Soreness from catheter

[Taramc]

I've been sore every time I do an instill the last 3 or 4 times. It's not like the serious urethral irritation where you desperately have to pee for hours and sometimes days on end.

It feels more like the skin is sore. Kind of the same as the inside of the vagina when using tampons too many times.

Today it got really annoying after my instill. Then the irritation eventually went away, only to come back when I peed. Since I've never had a bacterial UTI before, I wonder if this is what it feels like? It kind of burns.

I had a prescription for Cipro written by my uro 10 months ago 'in case I get an infection.' So I just filled it, but I don't know if I should take it or what. I did use an unclean cath a couple days ago (put it in the wrong place first) which could have caused something.

What do you guys all think? I know you're not doctors, but any personal experience from this would be great. I'm leaning toward taking the Cipro because I figure it can't hurt anything... right?

Thanks!

[dg2901]

Sounds like you have an infection brewing.
If this were me I'd go ahead and take the antibiotic.
If its a simple UTI you should start feeling better within the first couple of doses. Of course should you not start feeling better a Dr visit would be warranted.

Hope you start feeling better soon!
D :)

[Briza]

I was going to say the same as D above...but in addition you could go into your GP, uro, or gyn's office and submit a urine sample, without an appt, but always good to call them to tell you're going to drop by to submit a sample for testing and culture. But since it is Friday, I guess you would have to wait til Monday to do that, so like D, if it were me, I would start on the antibiotics...the two times in my life that I had UTIs I felt better after just 2-3 days on the antibiotic, but of course was instructed to continue for the fully prescribed length of treatment.
Also, don't know what kind of caths you are using but for me I find non latex caths much less irritating...I'm not allergic to latex, but very sensitive to it down there.
Hope you feel better soon:)

[ICNDonna]

You might at least try a home test kit before taking antibiotics. Infection is definitely a possibility, however.

What kind of catheters are you using?

Donna

[jen74]

I would get a culture first before you take the antibiotic just to be sure you have an actual infection. You do not want to take antibiotics unless you absolutely need them, and they really have to do s sensitivitiy check with your urine to see which antibiotic will work if you do have a UTI.
Jen

[curlycue]

Hi ladies................. I was wondering what adivce I cant obtaine from you ladies. I have been using the Lo-Fric Caths for since 2003. I had the company call me a couple of days ago and tell me that for some reason she was unable to explaine she was no longer able to get me the Lo-Fric caths and I should try a generic kind so I agreed and she snt me some samples. I recieved them today so I went ahead and used one and let me tell you ladies NO its not the SAME, when I tried inserting it in the urethrea it sliped and slided everywhere or all over the place. I put the seringe to the opening of the cath and it did not fit the rubber piece (or what ever its called) I lined it up as well as I could and proceded to squirt the medicine in there and most of it leaked out,now a couple of hours later my urethrea hurts and my bladder feels is spasaming and I feel like a UTI is on its way. I had this problem many years ago when I used to go to the office and nurse would cath me months of UTIS and when I started using Lo-Fric it really helped me.

Should I call the company on Tuesday and tell them NO I cant use these caths?
Should I call the Insurace Company?
Should I call Lowell Parsons and tell him ( my URO)

Any help would be great.
:help::help::help:

[Briza]

You might at least try a home test kit before taking antibiotics. Infection is definitely a possibility, however.

What kind of catheters are you using?

Donna

Good idea to do an at home test if you decide to start the Cipro over the weekend. Of course always best to be tested and cultured thru dr's office to determine the antibiotic best suited for whatever infection you may have, but Cipro is a wide range antibiotic and your dr DID prescribe it in case this type of situation came up. Keep us posted how you're doing, Tara. Hope you're feeling better! Bri

[jen74]

Hi Ruth.
Wow. I had a BAD experience with Lofric caths. I had some samples sent to me a few months back since I was told they are suppose to be very easy to use and less friction and UTI's. Well, let me tell you, the first time I used one, it hurt soooo bad going in, almost like there was no lubricant on it. That water stuff is NOT enough. I could not believe how much it hurt. We did exactly like they said on the package( my hubby helps me do my instills). I was expecting it to hurt less. I used the one where they have the sterile water added, you just squeeze it into the pouch that the catheter is in. Are those the kind you use? Did we do something wrong maybe? We followed the directions exactly though.
Jen