Dad, 80, (PSP for approx 4 years) had a catheter fitted in hospital in Sept. This was huge relief for both Mum and Dad. The last time the district nurses came out to change it, about three weeks ago, they had a problem getting the new one in and Dad ended up in hospital where the urologist refitted it. In the last week or so Dad has been getting bad pains/spasms … we managed to persuade him to take some paracetamol to relieve the pain this afternoon and are awaiting a call back from the district nurses. We have had conversations about the supra pubic catheter and are now wondering if this might be the best way forward. We are worried about Dad going under anaesthetic to have this procedure - does anyone have any experiences of the comparisons in the two catheters and, whether it’s safe to go under GA with PSP? Thank you in advance x
PSP and catheters!: Dad, 80, (PSP for approx... - PSP Association
PSP and catheters!
Hi. My dad had CBD and each time he had a catheter change they struggled to get the new one in and then suffered with leaks and blockages.
We ended up swapping to the external catheter which goes on like a condom and this was much better, although if your dad is a bit of a wriggler it can sometimes come off. Dad had carers and they used to change it for him.
Just an idea
Thank you.
Hi, we stopped using a catheter for my mum due to blockages, infections, it falling out etc etc….although less “convenient” using pads, infections have reduced and we don’t miss the catheter issues. Mum got kidney stone problems, probably linked to catheter issues and had to have 2 operations whilst in fairly advanced stages of CBD. We were terrified as to how her body would cope with GA but she recovered from it both times remarkably, a slight deterioration after the 2nd. I wouldn’t be keen for her to have a GA again as I am sure there is only so much the body can take. We had to deal with the kidney stones though so little choice. Hope this info helps.
hello
My husband had a foley catheter fitted and due to complications inserting at the start he ended up in hospital with urologists fitting it. It also had to be changed every 10 weeks in hospital. The district nurses were forbidden from dealing with insertions as his urethra had multiple false passages. This was stressful as issues with the catheter meant the stress of ambulance driven admission as my husband was unable to transfer into a vehicle unless I could sort it myself. I discussed the superpubic catheter with his consultant who explained he’d also need to come back into hospital if it needed changing and the district nurses said they often had patients with infections. They steered us away from the superpubic. It’s hard to know the right answer but I’d discuss your dad’s situation with the euroligists as it’s different for each individual patient.
Hello, my husband has a catheter with the urisheath. After several consultations with first the Urology nurses, then a Urologist and given the various pros and cons, the decision was made that the external catheter would be the best. We were told that infections are a big problem with internal catheters and a suprapubic wasn't mentioned.
Initially I had problems attaching the urisheath and it would come off.
I had the district nurse visit for advice. She changed the size and brand and it's been working well since. We change over to the bed bag at night. Unless my husband is in pain, he now sleeps much better with not having to get up every hour to empty his bladder.
My next big concern is having to deal with bowel issues. He can only just still shuffle with the aid of a walker to the toilet and my assistance to get underwear etc pulled down.
Wishing you all the best in finding the best solution.
my mum has a super public catheter fitted and it works well. Few issues with the night bag and long tube when she was still getting up and wandering around at night but that isn’t an issue now.
It wasn’t fitted under a general anaesthetic. Urologist inserted the original one under local and the district nurses change every few months.
Good luck
oh catheters! My husband has Prostate cancer and PSP. He was given a Foley catheter which solved some problems but created others. With the first catheters the balloon would burst frequently and so the catheter needed changing. They thought he might have bladder stones which were bursting the balloons but this proved negative. The brand of catheter was changed and it worked for a few weeks. One time a nurse found it difficult to insert, there have been a few problems / infections since. Another problem is the amount of sediment produced which in turn blocks the catheter. The catheter is often changed approx every 10 days! One of the out of hours nurses, who we have come to know quite well due to her frequent visits, suggested an open ended catheter, due to the sediment problem. We are now trialling this. The problem with the sediment is probably aggravated with his difficulty in swallowing and drinking, he is probably not drinking enough.
So sorry no answers here, just a lot more questions. He needed a catheter at the beginning due to retention. I do regular bladder washes to try and help the sediment problem. We have now got an appointment to see the Urologist next month.
My husband was fitted with a urethral catheter in Sept 2023 after having regular infections due to urine retention. I had previously tried catheterising him myself but it became too time consuming and I was concerned I might be adding to the problem. After 4 hospital admissions I sought advice from the uro neurology team at UCLH London where my husband is treated for his PSP. They felt a Suprapubic Catheter would be much more comfortable and whilst it won’t completely eliminate urinary infections it will reduce them. He had this undertaken in London in October 2024 under a local anaesthetic as the Consultant felt it was not advisable to have a full anaesthetic due to the PSP and my husband’s history of heart disease and diabetes.
He had the first change done in London and now the local District Nurse comes to our home to change every 8 weeks. So far he has not had any infections. You need to ensure the site is kept clean and dry though but so much more comfortable for him.
Hubby needed a catheter a few times but it was a hassle to get the nurse to come and change it, and he had lot more UTI’s which really knocked him sideways. We ended up switching to a condom catheter that was so much easier and sorted out his UTI’s. The night bag system also meant we both could sleep through he night with no more bed wetting, and the day bag that could be strapped to his leg also allowed us to go out more during the day. It really worked for us.
You also asked about GA. Our neurologist advised us against any GA as it can hasten the condition. There have been more than a few accounts on here about PSP sufferers coming out of GA with reduced function and they don’t really bounce back. I believe GA for nasal septum surgery brought on the PSP for my hubby, but that’s my opinion only and not medically verified.
Good luck with finding the best solution for your Dad. The toileting challenges can be tricky to solve but I’m sure you’ll find the right answer.
Sawa
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