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Catheter Pain!!

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User
Posted 28 Apr 2016 at 10:51
Hi, all just wondering what others experiences of catheter usage is, I had my RP last Tuesday and was released from hospital on the Thursday. The op seemed to go well, bit biggar scars than I was expecting but no real issues and just normal post op type pains around these wounds. However I have a catheter in as is standard and the experience is horrendous. Every single day I am in pain with it, if the tube moves it causes pain I then get an urge to pee which then spasms inside me causing everything to tense up the pain at times almost knocks me of my feet, I have brought this to the attention of the hospital staff while I was in hospital then my health visitor on release and then my GP yesterday, all seem to give out the same message, this is fairly normal, man up and get on with it,I have been prescribed Buscopan to help and the usual painkillers but nothing is really helping.Is this type of pain,common,or normal.Feel that this pain is being totally ignored and would just like to hear others experiences.

Dave B

User
Posted 28 Apr 2016 at 11:02

Yes, this is normal I am afraid. At least it is only for a few more days.

You will get better at thinking where the tube is as you prepare to move - rolling out of bed hurts more than sitting and then swinging your legs off the side, perhaps? Have you got the leg tape secure? That should be holding the tube fairly static during the day.

If it is the eye of your penis that is causing pain, you could put a little KY jelly just inside the eye to stop the friction burns / redness. But don't use any sexy lubes - they may not be compatible with the plastic of the tubing. Some, but not all, hospitals send men home with a topical anaesthetic gel for the end of the penis.

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 28 Apr 2016 at 11:59
Sorry... but after my RP I had a catheter in for 9 days and suffered no pain whatsoever.

I don't think pain with a catheter IS normal... they are not meant to be instruments of torture!

EDIT: from NHS site... "Bladder spasms, which feel like stomach cramps, are also quite common when you have a catheter in your bladder. The pain is caused by the bladder trying to squeeze out the balloon. Medication may be necessary to reduce the frequency and intensity of the spasms"

Maybe this is the pain being experienced?

Edited by member 28 Apr 2016 at 12:35  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 28 Apr 2016 at 12:42
My experience of the catheter following RP was also horrendous. I would pace the room at night in such discomfort....couldn't wait to get it out. Not long to go now and you will feel such relief.

Very Best

Gary

User
Posted 28 Apr 2016 at 14:12

DLB

Similar to others, uncomfortable at times yes, but not painful, as L said hospitals sometimes give out a gel, I was given instillagel by the hospital, but you can buy it at a good chemist about £3-£4 a tube, contains anaesthetic and antiseptic, read the leaflet, with some conditions medical advice should be sought. By passing, where the urine comes out between the catheter and the urethra can be quite painful.

Thanks Chris

User
Posted 28 Apr 2016 at 18:03

I agree that i dont think its normal to be suffering such pain. Yes its an irritant but other than that i didnt really suffer with it....would t want it again in a hurry though

Bri

User
Posted 28 Apr 2016 at 19:18
Hi,

No real pain with mine, just discomfort. I had lots of blood in the bag for the two weeks it was in situ. I was so relived when it came out. The urethra has been stitched back together so there will be healing going on. If the medics are happy with it then I suppose unless the bag stops filling or you get a very distended bladder it's just counting the days until it comes out.

THE CHILD HAS GROWN, THE DREAM HAS GONE
User
Posted 29 Dec 2016 at 20:26
Pete

I was quite surprised on a number of occasions that a TWOC was carried out when the bag was quite red. I think it goes to show it often looks worse than it is.

At our hospital once the catheter is removed they require two samples of a reasonable amount, my last TWOC I only managed small amounts so had to do three samples.

Stay relaxed and you should be fine. Drinking the water too quickly can allegedly slow process of passing urine. Having had a number of TWOCs I slowly drink water in the couple of hours prior to the TWOC.

Make sure the catheter is not yanked out, just smile at the nurse and say nice and gently no yanking,if nothing else it focuses the nurses mind.

Thanks Chris

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User
Posted 28 Apr 2016 at 11:02

Yes, this is normal I am afraid. At least it is only for a few more days.

You will get better at thinking where the tube is as you prepare to move - rolling out of bed hurts more than sitting and then swinging your legs off the side, perhaps? Have you got the leg tape secure? That should be holding the tube fairly static during the day.

If it is the eye of your penis that is causing pain, you could put a little KY jelly just inside the eye to stop the friction burns / redness. But don't use any sexy lubes - they may not be compatible with the plastic of the tubing. Some, but not all, hospitals send men home with a topical anaesthetic gel for the end of the penis.

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 28 Apr 2016 at 11:49

Thanks for reply, yep have managed to work out best position for tube through trial and error, just wanted a bit of reassurance that this is normal. For me personally I would have preferred to have been forewarned about this pain and therefore been better equipped mentally to deal with it, but hey ho role on Tuesday so that hopefully it comes out.

