Last post Thu, May 01 2008 8:15 AM by ladyinwheels. 18 replies.
Hello,
I'm kinda new here, I've been a paraplegic for 9 years. Before my surgery, coz of spinal collapsed. I can't pee, so the doctors put catheter on me, its the one with the bag (I dont know what that called). Then after about 2 months, of my surgery my niece was cathing me, every 4 to 6 hours. During that time we learned that I can pee again, but I cannot control it. I can feel when its coming but I cannot control it. So I started using a diaper. Until now, I just want to know, if there is any harm to my health using diapers for such a long time. I didnt feel anything, no signs of uti or something.
Im really thankful that I found this site, lots of questions in my mind have been answered. Im so embarrased to asks anyone before but now, I can find a lot of information here. But reading some of the posts here makes me worried, especially I dont go to doctors regulary for check ups. Lots of thanks for this awsome site, keep up the good work.
Ladyinwheels,
The main things I would think it would cause is diaper rash just like babies and also the fungal rash commonly known as jock itch. I know it is a hassle to cath all the time but I would rather stay clean. I already shower at least twice a day, with me I would be showering a lot more if I was using diapers...
if you are talking about wearing a diaper instead of using a catheter, yes there's a danger, your bladder may not ever be being emptied and your urine can try to back up through your urinary system.
most paras i've met cath themselves intermittently as often as needed
it doesn't work for everyone but it's worth a try
There is a huge risk of not cathing. You could run the risk of getting UTIs that could mess with your kidneys. Also if your bladder doesn't empty all the way then you also take the risk of getting reflux and the kidneys will develop swelling and can cause loss of function. I cath, but had issues with reflux and ended up having to have a ureter taken out due to scarring because of excessive UTIs.
Thank you for your input. Before I really had no idea about the danger of using the diaper and not emptying my bladder, because I have'nt talked to anybody who is like me. I am alone and don't have any idea. Now that I found this site, I feel that I have learned a lot, and got worried of my situation. I will start to cath now as soon as possible,. And to Arkanzan, I dont have a problem with diaper rash and jock itch, I also take a shower 2 to 3 times a day, , especially now its summer here. Aside from intermittent cathing, what can u tell me about what I had read in here about the "stoma" I just want to know more. Thank you again.
here's an overview:
Medical Problems in the Urinary Tract:
http://www.spinalinjury.net/html/_bladder_care_and_management.html
I have no urinary or bowel issues since I just have neuropathy that affects me only below my knees...but I have a couple of interesting Tid Bits:
In the scuba community, many divers use "dry suits" for warmth underwater. Most women and few men will wear diapers under their suits. Me...I use a wet suit...so "pool's open" when I gotta go (got a smelly wetsuit)
Another tid bit...when I worked for NASA, I did get to work with astronouts some. When they are doing extended spacewalks, like over 8 hours...most astronauts prefer diapers under their suits
Joe
Lady, with 9 years experience in wearing diapers without a UTI I am inclined to give up cathing! I suppose only a urologist would be able to tell you if your bladder completely voids when you urinate. I am 7 months new to this way of life and like you am glad to have a place to discuss very personal matters. There was a young man in chat who said he diapers instead of caths to avoid UTI, and a nurse friend of mine told me not to cath every time I felt the urge because wetting a diaper is less harmful than sticking foreign objects inside of you. I find that even after I wet the diaper a good deal there is still a lot left when I cath. I am leery that the catheter is "sterilized" with ethylene oxide which is listed as a carcinogen when inhaled. Sigh.
I have not yet ventured out socially and feel like I'm being held captive by my bladder. I am always afraid I'm going to pee. Another nurse friend of mine said I was just being a girl. He worked in a nursing home and the women were always saying "I feel like I'm going to pee, bring something, quick!" while the men would say "I just pissed myself, somebody come clean me up." He said it was definately a gender thing....lol
Mcjane, thanks its good to hear from another girl, thats what I thought so too at first, I cath now but only once in a while. But with all the problems with the bladder that I read here I got scared, I think Im not just ready to throw away my diapers just yet lol, I just dont go out much socially. Although I prefer to live that way. And plus, I have a lot of herbal tonics that I drink to help prvent uti, I just dont know if its working. But I'll be seeing a urologist soon, so lets wait and see. And you said that your new to this way of life, Its sad what happened to you, but I can sense that your a strong girl. Life is tough but life moves on. If you have any questions, just send me a message. Im willing to help in any way I can, but I probably be needing more help than you, . Thank you.
