A T-6 PARA HAS HAD THE EXCACT SAME URINARY EXPERIENCES AS ANTHONY.HE WAS PUT ON DITRAPAN TO PUT HIM IN URINARY RETENTION SO HE WON'T WET THE BED IN BETWEEN CATH'S, BUT SOMETIMES AFTER ONLY AN HOUR AFTER THE LAST CATH HE IS WET AGAIN.SINCE I WORK 12 HOURS SHIFTS (ON A PARAMEDIC UNIT), I HAVE TO SCRAMBLE TO FIND SOMEONE TO COVER ME SO I CAN RUN HOME AND CHANGE HIS BED, SHIRT, WASH HIM, ETC. HE HAS BEEN USING THE CONDOM THING ATTATCHED TO THE DRAINAGE BAG MORE AND MORE NOW, AS HE IS AFRAID OF ACCIDENTS BETWEEN CATHS. MAYBE YOU WILL HAVE BETTER LUCK WITH THE DITRAPAN, WE HAVE HAD IT INCREASED IN DOSAGE THREE TIMES WITH NO SUCCESS. GOOD LUCK, I'LL BE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE EXPERT'S ADVICE ALSO. TAKE CARE, HOPE

WE'RE HOPING FOR THE BEST

I'm a T4-6 complete para and i intermittent self-cathe. "trained" myself and bladder to about a 5-6 hour schedule. I can't say how the ditropan works because i've never had to use it. from what you wrote, it sounds more like "accidents" caused by bladder spasms or the internal plumbing releasing because of pressure. i've found i have leakage problems if i drink a lot of milk, developing a UTI, or forget and go longer than i should in between. although he'll want to keep his fluid intake up, watch how much though within a certain time period because it can cause the bladder to distend(overfill) and that can cause problems too if they're going to intermittent route. a lot more of this will probably be covered during rehab. don't be shy, ask questions and be pro-active on getting situations like this resolved while he's there. good luck.

free to be me

[SCI-Nurse]

It is likely that his bladder is changing neurologically, as often occurs during the first 1-2 years post injury. Has he had urodynamics yet there? If not, ask to have these done. Picking a method of bladder management without this in the long term is doing it blindly without the information to make the right choices.

Many people with SCI void reflexively. This does not necessarily indicate any neurologic return unless he has some voluntary control over it. It indicates that spinal shock is resolving though.

Using an external alone may be an option for him down the road as he will probably not be able to cath himself intermittently at his level unless he gets some more return. This should not be done without determining the internal bladder pressure, and this can only be done with urodynamics. Sometimes surgery is needed to reduce any outlet resistance. This can include sphincterotomy (permanent) or a urethral stent (permanent or temporary). Done in a modern hospital by expert urologists, both are minor surgical procedures. Temporary use of an external catheter between caths is OK for now to keep him dry until he can get the urodynamics done to determine the next course of management.

It is good that he has the indwelling catheter out, as this increases the risks for stones, UTIs and bladder stones.

(KLD)

[krstofer]

I "go on my own", but only after drinking way too much (soda) and them forgetting to cath for along time. (7-8+ hours)
Haven't any idea when I "need to go", I just pay attention to how much liquid I've had, and how long it's been since I last cathed.
"Accidents" still happen, of cource, especially if I haven't cathed in awhile and lean over frontwards. Instant wet pants.
As they say, everyone's different, so maybe Anthony can tell when he has to go, and be able to do it at will. For me, I just watch the clock.

http://krstofer.org

im a c4/5 inc i urinate on my own using a urinal, i began the same way your son is doing, have him pay attention, if he can feel he has to go thats the ticket.. ex if im driving down the expresway to work and have to pee i pull my car over and use the urinal, i cant hold it for long but i dont have accidents and only maybe 1 uti every 5-6 years. anything is better than cathing. i think it comes down to feeling knowing u have to go, i dont do any sort of bowel programs either, i know when i have to go then transfer on comode and go.
hope this helps

[joshstevens7]

Cindy,

its great to hear from you, sorry but i havent been on this site in a while. as you know i am going on my 5th month after my T6 accident and i am still working on the best urination theory. I cath every 4 to 5 hours during the day and 3 at night, cause i found that my ankles swell during the day sitting up and when i lay down they go down causing my bladder to fill up fast. i have accidents pretty much only at night, but its only when i feel i have an UTI. so I am fine when i start my UTI medication. I also have been drinking alot of cranberry juice. I still have my coke a day, and gatoraide. I do watch how much i drink and try to quit at least 3 hours before i go lay down. write me back and tell me how anthony is doing, since i havent seen him in a few months.
Things will get better. I am on great anti depressants and they have givin me motivation, hope, and energy. what jackson memorial gave me was not enough, it was only 20mg. i am on effexor 150mg now. take care
Josh stevens

Josh Stevens

[duge]

waters
when I was first in the hospital they had a cath in me for about 3 week's solid then removed it
then I went to a rehab I know I had control but I got really bad consitpated and they had me straing re hard to try to have a bowel movement Oh by the way at that time they did not know I had a t-12 burst fracture. anyway I lost it there at rehab I have completed a baldder retraing course and have had great success....... that self cathing ewwwwwwwh
I had to do it 2 3 times a day by myself That is one of the worst things you can have to do if you can feel it which I could... I wish Anthony GOOD LUCK and you too!!!!!!!!!!!