Super Supra Pubic Catheters

1,776 thoughts on “Super Supra Pubic Catheters”

1. I had a spc inserted a week ago under general anesthesia. I have suffered no pain at all up to now and feel fine and I am very pleased with the result. I can function again quite normal as before. (so far). Reason was that I had frequent uti due to strictures of the urethra. They first tried to fix this by dilatation. That didn’t work. When they pulled out the in dwelling catheter it was sheer torture, a traumatic experience. So the urologist opted for the spc.
   The fairly short rubber catheter has a flip-flow nozzle, which I tuck away in my undies.During the night I have an elastic band round my leg which holds the catheter. The district nurse checks on me every two or three days, but that will be only temporary I assume. However, the only thing I am a bit worried about is changing the catheter (every 4 weeks. the first time in the hospital). They (doctor and nurse) assure me that changing the catheter is painless (?), but I have learned to take such assurances with a pinch of salt. (the removal of the catheter from the urethra was also supposed to be ‘painless’.)
   Any comments and your experiences will be appreciated.

2. You sound as if you are expecting the worse – As long as the nurse who removes the catheter makes sure that she get out all the fluid that has been used to inflate the balloon – and takes her time making sure every drop is out – then puts some ‘cathgel’ [lts a local anesthetic] on the site – you will come out before you realise its been done. l always take a deep breath in – and let it out slowly as they take the cath out. lts best to make sure you have drunk some water before hand – then when the nurse replace a new cath – it should ‘flow’ straightaway. Make sure they only push the new cath in as far as the old one was – or until you get a flow of urine. You are lucky if you you can manage with a flip-flow – my problem is l have zilch control – so the valve was out of the question. You could – with a flip-flow have just a short length cath – its only about eight inches long at the most – so much easier to hide away- and no length of tubing to kink or have to strap to yourself.
   lf after the change the site gets a bit ‘oozy’ thats quite normal. lf you can get into a bath – a handful of sea-salt will heal it up nicely. Or just bathe it a a saline solution. lt needs a bit of ‘air’ to help heal up. The more fuss you make with dressings etc just seems to prolong the healing. l say healing – but as the cath site never really heals as the ‘foreign body’ is always moving – and l think our bodies are always objecting to have a strange thing stuck into them.
   My comments are from 18yrs of SPC – still learning though!!!!!!!!!!!

3. Tom,

   I have had an SPC since May of last year and find it a huge improvement over trying to keep a ureter open that wasn’t going to do that any more.

   The change is really pain free. I know the experience of removing the catheter from the ureter that isn’t quite totally deflated and this is NOTHING like that.

   Keeping the site open seems to work better than the bandages. I think the worst part was taking the tape off.

4. Trampergirl and Bill. Many thanks for your comments. Much appreciated. I feel more confident now. Great that we can exchange experiences this way.
   By the way bill; the part of the urinary tract from the bladder through the penis is called the urethra. The ureter is the part from the kidney to the bladder.
   Cheers,
   Tom

5. thanks so much Graham! this helps me tons in my decisions on getting this done to myself. i’m still scared, but the urethra way is just not seat friendly for this girl. God bless you AND Sarge. ;)
   luvs,
   mary n petunia

6. Hello Mary I agree with you about sitting down with a urearal cath I find it very painfull. I also find that walking about with ureathal one was painfull . I leaked with mine. Sience I have the spc. No problems at all and no urge to pee with spc. I had the urge to pee most of the time with urearal one then I would bypass and leak when standing. I am very happy with my spc. I find that turning over in bed somtimes pulls it and make go ouch. This is the fault I can find with the spc.
   Alicia

7. OUCH OUCH OUCH STILL got the darn UTI..Took a course of anti biotics last week…tried again…guzzling lots of water and had a litre of cranberry juice a day…
   Still got it..
   Its driving me MAD!
   So bloomin painful can hardly walk alot of the time…..
   AHHHHHHHHggggg
   (Sorry just venting!!!!!)

8. they say lime juice and water are good for utis I cant have cranbrerry juice if I get a uti I am warfin and you cant have cranbrerry juice if you take warfin
   Alicia

9. a friend swears by d-mannose. i’m trying it now. also cranberry juice should be 100% cranberry juice that is sold at healthfood stores. btw, i’ve gotten rid of (P.U.B.S) ‘purple urinary bag syndrome’ by flushing with 20% collidial silver in the water. maybe that might help.
   mary :)

10. What is d mannose???
    I;m also taking cranberry tabs 400 ml a day
    These utis are so uncomforable had one for almost 3 months now and its wearing me down..Some days are better than others but mostly feel like I’m being stabbed in the bladder/urether area….
    Is it fresh lime juice or the bottled type? Altyho it does say here to stay away from citrus????
    I’m trying anything and everything at this point..The anti biotics do no good whatsoever..Have had three different types and they’re all useless….!!!

11. For my repeative UTIs, I take Probiotics (2 capsules per day) and I have ‘herbs of gold Canberry 60000’ tablets which I take 1 per day. I also take Vitamin D forte (1 drop) and drink about 2.5 litres of water plus my usual green tea, cups of tea and maybe a couple of coffees. Because of the anti-biotics, i reckon my gut is all botched up, so I also take ‘Metagenics Vegetable Digestive Enzymes’ x 1 tablet per day too.
    The result is – I’m feeling great!!!
    Cheers
    JWTAS

12. Crikey PATHMAKER…what with the rain outside and all that liquid inside, its a wonder you don’t float away into the sunset!!!!! haha

    MARY I looked up the d-mannose thing and it seems to be a mixture of fruit extracts, cranberry included..Hope it works for you….

13. I also find robinsons fruit barley water is good for uti. Look for the none cirtus one. They taste nice as well. They have helped me when I have a uti. Mind you the spc I have not had a uti yet. I did with the urearal cath. I had 3 in 4 weeks. I hope this helps for people who have a uti now.
    Hugs
    Alicia

14. I had a sp catheter for 14 months in the UK.

    It caused quite a few side effects whilst in.
    Bowel movement urges were intensified with sharp pains and it was a nasty time due to misunderstanding and a lack of education.

    Only for the last 6 weeks did I go onto a flipflo valve to store urine.
    Due to a lack of proactivity/understanding my probs on the NHS front, I was not persuaded to use this before that time.

    I should have because I would have understood the following far sooner.

    1) The storage/expanding phase of the bladder is its natural function.
    It spends about 3-8 hours expanding and 20-40 seconds draining.

