Please explain a rescue instill

[waterflow]

I don't really understand this. I have been having the heparin/lido done at the Uro's office for a long time once a week. I helps for a few days but wears off. More for the frequency really then pain. He had me try them at home. Was doign it first once a day and then I tried it every other day and then even twice a week but when I did it made the pain and frequency worse. I have noticed that when the nurses do instead of URo (he isn't there) the heparin doesn't help as much. I seem to have less pain when he does it. Maybe It didn't help becuase I was doing it?

[Sarojini]

You are describing what's usually known as a rescue instillation. It's called that these days, because many patients go in for one when they're in pain. They work especially well for some people, and for others they don't do so much.

Not sure why it helped less when you did it; there could be a million reasons for that including infection, improper cathing technique, improper mixture of the ingredients, etc.

However, if it helps when your doc does it, then that's the way you should have it done :)

[ICNDonna]

You might go back to your uro's office and ask for a review of the procedure. There may be something you aren't doing just right.

Donna

[Katrina]

Are you more relaxed with the doctor? My gues is that when you are worse your getting a pfd reaction and having retention ....possibly because the catheder isn't very comfortable or other possible things. I suspect that this is a solveable problem when you find out what you need to do differently.


Is it the kind of catheder, how long you hold it, did you get an infection any of those times?, there is a lot of info on the board about making instillations easier that have more ideas. :grouphug:

[waterflow]

I did get 3 UTI's when I did it. Hardly ever get one when Uro does. Imagine the relaxing thing is the problem. When he does it I'm almost laid back and I can relax. When I did I had to almost sit up straight. I can't reach down that far laying back. It felt like it went in much easier when he did it. Not when the nurses which I haven't the clue on that one. Guess once a week at the doc's is the best for me then. Thanks for helping me out on this one. :)

[Romans8:28]

Waterflow,
I have a similiar problems as far as positioning. I have finally learned how to do them at home, without extra irritation. It hurts for me to do it sitting up, and some can do it blindly but not me. I found the only way I can do it is in the bath tub. Here I am able to almost recline/but proped up, I use a large bath towel, roll it up and place it under my hips. This seems to elevate the pelvis and for me help postion the bladder better. Using a large mirror and a headlight, I am now able to do this without a problem. Looks crazy but is worth the pain relief without a flare. In the beginning I would take a nerveblend herb or mild pain med to relax before hand as well!

Hope that helps and you find what works for you soon!
Shelly

[KendoSam]

I have just started doing the rescue instills myself and had problems the first few times I did it. I think that my problems were related to my positioning as well. I also have to do it in the bath tub. Basically, I have to find my urethra in a sitting up position (because mine is small and I can't find it otherwise, lol) then lay back to insert the cathiter. It helps me relax. I think I was also nervos the first few times and that never helps. Well good luck, you probobly just need to find a situation that works for you.

[waterflow]

The bath tub idea sounds good but I have a hard time getting out of the tub once I am in it. Finding the eurethra was no problem. I went by feeling with the cath. Could tell by the area the URo was in. Thanks for the idea. I may just try some day and it didn't sound stupid at all.

[Dixiefireball]

I agree its so important that you relax. that makes a huge differences. the more stress you are the more your bladder will tense up. (we all know that stress isn't a good friend to IC.)

I would also make sure its the same medicine and strength they where using in the office the way your using it at home?.

I would also want to know if the cath's are different from the once you where using in the office?

Try different ways of putting it in. Laying on the bed, laying in the bath-tub. (less mess.) or over the toilet. If you are married or have a partner have them to give it to you. (my husband learned how to insert and mix my treatments at the same time I did.) Thank God! he wanted to know in case I was unable to do it myself.

Don't give up just yet. Keep trying hon. If you have any question I can help you with please P.M. me and I will go into more detail trying to give you some helpful advice. (I've been doing heparin, marcaine rescue installments for a little over two years now sometimes up to three and four times a day.)

sending you hugs and prayers.
Rhonda

[waterflow]

I tried doing it in bed but it was just way to messy. I don't have anyone who can help me out at home with it. One other problem I had was stabbing myself all the time with the needle. How do you stop from doing that? Don't know how many times I put it through my fingers and once through my hand. Bandaged myself up and went on to do the heparin but I do have a fear of needles so it is sort of hard to handle.

[Romans8:28]

Definately sounds like your nervous. I too in the beginning sliced my finger, sent lidocaine shooting in the air..., on my husband who reminded me I was wasting good medicine...,:)!
Hang in there, relaxing is 90% of it. We've all been there in the beginning and it really gets easier. I love being able to do an instill at MY convience, like tonight when I am flaring, before sex, during my cycle, before a long drive and even before a pelvic exam. It is very empowering to be able to take care of the pain myself.., just took some time to get used to the idea. I even went back to the doctor for awhile then back home!

Needle size can make a difference as well. They sent me these long skinny needles that just didn't draw well enough, bent etc. I hurt myself a lot on those. Right now I am using 22g 1 1/2. Seems like my favorites were a 21's but these are the best that they get me know with my meds.
Hang in there waterflow!

(Rhonda is also right about the cath's, are they the same size, latex free etc.? That can also make a big difference. Do they use lidocaine at the office? Do you have a script for it at home?
These things can all make a big difference and do become second nature.., almost!

Shelly

[rosesitty]

I've found that if I have too many instillations in a row, I get UTI's, even when done at the uros office. Hope the instills help you.
Stephanie

[bunnykinb]

Some people have mentioned that they have cut themselves. Is this with the catheter?

Sorry for the dumb question, but just asking in case I have to do this at home.

[kadi]

The only thing I can think of that would "cut" would be using the syringe needle to measure/draw the medicine out of the bottle & accidentally poking yourself with it. The catheter is blunt tipped, so that shouldn't be a problem...