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Training neo bladder
Well Thursday will be the big day,the Foley catheter comes out. So my work on getting it up to speed will be up to me. When you all say it wets does the hole pouch unload or does it just leak out as needed, Just want to be prepared. At night now I am drinking a lot all day. I slow down a little at night. I am putting out about 1200 to 1300 ML I think that is pretty close to a cc. That would mean in 8 hours I would have to get uo 6 times. Any info you neo folks can give me would be great. Thanks Don
Hanging in there!8 Replies-
There you go sell them the idea or do it yourself. I think its a great Idea. I go every 3 to 4 hours day or night no pads no dipers. Every so often a very small leak if I drink to much or lot of salt in some soups/ Don
Hanging in there!
I only wear the diapers at night, as I have trained my neobladder with urinations every two-three hours.
As I am on Medicare, they only pay for the tab style types.To make this funny, I would hope they start making some fun ones…like Underoos, with cartoon characters and cool stuff printed on them. I’d buy some Tazmanian Devil ones!javascript:void(0);
Joe, I have the underpants style diapers, They just slip on like underpants and have tabs on the side for adjustments. If you like, I’ll find the exact brand and name. I tried the others and they are much less user-friendly.
Depends, CVS, and others sell “man guards” pads too, specifically meant for male inconentience. I have the poise pads too and am using them up before trying others.
Mike
Michael
Age 58
Stage T2-T3, muscle invasive
Married to Eileen
2 sons, ages 20 and 23
One of the factors, with leaking, is the pain meds. They relax the entire body, and I think you can leak easier on the meds, than off them.
One thing about the diaper, is putting it on.
Most people actually use the same procedure they use with an infant.
I found a better way.
I open the diaper, put it behind me- where I want it on my lower back, and then LEAN AGAINST A WALL… to hold it up.
Then bring up the front part, and do the tape tab thing.
It seems easier to do, than lying down.I’m not sure what ‘techniques’ others have used….but this worked for me.
Pilot, after my surgery, they said to try Poise pads, during the day, just in case. They didn’t really have capacity…if you know what I mean.
I’d suggest making yourself urinate every two to three hours certainly will reduce leaking.It’s like learning to ride a bicycle, except his one has wheels that do in different directions, and the handle bars are backwards. LOL
Good luck, and glad you’re pro-active.
Being ahead of the game, beats trying to play catch up.
Yesterday was my first trial run, Went well, Most of what you said was how it went for me. The passing bas is a an issue I need to learn this, I woke up every 2 hors to pee, But last time I went 2 3/4 hours and peed 250 cc. Some muciin that so it was most likly about 200 cc of urin. My doda is so happy mr cathiter is out.I did cath myself per DR oder before bed and after avoid mabr 3o cc came out. Don
Hanging in there!
Don,
When my catheter was removed and the tech said “where’s your diaper”, It really hit me and I thought “Wow, I’m going to need that for the rest of my life”…not a great thought. Actually I use pads now during the day so I guess I was wrong, but it was a strange moment.
No the whole thing doesn’t unload, but it comes out slowly at first and often..maybe every 15 minutes to an hour. You feel it coming, a few drips come out, and usually have time to make it to the bathroom for most of the pee because you’re home. The only time you might soak yourself is at night and I tried to wake up everytime I felt it, so i was never really really soaked, though I was exhausted. The real problem for me at night is that sometimes the urine doesn’t come out “straight” and I wet the side of the diaper…very annoying.
The change is gradual and somehow before long you can go 1 hour then 2 hours, etc., during the day. I’m 8-9 weeks post op (11/5 RC date), and wear a little pad during the day and a Diaper at night. I started working the end of last week and am 90% dry during the day, with only an occasional dribble. Again you feel it coming and make sure you get to a bathroom soon. To be a little gross…farting is dangerous because it makes you pee…make sure you’re on the toilet.My Urologist has a Physicians Assistant who is giving me bio-feedback to work on my pelvic floor muscles. I’m supposed to tighten my pelvic floor and not tighten my abdomen. It’s not easy! Anyway I’m doing the kegels and I guess it’s working.
Good Luck with your new stage of life!
Mike
Michael
Age 58
Stage T2-T3, muscle invasive
Married to Eileen
2 sons, ages 20 and 23
Thanks tim that is all great advice,I am leaving now for the Doc to remove Foley cath. Don
Hanging in there!
hi don
when they first took out my catheter, for the first day, water pretty much just ran right through me, in one end and out the other. things rapidly improved during the next 48 hours and at the end of a week i was able to retain most of the time. things just improved from there and I think by the time I went back to work, 5 or so months after the op, my daytime continence was excellent with just the odd dribble escaping. Now im 100% in the day and, if I don’t drink too late, my nighttime is acceptable.
The clenching of the muscles round the base of the new apparatus is what keeps things in and, although this seems hard work at first, before long, like driving a car, you won’t notice it. Its kind of like when you tried to hold pee in with your regular bladder but more so.
Many health experts advocate the use of pelvic floor to strengthen the muscles that hold the pee in and I think that doing them regularly definitely makes a big difference. To be truthful, Im a bit slack on mine in general but I still have excellent control.
Some beverages used to make me pee more (coffee and beer) but you’ll find a regimen that suits you. main thing is, be patient in the early days – things will change. Evaluate at 3 then 6 then 12 months. Don’t be distressed too much with day-to-day setbacks. you have to look at the curve over a good period and not moment by moment. In 6 months time, if things go to plan, you’ll be wondering why you didn’t do it sooner!
Another good thing to do is to locate some decent wetness products for nighttime (if you need them). Im english so I can’t recommend. i use a Boots own brand here and im not sure you can get it there. experiment with different styles and types. don’t be intimidated into not buying them for yourself if you can help it. you’re a survivor and you command respect in all you do!
the best advice i got in hopspital was from an elderly fellow neo recipient. he’s had his op 4 years earlier and he said to me “you must stop calling it a neo bladder and start referring to it as your bladder. because it is now. you’ll find you move along quicker that way”. well said I reckon.
Best of luck, keep us posted and pm me if ever you need to
cheers
tim
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