Series not going so smoothly

[rosesitty]

I'm into the third instill in a 3x per week for 3-4 week series. The bladder feels a little better, but the urethra feels like it's twisted in a knot and is painful. Any suggestions? I was even thinking changing it to 2x per week and extending it for another week to give my urethra a chance to recooperate. Gosh, if it isn't one thing it's another! Sheesh!
Thanks for the input!
Stephanie :kissing:

[kadi]

Maybe ask for a non-latex catheter?
Pediatric catheter?
Pyridium to ease urethral irritation?
Warm compress prior to instillation and after instillation to soften tense muscles?
Ice to calm it down?

Hope you find something that works for you & you get some relief soon-

[Dixiefireball]

Kadi gave you the same advice as I was going to about trying the non-latex caths. Even if you don't have a latex allergy sometimes you will still get a reaction down stairs in that area from the latex. matter of fact that is how they found out I had a latex allergy is by putting in my installments. After we figure out where the burning was coming from my treatments when a lot smoother. After each treatment i would drink a lot of water to help flush out it seemed like the more water I drank ed and the more i peed the better it felt down there. The water helped dilute the acidic pee so when i peed it felt a lot cooler down there. Also I use an ice pack after those installments that seems to help also. If you have anything like prydrim (Sp?) or a.z.o. that may also help.

I'm glad to hear that these treatments are helping you. I believe its so important to have something to coat the bladder lining. The IC diet is also a must.
sending you healing wishes hugs and prayers
Rhonda

[IcyAngel23]

What helps me is the Lo-fric caths. They cause minimal discomfort if any at all. I was doing instills every four hours for awhile and those are the ones that caused less friction and urethral pain. Lo-fric is a sponsor to this site so you can find a link on the hompage of ICN. They will even send out free samples if you fill out the form on the website. Hope something helps.

Kristin

[rosesitty]

Kadi, Rhonda and Kristin - thanks so much for your input. They are using the Lo-Fric caths, small ones, and using lidocaine jelly and it's still causing pain and discomfort. I think I'm always going to be one of those people that have urethral pain when cathetered. Once a month I can tolerate, but three times a week is putting a strain on a weak area. I've been taking Urelle, but didn't today and that might have made a difference. I used heat, but the ice is a good suggestion. I bought a little ice pack that looks like a puppy at Bed Bath and Beyond. I guess that would be a good place to put it! LOL I'm still trying to get back to my baseline after five months in a flare. I keep trying to be hopeful and that this isn't my "normal" now. It's hard to keep positive. Thanks ladies for all your help! It's greatly appreciated!

[Dixiefireball]

How about asking to use a larger cath. Don't think I'm crazy just yet until you think about it this way. If you use a larger cath take a deep breath in while there putting it in then slowly release it. this will help with them getting it in and the pain issue.
once the cath is in since the cath is larger it will have to stay in for a less amount of time because when they drain your urine it will come out quicker then when the installment goes in it will take lesser time for it to go in. that way the cath isn't in half as long and the whole treatment time is cut in half.
Just a thought it wouldn't hurt to try it at least once to see how it works for you.

My uro tried to order me those new caths, but they can't get them in S.C :(
Good luck hon i hope this helps you a bit.
Oh and try the ice on your bottom when you get home that may also help that sore area.

[Romans8:28]

Every one has given you good advice. I struggled with urethral pain and now have to cath, almost every. One thing my doctor started doing that really helped me with the urethral soreness after an instill, was to have the nurse drag out the last 5cc of meds, and release it in the urethra. He had her put a little pressure there too, but now that I do them myself I just drag it out and release it! This makes a big difference for me.

As I've mentioned in other posts, We also realized I was reacting to the preservatives in many of the meds. NOw that we are using preservative free meds. I have a lot less problem. I had to have a dilation. The first one we used regular lidocaine and I had bad retention pain. The last time I had lidocaine compouded in MSM gel and did not have ANY of the after pain! I seem to have an allergy.

[kadi]

Oh, yeah. I started out using a pediatric catheter, but it actually made me more uncomfortable, because it "moved" too much in the urethra. The 12 French worked better, also because of what Dixie said about the solution passing through faster & cath being in less time...