I'm interested in conversations about and I want to talk about

Know exactly what you want?

Show search

Notification

Error

Update post RALP

Email this conversation Print this conversation

User

Posted 26 Dec 2024 at 10:50

Hi Paul,

Good to hear you’re still doing well. I tackled the stairs a couple of times yesterday and it felt a bit like I had climbed Everest!

Starting to sleep better though, but catheter is by far the most bothersome aspect at the moment. I’m just trying to keep it as clean as possible to avoid any issues. It’s more of a logistical problem than being particularly uncomfortable though. Lifting my leg up to the toilet to drain it is still hard work.

My surgeon used clips for the wound that will come out when I go for the catheter removal, and apart from catching them a couple of times, they have been okay. I took your advice and got some germolene in case they do get sore.

It’s good to read your updates though, it keeps me positive that it gets better 👍🏼

User

Posted 26 Dec 2024 at 12:26

Sounds like everyone’s recovery is different but all seeing improvements day to day. Great to hear Morty & Paul… And to JP77 - good luck for the 30th.

I’m now 6 weeks post RALP - getting back to being active. Still not fully there but got the best Christmas present of them all yesterday - waking with “spontaneous glory”. Didn’t last long but it gave me cause for hope!

Anyway - wishing you all a restful Christmas break :)

User

Posted 27 Dec 2024 at 08:23

Good morning Morty. Stairs will be a bit tiring for a day or two, regarding the catheter bags, I used to carry my night bag to the loo and empty it over the rim of the sink in the downstairs loo before I took it off, (all goes down the same drain) with the leg bag I would release the bottom leg strap and do the same in the loo, that way you wouldn’t have to lift your leg as far. (My bag was just below the knee). If it is lower I would just empty it into a bucket if I were you, bending or lifting your leg will be irritating for a few weeks, remember necessity is the mother of all invention.
All the best.

Paul

User

Posted 27 Dec 2024 at 20:34

Day 4 post-op and the catheter seems to be playing up. It started yesterday when I changed it from the night bag when I got up in the morning and by lunch time there was very little in the bag despite drinking lots of water. Felt really uncomfortable so read through my catheter passport and follow the steps and after raising it above bladder level it eventually started to drain. Has been similar situation today, requiring frequent adjustment. There was over two litres in night bag so doesn’t seem to be an issue with the overnight one.

I also managed to drop the bag whilst drying myself after the shower. This was an unpleasant experience I am not in a hurry to repeat!

Has anyone else had similar issues with the catheter draining?

User

Posted 27 Dec 2024 at 23:22

I believe it is always to be definitely below bladder , that is why its been okay at night.

User

Posted 27 Dec 2024 at 23:28

Morty, are you attaching your night bag to leg bag or disconnecting the leg bag and fitting a night bag to the catheter. Normal UK protocol is leg bags stop in place for 7 days and a new night bag is fitted every day. For infection control after surgery anything disconnected from the catheter should be thrown away and not reused. Post surgery and long term use of catheters are normally different.

Lifting to bag above the height of the bladder should not make any difference as the bags have an anti flow back arrangement. The bags I had 11 years ago the bags did not all have an anti flow back arrangement.

When you shower empty the leg bag and make sure the catheter is still attached to the leg.

I have had a suprapubic catheter for over 7 years.

Added, as Ned says normal position for a bag is below the bladder, a leg bag on the thigh may not always be below the bladder, but if you change position in the night it will at times be below the bladder. In addition usually your bladder will still produce pressure and expel the urine.

Thanks Chris

Edited by member 27 Dec 2024 at 23:33 | Reason: Extra paragraph

User

Posted 28 Dec 2024 at 11:19

Hi Chris,

I just connect the night bag to my leg bag, which is positioned just below my knee.

I woke up this morning with an idea running round my head for some reason! When I have been emptying the night bag in the morning I have left the tap on my leg bag open, only closing it when I disconnect the night bag. I wondered if the pressure created when emptying the night bag almost made a kind of vacuum in the leg bag as it looked like when you suck all the air out of a plastic bag, and maybe that was making it difficult for new urine to flow in?

Anyway, this morning I closed the leg bag tap and then emptied the night bag and so far it seems to be flowing okay with none of the discomfort I had yesterday 🤞🏼

User

Posted 28 Dec 2024 at 13:27

Morty, you are certainly right about the vacuum effect. During the day when draining the leg bag there have been times when I only part opened the tap to reduce the vacuum effect.

Hope all goes well, make sure you are hydrated before you get to hospital for the catheter removal. I had to produce three lots of urine after removal, much easier if you are hydrated. I also took the view that it was better to leak than have a catheter put back in because I couldn't urinate. Removal should be painless, just remember to relax and there should be no issues.

Thanks Chris

User

Posted 03 Jan 2025 at 12:20

Just thought I’d update post catheter removal.

Feel like a new man today without the bag, and have been dry since removal and overnight which is promising. The removal wasn’t painful just felt strange! First few times I passed urine were a bit stingy but no issues really.

The only issue was that my main wound reopened when they took the staples out and has been quite oozy! They’ve told me just to keep it dry and have provided me with dressings.

JP77 - I hope your surgery went okay and you’re doing well at home. You definitely get better each day and for me so far the biggest milestones for feeling better have been having my first poo and getting the catheter out. I made sure I drank at least 2 litres of water per day and ate lots of plain fibre rich food and everything seems back to it’s normal routine now 👍🏼

User

Posted 04 Jan 2025 at 06:11

Hi Morty

Glad to hear that you’re still progressing well and had the catheter removed. Surgery went well but had some blood loss so stayed in for 2 nights in the end as I didn’t feel great on day 1! Surgery was nerve sparing and the surgeon was happy with how it all went. I’m taking it easy and finding that each day I can move ever so slightly better than the day before!

Email this conversation Print this conversation

Join the online community now.

Click through to become a member and gain access to support, information and real time replies.