I've only had mine for 5 1/2 months (I was injured last Oct) so I don't have a long-term look at the suprapub. My instructions for maintenance were to clean the stoma morning and night with Dial soap, clean the bags (I use a leg bag during the day) with a bleach solution, and change the catheter once a month. The stoma has not yet healed, leading me to wonder if it ever does? I like your comment about trading between vinegar and bleach, Don.
The main problem for me started when a CNA disconnected my leg bag in the shower, allowing bacteria in. I had a series of infections after that and I'm still not quite recovered. Beware of idiocy. :/ Now for the brutally honest part...during the procedure my BP went up to 210/110, so make sure your urologist understands AD and has ways to lower your BP immediately available (nitro paste, pain meds, etc). It may have just been the way they performed the procedure or the fact that I'm so susceptible to AD. Has anyone else had this experience? I have another question- does anyone here have bad AD symptoms when the catheter is being changed and up to a day after it was changed? If so, how do you prepare for/treat the problem? Mandy, C5-C7 quad ________________________________ From: Don Price <[email protected]> To: Ben Mattlin <[email protected]> Cc: quadlist <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2012 4:24 PM Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] suprapubic To clarify--he was talking about rinsing the legbag out with a bleach solution, NOT your suprapubic. Btw, if you're able to you should rinse legbags or nightbags out by alternating between a bleach solution one night and a vinegar solution the next night. Kills different bacteria and keeps them almost odor-free. From: Ben Mattlin <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2012 3:04 PM Subject: RE: [QUAD-L] suprapubic Thanks, Daniel - but I'm a little confused. My urologist said I could just keep it capped and empty it into a bottle or urinal every 4-6 hours. He said a leg bag was optional for longer durations. Also said it would have to be changed monthly, either at his office or by a home nurse. He didn't say anything about rinsing with diluted bleach or anything. I thought he was making it sound too simple! ______________________________ Ben Mattlin http://www.benmattlin.com/ http://www.miracleboygrowsup.com/ -----Original Message----- From: Daniel Espinoza [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2012 1:26 PM To: 'Ben Mattlin'; [email protected] Subject: RE: [QUAD-L] suprapubic I've had mostly good experiences.... I rarely get UTI's now. I switch from my night bag to leg bag when I get in my char and just monitor my leg bag as my bladder is about the size of a walnut now... I use silver impregnated catheters to help prevent uti's, catheter gets changed every two weeks. Maintenance is as follows: Leg bag: rinse with diluted bleach after every time you use the leg bag. Night bag: rinse with diluted bleach after you drain it and your changed to the leg bag -----Original Message----- From: Ben Mattlin [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2012 12:37 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [QUAD-L] suprapubic Anybody had good or bad experiences with a suprapubic? I'm wondering about the initial installation operation as well as daily and monthly maintenance. Do you use a leg bag or just plug it and empty it every 4 to 6 hours? What are the "side effects" the doctors don't tell you about? Brutal honesty appreciated. Best, Ben ______________________________ Ben Mattlin www.BenMattlin.com www.MiracleBoyGrowsUp.com