    2) Free/constant drain catheters ensure that the bladder wall will be extremely close. It’ll be worse due to the reaction and increased infections caused by the catheter just being there , causing agitation.

    3) If you drink a large amount of liquid in few hits, rather than , little but often, this will pass through with a higher pressure. If you have a very contracting bladder, the syphon effect will make sure that bladder wall is pulled into the catheter.
    It’s not rocket science and is clear to any professional that cares to learn that.

    4) Get on a catheter valve if you can, unless you have absolutely no choice. The trouble is that it can take perhaps 100ml plus of bladder expansion to ensure that the walls are not being sucked. I tried to keep a residual volume in there after each emptying.

    The only way I could do this without bladder scans was to go by feel. AS I can feel all of the sensations, I would open the valve slowly to full and after some seconds, I would stop it. Then i’d open it to its slowest draining point so that the flow was slow instead of blasting.
    As the bladder walls get near the catheter eyelets and tip, I felt the sensation and just stopped the drainage then.

    I didn’t really care how much was left, because at least it was not damaging my bladder and not causing pseudopolyps from the slow but consistent stretch on parts of the bladder. Imagine a few tendrils getting pulled in far before the bladder reaches low volumes, during drainage.(based on using a valve)

    I had a folysil sp catheter, and on constant drain I was getting such a sludge and stabbing pains. I spent 3 months lying mostly on my side whilst waiting for a urethrotomy. Imagine a 20ml/30 ml volume (smaller when the bladder walls are sucked in and sitting on the catheter. With bladder walls sucked/bonded to the catheter by natural encrustation/glue like bonds, the drainage becomes sludge infested. Micro organisms have much more potential to develop/intensify.

    Antibiotics are all very well, but they have to be carefully used with a catheter change so that the new catheter will enter a battleground where hopefully the antibiotics take dominance.
    Putting a new catheter into sludgey, highly infected urinary system seems pathetic and ignorant of the patient’s comfort.

    I would say this. Unless it’s absolutely impossible to have a catheter valve, then have one. Even if you have an alarm to be able to empty once per 2 hours, you are still stopping the bladder wall from being sucked in intensly.

    At the moment, for some reason, my bladder is holding a post-void residual of 200ml every time I do a urethral stricture re-occurence prevention of Intermittent Self Dilatition/catheterisation.

    I get urges around 450ml, maybe 650 ml whilst asleep. I will therefore pass 250 ml, 450 ml respectively leaving the 200ml every time.

    After a week of extra antiobiotics plus a week of bladder wall healing, you should be able to re-evaluate if this has helped.

    Of course, speak to your healthcare “professionals” but only the nice ones and the educated one’s about this.

    Obviously, I appreciate there are many bladder behaviours and some of you don’t have the right sensations or the ability to use the catheter valve.

    However, I can’t help feeling that a valve for at least 2 weeks with a 2-3 hour emptying will give a better feeling and urine quality.
    Obviously, this depends on how much urine you produce.

    The healthcare “professionals” should offer a good opinion on this.

    This is a rather a long message but I couldn’t really do it shorter.

    Message summary – try cathteter valve, observe, learn. reply on here after observations.
    I hope my message gets through :)

15. I have a flip flow valve on mine..which I emty as needed…and also leave a little in the bottom…because of the horrible slurping sensation that always makes me yell….
    Its amazing how little some of the ‘professionals’ know….but I think if you’ve never had one its difficult to imagine the sensations…

16. Yes, the slurping sensations. You’ve already gone too far with the drainage cycle by then. Drain fast to start, then as slow as possible near the end, until the slight pull (which is probably too far, but I needed a marker point) was the technique that helped a lot. The faster it drains the more intense the syphon effect.

    One week after my urethrotomy in jan 2012, I had the urethral cath removed, the sp blocked so I could do a trial without catheter.

    No one told me to be careful, when using the remaining sp cath valve to test for post void residual, not to suck my bladder wall in…..Idiots.

    My consultant surgeon was clear about them… ” I told you not to listen to them…….” LOL/ :(

17. Had my spc changed last week in the hospital for the first time. Peace of cake; didn’t feel a thing and the new one was in before I could say ‘Jack Robertson’). The ‘flip flow’ cath has to be changed every month; which will from now on be done by one of the district nurses. I clean it every morning with a sterile pad dipped in a bit of alcohol (methylated spirits). Drinking plenty of fluids (not necessarely water) is to be recommended.

18. Hi Graham

    I’m a low level para complete, have high bladder pressures and they are wanting to do a sphincterotomy which is freaking me out (pretty much zero sex life after that as it means continually free draining via urodome so any urine will just flow straight out) does a SPC reduce bladder pressure given it is free draining?

    Bladder pressure is really high causeing UTI’s on-going, with current methond to pee via urodome and tapping of bladder which gets me down to about 120mls left in the bladder.

    Thank you in advance
    Shane

19. Hi Shane,
    Please get the SPC. I was given the same choice. I wore the external catheter for two years and the doctor explained the sphincterotomy. In 2007 I went to a different doctor and got the SPC. I have had no problems and change them out myself.
    Mike

20. I’m a 64 yr old male who had an L1 burst fracture resulting in incomplete paraplegia. I have a neurogenic bladder and self-cathed for 3-1/2 yrs. Started getting recurring bladder infections; then found out the hard way that the ureters from the kidneys have one way valves. My right ureter valve was damaged while in the hospital. It finally failed. A UTI last year turned into a kidney infection which put me in hospital for 4 days until they found the right antibiotic to kill it.

    I agreed then to a foley to stop the recurring infections. Doctor changed it monthly, but I had problems. After 6 months with foley, I got 2 more kidney infections. He said time for SPC. Have had SPC since Nov 2011.

    I have had the catheter come out twice. Both times because they used one with only a 5cc balloon. First time I called the doctor on a Saturday. He met me at his office and changed it. Second time was 4th of July. I was getting ready to go out when I felt clothes wet. The balloon burst and the catheter came out. Went to ER and fortunately had an excellent ER doctor who listened and put in a new one with no prob. My urologist retired suddenly and now I have to find a new one.

    I do have very odorous leakage around the site. I keep drain pads on it and wear depends instead of regular underwear because of leakage.

21. Bill

    I have had an SPC since May of 2011 and in the past 2 months had 2 catheter failures as well. After a failed attempt to get my local ER to change the first one, my wife and I paid a little more attention at the change and did a pretty good job of replacing the second. See Graham’s notes on changing at the top of the website.

    Would going to a larger size catheter reduce the leakage?

    Try healtgrades.com for locating a doctor in your area. Good luck.

