Stricture of the urethra: Have you had a suprapubic catheter? Other?

I'm writing to reassure the males among us who live in trepidation of having to wear a supra pubic catheter that the experience is
not as bad as it sounds. I don't claim that it's fun and it also involves making many adjustments to moving around, sleeping arrangements, showering, taking bathroom breaks in public bathrooms etc. However during my annus horribilis 7 years ago when I had my four Mayo surgeries for urological issues, I had the same fears and misgivings as most men when I found out I had to wear a catheter. I discovered, that I learned to adjust to the device pretty quickly. I also learned to plan ahead when eating in restaurants, to find out where the public bathrooms are, etc. Luckily I had a supportive family in the Twin Cities who could drive me around to Mayo appointments and doctor's visits. And I was also very glad when the catheter was removed.

All going really good had my penal cath pulled last Friday now able to urinate again he left the Supra pubic in for nother week just for safety valve I’ll pull that myself at home if all going well which as of now it’s great. Can’t say enough good about Mayo Rochester & my surgeon. Been long 9 month journey!

My urologist has recommended this for me at night because I’m up so much. I’m disabled and have a hard time using my right hand and wanna know if this will be doable for me. I’ve tried everything else and I still get up anywhere from 1-7 times a night. Thoughts?

@bulbous1970, welcome. You mention that you are disabled with limited use of your right hand and your concern is if you'll be able to manage the catheter. Do I have that right?

Yes exactly

@bulbous1970
I’m not sure I understand your statement ”My urologist has recommended this for me at night because I’m up so much.”
I’ve never heard of a super pubic catheter being used only at night it’s more of a long term permanent solution.
People I have known that had one were used on a permanent basis.
If you don’t need it as a permanent solution and only need something for night time without getting out of bed multiple times perhaps self-catheterization would work for you unless your hand makes that impossible. Do you live alone? I imagine you’ve already tried using a urinal.
My main concern regarding indwelling Foley catheters is the risk of irritation along with infection that is more likely to lead to the development of bladder cancer. My father was a quadriplegic, and for a while he used Foley catheters, but we switched to condom type catheters instead to lower the risk of cancer and infections. However, it was too little too late.

Leonard (@jakedduck1) I was struck this morning by your last paragraph just above about your father, whose problems with an indwelling catheter were very similar to my father's. While he did not have a physical disability, he had a worthless urethra after attempts to fix his bloated prostate failed, and a permanent suprapubic catheter was necessary. He and his daily health care nurse felt this was necessary and helpful. Unfortunately, it proved fatal. He developed infections around the perforation of his body wall where the indwelling catheter entered his bladder. The infection spread and became the cause of his death at age 95. I tell this story as a way of supporting your own concerns about permanent suprapubic catheters -- an option to be taken only after comprehensive consideration of the possible consequences.

I'm late to this discussion but my experience with long term use of a supra pubic catheter may be of some help.
After radiation therapy for prostate cancer in 2006 I developed a rectitude rural fistula in 2009 and a urethral stricture in 2014. I have an ileostomy since 2009 and a supra pubic catheter since 2015.
I have had no problems with the supra pubic catheter at all. Until this June I was using a Bard female length catheter with a plug. I drained directly into the toilet. Since the female length was only 8 inches there was no problem with clothing or privacy.
I have the catheter changed every four weeks at Memorial Sloan Kettering. I clean the catheter tube daily with a dilute solution of white vinegar (1%). I have never had a UTI requiring antibiotics.
Bard discontinued the female length catheter in June. Since then I have been forced to use the standard 16 inch catheter. It's more cumbersome but doable.
As far as I can determine no one manufactures an eighth inch catheter in 18 French. If anyone knows of a manufacturer that does, let me know.
My experience says long term use of a supra pubic is possible without complications if done carefully.
By the way, I am 83 years old so age is not necessarily a problem.

<p>Is an xray needed every time he replaces my suprapubic pigtail catheter?</p><p>The catheter has no water balloon.<br />How much harm is the xray doing each time?<br />I have yet to get a clear answer from the medical staff,<br />Thanks all</p>

Hi @tempa, I moved your question about getting suprapubic catheter to this existing discussion:
– Stricture of the urethra: Have you had a suprapubic catheter? Other?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/stricture-of-the-urethra-what-treatment-options-have-you-tried/

I did this so that you can read the previous posts and connect easily with fellow members like @victor1930 @jakedduck1 @predictable @jimb1950 @douglasebaker @bulbous1970 @djangomay2 and others who may have experiences to share about the necessity of an x-ray or not when the catheter is replaced.

Do you get an x-ray each time?