Doglady
Distinguished member
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2018
- Messages
- 218
- Reason
- PALS
- Diagnosis
- 04/2018
- Country
- US
- State
- MN
- City
- Minneapolis
Just reporting as requested in another thread on my experience in case anyone else is considering this. I’ve had my suprapubic cath for three weeks now. Since one week ago I can’t do a standing transfer (without falling) so I’m quite happy to not need to visit the restroom so often. And happy there’s no need for “depends’” at night !!!
I started almost a year ago by visiting a urologist to discuss urgency and too frequent bathroom trips. We went through many tests and PT. From the beginning I was also asking about getting a Supra pubic catheter. In the end as I lost mobility I was diagnosed with functional incontinence. The urologist wanted the neurologist and primary care doctors to give their blessings. I expect Medicare and my other insurance will cover the procedure.
The surgery was pretty easy with no overnight requirement. Kind of weird to get used to a tube coming out of your belly tied to a bag though. I was already on a Medicare episode of home nurse visits which was great. I would say almost essential. It was very painful at first and the percoset caused bad constipation. So I stopped taking them after 4 days. Daily Cleaning and bandaging for the incision is required.
Two weeks in I started to experience a lot of pain “down there” and actual urination. The home health nurse took a urine specimen and I guess, luckily, we discovered it was not an infection but spasms. I’m on a drug called trospium which controls that. It also has quite a few side affects - one being constipation. I think that prescription is going to be long term.
I’ve been struggling with controlling constipation and diarrhea since the surgery. Everything is healing up and working out well. Logistical issues are manageable. It’s so nice to feel free to hydrate myself adequately for the first time in years! My follow up visit with the urologist is still coming up. Six weeks after surgery.
Hope this helps. Ask questions if I’ve been unclear or left anything out. Mary
I started almost a year ago by visiting a urologist to discuss urgency and too frequent bathroom trips. We went through many tests and PT. From the beginning I was also asking about getting a Supra pubic catheter. In the end as I lost mobility I was diagnosed with functional incontinence. The urologist wanted the neurologist and primary care doctors to give their blessings. I expect Medicare and my other insurance will cover the procedure.
The surgery was pretty easy with no overnight requirement. Kind of weird to get used to a tube coming out of your belly tied to a bag though. I was already on a Medicare episode of home nurse visits which was great. I would say almost essential. It was very painful at first and the percoset caused bad constipation. So I stopped taking them after 4 days. Daily Cleaning and bandaging for the incision is required.
Two weeks in I started to experience a lot of pain “down there” and actual urination. The home health nurse took a urine specimen and I guess, luckily, we discovered it was not an infection but spasms. I’m on a drug called trospium which controls that. It also has quite a few side affects - one being constipation. I think that prescription is going to be long term.
I’ve been struggling with controlling constipation and diarrhea since the surgery. Everything is healing up and working out well. Logistical issues are manageable. It’s so nice to feel free to hydrate myself adequately for the first time in years! My follow up visit with the urologist is still coming up. Six weeks after surgery.
Hope this helps. Ask questions if I’ve been unclear or left anything out. Mary