Foley Catheter question.?
410493
I think it shouldnt matter with what you irrigate the foley's so long as you irrigate it often. The sole purpose of the irrigation is to prevent the clogging of the openings in the foley's at the end that is in the bladder. Therefore, what you use to irrigate shouldnt make much of a difference whether saline or sterile water. And it does indeed come right back out. Saline is sterile too, except that it has some electrolytes (ie, Sodium and Chloride) in it.
813816
Your mother had a stroke and if she has had the catheter for 2 months she made need to have some bladder retraining before they totally remove the catheter.  To do this they would start by clamping the catheter for one hour and then release and clamp and release but increase the time between when they unclamp the catheter over the next couple of days.  By time they are leaving it clamped for 3-4 hours she should be able to tell them that she needs to have it unclamped.  Since she did have a stroke it is possible that she has some urinary side effects from the stroke.  Urinary tract infections are not uncommon in people who have catheters but if she is getting that many you may want to watch how they care for the catheter.  It should never be put above the waist even when they transfer her or turn her.  They should use an alcohol swab if they need to disconnect it or reconnect it to the drainage bag.  Some things that can help with prevention of UTI's is cranberry juice or cranberry capsules and increased doses of vitamin C.  You might also consider having the nurses call the doctor to ask about prophylatic antibiotics.The pain from the catheter is something is something you may want to discuss with her doctor to see what his opinion is for a cause.
134338
This is really too serious a situation to ask on this service. Please ask your doctor.
289136
Your subject is somewhat vague, but I believe the web site below can help.\nEnter Valve into their search window. Several device manufacturers are mentioned.\nHope this helps.
633451
Put a plastic bag over the cast, like a trash bag, and then tape it around the open end, snugly.  Aim the shower head towards the other areas of your body, trying not to get too much water on the casted leg.:)\n\n( hospital employee tip)
433573
It depends on why the "superpubic catheter" was placed and your individual anatomy after any surgeries and your disease process. Best talk to your MD.
683959
There is a Yahoo discussion group called Pumpsters just for people with Medtronics pumps and that is where you need to go for discussion of your options.  good luck\n\nhttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/pumpsters/
544693
I agree with above.  There should be a sensitivity to  medications to bacteria that were present in your last sample...presumably your doctor has that information and selected the antibiotic accordingly.  If you continue to have symptoms then you should have a follow-up urinalysis to verify that you are free of an on-going infection.  If you are clear then there is an entity called "interstitial cystitis"  Essentially an inflammatory process where the patient feels like there is an infection but none exists.  There are analgesics effective for the urethra...discuss it with your medical provider.
662746
I assume you are talking about a urinary catheter (there are many types of catheters).  While it is in, there will be a feeling of pressure until you adjust to it.  It doesn't hurt...just annoying.  Removing it is not a problem at all.  It doesn't hurt...the nurse will deflate the balloon that holds it in place and then just gently pull on the catheter...it slips right out...you feel it slide out but there is no pain or discomfort involved.  For a few hours after it is removed, you will have the feeling that you have to "go".\n\nMOdification:\nIf you are not talking about a urinary catheter, feel free to email me and I will describe whichever type you were talking about.
356401
An IVP is an x-ray study of your kidneys, ureters and bladder.  The following sites describe the procedure quite accurately:\n\nhttp://www.radiologyinfo.org/content/ivp_radiology.htm\n\nhttp://www.radiologychannel.net/intravenouspyelogram/\n\nPatients diagnosed neurogenic bladder usually don’t totally recover. However, appropriate treatment may produce excellent results. Distinguishing between the hypotonic and the spastic neurogenic bladder is important because these conditions are treated differently. A patient diagnosed with neurogenic bladder will need continued monitoring for urinary tract infections and kidney function. \n\nhttp://www.hmc.psu.edu/healthinfo/no/neurogenicbladder.htm\n\nTreatment may include:\n\n*insertion of a catheter or hollow tube (to empty the bladder at regular intervals)\n*prophylactic (preventive) antibiotic therapy (to reduce the incidence of infection)\n*placement of an artificial sphincter - a procedure that involves placing an artificial cuff around the neck of the bladder that can be inflated to prevent urinary incontinence and deflated when it is time to empty the bladder. You will still require intermittent catheterization to completely empty the bladder.\n*surgery \n\n\nhttp://uuhsc.utah.edu/healthinfo/adult/urology/neurblad.htm
670167
calcium deposits -go to yahoo health and read up.  some people have alternative therepy in whirlpool to break them up by electronic wave.that makes easier to pass.  heard it is way worse for guys like passing a prickly grape thru there.ouch ! thats pretty good that you ask to help her.  good guy:)--so i would say change in diet possibly could help
1123934
I would be concerned and go see a doctor. That doesn't sound good. I had the procedure done about 5 years ago and never had a problem.
611184
OK, I'm going to mind my own business and not ask why you want to do this. First, make sure you know what sterile technique is and how to use it. Wash the area well with soap and water, then give your hands a good scrub. \n\nOpen the package carefully so as to avoid contaminating the sterile contents. Don the gloves. Unfold the sterile field and arrange all the supplies on it. Attach the syringe of sterile water to the catheter, and fill the 'balloon' as a test. If it inflates properly and doesn't leak, withdraw the plunger of the syringe to deflate the balloon, but leave the syringe attached. \n\nFor convenience, I will call your dominant hand (right, for most people) the 'clean' hand and your other hand the 'dirty' hand. When you pick up anything from the field, pick it up with it your clean hand.\n\nPick up the envelope of betadine swabs, and holding in your dirty hand, rip it open with your clean hand. One by one, use the swabs to cleanse the area around the urinary orifice. You may need to 'steady' the body; use the dirty hand to do this. Repeat this, using the alcohol swabs.\n\nPick up the envelope of sterile lubricant and pass to dirty hand. Open the envelope. Using your clean hand, insert the tip of the catheter into the envelope to coat the tip with lubricant. Set the envelope down and grasp the body with your dirty hand, holding the orifice 'open' as much as you can. \n\nInsert the tip and keep inserting more until urine flows through the tube. (Have you thought ahead about where this urine will go? a bag? a basin? a specimen jar?) Then inflate the balloon. Keep a record of the procedure, especially the amount of sterile water in the balloon.\n\nTo remove, use a fresh syringe to remove the water from the balloon and gently pull the catheter out. If there is no void (normal pissing) after 24 hours, catheterize again to drain urine. After about 5 minutes remove the catheter.\n\nIf after another 24 hours, there is still no normal voiding, see a doctor IMMEDIATELY. An overfull bladder can be a life threatening condition.\n\nI assume you are aware that this procedure carries high risk of severe infection even when performed by licenced personnel in a clinical setting?
884161
See an M.D.  \nShe probably needs a catheter.  Her body may be shutting down at the age of 90.
185560
lol.   recently had just this problem.  tried to freeze it off, didnt work.  asked the doc, doc suggested DUCT TAPE of all things!  didnt really work.  So I got a razor blade and dug it out, making sure to get all the little white "roots".  but GEEZ, it bled a lot.  LOL.
886031
called a mucous plug...Really do not create a problem as long as you can get them up.  If they start getting to thick your doctor can give you medicine to thin them out.
458492
The ancient Egyptians are reported to have fashioned catheters from papyrus, and the ancient Greeks from reeds. A flexible urinary catheter was invented by Benjamin Franklin for the use of his brother.