22. ln 18yrs of having an SPC – l never had the catheter fail. l wonder what causes this. Certainly change the ‘make’ if its the same type that has failed. Might be a faulty batch. This has happened with drainage bags – l had 5 boxes delivered – nearly a years worth that had to be returned as they had all leaked from one of seams. l know when my district nurse changes my cath she always takes the id sticker and puts it on my notes for reference. l agree with the last post about trying a larger diameter cath. Also, this site has excellent info on changing spc’s. lts good that your wife is able to help – takes away a lot of worry – you will soon become your own expert.

23. I’ve had an SPC since December and I will say that it has pros and cons. For it is the fact that I have had only one UTI since it was put in, and that was just after the first change. I can sleep the night without having to wake up lots of times wanting to pee, having spasms due to a full bladder. (Bearing in mind that I have severe sleep apnea and have to where a breathing mask to help me sleep properly which also helps.) I use a flip flo to try and maintain some bladder capacity, but it is sometimes hard to judge when I want to go as I still get some bladder contractions. Prior to having this fitted I would often have up to 1200 mls in my bladder which is obviously not a good idea. I had used condom drainage since my accident in 1982 and then tried self catheterisation , but that seemed to cause even more infections. The doctors scared the life out of me with the threat of kidney failure should I continue with such huge bladder capacities, so I opted for the SPC.
    Cons. It is still very sensitive and if I catch it, it is very sore. Trying to wear trousers that don’t rub on it and make me feel uncomfortable is difficult. Up to the last change my bladder was very sore where the catheter was sited. I still get some discharge, which can be quite smelly, although it is now only very little. I thought that it would have stopped by now. When it comes to sex I am very conscious of it and what my occasional partner might think of it. Can it be off putting? Although I disconnect the leg bag it can still be caught quite easily and the last time it was, which really made be jump and spasm. Luckily, or unluckily, depending on how I look at it, this is a pretty rare event!!
    Overall, I am glad that I had it fitted and will persevere with it. By the way, I am a C5/6 incomplete quad, in the chair for 30 years now and probably more independent now than I ever was.
    Cheers,
    Les

24. Shane, I failed to answer your question. Yes, an SPC will reduce the bladder pressure. More power for you if you can still do sex. I hope Graham’s pictures keeps you interested.

    Bill G, I’m a 63 yr old male who also had a L1 burst fracture resulting in incomplete paraplegia. I did ISC (Intermittent Straight Cath) for 3 to 4 months. Then began to empty small amounts (dribble) on my own. So I used a urodome, uro-sheath, external, condom catheter (all same-same) for two years. I had UTI’s with both but luckily no kidney problems. In 2009 (not 07) I got the SPC and no UTI’s to date.

    A larger size catheter might help with a leak. But first I would try adjusting the amount of water in the balloon. I was having bladder spasm problems when the nurse suggested I use less water to inflate the balloon. I now use 4 or 5cc with no problems. To me “ordor” means “site Infection”. Sunshine is a great disinfectant.

    I have used Foley catheters since 2007 and had my first failure (Kendall) recently. I woke up when it came out and my leg was wet. I quickly put in a new one and then inflated the old one. After a few hours I noticed the balloon getting smaller.

25. does anyone know where Grahame is? I haven’t heard him on this chat group now for quite awhile. last time i remember, he had very ‘red-wine’ coloured urine … I’ve been worried about him.
    Cheers
    Jane

26. Jane,

    I was thinking about Graham the other day. His insights and attitude in dealing with his health issues have been a real encouragement in the struggle.

    Hope all is well, Graham.

27. My cath is a 26, so plenty large. The doctor cut me open to insert it. Due to reduced kidney function they give me only a few pain pills. My overnight stay for the SPC turned into 4 days due to severe pain. I now tell people I know what it is like for a lady to have a c-section.

    First SPC cath that failed was a 24 with a 5ml balloon. It came out while I was watching TV. The last one was a diff brand, new doctor, but still a 24 with 5ml balloon. I told him 5ml wasn’t enough to keep it in, so he put 10ml in the 5ml bag. Exactly 5 weeks later, after the doctor changed my appointment date, that balloon burst and came out. The ER doctor agreed to put in a 26 because it had a 30ml balloon, but she only put 15ml in – enough to keep it in.

    So size isn’t the issue about leakage. I think, as someone said I need to let it air out. Guess it means going nude for a day? LOL

28. Hi all

    Thank you for your advice – very helpful

    Take care and thanks again

29. l have a 16 cath and l have 10ml – either water or glycerin in the balloon.
    Good old salt water is ideal for healing up the cath site – if you can’t sit in a bath for a soak – then just apply if locally. Fresh air will then help to heal
    lf you don’t feel like baring all – just sit by an open window or door. Don’t want to frighten the neighbours!!

    Graham – how are things with you?

30. I’m fine everyone thanks for asking. I took my Quickie P200 power wheelchair to Thailand. A week in the five star Marriot. Boy did I turn some heads. On $3/wk most of these people have never seen a powerchair let alone some crazy Aussie zooming around in the chaos they call traffic. I kissed a cobra and sang at the hard rock cafe but the scariest thing was the “lady boys” show lol. I did nothing special with my supra pubic catheter and it was just fine.

    I took a break from accounting, busy building websites, but keep an eye on things here. You are all so great at helping each other I just haven’t needed to post! I’ve also been spending time with a bunch of my wheelchair mates. We’re all going to Australia Zoo soon so let me know if you want to join us (able bodies welcome).

31. Fabulous news Graham!!!!

32. Hi, I am writing with questions again. My Mom (87) has had a SPT for 11 months. Her stomach is still so sensitive and painful. When changing the gauze I am afraid to even touch it. I believe this isn’t normal. The doctors don’t seem to care. Am I crazy or should it not hurt? Does anyone know a good Doctor in Massachusetts that know how to deal with this. She is still getting UTI’s Had 4 in July and now has another one. She is at her witts end. Thanks in advance for all your help

33. I’ve just had mine out!!! Glorie HALLEJULUIA…the most miserable three months of my life with an almost constant UTI (that Doc says is NOT a UTI just a SPC!!! Grrrrr) Pelvic pain..felt like my whole pelvic region was on fire….Had difficulty even walking around the house..the whole experience was horrible…..

    Good luck to you all who still have them…..

