Catheterisation, is ok to keep for two months without changing

Halo , how long it takes to change the catheter ? Is 12 weeks ok ? ThanQ

@hundzow11
Hello,
My father was paralyzed from the neck down and initially had an indwelling catheter. Although it’s hard to remember 40 years ago, but if memory serves we changed it every 3 to 5 days. If you need to use a catheter for an extended period of time I would recommend switching to an external (condom catheter.) I switched my dad to the condom type cathetes primarily because of infections. Although you have to be able to pass urine to use them. When indwelling catheters are in place the risk of infection increases by the day. Another major problem with them is the possibility of developing cancer from chronic irritation of the urine and the irritation of the catheter itself. Have you asked your doctor if irrigating would be beneficial in decreasing bacteria in you bladder? I know my dad used to drink tons of water and my mom would always give him cranberry juice also. Cranberry juice has a chemical in it which supposedly prevents bacteria from attaching to the bladder wall although as far as I know cranberry juice has never been proven to prevent or help cure UTI’s.
If you are changing your catheter every three months are you taking any types of anti-infective medications that slows or prevents the growth of bacteria in the urine?
Lemon/lemonade or other acidic drinks are very beneficial to alter the ph which helps prevent the growth of bacteria.
There are plenty of nurses here that should be able to advise you on the more current procedures/prevention.
Take care,
Jake

Thank you so much

@hundzow11 Hello. I understand your concerns about when it is time to change a catheter or leg bag. We are volunteer patients that share experiences here, and not medical professionals, so no one can offer medical advice. The best person to ask would be your medical provider. My mom has a foley catheter all the time and has had issues with mucous in the bladder causing clogs in the internal opening of the catheter and then leakage bypassing around it. She had been getting it replaced every 6 weeks, and her doctor decided on replacing the catheter every 4 weeks and she is given 2 leg bags for that time period. Sometimes the valves to empty the bag get jammed and she starts banging with something to open it, so that is when having an extra bag around helps. Having a catheter and leg bag can increase risk of bladder infection, so if something doesn't look right in the urine the bag is collecting, make sure to reach out to your provider.

Thank you for your kind directions towards the the volunteering patients and not pro medical advisers it meat a lot to me. Thanks again

@hundzow11
How long have you had the catheter?
Have you had any infections since starting to use it?
Jake

Hello , I had it for a month , No infection, minor leak is present ( sperm). I’ll replace it on Sunday if unable to pass urine . Other wise I’ll remove it.

Briefly speaking, I had a prostate enlargement back in 2016, I had omnic med, it didn’t work , in 2020 encountered difficulties to pass urine, till I had an ultra sound, then discovered a tumour within the prostate, undergone a surgery to remove the tumour, after laboratory results, I have been Diagnosed with a malignant ( prostatic cancer), my Dr advised to undergo a radical surgery as first opinion, a week after I had a complete seizure ( unable to pass urine ), I went to the hospital ( EMERGENCIES),
Incorporated a catheter, for second opinion
Dr advised chemotherapy,radiology,and Hormones, now I’m to travel abroad for 3rd opinion to either go for radical surgery or the chemotherapy and others .

Hundzow, decision making is especially challenging with prostate cancer. I'm glad that you are learning about your options. You may be interested in hearing the decisions and choices other men discuss in this discussion:
- How to choose treatment for prostate cancer? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-to-choose-treatment/

Did you have the catheter replaced successfully?

Hello, I had a urine infection followed by low pressure ( fainting level),vomit, severe body aches (joints), sore throat, due to the catheter, had to admission to hospital by an ambulance, undergone a blood test, urine test after changing the old urine bag, I had a Salian, pain killer, I experienced a brief rash, rash gone away, after sometime, was stable, with persistent joint pain, med’s were antibiotic,pain killer, water consumption, urination flow pressure back to normal, I hope it’ll maintain.