Ed,
I did the same thing as you for about 30 years. Condom catheter with legbag.
Then my bladder stopped emptying completely and I had an extended bladder and a
bunch of UTIs.
Got the suprapubic and was immediately glad I did that, Although I did get one
really bad UTI About six months after the suprapubic. I've had it now for about
seven years and wish I had done it 30 years ago. I don't have issues with
autonomic dysreflexia when I change it monthly. The only time I have an issue
with that is if it gets clogged, which doesn't happen very often. Maybe once a
year or less.
I do an irrigation every morning with a very diluted betadine solution. I have
gone a year and a half without a UTI since doing these daily irrigations. Let
me know if you want more details on that.
The only other thing I would mention about the suprapubic is that my site bled
a bit for at least 6 months. It wasn't much blood, but just be aware that it
does take a while for that to heal. And keep the site as clean as possible.
I don't know about you but when I use the condom caths there was always the
chance of leaking. Sometimes they came off completely. I would be out with
friends and look down and see a puddle in my lap--my night was ruined. With the
suprapubic that is the thing in the past. What a joy!
Anyhow, good luck with it.
Don.C5-6 Tempe, AZ
On Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 01:02:55 PM MST, Eric Olson
<[email protected]> wrote:
I have had a supra pubic catheter for more than 30 years now. Super simple.
No bladder tapping, no straight cathing every 4 to 6 hours, just empty the bag
as needed. Catheter changes are much easier than changing a foley catheter.
It's easier on your caregivers too. The downside is indwelling catheters can
make you more susceptible to uti's. This is something I have struggled with
over the years. I haven't ever had problems with dysreflexia because of the
supra - not even with catheter changes
On Wed, Nov 20, 2024 at 6:46 PM Edward Tessier <[email protected]> wrote:
Hi team,
I've used an external condom and leg bag for 40 years. My attendant taps and
pushes on my bladder to get it to empty. However, the sphincters at the base of
my bladder are no longer opening properly, triggering a lot of dysreflexia. My
urologist now wants to put in a Supra pubic catheter.
Has anybody else been using this system? What have been the pros and cons for
you?
I cannot use a Foley catheter regularly. I've had so much damage from kidney
stones over the years it triggers some really horrible urethral burning.
The doctor mentioned treating those sphincters with Botox injections, but does
not have experience janelle if this is a good option for populations like ours.
As anybody else looked into or tried this option?
Thanks guys for any advice you can give me
Ed TessierC5 - 6, 40 years post injury