34. Sue,

    Try healtgrades.com for locating a doctor in your area. I found a good urologist there. Good luck

35. Hello Sue When I had my spd first put in my tummy was very tender. I used dressing for about 3 weeks. You could try aloe vere med wipes or aloe vere wipes. for your mums tummy aloe vere is very soothing and cooling. Get your mum to drink about 500mls of pure cranberry juice a day it keeps utis at bay. Also make sure that your mum is drinking enough water. She should be drinking 2.5 to 3 lt of mixed fluids a day. I find water is the best. I aslo drink 500ml of cranberry juice every day. When you have a spc the urine that drains should nearly clear like water. Or it be the coulor of very pale straw. Tea and coffee can make the urine very strong. If your mum has a uti get her to drink more cranberry juice about 4 glasses a day. Or get her to drink a glass of water every two hours or so. It helps to wash the toxins in the uriany track. This does help. I wish you mum a very speddy recovery and good luck. I hope that I have been some help to you.
    all the best
    Alicia

36. Hi

    My Mom had her SPT put in last Sept so it has been 11 months. We had a new nurse today and she suggested we go to a GI doctor. That the pain is not normal, She is on limited liquids and we are suppose to avoid straight water. Her kidneys work too hard when she drinks water. I just wish I knew how to help her.

37. Hi Sue,
    Sorry to hear your dear mum is having so much discomfort with her SPC. lt is not normal – and could be a underlying cause. l have had a SPC for 18yrs. There has been times when it has caused me problems but it does what it is intended for and l would never want to go back to having no control of my bladder and wetting all the time.
    When l had mine done [l have MS] my elderly Aunt Mollie also had it done – she was told that the Queen Mother had a SPC for some years- which we often joked that this was the nearest we would get to Royalty. My bladder spasms all the time – from the ms – so this does cause me discomfort – but l have got use to living with it.
    Hope you get good advice from the professionals and your mum gets some relief.

38. had my first change of my suprapubic yesterday and am having some urethra pain any ideas why

39. i also have problems with external yeast in the fold anyone found any treatments that wrk. I org thought the pain mentioned above might be from cath inserted to far but it seems to be working properly I just feel as if my urethera is spasming.

40. l have to make sure the nurse does not push the catheter in too far when it is changed as it has – in the past – blocked the uretha -and become very painful -Quite often l just ease it back out a little – and l also do turn it round after a shower. This makes sure it is not adhered to the bladder wall. When the new catheter is inserted – it should be pushed in slowly until urine begins to flow – then you know it is in the right place. l have the short-female length cath – and l can tell – now – just how far it should be in. There are ‘meds’ that can help with bladder spasms.

41. Turbogirl,

    I had a cath change once and the nurse couldn’t get the balloon to release the water. A doctor came in and got the water out, but when he put in the new catheter, he pushed and pulled on it to make sure he had it in to the right depth. I had spasms for 2 days, which I had never had with previous changes. I think doctors should have one of these for a little while to understand what they are doing.

42. I had a catheter change on friday. Did not hurt but I am still getting traces and blood clots in the drainage bag. This did not happen when they did the first spc change. Also this time the ureatha feels very tender and sore.this time.The cath is draining well I keep getting slight pains in the lower tummy,but no utis the urine is very clear. Any thoughts or ideas on why this has happened this time.

    Also does any one where I can get long tube drainage bags from. I want the tube to about 25cm or 30 cm. I like the bag on the calf, but cant find any supplier who does long tube drainage bags.
    thanks
    Alicia

43. Alicia – Rochester Medical Supply has a drainage bag package that includes bnoth a leg bag and an extension tube. My new doctor now has me order bags and catheters from med supply. When I go for a change I just take them with me. He said in future he will have wife change them for me.

44. Alicia – Rochester Medical Supply has a drainage bag package that includes both a leg bag and an extension tube. My new doctor now has me order bags and catheters from med supply. When I go for a change I just take them with me. He said in future he will have wife change them for me.

45. Alicia,

    A little blood or some clots is something you’ll get used to. The pain could be the result of improper lubrication. Sometime there is an air bubble between the lube and the cath. It doesn’t take much at all. I’d be concerned more if I had a fever or chills with the pain. My SPC has made life a bit easier than when i did intermittent cath. Not so much worry about locating a mens room.

    If your SPC is being changed by someone who has never done yours before don’t be afraid to ask how much experience they have. I had a nurse insert a foley one time when i was at the intermittant stage. She put all the water in the balloon before it was in my bladder. As a result I bled a lot from somewhere most guys don’t like to bleed from. So, ask and be safe.

46. Thanks bill for putting this site together. I have had a supra pubic catheter on for the past 3 months. Is it advisable to have sex when the urethra is blocked? knowing that semen comes through the same urethra

47. When I my doctor first told me I was going to carry on with my suprapubic catheter for for a minimum of 6 months, I wept like a man sentenced to life in prison. He said they are going to do a urethra reconstruction that I had a strigor (not sure of spelling) of the urethra. Please Does any body knows about urethra reconstruction? Or is there an alternative?
    I expect an answer soon. Thanks.

48. I have not posted for some time but I stay up to date with this site. I had my second botox procedure the 4th of June and am able to go without my bladder spaz meds. I flew from California to Maine and spend a month visiting family. My 14 and 16 year old took good care of me and I had no health issues. That would not have been possible prior to the last round of botox. I also used silver nitrate to dry up the one side of my site that refuses to heal nicely. The prescription was for wooden q-tips with a pre-measured dose that is applied very carefully, it will burn any tissue it touches.It cauterizes proud tissue (hyper granulated tissue). Several applications prior to my trip kept my site dry and pink for about 20 days. Once home I went in for my tube change, I had been symptomatic for a UTI for about 6 days, the culture showed bacteria levels within a normal range for a SPC patient but my doc listened, 7 days of sipro and I am like new. I know my body best and continue to educate myself by learning from all of you. I am already saving for next years trip. Airlines don’t charge for my extra bag of medical supplies, I travel prepared.I’m not ready for Thailand yet, but I never thought I would see Maine again!

49. found out what the problem is. The nurse who changed my spc had never changed a spc before. She put in 12fr and put it to far in. Had to have another one put yesterday a size16 fr. No more bleeding and no bypassing now. When they took the cath out it was covered in blood and had small blood clots in it.

50. Ivie,

    Couple points:
    This site was put together by Graham Streets. Any accolades are definitely due to him.

    The urethra is a very slow healing part of the body. The reason for the six months before the doctor does anything else. Reconstruction is definitely going to be a more complicated process than the spc you have now. I spent two years going through surgeries to remove strictures before we realized that they were going to continue to reoccur and that the spc was a better solution. There was a process of adjusting to a “new normal”, but it is possible and it sure beats the leaking until it closes up again and then hoping the ER doc can get a catheter in.

