Catheter advice please

[Natsy]

Hi everyone

I really need some help and advice. I have only been catheterized (sp?) twice and both times have been in AGONY afterwards. Once was during a laparoscopy and the second time was during urodynamics.

When I had the lap it was agony to pass urine for a couple of days after the surgery. I thought this must have been due to the cysto/hydro. The pain was pretty exhausting considering I was already in a lot of pain from the lap and endo treatment.

But a few months later I had urodynamics and was in so much pain. I could not tolerate the pain of urinating but had a full bladder. I really couldn't bear the pain even after being given painkillers they give post-surgery. I was hysterical and the doctor wanted me to go to hospital. The only thing stopping me from going to the hospital was the knowledge that they would drain my bladder with a catheter. I was in pain for days.

Now my current predicament is that I am going to have to be catheterized again! I am going to hospital for a laparoscopy. They are going to excise deep patches of endo from my bladder and bowel. I will be catheterized during and after the surgery.

I am terrified. It is hard enough to recover from surgery without the severe pain that this causes me. I really don't know what to do.

Any suggestions and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Please help. I'm really worried and scared.

x Natalie

[sailawaygrl]

Be sure to let them know of your past experiences and ask them to use the smallest possible catheter. Also make sure it is non latex. I am sure it isn't going to bother you until you wake up-for that part I have no experience. I do self cath myself daily and I use a very small infant feeding tube. Maybe they could use and infant size catheter, mine are 8 fr. Most importantly, make them aware of what this does to you. However, catheters are no where near the size of what they scope you with, that nearly sent me to the hospital!!! Only let them do that under anesthesia.

Hopefully someone else can offer some good advice to you as well. I will also pay close attention, I am having a laporoscopy on October 6th, I had one years ago and I don't recall a cath. At least not when I was awake. Do they alway cath during laps?
I am going to have to make sure if the cath me to make it a small one!!!!
Wishing you the best
Sandra

[Landish]

Pyridium help me a lot after catheterization.

[maryla]

Natalie,

do you self cath? What I have found is when I go into the hospital and I have to get cathed, I do it myself. Because, I know exactly where to place it. And if I'm at the uro, he always puts lidocaine in there to numb it up first.

Sandra,

I'm scheduled for a lap too Oct 19th. I was wondering the same thing. If they cath you during this precedure?

I hope someone chimes in????

Hugs and blessings

[Natsy]

Hi guys, thanks for your responses. I'm going to go to talk to the surgeon one last time before the operation so I'll ask him if I can have a small non-latex catheter.

From what I understand they do usually cath you during a lap. The bladder needs to be empty so it doesn't get in the way.

I've never self-cathed. My uro-gyno mentioned installations but I was not keen after my experiences with caths.

Thanks for your help xxx

Natalie

[Skynard]

Guess you can call me a pro...non-latex, pediatric cath, lidocaine gel (and let it sit there longer than two seconds!) and Pyridium. You will be good to go!

Wishing you well on your journey.

God Bless