I just had my suprapubic catheter put in on February 4 and already I have a urinary tract infection. I had back-to-back UTIs when it was in the urethra, that's why I opt for the suprapubic. I hope this is not going to be an example of things to come. No, I do not drink cranberry juice, but I do drink tons of water.
The other reason I got a suprapubic catheter, was that my former urologists told me my urethra would start leaking soon. He stated that after inserting the catheter into the urethra and the balloon adding pressure to it, would make the urethra erode and leaking would start soon after. Have a Blessed Day, Naomi -----Original Message----- From: Quadius <[email protected]> To: Bill Lang <[email protected]> Cc: Patricia Brown-Tulee <[email protected]>; quad-list <[email protected]> Sent: Fri, May 16, 2014 11:44 pm Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] supra pubic begining I had mine for about 15 or 16 years before I really began having too many problems with it. I did pretty well with infections once I learn how to make sure it drain properly all of the time. I did, however, get more UTIs later and usually about three or year. That one time I went about three years without a serious infection, but that all changed once I got some bladder stones in my bladder. Q Sent from my iPad On May 15, 2014, at 11:22 AM, Bill Lang <[email protected]> wrote: Supra pubic in for 25 years. No infections for the first 9 yrs! My Urologist believes it may be a record. My assessment, I probably had a bodily defense to infection. Anyway, I get them now very rarely. I attribute the success to carefully adhere to cleaning the catheter upon getting up and then going down. It's just a soap and water wash of the catheter twice a day. I change the catheter every month using sterile techniques i.e. Maintaining a sterile field during catheter changers. Before changing I do the normal Catheter care b4 the change. I do drink cranberry juice in the morning while taking my meds. Not sure if this helps but it works for me. Based upon my experience with suprapubic catheter I would recommend that you have the procedure done (it is reversible). It also offers a greater amount of freedom. I don't know why you are leaking but the answer may be that the catheter balloon may have shrunk or you need a catheter with a larger ball. Just my humble opinion. Billy Sent from my iPad On May 7, 2014, at 16:58, Patricia Brown-Tulee <[email protected]> wrote: How many of u had baed infections w/ supra pubic at first? Do any of u take anything to keep a "healthy" bladder while having the sp? I'm currently contemplating if I want to keep it or go back to straight cath due to my probs & totally leaked from urethra last night in bed. Patricia L. B [email protected] while adding years to your life, add life to your years