51. Thanks Bill, but I just built the stage. You guys are the superstars.

52. Hi,
    Regarding Alicia’s request, I use Conveen (Colorplast) leg bags which come with the tube with the connector separate, so you can cut it according to the length you want and then attach the connector. I am quite a tall guy (if I could stand) and I have it on the outside of my lower leg and it works well for me.
    I have my spc changed every 8 weeks by the surgeon who put it in last December, and I have no worries about it being put in correctly, but I do find that for about 10 to 14 days after I am very sore, discharge around the site and if I catch the spc it it sends a very unpleasant sensation right to the end of my urethra.
    I feel I am fairly stoic, having been in the chair for 30 years now and having undergone quite a few procedures and problems in that time, but I do not look forward to the spc change.
    Is this fairly common?
    On the plus side I have only had one uti in that time, wheras before I was getting one a month on average. It has also helped reduce my spasm, which can be quite severe, so the benefits outweigh the negatives.

    Cheers,

    Les

53. Les,
    The doctor who put my SPC in also did my changes every 8 weeks. He had to retire in April just before time for my next change. My new urologist specializes in SC injuries. He changes every 4 – 5 weeks. He said 8 weeks is too long. Sediment in the urine encrusts on the outside of the catheter. It causes irritation in the bladder, and irritates the SPC opening when changed. So far, I have not had leakage, or bleeding since changing to shorter time.

    Also, my doctor prescribed a cream lotion that does the same as silver nitrate sticks to eliminate proud flesh (granulated tissue) around the SPC site. Like silver nitrate, you don’t want to get it on good skin, but it works well. I’ll find the name if anyone wants it.

54. Les, Your new urologist is absolutely right. Eigth weeks is far too long and can cause infections and irritations. I have mine changed every four weeks by the district nurse.

55. Actually guys, silicone foley and even better silver coated catheters only need be changed every three months as recomended by manufacturers and clinicians. The alternative — laytex catheters — should be changed monthly. Laytex catheters are a common cause of discomfort, weeping, odor, granulated tissue etc. I recommend anyone with a supra pubic catheter only use full silicone foley or silver, even then I find some brands more comfortable than others.

56. can anyone tell me why there’s more urine leaking out the”normal” way than through the bag?doesn’t seem to be blocked, suggestions pleeeeaase???????
    thanks,Bonnie

57. Doesn’t seem to be working properly Bonnie, Get the catheter changed asap.
    The balloon might be partially blocked – or has adhered itself to the wall of your bladder.
    As Graham has said – a silver tipped cath or silicone is best. But l do have mine changed every 4/5 weeks. Any longer is starts getting a bit gungy – and then it becomes difficult to remove.
    Also, make sure none of the tubing is ‘kinked’ this can make it impossible for the cath to drain and you will end up peeing ‘normally’.
    My method of wearing a spc means l only have a few inches of tube – and it works well. Read some of my previous posts.
    Hope you get it sorted soon.

58. Hi Bonnie, The longest I have gone without leaking was 3 weeks, now it leaks constanly via vaginally not the tube. I have mine changed every 3 weeks works great until the 3rd day and the leaking starts.this is with meds, botox and a sling. this is my 3rd failed pubtube. having surgery oct 3rd a urostomy my only option left. Good luck to you. lindie

59. I am having good results using D-Mannose powder. It is a plant based sugar not readily absorbed by the body. The way it is said to work is making the surface of the bladder to slick for e-coli to stick to. I order it on Amazon and take a teaspoon in 4ozs of water daily. Has anyone else tried this?

60. I have a pic of what a suprapubic catheter looks like, I am new this site and was wondering if anyone who has a suprapubic catheter and walks on a treadmill do you have a problem with blood coming out the normal way when you goto the restroom? This happens to me when I use the treadmill any info will be greatly appreciated. Here is a pic of my catheter.

61. I’ve a suprapubic catheter since July this year and it has been an ourful experience. Constantly in pain and agony.

    Had it changed for the first time couple of weeks ago and it was not satisfying at all. It was so horrible that I litterally cried my eyes out throughout the whole process and to add to it, since I had it changed it’s been non stop UTI’s. I’m on different antibiotics every week and scared that my body becomes immune to it! Not only that, around the site 2 big massive spots have developed. I have to change the dressing every day as the the around it is peeling and spreading and also oozing with pus. Been to see a dr twice but told it was normal….what to do??

62. Mona,

    A couple thoughts. If you have had a tube since July, it would normally be changed every 4-5 weeks. I am not sure why the delay.

    Could your discomfort be caused by a latex alergy? There shouldn’t be that much continued discomfort with the spc.

63. I have had my spc since June. It is essential to have the tube changed every four/five months. Mine is ruber size 18. The first time I had it changed by the hospital and as I commented before ‘piece of cake’ did not feel a thing. The next three month it was changed by a district nurse. I experienced some discomfort, sort of spasms I guess, but bearable.
    In my experience I think it makes a difference how quick they change the catheter. The hospital nurse had the new catheter lying on my belly and inserted it straight away. “OUT – IN”. The district nurses after having removed the cath, cleaned the wound first and then inserted the new one (after may be a couple of minutes). That may well make the difference in feeling pain or not. The last time she changed the cath I had a blockage and couldn’t empty my bladder. That was an awful experience, luckily there is always a nurse on call (it was 11 o’clock in the evening). I reckon the blockage was caused by the delay in inserting the new tube. I tell them now not to wait and insert the cath straight away.
    I hope my experiences may be of some help to someone. Otherwise I think it is a wonderful solution.
    (by the way as far as uti, I am on a low dose antibiotic prophilactically)

