Neobladder tip of the day

joel wrote:
Joel, most must cath for a while to make sure you are voiding completely.
I must cath to ensure a urethral stricture stays open.
Bust of luck with you upcoming proceedure.

Jim

Some urologic oncologists as a routine teach their neobladder patients to catheterize and some of these want them to periodically cath to ensure that he bladder is adequately emptied. Inadequately emptied bladders lead to infections. Other urologic oncologists do nor require catheterization, unless their patients have trouble completely emptying the neobladder. One of the things than can lead to an inability to completely empty is allowing the neobladder to distend to too great a volume. Most want the end volume to be no greater than about 500 cc. When the neobladder is overdistended it tends to become somewhat floppy and allow pockets of urine to remain when attempting to empty. Oops, missed that Mike had already answered. I can say that I have experienced the GK Line weight lifting leak. Fortunately, I sweat so much no one would know. Best to all,

jj

Joel,

Some people never have to catheterize. I did not at the beginning for quite a while. At first, I was able to empty completely. Over time, I wasn't able to empty much and had a LOT of residual.

Then I had another surgery and the nurses weren't checking the urine output of my foley catheter. The mucous from the neobladder had apparently clogged the catheter and my neobladder got stretched out to over 1000cc. Once it gets that big, it can be really hard to empty (and I can't) so catheterization is required.

Now, when I need surgery of any kind that would require a catheter being inserted, I bring condom catheters with me. That way I don't have to worry about the Foley getting clogged. Remember that for the future. If you ever need a catheter, either make sure it is posted everywhere and make sure you tell EVERYBODY that you have a neobladder, which creates mucous and could clog a Foley. It must be checked regularly and flushed if required to be sure it does not clog, overstretch your neobladder and cause backup to the kidneys. It can be very dangerous. For women with neobladders, I think they should post a HUGE sign over the bed and have someone write on the whiteboard that the catheter bag must be checked for proper output every two hours.

This doesn't apply so much to the cystectomy surgery because they will be checking and flushing regularly. The stuff I mention above applies to surgery of any kind that you get later. You would be surprised how many nurses AND doctors don't understand the special considerations when dealing with neobladders.

If you even have to catheterize ever, it might be only once per day or once every few days. It's an unknown and your urologist will figure that out by doing scans of your neobladder after you empty to see if you are able to completely empty.

You could start doing the kegel exercises now. They strengthen the pelvic floor muscles which are the muslces used to regain continence after the surgery and the muscles used to go when you want to.

This link will take you to some good exercises that Humpy (Jim) posted a while back. medicalcenter.osu.edu/PatientEd/Materials/PDFDocs/exer-reh/physical/IncontinenceExerProg.pdf

The thing about self cathing is, once the prostate is gone, it is a piece of cake. It used to bother me getting cystos before getting the prostate removed but without that prostatic sphincter, no problem at all. I know I thought "What the heck? I don't think I could self cath EVER!". Turns out to be no big deal.

Good luck on the surgery!

Mike

Newbie question about catheterizing your neobladder since I still have my original equipment (for another 8 days)

Why would you need to do that?

Did I miss the avatar thing? Why wasn't I in the loop?

GKLINE wrote:
We beat cancer, leaking is a minor issue.

We are all going to leak eventually.

Having this website not reply to my emails about my
screwed up Avatar is a HUGE issue!!!!!!!!!!!! lol