Catheters.....

[PurplePixie]

Has anyone out there got experience of having an indwelling catheter? My friend has M.S & has been having problems with her bladder for ages...& has been advised to have an indwelling catheter (if that's the right term for one that stays in most of the time) One of her main reservations about having one would be the possibility of it causing her urinary system to become sort of lazy & weak...meaning that if she was to take the catheter out it would leave her unable to stop herself from peeing all the time. Does anyone know if catheters can make your muscles weak & make it so you can't do without them??? Any ideas gratefully received..thanks.

[Philtaz]

I work in the Operating Theatre and often see patients with MS coming to theatre to have these catheters(they are called suprapubic) and are placed into the bladder via a tiny incision halfway between the urethra(where you normally pee from) and the umbilicus(belly button). They are usually the best option as they are easier for maintenance and managing by the patient. If your friend sees the consultant urologist at her local hospital I'm sure she'll be well advised and have her mind put at ease as well as sorting out her urinary problems.