Looking for advice on urinary track infections,,

Hi Ed,
I havent been on here for a while, so I just saw your post now. I was wondering how you were doing as you hadnt posted for a while. I am really sorry to hear of the problems you are having. I hope this all clears up for you soon. After reading Jims post, I would think your neo will go back to normal size like his did. Anyway, hang in there and know that we are all pulling for you.
Wishing you ther best,
KC

Ed, I had a retention infection about a year ago as well.
I spent 5 days in the hospital on every antibiotic known to man.
At one time they cathed out 1000 cc as well. Since then I have been able to void OK. I have a stricture (scar tissue at Neo to Urethra connection) that requires me to cath every other day. I was worried about a floppy stretched out Neo as well. My Neo seems to be fine, and after voiding my cath amounts are under 100 cc, which is where you want to be. Usually about 40-50cc.
If you are having trouble going, maybe you have a stricture as well.
As far as cathing, use what is comfortable. FR14, 16, what ever works best for you. Lube them up good. It is much easier if you don't have a prostate as well. Baird French tip 14 works best for me. I have a prescription for four a month, so like Mike after a week (3 uses) they are tossed. Good luck, and yes, seek help from your professional.

Just a minor set back. Keep the big picture in mind.
Jim

Ed,

By the way, if I was you I wouldn't cancel my vacation unless the doctor says to.

To be on the safe side, you should probably self cath. Here is how to tell. Go all you can normally. When your sure you can't get any more out, use the catheter. I use a 16 French. It has bigger holes and a larger diameter so mucous can pass and so you don't spend 10 minutes doing it. I found a 14 to be just too small for me. Took too long.

If your infection is gone now, you should be ok.
Depending on the water and sanitary conditions you are in, you can wash the red rubber catheters with soap and water. I use mine for a week and then toss them in the trash.

Other people only use them once and toss them. If I were camping or something I would toss each one but usually I am at home, a client's office or in a hotel where soap sanitary conditions are fine.

Always carry spares just in case. I usually have a couple in my briefcase and I carry my 'in use' catheter in a little half-sandwich size zip log bag with the litte 3 gram gel pack.


Mike

Ed,

So sorry to hear about your troubles.

I am glad that something I said was helpful though.

I did not have an infection like you so my situation is different. For me, it just kept getting harder and harder to empty and so I wound up self cathing every time I go.

I did have a blocked Foley when I was in the hospital for a hernia repair and intestinal repair (had a kink at the resection point). That caused me to stretch to over 1000cc also.

I just cath every time. I can go a little on my own but not enough to make it worth my while. I can hold it a lot longer now though.

You definately want to get in touch with your neobladder surgeon and explain everything that happened. Do this right away if you haven't already.

Mike

So sorry Ed...the symptoms you had are classic with the neobladder for retention. Someone should have recognised it..but i'm glad you did and thanks to Mike.
The mechanism of incontinence and retention after orthotopic neobladder diversion can vary. Carefully performed urodynamic and endoscopic assessments can define the underlying etiology and may serve as a guide for proper treatment selection.
So you do need a follow up with your surgeon to determine what the problem is.
Holding 1100 cc's is really a lot and one would hope you now don't have a "floppy" bladder.
Having the foley in 48 hrs doesn't help with bacteria..i don't know why they didn't just have you self cath? There are new guidelines on the use of catheters in hospitals due to the high infection rates.
Hopefully your surgeon is a good one and can figure this out.
Pat