Catheters?

[spencoid2]

My urologist thought that my recurring UTIs might be partly due to incomplete bladder voiding and recommended catheterizing twice a day to insure the bladder gets emptied regularly. I just scanned my bladder with a scanner I bought a while ago when I was having real difficult peeing and cathing. It showed no residual urine at all. I need to try it again when there is urine to be sure the machine is not dead.

So does it make sense to keep cathing with the risk of infection from the cath (i am very careful, use povodine and do not let cath touch anything. if it does i replace it) if there is no residual urine?

I will cath just occasionally to be sure I can still get one in.

[zengirl]

Do you have an enlarged bladder. A friend had many uti infections . Took a bladder scan and found cancer in an early stage. Then, 3 months later had a bladder stone removed and prostate was TURPed . He lost about 1/3 of the enlarged prostate. No infections so far and easier peeing. I wouldn’t use a cath as a therapy on a continuous basis.

[spencoid2 in reply to zengirl]

My bladder is heavy duty. From years of having to force pee through a narrow opening caused the muscle to enlarge a lot. Pretty much every scan I get mentions a thickened bladder wall.

I checked my bladder scanner by peeing the best I could and then waiting an hour. The scanner detected the small amount of urine. So when it says empty it is probably right. That means that I can completely void, which is great. I plan to use a cath just occasionally to verify that I can. Want to do anything to avoif UTIs.

[larry_dammit]

I’ve had trouble with not being able to empty my bladder for years, 8 months ago my urologist put me on Caths twice a day or more if I needed it. Yep a couple of infections due to having to full a bladder when I tried to use them. Finally at peace with them. I just use them when I have a full bladder no matter when that is. Finally getting the knack of it.

[FourString]

I think some people just don’t have problems with catheters when they are needed. I’ve used in dwelling foleys since 2016 (December). I change them out myself and have had ZERO infections. Note: I take Zytiga and Prednisone, so I am immuno-compromised.

Since I can walk to the bathroom just fine, I plug my cath and don’t wear a bag. I’ve heard that helps with avoiding UTI.

[spencoid2]

So I would be considered immuno-compromised since I am also on Zytiga and Prednesone? I guess I would qualify for an early corona vaccine update.