Guest guest Posted February 22, 2002 Report Share Posted February 22, 2002 Hi All! Can someone explain the different types of catheters to me? Currently my father is " self-cathing " about 4 times a day. A nurse suggested that he go with some other type of cath that has a bag attached to it. It doesn't involve surgery to place it. The urologist told him that this type of cath causes more bladder infections than he gets self-cathing. That's difficult to believe since he often has an infection using the self-cath, but then I'm not a Dr. :-) Then isn't there some other type of cath that involves surgery? Also, has anyone ever tried maintenance (i.e.- constant low dose) antibiotics to prevent frequent UTIs? This was suggested to him, but concerns me since infections are so common in people with MSA. I worry about him building up a resistance. Any advice is appreciated. in OK __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 22, 2002 Report Share Posted February 22, 2002 My husband has been in/out cathing since August of 2000. The Dr.'s in two different cities told us that there is less infection with in/out than with the more permanent catheters. He is past doing it himself, but we cath 4-6 times a day. Currently my husband takes an antibiotic for 7-10 days each month with it being a different antibiotic each time. Is it good or bad? I am not sure, but he was keeping a pretty high infection rate without it. We also try to push fluids which is difficult since he does have trouble with swallowing. Marilyn in TN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 23, 2002 Report Share Posted February 23, 2002 Hi, We have been self cathing since '96. Have had utis about once or twice a year. Now we have indwelling (with bag) temporarily. Urologist said less utis with self cath. Nurses have suggested bags before, I ignore them. Have heard of surgically implanted cath, I don't know anthing aout it. Ginger Catheters... > Hi All! > > Can someone explain the different types of catheters > to me? Currently my father is " self-cathing " about 4 > times a day. A nurse suggested that he go with some > other type of cath that has a bag attached to it. It > doesn't involve surgery to place it. The urologist > told him that this type of cath causes more bladder > infections than he gets self-cathing. That's difficult > to believe since he often has an infection using the > self-cath, but then I'm not a Dr. :-) Then isn't > there some other type of cath that involves surgery? > > Also, has anyone ever tried maintenance (i.e.- > constant low dose) antibiotics to prevent frequent > UTIs? This was suggested to him, but concerns me since > infections are so common in people with MSA. I worry > about him building up a resistance. > > Any advice is appreciated. > > in OK > > __________________________________________________ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 23, 2002 Report Share Posted February 23, 2002 - I wear an external " condom cath " that is a nuisance but at least it's non-invasive. It also has not made me immune to UTIs. I had two UTIs back-to-back last summer but they're the only 2 in approx. three years using the system. I was so devastated by the UTIs that my doctors -- my pcp and urologist -- discussed putting me on low dose antibiotics but quickly decided against it for exactly the reason you're hesitating. In retrospect that was a good decision. Re the condom cath: it took me a while and a bit of trial and error to settle on appropriate style and size and brand (it just took me a while to accept the fact that I wasn't " extra large " after all). But now I have a standing monthly order from a mail order supplier (and they handle insurance paperwork and they were very helpful during my trial and error period with advice and samples). Re bags:: you can get several style and size bags. I use an a large free standing (hangs on bed frame or lies on floor) for overnight or if I'm just sitting at my desk and I use a smaller bag that straps onto my calf under my trousers - a leg bag -- if I have company or on the rare occasions I go out. I'll be happy to try and answer any questions. Moller Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 23, 2002 Report Share Posted February 23, 2002 Also, has anyone ever tried maintenance (i.e.- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 24, 2002 Report Share Posted February 24, 2002 Hi, I'm not a doctor but a caregiver of my husband. At first we tried the self-cath but his hands wouldm't work to let him self=cath. I did it twice a day, before he got up, and before he went to bed. Unfortunately he developed a UTI. After he left the hospital and gone into a Nursing Care home, they kept the cath in place, I transferred him to a home nearer to m;y home, they took the cath out and then he had a terrible spell where he couldn't urinate so they put it in again for a couple of weeks. Then they took it out and he seems to be doing okay without it. They (drs.) wanted to check it out to see if he had been blocked or just for then. They are monitoring his emission to see if its necessary to put one in again. So far so good. S. Catheters... > Hi All! > > Can someone explain the different types of catheters > to me? Currently my father is " self-cathing " about 4 > times a day. A nurse suggested that he go with some > other type of cath that has a bag attached to it. It > doesn't involve surgery to place it. The urologist > told him that this type of cath causes more bladder > infections than he gets self-cathing. That's difficult > to believe since he often has an infection using the > self-cath, but then I'm not a Dr. :-) Then isn't > there some other type of cath that involves surgery? > > Also, has anyone ever tried maintenance (i.e.- > constant low dose) antibiotics to prevent frequent > UTIs? This was suggested to him, but concerns me since > infections are so common in people with MSA. I worry > about him building up a resistance. > > Any advice is appreciated. > > in OK > > __________________________________________________ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 24, 2002 Report Share Posted February 24, 2002 Hi, I'm not a doctor but a caregiver of my husband. At first we tried the self-cath but his hands wouldm't work to let him self=cath. I did it twice a day, before he got up, and before he went to bed. Unfortunately he developed a UTI. After he left the hospital and gone into a Nursing Care home, they kept the cath in place, I transferred him to a home nearer to m;y home, they took the cath out and then he had a terrible spell where he couldn't urinate so they put it in again for a couple of weeks. Then they took it out and he seems to be doing okay without it. They (drs.) wanted to check it out to see if he had been blocked or just for then. They are monitoring his emission to see if its necessary to put one in again. So far so good. S. Catheters... > Hi All! > > Can someone explain the different types of catheters > to me? Currently my father is " self-cathing " about 4 > times a day. A nurse suggested that he go with some > other type of cath that has a bag attached to it. It > doesn't involve surgery to place it. The urologist > told him that this type of cath causes more bladder > infections than he gets self-cathing. That's difficult > to believe since he often has an infection using the > self-cath, but then I'm not a Dr. :-) Then isn't > there some other type of cath that involves surgery? > > Also, has anyone ever tried maintenance (i.e.- > constant low dose) antibiotics to prevent frequent > UTIs? This was suggested to him, but concerns me since > infections are so common in people with MSA. I worry > about him building up a resistance. > > Any advice is appreciated. > > in OK > > __________________________________________________ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 24, 2002 Report Share Posted February 24, 2002 Hi, I'm not a doctor but a caregiver of my husband. At first we tried the self-cath but his hands wouldm't work to let him self=cath. I did it twice a day, before he got up, and before he went to bed. Unfortunately he developed a UTI. After he left the hospital and gone into a Nursing Care home, they kept the cath in place, I transferred him to a home nearer to m;y home, they took the cath out and then he had a terrible spell where he couldn't urinate so they put it in again for a couple of weeks. Then they took it out and he seems to be doing okay without it. They (drs.) wanted to check it out to see if he had been blocked or just for then. They are monitoring his emission to see if its necessary to put one in again. So far so good. S. Catheters... > Hi All! > > Can someone explain the different types of catheters > to me? Currently my father is " self-cathing " about 4 > times a day. A nurse suggested that he go with some > other type of cath that has a bag attached to it. It > doesn't involve surgery to place it. The urologist > told him that this type of cath causes more bladder > infections than he gets self-cathing. That's difficult > to believe since he often has an infection using the > self-cath, but then I'm not a Dr. :-) Then isn't > there some other type of cath that involves surgery? > > Also, has anyone ever tried maintenance (i.e.- > constant low dose) antibiotics to prevent frequent > UTIs? This was suggested to him, but concerns me since > infections are so common in people with MSA. I worry > about him building up a resistance. > > Any advice is appreciated. > > in OK > > __________________________________________________ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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