Incontinence solutions

[journeyofjoy]

I've been reading several posts from our community about incontinence, washing bedding everyday, etc. I've posted this before and it may or may not be helpful to you but I'll share our solution.

Sandy has a Foley catheter. They may call it something different outside the U.S. This is an indwelling catheter. I change the bag every morning to a leg (day) bag and then to a regular large bag at bedtime. The catheter gets changed monthly by a professional. It's certainly not what anyone wants but it took a huge amount of stress and work out of our lives. At the point he got this, he was still walking with a walker but it was downright dangerous getting out of bed at night when the fall risk was very high.

Let me tell you, this is not as bad as it seems. Of course, it means the end of a sex life which is another loss. But...he has a bed pad in case there is ever a leak (which there has been only twice in the last nine months). There is no more sheet washing other than the regular weekly linen changes, no messes to mop on the floor, or irritated skin from dampness, no urine odor in the room. I cannot even imagine being without this at this point.

Think about it folks! Let me know if you have questions.

[kenh1]

My wife had such a catheter for the last six years of her illness. It is important to have plenty of fluids as they can develop blockages through sediment in the urine. I had a few issues with the nurses when I got the blame for not 'pushing fluids' whenever a blockage occurred. But definitely better than a wet bed and a smelly room.

Best wishes. Ken.

[JA10]

Hi I agree with you about these, my Mum, with PSP has to put up with incontinence pads, but my Dad has MS and he has had an indwelling catheter for some years. We are UK, I don't think it is known by a brand name, just as an indwelling catheter. It mostly works really well and he is pleased that he went for it when it was first suggested.

We have had some issues though: occasionally, and they don't seem to know why or really how, he will bypass which is apparently quite uncomfortable and then his trousers end up with pee on them. UTI's seem more common, and he has been quite poorly with them a few times, the worst was one time where it had become slightly pulled out of the bladder somehow, he had blood in his urine. He called the district nurse to come and charge it, but she couldn't sort it, due to the position of the valve. He ended up having to go to the hospital where he then was diagnosed with sepsis, obviously it is the best place to get sepsis as they detected it quickly and got him into the high dependency unit for treatment.

Having said all the negative stuff, I know my Dad is actually really happy with the system and thankful he can use it, it is just important that any carer be aware of infection markers, like a raised temperature and with UTI's, talking rubbish!

Julie

[Heady]

Totally agree with you. Steve had one for the last year if his life. Yes he did get ITU’s and had to go into hospital, but infections are always a risk. Steve couldn’t ever completely empty his bladder, so was at high risk anyway, a catheter actually reduced this.

Lots of love

Anne