User
Posted 28 Apr 2016 at 11:59
Sorry... but after my RP I had a catheter in for 9 days and suffered no pain whatsoever.

I don't think pain with a catheter IS normal... they are not meant to be instruments of torture!

EDIT: from NHS site... "Bladder spasms, which feel like stomach cramps, are also quite common when you have a catheter in your bladder. The pain is caused by the bladder trying to squeeze out the balloon. Medication may be necessary to reduce the frequency and intensity of the spasms"

Maybe this is the pain being experienced?

Edited by member 28 Apr 2016 at 12:35  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 28 Apr 2016 at 12:22

No pain whatsoever unless it snagged while moving

If life gives you lemons , then make lemonade

User
Posted 28 Apr 2016 at 12:42
My experience of the catheter following RP was also horrendous. I would pace the room at night in such discomfort....couldn't wait to get it out. Not long to go now and you will feel such relief.

Very Best

Gary

User
Posted 28 Apr 2016 at 13:38

Thanks Gary that's exactly what I do at times pace around , roll on Tuesday

User
Posted 28 Apr 2016 at 14:12

DLB

Similar to others, uncomfortable at times yes, but not painful, as L said hospitals sometimes give out a gel, I was given instillagel by the hospital, but you can buy it at a good chemist about £3-£4 a tube, contains anaesthetic and antiseptic, read the leaflet, with some conditions medical advice should be sought. By passing, where the urine comes out between the catheter and the urethra can be quite painful.

Thanks Chris

User
Posted 28 Apr 2016 at 18:03

I agree that i dont think its normal to be suffering such pain. Yes its an irritant but other than that i didnt really suffer with it....would t want it again in a hurry though

Bri

User
Posted 28 Apr 2016 at 19:18
Hi,

No real pain with mine, just discomfort. I had lots of blood in the bag for the two weeks it was in situ. I was so relived when it came out. The urethra has been stitched back together so there will be healing going on. If the medics are happy with it then I suppose unless the bag stops filling or you get a very distended bladder it's just counting the days until it comes out.

THE CHILD HAS GROWN, THE DREAM HAS GONE
User
Posted 29 Apr 2016 at 09:28

Thanks to all who replied, I tend to agree with the comments saying that they don't think it's normal, but kind of stuck as to what to do, as hopefully I will get it out on Tuesday I guess it's basically grin or should I say grimace and bear it .

User
Posted 10 Dec 2016 at 13:47
My penis is in agony. They given me oro morph and I'm still sore. I'm staying in hospital a second night. But I'm surprised the oro morph isn't working.

Walter

User
Posted 10 Dec 2016 at 17:04

I got it into my head that I had to have a catheter in for a week before I went in for my op. However I have been told it is staying in for two weeks, I was gutted.

Is this the standard amount of time now?

User
Posted 10 Dec 2016 at 17:14
Mark

Anything between 7 and 21 days has been reported by members. 7-14 is probably the "norm"

Thanks Chris

User
Posted 12 Dec 2016 at 09:39

Had mine out after 9 days. I absolutely hated it .

User
Posted 12 Dec 2016 at 10:32
My pain was intolerable but is now under control with paracetamol, codeine and ibuprofen. They also gave me Instillagel to squeeze on the head of my penis and are sending me home with some.

Feeling much better today.

Walter

User
Posted 29 Dec 2016 at 19:18

I was told to keep the catheter 14 days.  Tomorrow I have a 'Trial Without Catheter'.  Had a couple of slight spasms, seemed to happen at night.   Also there has been a small bit of blood in the tube after I've been to the loo twice.  Otherwise there has been no pain and the liquid is clear.   Was a bit worried that the blood might stop them removing the catheter but from what I've read they're really looking to make sure you can pass liquid and aren't going to be blocked.

User
Posted 29 Dec 2016 at 20:07
We couldn't cope without instlllagel.

User
Posted 29 Dec 2016 at 20:26
Pete

I was quite surprised on a number of occasions that a TWOC was carried out when the bag was quite red. I think it goes to show it often looks worse than it is.

At our hospital once the catheter is removed they require two samples of a reasonable amount, my last TWOC I only managed small amounts so had to do three samples.

Stay relaxed and you should be fine. Drinking the water too quickly can allegedly slow process of passing urine. Having had a number of TWOCs I slowly drink water in the couple of hours prior to the TWOC.

Make sure the catheter is not yanked out, just smile at the nurse and say nice and gently no yanking,if nothing else it focuses the nurses mind.

Thanks Chris

User
Posted 30 Dec 2016 at 21:41
Thanks Chris,

Today the TWOC went pretty well with no blood. Removing the catheter was a bit sharp. Have a bit of stress incontinence now but otherwise am watertight. Peter

 
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