64. Hi everyone, Its been awhile I know, but Ive finished all my cancer treatment, and now on the road to recovery. My chest has healed well, a bit of phantom nipple pain now and then, its weird! Through the whole 9 months, Ive had several changes to my SPC, and its gone well. My regular GP has become quite good at it, and I find a 10mg valium and two panadol 45 min before the change a big help!Then drink water for at least 2 – 3 days avoiding caffiene and sugered drinks helps even more. I dont do any strenious lifting, running or even have sex for at least the 1st week, so as not to create a disturbance. By the 2nd week Im fine. I have it changed every 5 weeks now, I found 6 weeks too long as I began to experience the onset of bladder infections and a weepy wound site. One time during my chemo, I had a staf infection that landed me in hospital for 5 days on a drip of anti’s. I notice I become tired, flat, lethargic and a niggly bladder along with dark yellow urine, I also seem to let less out into the 2000ml leg bag overnight. Im a free flow tap through the day, bag up at night, or for surgerys, or if Im sick and in bed. Most of my ‘dip stick’ tests usually have blood traces on them, but thats normal, its when the lucosites and nitrites are raised that I know I have an underlying infection, then Im onto the Trimethaprim for 14 days. In the beginning I experenced discomfort for at least the 1st year, its two years now, and Im doing well, living close to normal. We’re off to America 2014, Im concerend about flying 16 hrs. Anyone here flown that long? and if so, should I bag up for it and keep it flowing? I’ll organise a change before going, we’re away for 4 weeks. I’ll be sure to get good medical insurance as well, incase! Well, thats it from me, Graham, sorry Ive been absent, BC treatment hasnt been kind to me, but Im glad its all over now, and my hair has grown back now, looks like a grey beanie!! Take care, chat soon , Gayle xoxox

65. This sight has been so helpful to me. I have a supra pubic catheter. I have developed very strong smelling urine. I feel very uncomfortable that anyone that gets near me can smell it as well. I drink a lot of water, what can I do?

66. Sherry, I suggest stay of caffiene, and alcohol. Try drinking a couple of sachets of URAL also, about 3 a day, morning, midday and before bed, it alkalines the sedement in the urine. Also try a glass of cranberry juice before bed. I assume you have a bag at night? You may also want to get a ‘dip-stik’ done at the Drs just to see if you have an infection. Good Luck :)

67. My son has had a supra pubic for 7 weeks and we have had to change the tube 3 times because it has been clogged with sediment do you think the solution is as easy as drinkng more water

68. Ive just had my first change of my “new” SPC. I’m a C7 complete and do suffer from disreflexia. A few days after I had the operation to install the SPC I had constant bladder spasms resulting in severe disreflexia including sweats, chills, high blood pressure, low heart rate etc.. I presented to the hospital emergency dept and after discussing the situation with a doctor it was decided I needed IV antibiotics. Pretty much immediately [1-2hrs] the bladder spasms and disreflexia subsided. I was kept on IV antibiotics for 2 days and over that time the bladder spasms and disreflexia stopped completely. Over the next 6 weeks everything has been working superbly. No problems whatsoever. Now I had my first change after 6 weeks [too long I know] and the same symptoms are back, spasms, disreflexia etc. From what I can gather from the info on here is that maybe the trauma of having the new cath inserted has caused me a UTI? Is this common? Or would it just be that 6 weeks is too long? I noticed from about week 4 the wound site felt a bit burning as I dont have good sensation. Also I notice after I drink alcohol there is lots more sediment on the bag tubes and catheter. I would have thought that having a few drinks would “flush” ones sytem a bit and dilute the sediment, but doesnt seem the case at all.

69. Please help as I dontknow what to do.I have a spc fitted and use bard 500ml leg bags. My DN has suggested that I try a flipflo tap thingy. How do they work and if i dont get on with them can i use with leg bags. Do i still use the bed bag. Or would it be best if I carry on with the leg bags. I have to have the cath for life has i cant pee without it. Any help please.

70. Alicia the flip flo valve is inserted into the end of your catheter, between your leg bag and the catheter.
    It has a tap. Push the tap lever forward and the catheter freely drains. Push the tap lever back and it blocks off your catheter.
    They’re used so that when you disconnect your leg bag no aerobic bacteria can get into your catheter and cause infection. Also used for people that want to let their bladder fill instead of free draining into a bag as some people have some function with their bladder and also don’t like to wear a bag.
    I’ve been advised by one nurse that its a must to use and i’ve been advised by another that they aren’t necessary in your own environment as long as your hygienic.
    I’m using one as I hate having infections. They’re very easy to use. When you try them buy a few and each time you change your leg bag (which i change once a week)change the valve as well and use Miltons solution to disinfect them and reuse them.
    If you don’t want to use one no problem, your leg bag will just plug straight into the end of your catheter and drain freely.

71. I still dont know if to go ahead with the flip flow tap thing. I had problems in the past with holding on,and have not got to the loo on time. I retain with out the cath and cant pass water the useall way. Does a flip flo tap completey drain the bladder. with out the cath I was passing about 70 to 100ml, and retaining any where from 450ml to 700ml sometimes it was at least 800 ml left in the bladder. I never want to go into acute retention again.

72. Alicia I understand your bladder problem but the thing is you only close off the tap when you change bags. Your bladder won’t fill up in the amount of time it takes you to have a shower and then change your bag? Thats the only time you need to close it really. Otherwise leave it open and drain away.

73. My niece got a suprapubic cath about a month ago, she has been having problems & infections since she got it, today she felt the urge to urinate, but thought it was just an urge, then realized she actually needed to go, but could not make it to the restrm, she expelled approx 500cc’s so our question is this normal or even ok.

74. Leanne it’s not normal to have that much not drain. It actually sounds like its blocked. I find sometimes the hole in the end of the catheter inside the bladder can be resting on the wall of the bladder which stops it from draining properly. Try rolling/turning the catheter between your thumb and forefinger. You can tell how far you have rolled it by looking at the writing on the catheter. Half a turn should help, try it and see how it goes.
    Otherwise contact your uroligist because there shouldnt be that much residual. Maybe a different catheter brand might help.

75. Home Remedies to Make You Feel Better for UTI problems

    1 – Increase your fluid intake. Both during a UTI and after, you need lots of fluids to flush out the infection and to keep you hydrated. Drinking plenty of fluids can help to prevent cystitis.

    Choose water, non-caffeinated tea and other healthy drinks.
    Avoid caffeine, which could dehydrate you. Also, avoid sugary drinks and alcohol.

    2 – Drink cranberry juice. Pick a juice that contains reduced sugar or an alternative sweetener; too much sugar isn’t helpful, and no sweetener makes the juice too acidic. Use it in moderation and be sure to have a healthy, nutritious diet overall.

    Cranberry juice won’t cure a UTI, but it may prevent recurrence, particularly in women.

    If you have recurrent UTIs, drink 50 to 150 milliliters (1.70 to 5 fl. oz.) per day of 100 percent pure cranberry juice.

    If it’s diluted in juices, you may need to up the quantity.

    Drinking cranberry juice can cause side effects. For instance, it can react with regular medications and can cause kidney stones Also, drinking more than 3 liters (101 fl. oz.) a day can result in diarrhea.

    Cranberry juice won’t work for men, and it won’t treat an active UTI.

