Rescue instill

[Leah78]

Hi,

I am having a rescue instill done later today with heparin. I have never had one of these before. What should I expect and how quickly will I get some relief?
They also talked that if this helps it could be something they will teach me to do at home. Is it difficult and what does this entail exactly?

Any help is appreciated.

This isn't what I wanted to do but the meds and diet just aren't helping yet and I just hurt bad.

[marymove]

Hey Leah,
I had my first rescue instill about 2 months ago. I was so nervous, but it turned out to be no big deal. I had a pediatric catheter and some lidocaine. I held the instill for about an hour. I felt better the next day. I have had two more since then and each time I felt relief by the next day. I am still too chicken to do them at home, though. What part of Ill. do you live? I am ini Plainfield.

[Leah78]

I am near Carlyle.

I sure hope it does help, I can't take much more of this pain, ughh.

[Sarojini]

Most people say that they get quick relief with rescue instills, because there is usually lidocaine or marcaine in the mixture. These are anesthetics and they numb things up nicely. I know that when I do one, I start feeling relief in an hour or so, and it lasts for a while ... unfortunately, they don't last as long as I'd like (say, forever?) :)

Doing them at home sounds scary, but it really is not. Your doctor or nurse can teach you how in a few minutes, and you will be surprised to find that you get the hang of it right away. You will also probably find that when you catheterize yourself, it will hurt less than when your doctor or nurse does it! I think this is because we all innately know how our bodies are shaped inside, and can move the catheter at the exact right speed and direction for optimal comfort.

Once you get your instructions from your doctor, you can ask any questions you have here - there are many of us, including me, who have done these instillations at home. We have developed lots of little tricks that have helped us along the way and we can share them with you if you have specific issues.

Good luck and I hope it works!!! :D

[Leah78]

Thank you, and I am sure I will be back with many questions.

[soccermom32]

Hi!
My doctor has been giving me regular instills for almost a year now. They are the ONLY thing that keep me "normal". By "normal" I mean no diet restrictions, etc..and they are the only thing that keeps me off meds besides Elmiron.

The nurse finally taught me how to do them myself. I did my first one at home 2 nights ago. It was SUPER easy and it felt awesome to be in control of it, in my house, doing it when I want to. My nurse thinks the best time to do it is before bed.

Its not a big deal, its not scary, it doesn't hurt and its oh so good for your irritable bladder! Good luck! Don't make it any harder then it is. I wish I learned a long time ago...

[Leah78]

Thanks for the info. It did work for about a day and half. I go tomorrow to learn how to do them myself. I must say I felt like a different person afterwards. It was sooo nice. :woohoo:

How often can you do them and how long does it normaly last?

I'm hoping it won't be too difficult to figure out. I learned how to insert catheters in nursing school and have done a few but....on other people!

Does anyone know, will insurance cover most of the stuff for that?

[sickofmybladder]

Leah -

I do my rescue instillations 3x per week - if you have cathed other people before you should have no problems - I have no cathing experience and got it on the first try.
Insurance: My policy (you need to review yours to see what benefits you have) pays for the the heparin and lidocaine - so far they are not covering the sodium bicarbonate (I am in the appeal process) - and they cover the supplies under my durable goods benefit - Even so it is still much cheaper than going to the doctor's office that often to have the instillations done.
Good Luck!

[Brenda01]

Soccormom,
Just wanting to know if the Elmerion is helping you?
thanks,
Brenda

[kuntrygurl78]

Hey Leah!

Just wanted to say that Im glad the instill worked for you! I hope that your learning to do them yourself goes smoothly.

Your IL Buddy!:hi:

[Leah78]

I went back yesterday to learn how to do them. It didn't take to long just mostly looking from a different perspective and figuring out the anatomy, lol.
I haven't actually tried to do it on my own yet. The pharm here doesn't keep the heparin and marcaine on hand so it had to be ordered, should be in today.

My ins does pick up most of the cost on the 2(now if it were only the same for the elmiron....ouch) and the Dr. office gives the rest of the supplies for a 5 dollar cost. Free if you are there for an appt, so overall, not too bad.

Thanks for the words of encouragement. You ladies are great! :love:

[SandyRN]

I had a hard, HARD time cathing myself the first few times. I also gave myself infection after infection, which is ridiculous seeing as how I was a OB/GYN RN for years and cathed a lot of women. When it came to me it took a while to learn to do it on myself. I was used to everything being in a kit, sterile, in the easiest of circumstances and it's a bit trickier to do on your own at home, at least it was for me. Now it's a snap and I have to say that rescue instills are the best thing since sliced bread for me and my IC. I can use them whenever I feel the need and they keep me relatively ok IC wise. I do still have some pain and some spasms, but when I do an instill I'm soooooooo much better. Just don't feel silly if it takes some time doing it to yourself. It's much different to do it to yourself then it is to do it to another person. You'd think as nurses we'd be able to come home and do it without problem, but that's not necessarily so. If you have any questions feel free to pm me. What type nursing are you doing or are you still in school?

Sandy

[Leah78]

Well, I did my first instill at home last night. Got it on the first try. It didn't seem to help as much as the last 2 I had done though. This pain is really getting me down. Dr told me I could do up to 1x/day until the elmiron kicks in. Am I really going to be in pain until the meds kick in??? I have only been on the elmiron for a month now. I have been watching my diet and avoiding things that I have noticed bother me, but it seems I am still always in pain and there is no rhyme or reason to this pain. I don't know if I am missing something or not doing something I should. I am just sooo frustrated!:cussing: