Urinary catheter for medical procedures: your experience

[insert_8]

Last week I had a urinary catheter placed during surgery (and removed during recovery). The procedure went well, and my recovery and healing is doing very well, but I am having bouts of painful urination. I dread peeing, and from time to time I have sudden attacks of burning sensations in my penis - even though my bladder isn't full.

What experiences have others had with this medical procedure? I intend to call the doctor's staff in the morning to discuss this but it's good to get a sampling of others' experiences.

For the record, I am not feverish and I don't observe any discharge. There was a small amount of blood for the first day, but I haven't seen any since. I am drinking lots of cranberry juice.

 

[JohnGw]

I, too was anaesthetised when the catheter was inserted during the operation but its remival was far more uncomfortable than all the others put together.
Happily I didn't have any subsequent problems with my penis.

 

[ddaithom2003]

Earlier this year I had some surgery under full anaesthetic. I was allowed to go home late that afternoon and a few hours after getting home I realized that I had not urinated since that morning. I thought that it was because I had had to fast before the op and that I probably could do with drinking some water to get things moving. I drank water, and more water and by about 11pm I wanted to pee but could not pass anything. An hour later the same and then things started to get urgent. I went to the hospital in agony and thankfully a very young nurse inserted a catheter into my penis - first time in my life. Hardly painful but what a relief to feel the waters flowing. Over 750ml of fluid drained into the bag.
I had to keep the bag on for two days then had it taken out - again not too much discomfort. This was followed by hours of "urgent" rushes to the WC. The matter cleared up in a few hours.
I was told that my problem of not passing water can occur following a general anaesthetic and that the hospital where I had my surgery should have ensured that I could pass water before discharging me.
After the catheter episode I noticed that I was getting really strong erections and felt far more "alive" down below. While visiting my doctor on another matter I mentioned my observation, as a joke really, and he said that many men experience that and say "cant I come in every few months and have a catheter put in, it wakes things up down there". He said that the catheter insertion and removal probably stimulated the nerves. It was good while it lasted.

 

[long_uncut]

Last year I had outpatient hernia repair and couldn't pee enough to suit the nurses once I woke up. Since the place was closing and I was the last one left in there, the nurse inserted a catheter and sent me home with instructions to remove it the next day and call in to let them know if everything was working. I didn't have any problems and think the OP should definitely get a medical opinion on what is going on. The first few times peeing were uncomfortable but gradually things settled down. I also had to measure the amount of urine and report that.

 

[big_jc]

Had one placed during surgery and removed 3 days later, the male nurse said it may hurt coming out, this may sound weird but it actually felt good coming out. Jokingly told him to put it back in so he could remove it a second time

 

[insert_8]

I, too was anaesthetised when the catheter was inserted during the operation but its remival was far more uncomfortable than all the others put together.

I went to the hospital in the morning, my procedure (when they placed the catheter after I was under anesthesia) was mid-day, I was awake enough to have an evening meal, and the catheter was removed that night.

Yeah, it hurt coming out! Fortunately, that was over quickly. An hour or two later I had to pee. I was still in a status that required constant observation, so a nurse helped me to the toilet. At first, I couldn't make it happen but then burning pain shot up through my penis and generally through my genital area. My "OUCH!!" was VERY vocal and the nurse checked to see what the problem was. Some blood, and a small clot came out with the urine. The burning, and my little cries of "Owww!" continued until I had finished. The nurse assured me that this wasn't unusual, and I may see a small amount of blood in my pee over the next day or two.

They kept me overnight (as planned) and I was discharged the next morning - just short of 24 hours after I first went in. I had small spots of blood in my underwear for about 24 hours after discharge, but that stopped. However, I still have a painful, burning, sensation every time I pee. Several times it was slight - like I sometimes feel after eating some very spicy food - and I think, "Hey, I've turned the corner and this is getting better!" . But then the next time I pee, the burning pain is back with full force.

Today (5 days after discharge) I called the doctor who did the procedure. His staff noted my concerns and brought them to the doctor's attention. They reminded me that this wasn't his specialty, advised me to contact my Family Practice physician, and said the doctor would call back with a referral to a urologist who could see me today or tomorrow.

My Family Practice doctor told me to come in and they would take a urine sample. The physical and chemical properties all came back "Normal" but bacteria culture results won't be available until Friday. In the meantime, the other doctor called in a prescription for a drug that's supposed to help guys with enlarged prostate. (Prostate is NOT related to what I was hospitalized for!) So here I am, still needing to pee every hour or two, and each time wondering how much it's going to hurt.

 

[JohnGw]

I went to the hospital in the morning, my procedure (when they placed the catheter after I was under anesthesia) was mid-day, I was awake enough to have an evening meal, and the catheter was removed that night.

Yeah, it hurt coming out! Fortunately, that was over quickly. An hour or two later I had to pee. I was still in a status that required constant observation, so a nurse helped me to the toilet. At first, I couldn't make it happen but then burning pain shot up through my penis and generally through my genital area. My "OUCH!!" was VERY vocal and the nurse checked to see what the problem was. Some blood, and a small clot came out with the urine. The burning, and my little cries of "Owww!" continued until I had finished. The nurse assured me that this wasn't unusual, and I may see a small amount of blood in my pee over the next day or two.

