Bladder irrigation: can I use sterile water vs. saline?
Is it safe to use sterile water to flush the bladder versus saline?unbeknownst to me, my medical supplier started sending me sterile water instead of saline, and I was using it for a couple months before I realized it.
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Here is an article that may answer your question:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20027552/
Here's a more technical and complete answer to the same question:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5125741/
I am a quadriplegic, and I self cath through my belly button. I need to know if sterile water is safe for irrigation.
I believe the following article indicates that sterile water is suggested to use:
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000145.htm
I would suggest that you run this question by the medical provider who prescribes the bladder irrigation.
I tried that. I was told I had to come in and be seen.
@gummyjo this is sad but if you put yourself in their shoes, perhaps they are concerned about liability?
@gummyjo, I know this is an old discussion, but I'm wondering what the answer was to your original question. Did you need to use saline solution? What did you find out?