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

Posted by victor1930 @victor1930, Jun 11, 2019

I have a severe ureteral stricture due to a traumatic catherization. As a result, I have a very thin
stream when I pee and do so very frequently and it takes a long while each time... This leads to
retention of urine when I void causing me to have constant UTI’s. I have had 3 Internal
urethrotomies (VIU's) with no success. My doctor is recommending having an indwelling
Suprapubic catheter. Do any of you know of any other options that are available to me?
Also, what are the Pro’s and Con’s of having a Suprapubic catheter installed?
Victor

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seems as the radiologists here put in pigtail catheters, they do an xray each time- will ask for a foley suprapubic where any nurse can put it in without an xray!
thanks

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@jakedduck1

@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.

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I am a quadriplegic. You said something about the risk of bladder cancer, how does that come about in relation to cathing?
I am a female, and I cath through my belly button, but at night I put a catheter in, not a Foley just a regular one, so I don’t leak out my belly button all night. I would like to know if I am at risk for developing bladder cancer. That’s never been mentioned by any of my doctors.

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@gummyjo

I am a quadriplegic. You said something about the risk of bladder cancer, how does that come about in relation to cathing?
I am a female, and I cath through my belly button, but at night I put a catheter in, not a Foley just a regular one, so I don’t leak out my belly button all night. I would like to know if I am at risk for developing bladder cancer. That’s never been mentioned by any of my doctors.

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@gummyjo
We never knew of the increased risk until my dad got bladder cancer. My dad‘s doctor at the SCI Center and his regular urologist said it was caused by irritation from the catheter and infections. There are also other factors that increase cancer risk.
It's been proven that spinal cord injury patients' risk for UTIs is higher than the regular population. Sometimes the irritation of the catheter causes tumors which become cancerous. Women, as I understand it are nearly 3 times less likely than men to develop cancer from catheter use. Catheter use can somehow cause cells to become cancerous. Although the risk may be low that doesn't mean it doesn't happen. My dad passed one year after diagnoses.
Do you take medication to help infection and bladder spasms?
Have a heart to heart about this subject with a softer, preferably a SCI specialist.
What level is your lesson?
Do you have contractions of your hands etc?
Take care,
Jakdo you have contractions of your hands?
Take care,
Jake

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@jakedduck1

@gummyjo
We never knew of the increased risk until my dad got bladder cancer. My dad‘s doctor at the SCI Center and his regular urologist said it was caused by irritation from the catheter and infections. There are also other factors that increase cancer risk.
It's been proven that spinal cord injury patients' risk for UTIs is higher than the regular population. Sometimes the irritation of the catheter causes tumors which become cancerous. Women, as I understand it are nearly 3 times less likely than men to develop cancer from catheter use. Catheter use can somehow cause cells to become cancerous. Although the risk may be low that doesn't mean it doesn't happen. My dad passed one year after diagnoses.
Do you take medication to help infection and bladder spasms?
Have a heart to heart about this subject with a softer, preferably a SCI specialist.
What level is your lesson?
Do you have contractions of your hands etc?
Take care,
Jakdo you have contractions of your hands?
Take care,
Jake

Jump to this post

My injury is between C5 and C6. I do not have contractions in my hands. I take oxybutynin for my bladder. I do not take anything for infection, are used to be on trimethoprim daily, then I started eating different and drinking more water, I have not had a UTI for a couple years. I found online, that cherries, cranberries, blueberries, apples, green beans, broccoli, and cabbage, all eat E. coli in the bladder.

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