Retention after General Anaesthetic

As you know I have had loads of GAs but always on the water works so can't directly answer the retention question. I can't see why the op and GA should affect the waterworks.

The obvious way into the bladder apart from the urethral route is a suprapubic through the abdominal wall. My first one was in the recovery room and although not my favourite pastime it was tolerable, bear in mind I was just coming round from the GA, it probably helped that I was a bit groggy and the morphine helped. The suprapubic hole seals itself within minutes once removed.

The other option is self catheterization, you can get some very thin catheters, could you try some pre op ?

I have also had a full dilatation and catheterization without any pain relief at all, again not pleasant but tolerable.

I do understand your concerns, but is the nose op going to improve your quality of life.

Take care thanks Chris

Thanks Chris that’s possibly what I will discuss with them as a back up plan. The nose is QofL stuff as it effects my voice, taste, smell and I can hardly breath through my nose

Lyn they explained that the anaesthetic can cause retention due to it being a muscle relaxant. It’s the part of the sphincter I believe that we can’t voluntarily control. This relies on the signals from the brain working it. If it is too relaxed it won’t let you pee.

I just want them to tell me what the back up plan is in case. But all they say is don’t worry if it happens we will sort it

Bri

Just a quick thought. I wonder how much of a throw away remark the "Tom,Dick or Harry " was ? Also,your situation brought back a memory of a patient I escorted to DRI years ago who underwent a procedure under GA.I forget the full details but I know his consultant (psychiatric) informed the surgery team of possible retention problems and the gentlemans ability to cope with a urethral catheter,and he was given a suprapubic insertion.It may be worth contacting the ENT clinic and explain your concerns further as quite often we encounter the 'leave it to us we know what we're doing ' attitude as if we're challenging their expertise.It is obviously a worry for you mate so you deserve to have your mind reassured. Hope it all works out well for you Bri.

Paul

Hi Bri 

Please read my Bio re Cathetering 

I have a stricture and sometimes have to selfcatheter

Barry

Edited by member 07 Apr 2018 at 07:44  | Reason: Not specified

I have had a bout of retention years ago following brain surgery and had to have a catheter.

When A had retention following his FLA he had to self cath, which he said was much better than having a nurse do it. He was given training ( 30 mins) and a supply of pre lubed Cath’s with own ‘catch bags’ Plus an ointment to numb the tip.

Would it be worth asking for training/ equipment and trying it before the surgery?

I wasn’t sure it was the general but that I wasn’t allowed any movement and lying flat in bed my ‘let down’ reflex just refused to operate. Maybe if I had tried a bedpan before surgery but the ‘do not wee the bed’ training seemed to override all attempts to use a bed pan!

Maybe it was the general now you mention it!

Good luck

Thanks Claret.... it’s not the worry of someone catheterising me it’s the issue that my bladder opening is not big enough to take a catheter regardless of who does it 😫

Cheers Barry, yep that’s why I want the assurance that they have a pro-active plan just in case rather than them being reactive.

Fact is if by the end of Monday there is no plan I’m cancelling the op

Bri

Edited by member 07 Apr 2018 at 20:46  | Reason: Not specified

Get a black Sharpie and write “ do NOT catheterise “ on your tummy. I had a huge shoulder op after a motorcycle accident when I was 18. The consultant came in and marked an arrow on my shoulder. Didn’t fill me with confidence lol. Good luck whatever

Well looks like I will be postponing the op. There waiting for me to speak to the urologist today to get his view. Why I have to speak to him I don’t know.
The other option is that I go with the op on Thursday and be reassured it’s near the same place we’re the urologist is so if he is needed they can call him. He won’t have my records as they are at Sheffield and will he really be readily available?
All I wanted was for them to say we’ve talked to your urologist and we now know what we would have to do if you go into retention.
Instead I’m the one trying to get the information to share with them

Very disappointed with the NHS at the moment

Bri

I’ve cancelled the op. I spoke to the urologist nurse at Hallamshire who said that whoever does the catheter would need to know how to do it with my stenosis.

Shared that info with the pre op assessment nurse. She said the ENT had said the urologist would be around. The nurse checked calendars and told me the urologist was in theatre all that day. When she said it was up to me if I wanted to take the gamble that made my mind up. Op cancelled. Now waiting for a urologist appt to put a plan together. I suspect they will want to take a look at the stenosis but that’s fine

Bri