5th lap coming up but first one recovering with catheter in place for 2 weeks. Terrified of this as I already have IC - has anyone had this?

Hello!

I had to have a catheter in after my lap, but not as long as you say... only a week! I say only... it was quite a while.

I only had to have mine because my bladder couldn’t empty properly! And I went back the day after to have it removed and try again and still couldn’t wee so they put it in for a week, just so my bladder could recover.

I know you’ve asked not for horror stories etc but I don’t want to lie to you! I’m going to be honestly truthful.

I was literally so scared when they told me I needed to go home with a catheter. I remember when I was a student nurse inserting them into the dummies we had and I was like omg this is horrific haha!! My toes were curled for sure.

But the insertion was fine. A little odd feeling but wasn’t as bad as I thought and it was over and done with in seconds! They put numbing stuff there too. I did have a HCA do mine and she put it in the wrong hole the first time haha! So I was like great as obviously that don’t hurt at all!!

I went home with it and it was weird for a few days, I felt like my recovery may have been slowed down but honestly was all in my head. I was just so nervous that I’d pull on it.

But it was actually okay! Sleeping and not having to get up for a wee is a godsend haha! Just look at the positives.

My partner was amazing and helped me empty it etc and put the night bag on at bedtime.

You do get used to it though!! I had to take antibiotics just in case of a UTI and I got one anyway which I’m still fighting off really now... but that’s not the end of the world.

The only thing I’d suggest is to ask for a shower cover. They didn’t give me any or any spare straps. So when I had a shower we had to tape a bin bag over my leg where it was all strapped down!! And even then the straps got wet and I didn’t have dry ones to replace them with. So that really irritated my leg and I had a rash... so I’d ask about that!

Anything else to ask just let me know but don’t worry too much! Xx

Hey Catness,

Can I ask are you having bladder surgery? I recently had a bladder restriction because endo had grown all the way through. I had to have my catheter for quite a while after. It was a little uncomfortable at times but it wasn’t so bad. I had mine for a month though 😣.

I was super scared about the catheter but it wasn’t nearly as bad as I imagined. ( the stents I had however 😣 were not at all fun). Two weeks seems like a long time but it will go past quickly.

They will probably put the catheter in during surgery so you won’t feel it and taking it out is fine. I would recommend drinking lots to help prevent infection. I found warm herbal tea helped me. Like I said I had mine for a month and I was lucky I had no issues with infection. So drink lots

At night you attach a larger bag and I would check that the catheter is draining properly before you sleep as I had one that didn’t and it can be painful if you don’t notice and the bag doesn’t drain properly.

Also also found it more comfortable to put the tube up through the top of the waist band of my knickers rather than through the leg as it keeps the tube more stable. I hope it all goes well and you heal up fast xxx