HERBAL TONICS <perk>. I would be interested to know what they are and what your urologist has to say. You know the symptoms of UTI, dark smelly urine, sediment, burning sensation. Doctor told me unless there is a fever the kidneys are not infected. Another site called Care Cure Community that I found when I googled "sediment in urine" had a lot to say on the subject. One man said he went to doctor every time it changed color or odor and got caught up in the antibiotic trap and now doesn't worry unless he has a fever. I was upset that the medical people were willing to give me antibiotics when I told them I thought I had a UTI without bothering to test my urine. The first antibiotic didn't do the job and the second one they gave me said it was only good for two bacteria so I am insisting they run a culture and sensitivity before I take it. The side effects are scary. Thank God for the internet so we can learn about this ourselves. Its hard to have blind faith when I have seen and heard of so many medical mishaps. I find that drinking beer gives me healthy looking urine, and plenty of it, but maybe I'd get the same result if I drank 4 bottles of water....lol.
HELLO LADY, I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT THE DIAPERS. I WEAR DEPENDS MAINLY BECAUSE I FEAR A BOWEL ACCIDENT. I HAVE A FOLEY CATHEDER IN NOW AND I HAVE FOR AWILE. I HAVE TRIED SELF CATH , BUT HAD NO SUCESS. I CAN'T BEND MY NECK FAR ENOUGH TO SEE AND I HAVE TRIED FROM FEELING BUT CAN'T DO IT. I WOULD LIKE TO GET THE SUPERPUBIC CATHEDER DONE, BUT I HAVE NO INSURANCE RIGHT NOW AND WONT FOR ABOUT 5 MONTHS. I CAN PEE BY STIMULATING THE URETHER, BUT I WAS HAVING TO DO IT EVERY 2 HOURS AND HAVING LEAKAGE IN BETWEEN. SO I WASN'T GETTING ALL OF IT OUT. I FEARED OF IT BACKING UP INTO MY KINDEYS. I KNOW KEEPING THE FOLEY IN CAN CAUSE A LOT OF PROBLEMS AND DAMAGE ALSO, SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO EITHER. THE ONLY THING I KNOW TO DO IS STICK IT OUT UNTIL I GET INSURANCE AND GET THE SUPERPUBIC CATHEDER DONE.
I HAVE RECENTLY HAD A LOT OF BACTERIA AND SOME BLOOD CLOTS IN MY URINE, MAINLY WHEN I DON'T DRINK ENOUGH, BUT I HAVE NOT RAN A FEVER.THEY WAY I SEE IT IS IF I'M NOT RUNNING A FEVER I THINK I AM OK SO I HOPE I AM DOING THE RIGHT THING. I WISH YOU LUCK!!
Im worried coz of using a diapers, but the thing, is learning about a lot of problems with bladder by using catheter makes me scared too. What to do, what to do, I cath now coz of fear of reflux (which is I learn only now, with this site). But as I said before not always. Just like Mcjane said, sticking foreign object into your body is more troubling to some. I started this thread coz Im weighing the advantages and disadvantages of cathing between using a diapers. Now It only makes me more confused.
But right now, Im not having any trouble with uti, I also have not experiene any fever and its been 9 yrs now. Just like Tei Ko, I think I am doing the right thing. I will just keep on taking those herbal tonics my mother is giving me. So I think I will stay on what I am doing. Thank you all for you input. And take care everybody. God Bless.
GOOD LUCK LADY HOPEFULLY SOON IT WILL ALL WORK OUT! GOD BLESS
Go to your urologist and ask about other options, like mitranoff surgery, to control continence. Are you not able to self-cath due to your hand/motor control? There are medications you can take like ditropan, detrol, and sanctura to help keep yourself dry between cathings (you'd still need something at night for leakage).
Renal failure is a huge risk, probably one of the biggests risks to someone who has any form of paralysis/SCI. A good bowel/bladder maintenance program is key.
Definitely talk to your urologist, ask for a sit-down meeting to explain everything to you.
HTH,
