Supra Pubic Catheter Changes.

[Mike55555]

Hello,

I have to get my supra pubic catheter changed every few months, and I do not look forward to it, as its now turning into quiet an uncomfortable procedure, mainly when the catheter itself is been removed from the bladder.

According to the nurse, when the balloon is deflated, it cause's ridges and some scars on the balloon itself, and that along with an encrustation can lead to a rough exit.

Anyone got any suggestions, and / or experience on how to avoid such discomfort at the change over time.

Thank You / Michael.

[BarrySimpson]

I find that the trauma of changing catheters depends on the skill of the nurse. Some of them do not fully deflate the balloon. There is more at healthunlocked.com/bladderh...

[Mike55555 in reply to BarrySimpson]

Thank You.

[Strass49]

I have had five changes of my supra pubic catheter since surgery. My doctor's nurse does them every month. I feel pressure but no pain. I have had different nurses do the changes and never had a problem. Maybe you so try having the changes more often.

[Mike55555 in reply to Strass49]

Hello Strass49, thank you for your useful suggestion, which I did put to my Doctor in Ireland, who referred me back to my urological consultant at the hospital.

Their standard procedure seems to be three monthly supra pubic change overs, for everybody who has one. I did not wish to meet with the consultant, as he ain't the easiest guy to talk to, so for now I am going to try paracetamol an hour before the change, to physically relax my body more, as I seem to tense up,(Doesn't everybody ?) which does not help, and ask the nurse to re-inflate the balloon, after she deflates it, with one cc of fluid to hopefully iron out the creases and ridges that most probably would have accumulated over time. I am also going the wash the site daily, to clear away any debris.

I have tried daily rotating the catheter, but it didn't seem to make much difference. See how we go with that.