Catheter Removal?

[potty64]

Hubby has had MS for almost 40 years now but three months ago had to have a catheter fitted and was told it may be for life. Is this always the case or is there an op one can have to disperse of it?

[Buenchico]

My knowledge here is limited to that obtained from a few minutes googling but, as I read it, long-term urinary catheters are only used with MS patients when other methods to control urinary incontinence have failed. Therefore while it would be technically possible to remove the catheter I can't foresee it being done (unless infection or something else actually required it) as that would leave your husband suffering from the effects of urinary incontinence.

This (from the NHS) relates to the use of urinary catheters in general:
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-catheterization/pages/introduction.aspx

This (from the MS Trust) relates specifically to their use with MS sufferers:
http://www.mstrust.org.uk/atoz/catheter.jsp

This is also from the MS trust but primarily for those involved in health care:
http://www.mstrust.org.uk/atoz/catheter.jsp

This (from the US Library of Medicine) explains about the day-to-day implications of having a permanent urinary catheter fitted:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/patientinstructions/000140.htm

Hoping something there is useful to you.

[Sqad]

\\\ Is this always the case or is there an op one can have to disperse of it?\\

Invariably the catheter will be for life and no, there is no operation that can "disperse" ( replace) the function of the catheter.

[gina32]

what do you mean to disperse it?

[gina32]

if you mean to have it removed then an operation isnt needed, a health practioner can take it out

[woofgang]

I suspect its not incontinence that is the issue but retention. While urinary incontinence is unpleasant and can predispose to infections, it can be managed by other methods eg pads "sheath catheters" also known as "conveens" which is the trade name. Urinary retention is much more risky and usually dealt with by emergency catheterisation which is unpleasant. Can I suggest that you discuss your concerns with whoever manages your husband's medical care? They can explain to you why he now has a catheter and why it is expected to be a permanency.

[Sqad]

woofgang/gina.

Mrs potty64 has been looking after her husband for many years so we can assume that she knows as much, if not more about M.S than we do, but despite this there are two questions that she needs answering.
1) Will the catheter be in permanently?
2) Is there an operation that can performed instead of permanent catheterisation?

The answer to both questions is either, yes, no or "I don't know"

"Disperse" gina, means to get rid of, redirect, scatter as in this case, "of the urine."

[potty64]

Thank you for all yr replies. Shall see wot doc says next month.

[gina32]

Sqad, Thanks for the english lesson but i do know what disperse means, i wasnt sure if she was a bit confused with it.

[Sqad]

It wasn't meant to be an English lesson, just a clarification.

[gina32]

Really? ok