    3 – Stir 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda into 1 cup of water and drink it. The baking soda neutralizes acid in your urine, which makes peeing less painful. Don’t overdo it because the baking soda may disturb the flora balance in your intestine.

    4 – Place a heating pad over your pelvic area. Gentle heat may provide some pain relief.

    good luck to all

76. Caseyxo had a question several months ago about the problem (and pain) when the cath is changed. I’ve had a spc several years w/ few problems but in the last several months the cath has been more difficult to remove. The home heath nurse and my care giver have found that if they put some warm sterile water in the incision site any junk/crystals are softened and the cath comes right out–no tugging or pain. Had mine changed today w/ no problem. I continue to drink lots of water but it seems like gunk builds up faster now and the cath has to be changed more often to avoid a blockage, but all in all the spc was a great idea.

77. Hi Bill, I am so glad you have this Blog for people living with SPC.
    I am fairly new to the up keep of the maintance of a SPC. I recieved my SPC in Sept. 2012.

    In 2004 was dianosged with prostate cancer, I optied for Seed implant and extrenal radiation outside the prostate. In 2005 to 2008 I had major surgeries, to correct the damage radiation left my body with.

    I have radiation proctitus scarced tissue blocking my urethra not allowing me to urine out of my penis. That the reason I have a SPC drianing my bladder. My problem I having is irration in my bladder (feels like glass sting) between the leg bag and the Drainage Bag at nite.
    My Surgeon told me my bladder strunk to the size of a orange instead of being the size of a grape from. I plug the catether during the day. When I home relaxing I use the leg bag until I retire to bed. I had UTI my Physiscan gave me antibotics for 7 days it cleared up UTI.
    The problem I had is the buring sentation after draining the catherter port.Or the suckion put from the leg bag to the drainage bag.
    what advice could give me if any?

78. BroBro,

    I ended up with an SPC thru the after effects of radioactive seeds as well. Went thru a number of procedures to open the urethra and then it closed again until we gave up on it and went to the SPC.

    Mine has been working fine. I use a night bag by itself for sleep and a belly bag ( by Rusch – see Athomemedical.com) during the day. It gives much more flexibility in moving around during the day. I don’t know if there is some vacuum occuring between the two bags at night that causes the spasm, but that would be my guess. Drink a lot of liquids.

    Hope that helps.

79. I have had my SPC for one year now. Doctor who installed it was changing it every 8 weeks. He retired. New urologist went to 4 -5 weeks per change. Now he has taught my wife to change it and recommended every 2 weeks. She has done it 3 times now. Having less problems – change goes smoothly – saving a lot in doctor visits.
    I quit using the night bag. Every time I changed position I had to move it on the bed. I just use a leg bag, except during showering. Then I plug the tube. Seems to work better, and I sleep beter.

80. A Very Merry Christmas to all
    and a happy new year.

81. Hi guys,

    I am 27/f/uk. I have had an SPC for about 3 weeks. Things didn’t go according to plan. Apparently they couldn’t find my bladder, so instead of a small site like the pictures above I have one that looks like a c-section (I have 3 layers of stitching in my bladder and I had a layer of 9 staples on my outer skin that have now been removed.) I developed a UTI, and thrush which I’m on medication for. and I’ve been having some uretheral leakage which means I’m back in pull ups even though I had hoped that after almost two years of near constant uti would have stopped. I am having intense spasms which hurt right down into my nether regions and leave me practically incapable of functioning until they pass. Having read the site I realise now that it won’t do anything really for neurogenic bladder which was the reason I was given it in the first place. That said, I’m glad I have it as it meant that last time my partner visited we could go out for a full day and he just emptied the bag which meant not having to work around carers all the time. I just wondered if you felt I should ask for medication to try and regulate the flow (I bypassed uretherally yesterday because the bag was too full) and if the uretheral leakage was a result of the infection and would therefore stop? What about the cramps? They are very debilitating. I have Cerebral Palsy (Spastic Quadriplegia.) So glad I found you guys, you have given me more information than any of the medical staff I’ve had contact with!

82. spc inserted in july. changed every 30days drink lots of fluids 90 – 120 ounces min most days still getting tubes full of sediment blocked catheters that require an hour min of flushing to clear if u can clear it. purple bags tubes and discolored caths feel full often and painful urethera help

83. hello Guess Sorry to hear about the problems you have. Have they gave you any meds for the Bladder spasms I am on oxbuition (detrol) for bladder spasms. They calm the bypassing as well,try them if they dont agree with you. You get get others. You can help with the utis by drinking lots about 3 lts per day.I drink 3 glass of pure cranberry juice 1.5. pints a day itdoes help with uti.It keeps the urine clear I aslo drink one pint of water at bed time.I have been doing this for 6 months now I have not had any utis up to now. I had my spc fitted in June try my tips and let us know how you get on.
    Alicia

84. Hello all…my wife is quadriplegic from a broken neck. I am her care-giver. We are preparing to go with a SPC. She is slightly big in the belly due to no support from her muscles. Really her(our) only concern is accessibility. Will her belly interfere with getting to the sight of the cath? Being quad, she needs to be transferred to the bed, unclothed(pants), and cathed, re-dressed, and transferred 5-6 times /day. Since going without an indwelling (about 7 months ago) due to urethra damage, we have not had a life. Can’t travel, go to ball games, concerts, or even a long movie. She has had Botox injections in the bladder, and that has helped greatly to increase the amount the bladder can hold before leaking. UTI’s are under control for the most part. She’ll get the procedure soon at UC Med Center- Cincinnati. Just looking for feedback for our own peace of mind. Any input would be greatly appreciated! Thanks all!

85. I got my SPC placed in July I have SMA Type3 I also have a rather large belly but am having no problems with site access. My husband is also my care giver and other than a few hiccups with plugged catheters we are loving the SPC because it has given us our freedom back. We are still boring as we can possibley be but we love the spc. Go for it and good luck to u both.

86. Turbogirl: I’ve had a few purple bags/tubes but my home health nurse and doctor didn’t have a good answer to “why”– one ER doc “thought” it might be from eating too many purple jelly beans!!!!! It was Easter, but really. Haven’t had a return of the purple tubes in months. I do drink lots and lots of water but still have lots of sediment. Good luck.

87. Mark,

    I have had an spc since May 2011 and have had way less problems with it than you are having on a daily basis with maintenance of your current condition. I think you and your spouse will be pleased with the freedom it will give you. That is not to say there isn’t some maintenance involved, but it will be an improvement.

