Understanding catheters

[makani]

I have had three catheters in the past three weeks for treatments. The first one was a DMSO, it caused a lot of cramping after I left the Dr's. office. I sat in the bathtub like a frog (squating) in a lot of pain. I had the urge to push and when I did a lot of AIR came out my urthera. Felt better right a away. The second one was with Elmiron and a different nurse. It was a great week the best I have had in 3 years. The third one was again with Elmiron, but with the first nurse. Again "air" and pain from the catheter. I do not want to offend anyone. I am just glad that someone in this world is interested in helping people like me. Is it the size of the catheter their using, or their technique or what? I am just learning about catheters and I do not know what to request. Any suggestion as to what is going on would be helpful.

[lisabar36]

Hi, I hope someone can chime in here and offer advice. I can tell you, the first doc I went to and she did my instills once a week, I never had pain, it was great. The second doc I went to and his nurse did them and it was much different. Same cocktail each time, but then when the nurse did them I had alot more urethral discomfort and they didn't work as well. I also think they used a larger catheter. I have had air in the past when I have done them myself, but not when I have them done. I had a series of 6 from a doctor, and that was a miracle for me, I had the best relief and it helped so much with my frequency but at there office they invented this tiny little catheter and they used them. I think her technique along with the cath, made such a difference. :)

[SharonA]

:welcome: to the ICN... :)

I wish I had an answer for you. I have only been catheterized once, but did not have any problems with it. It probably would be a good idea to ask your doctor about this.

[L. Thomas]

I have had three catheters in the past three weeks for treatments. The first one was a DMSO, it caused a lot of cramping after I left the Dr's. office. I sat in the bathtub like a frog (squating) in a lot of pain. I had the urge to push and when I did a lot of AIR came out my urthera. Felt better right a away. The second one was with Elmiron and a different nurse. It was a great week the best I have had in 3 years. The third one was again with Elmiron, but with the first nurse. Again "air" and pain from the catheter. I do not want to offend anyone. I am just glad that someone in this world is interested in helping people like me. Is it the size of the catheter their using, or their technique or what? I am just learning about catheters and I do not know what to request. Any suggestion as to what is going on would be helpful.

I have never has DMSO but from what I have read, it is fairly common to have pain after this isntill.

I have never had the "air" problem. I have had urine flow around the catheter when I am draining my bladder because my bladder had over filled. It doesn't sound like you are having problems with the size of the catheter. It does sound like the instill ingredients may be your problem. When I first started instill my urogyne was concerned that I had the right coctail. My coctail is a very common mixture and doesn't contain DMSO or Elmiron.

I think I would ask the nurses what they did differently. I feel sure they would be happy to help you.

Please don't think you will offend anyone with your questions.

[bunnykinb]

The uro's for me have definitely been gentler and I didn't have any or not much pain upon being cathed. When a nurse did the cathing, she wasn't gentle at all and just jabbed it in.

I had Elmiron instills and was able to hold it for 1 hour, I had DMSO instills and could barely hold it for 10 minutes. It burned so much when I peed it out. Right now, I have started with in office heparin instills. I can hold it for 2 hours sometimes 3 hours. It still burns a little at the urethra but nothing like the DMSO.