Regular UTI when I Self-Catheterise

[omits]

I do this around once per fortnight to keep a stricture open. I have to take one Co-Amoxiclav when I do it and that prevents a UTI. I would prefer not to take the anti-bac tablet as worried about dependency. I suspect that the bacteria may be inside the urethra and gets pushed up into the bladder. The infection always starts three days after using the Catheter.

Is there an antibacterial cream on the market I can use on the tip of the catheter as a further precaution? Any suggestion I will check out first with Dr of course.

[Prance]

Had lots of problems self catheterising. Kept getting infections and bleeding so I stopped. I've had a number of urethotomies but strictures come back, which they have now. Urologist said urethoplasty next time but I've been putting off getting in touch.

[omits in reply to Prance]

So far no bleeding but worry about stricture getting more aggressive. I would go for plasty if it gets worse as the TURP and stricture Ops all went OK. How soon do they come back?

[Prance in reply to omits]

I thought TURP was for the prostate. In the past normally starts to return after a couple of years. Start to see flow gradually reducing. Just can't be bothered to go to the Doc's for referral as waiting times are ridiculous anyway. Been waiting over two years for a different op. Government has fucked the NHS.

[omits in reply to Prance]

Well, true, but my stricture is within the Prostate so I guess both are working against me. I paid for my TURP but now there are other procedure like steam and even cutting of the blood flow to the prostate. interested to know if anyone has used these methods and the result. The Gov has F'ckd everything! And they don't give a sh*t! They want those that can to move over to private. Mind you, there is a case for spending a bit of money if your life is forfeit by waiting otherwise🙃.

[Prance in reply to omits]

Turned down a TURP a few years ago when I had my last utethotomy, read some bad stuff about it. Did it effect sex? Looked into other methods but my urologist didn't do them at the time. Currently going through a bout of prostatitis and my strictures are definitely back so think I should see my GP to get referred. Might get seen by 2025!

[omits in reply to Prance]

'Did it effect sex?' Don't have sex so don't know but there is a risk of reverse ejaculation which doesn't afaik and incontinence and of course the stricture. Best of luck with the future for you.

[Lmee in reply to Prance]

Yes it does yes affect your sex life they call it retrograde ejaculation but in fact they destroy part of the mechanism that makes you ejaculate it doesn't go backwards you have two seminal vessels which are just above and either side of the prostrate two pipes come down from from those and intersect the prostrate and join to your urethra where there's tiny holes where it is fired out from these holes are very important when they carve it away they remove these tiny holes in the pipe so you just have to pipes entering so the liquid just dribbles out that's why you don't ejaculate or very little plus it can give you ED and pleasure that you used to have won't be so intense I know I have to inject mine to get the erection now I will put a post up telling you how the whole system works and what TURP surgery does and the alternatives like green light laser

[Prance in reply to Lmee]

Thanks very much, very informative

[Hidden]

There are lubricants on the market such as this one that helps protect against bacterial infection. 180medical.com/product-deta...

[omits in reply to Hidden]

Interesting thanks. Have you used this with success without resorting to antibiotics at the point of catheterising?

[Hidden]

I don't use a catheter on a regular basis but have several times in emergencies and I have small packets of lube that I got off a website. I also have kidney disease and was on peritoneal dialysis for a while. It was imperative to be germ free or risk getting peritonitis. I was taught a very thorough way of washing hands and the use of antiseptic wipes on anything I touched. nhs.uk/live-well/best-way-t...

[BexyBoy]

I do self-catheterisation in order to NOT get UTIs. This is due to Benign Postate Enlargement which prevents full emptying of the bladder, risking bacterial development. I have standby Nitrofurantoin which I only take if I feel the onset of an infection. I'd never avoid taking Anti-biotics as long as they are prescribed, but have been advised not to take prophylactic dosage (one a day) long-term - to avoid bacterial resistance developing. Not sure why you would want to stop taking them if they are recommended.

[omits in reply to BexyBoy]

I do not want to develop a resistance against them in case I need them in some other case. I am wondering if taking just one every fortnight would lead to resistance.

[BexyBoy]

I believe antibiotic resistance occurs with poor control of infections and / or overuse of anti-biotics. I don't believe you or I are guilty of either if we are following our doctors' guidance.