Without becoming a total bore on this subject, I'm wondering if doctors even try to encourage blader training and the use of condom catheters anymore. It can be a rather long process, but when done right, it can eliminate a lot of those nasty infections. Even if your not using an external cath, try once a day, tapping around your lower abdomen to cause a spasm in your bladder muscles that empties your bladder more thouroughly. This helps to eliminate the bugs that are giving you the UTI's.
Women don't have a choice for external catheters, but guys should give it a good try. The health benefits are beyond measure. If you have a problem keeping the catheters on, there is some new adhesives that really work.
The smple fact is if you have an indwelling foley, you have a UTI. If you have an indwelling foley you should be taking anti-infectives and high dose of vitamin C, 3 to 6 grams per day. (I favor mandelamine because it creates a hostile place for bugs in your kidneys and bladder.) Try to always have the same person help you when changing a catheter, the best person is a family member because you already share many of the same germs. A different nurse or doctor each time is asking for trouble. Irrigate regularly (twice a week for most and again, a loved one should help or they need to do sterile technique.) and if it isn't showing signs of clogging up, don't change because of a schedual.
I still believe in bladder training so that your bladder, even with an indwelling catheter will void as completely as possible at least once a day.
You should all have a broad spectrum anti-biotic on hand and understand when to use it, how to use it, and what it does.
Don't drink water insanely, but drink plenty of the clear stuff. Soda pop causes your bones to leach calcium even faster which cause kidney and bladder problems as well.
john in cincy
31years post
C-5