88. Purple Urine Bag Syndrome (PUBS) is due to a chemical reaction involving urine, plastic and enzymes from urinary bacteria possessing indoxyl phosphatase. Most common in elderly women other risk factors include alkaline urine, constipation, and polyvinyl chloride catheter use. PUBS is considered to be harmless, does not influence the outcome of patients and disappears after treatment of any urinary tract infection.

89. spc changes and blood poisioning any one?
    I have just been discharged from hospital they kept me 5 days with sepsis. After a diffcult cath change. The dn could not get the old one out so I had to go hospital to get the cath changed. I was okay when the had put the the new in. the blood poisioning came really quickly with in one hour.Then i was really sick temp of 41c and low bp of 50/28. Any one heard of this before or been though this.

90. Hi I had a spc put in 7 days ago. I am still having discharge from the site is this normal and should it be covered by a dressing? I was not given any aftercare advice by the ward. I was wondering if it was better to cover it with a dressing or wether it needed to be uncovered to help it. Thats sounds stupid but I know what I mean just hoping someone here does.
    Thanks in advance.

91. Alicia. Was the catheter blocked? How often do you have it changed? I clean mine every morning with lukewarm water and alcohol (methylated spirits) round the site, before I shower.

    Ann: Yes there always remains a bit of ‘muck’ round the site and on the cath, which is sometimes difficult to get off. I have mine now in for half a year. I don’t have a dressing on it. The catheter should be changed every 4 to 5 weeks.

    Apart from a blocked cath once, I have had no problems whatever. In the beginning the site may be a little sensitive, but that get better in time.

92. Hello Anne when I had my spc fitted the dn told me to keep a dressing on untill it healed. In my case it took about 4 weeks. I also had discharge discomfort for 4 weeks. My advice is to get your dn or gp practice nurse to check the site and change the dressing every two days or so. I was told not to shower or bath untill the site had healed. You must keep the site dry and clean. I use unscented baby wipes to clean the site then use a medi wipe to clean round the cath. Then I dry the site with medi dry wipes. Be carefull to not pull the cath tube or lift anything heavy untill you are fully healed. I tape my tube to my tummy makining a gentle c curve from the siite to where I tape it down the cath conection sits on the thigh I use a bard 10cm tube 500ml bag or a direct tube bard bag. When I go out anywhere bus or train or anywhere the loos are few and far away I use a 750ml leg bag. I cant use a flip flow valve as my bladder dont know when it is full I have no feelings in the bladder.
    I hope this has helped you

93. Ann,
    I had a dressing on the site for the first few days, but I found the tape on the dressing to be more uncomfortable with changes than just keeping the site clean and dry. An adhesive pad acted as somewhat of a dressing. I was told to wash the site gently in the shower and pat it dry. I use a paper towel for cleaner drying than a towel. I also use a little vaseline around the catheter to keep skin and catheter from hanging up and pulling. This was pretty helpful in the early stages of healing. Hang in there. Things are going to get better when the healing is done.

94. No Tom the cath was not blocked. The dn changes it every 6 weeks but this time she could not get it out it was so stuck. They have use silcone caths as I get a reaction to laytex. I do hope that it dont happen again. I felt so ill.

95. I have been using this site for more than two years and continue to learn every time I log in.
    I recently took Diflucan for 30 days,an anti-fungal for a yeast infection around my site. My site was red and weepy and the dressing smelled like bread. My good doc, (less meds, more listening)doc put it together that my frequent antibiotic doses had left me with a imbalance in my gut of the needed mix of good and bad bacteria. I was colonized with an overgrowth of yeast inside and out.
    I now take a custom pro-biotic twice a day. It has been a month now and the benefits are a clear site, no constipation and less contractions. Distended intestines push up against my bladder and make it angry.
    A yeast overgrowth can (and did) cause feminine itching and a white discharge, making sex uncomfortable leaving you feeling raw and sore. While undergoing treatment we used condoms and lubricant. Yeast is not a STD, but you and your partner can trade yeast back and forth prolonging the process of balancing your natural bacteria.
    I also had to forgo my 2 unfiltered beers a day for the duration. My first week after treatment I admit to treating myself to some of those missed pints.
    You are your best advocate, learn your body and learn to make yourself heard. I am still working on this myself but it will not only improve the quality of your life, it may save it.

96. My wife is scheduled for a SPC on New Years Eve. She has already had Botox injection and it has helped greatly. She now holds much more before leaking. And if I get to her within 4-4.5 hours of cathing, there’s usually no leakage to speak of. She has no use of hands or fingers so can’t self-cath. But we’ve been 8 months without going anywhere at all for more than 3 hours or so. So, it has completely taken over our lives, so we’re looking forward to being able to cath without leaving, going home, transfering to bed, cathing, cleaning, re-dressing, and staying home. We will be learning as we go. Hope all works out well for her.

97. Was wondering if anyone has trouble rolling the patient during changing with the SPC in…? Just another question we have…will prob have many ! Thanks!

98. Mark,

    I think the SPC is going to be a great thing for your wife. You won’t really have to cath because it is in place all the time, replacing every 3-6 weeks depending on you doctor. Which should really improve your life choices. To your second question, the patient is usually fairly stationary during the actual changing of the SPC. If there is a need to move the patient when the SPC is in place, a little piece of tape to secure the tube to the body seems to be enough to keep it in place.
    I hope her SPC is as much of an improvement to life style to her as mine has been to me.
    My wife an I will be praying for you and your wife.

99. Hi everyone thanks for all the advice. Our Gp checked the site and gave me some antibiotic cream and told me to clean it morning and night gently in the shower. I am no longer putting a dressing on it and it is not having nowhere nr as much discharge. The bladder spasms have also calmed down a great deal. I have been quite shocked at how much easier it is to manage than when I had the urethal catheter in. I used to have bladder spasms all the time and would get constant infections. Now the spasms are almost non-existant. Also although the other catheter never bothered my husband it bothered me when we were being intimate, however that no longer feels like an issue for me. I am glad I have found this site as some of the advice I have found invaluble.
    thanks ann

100. Can any one give any advice on this. My friend had a spc fitted on the 6th dec. It is still sore and is still hurting her.It is also still forming a scab( crust) round the site, she is trying to keep the site clean by cleaning twice a day. She is saying that the scab is sticking in the site. It also loooks very red and sore when she has cleaned round it. the gp and the dn says it is okay but it still discharging a little. Is this all normal.Any ideas would be usefull should i tell her to go back to the gp. She also says she is bypassing from the ureatha .
     thanks