They kept me overnight (as planned) and I was discharged the next morning - just short of 24 hours after I first went in. I had small spots of blood in my underwear for about 24 hours after discharge, but that stopped. However, I still have a painful, burning, sensation every time I pee. Several times it was slight - like I sometimes feel after eating some very spicy food - and I think, "Hey, I've turned the corner and this is getting better!" . But then the next time I pee, the burning pain is back with full force.

Today (5 days after discharge) I called the doctor who did the procedure. His staff noted my concerns and brought them to the doctor's attention. They reminded me that this wasn't his specialty, advised me to contact my Family Practice physician, and said the doctor would call back with a referral to a urologist who could see me today or tomorrow.

My Family Practice doctor told me to come in and they would take a urine sample. The physical and chemical properties all came back "Normal" but bacteria culture results won't be available until Friday. In the meantime, the other doctor called in a prescription for a drug that's supposed to help guys with enlarged prostate. (Prostate is NOT related to what I was hospitalized for!) So here I am, still needing to pee every hour or two, and each time wondering how much it's going to hurt.

You have my total sympathy and I hope your GP can get it sorted.

 

[Acratopotes]

I had a urinary catheter fitted prior to non-urinary surgery but in my case the catheter was fitted during preparation for the operation before receiving the general anaesthetic. I remember the fitting as not being very comfortable despite a local anaesthetic gel on the end and there was one part where it needed a little more force to get it in. I enquired of the doctor who was fitting it and he explained that the urethra is narrower through the prostate than elsewhere and gave me the impression that one does not need to have an enlarged prostate for that to be the case.

With the blood you mention, that makes me thing the most likely thing is that during the fitting it damaged the urethra slightly in the bit that goes through the prostate, as that is where it would have met resistance. The catheter should have been sterile and assuming you didn't already have a UTI it should be a matter of waiting for that to heal. I think that takes a little longer for the urethra than for outside skin.

What is not obvious is why the doctor should have given you a drug given to men with an enlarged prostate. It could be that the doctor suspects your prostate is enlarged and that contributed to the damage in the first place, or maybe the drug will shrink anyone's prostate and that should reduce tension on the wall of the urethra and help it heal.

I think you need to take the opportunity to quiz the urologist.

 

[Jay2117]

I had a urinary catheter fitted prior to non-urinary surgery but in my case the catheter was fitted during preparation for the operation before receiving the general anaesthetic. I remember the fitting as not being very comfortable despite a local anaesthetic gel on the end and there was one part where it needed a little more force to get it in. I enquired of the doctor who was fitting it and he explained that the urethra is narrower through the prostate than elsewhere and gave me the impression that one does not need to have an enlarged prostate for that to be the case.

With the blood you mention, that makes me thing the most likely thing is that during the fitting it damaged the urethra slightly in the bit that goes through the prostate, as that is where it would have met resistance. The catheter should have been sterile and assuming you didn't already have a UTI it should be a matter of waiting for that to heal. I think that takes a little longer for the urethra than for outside skin.

What is not obvious is why the doctor should have given you a drug given to men with an enlarged prostate. It could be that the doctor suspects your prostate is enlarged and that contributed to the damage in the first place, or maybe the drug will shrink anyone's prostate and that should reduce tension on the wall of the urethra and help it heal.

I think you need to take the opportunity to quiz the urologist.

The drug given by the doctor could have been an antibiotic. Antibiotics are given to help alleviate inflammation. I'm not sure how it works but I've been given antibiotics for an inflamed prostate. Also, you might have been prescribed Flomax to relax the muscles in and around your prostate for easier urine flow.

 

[insert_8]

. . . Also, you might have been prescribed Flomax to relax the muscles in and around your prostate for easier urine flow.

Yes, that was the prescription. After the first dose it reduced the frequency of my "urination urgency" attacks from around 90 minutes to about 4 hours, but it still hurts to pee. And, this evening the interval is back down to 2 - 3 hours..

The drug given by the doctor could have been an antibiotic.

My doctors - both the General Practice, and the specialists - are reluctant to prescribe antibiotics unless they have solid proof of an infection.Results from the urine bacteria culture should be available in the morning, and I'll take it from there.

 

[JonathanQ]

I went to Emergency when I couldn't pee. Three nurses and four catheters later I finally got relief when the ER doctor forced a larger catheter in. I peed and the entire staff gasped at the amount of pee I passed. I had to wear a catheter home until my prostate shrank--about four days. Everytime I voided, at the end, I had intense pain. They didn't tell me that my bladder doesn't like catheters and will have spasms trying to push the catheter out. It was very painful. Finally I was allowed to remove the catheter. I opened the valve and the catheter bulb deflated and the catheter slid out with no pain. Now my prostate medicine keeps me from repeating this memorable event.

 

[502855]

I really appreciate the sharing here... but I am wincing like crazy and my dick has shriveled up to nothing in anticipation of the pain that awaits me.

 

[Notaes]

Last week I had a urinary catheter placed during surgery (and removed during recovery). The procedure went well, and my recovery and healing is doing very well, but I am having bouts of painful urination. I dread peeing, and from time to time I have sudden attacks of burning sensations in my penis - even though my bladder isn't full.

I have had surgery myself more than once and experienced the same effects from a catheter than you experienced. The symptoms disappeared after 2 or 3 days.

What experiences have others had with this medical procedure? I intend to call the doctor's staff in the morning to discuss this but it's good to get a sampling of others' experiences.

For the record, I am not feverish and I don't observe any discharge. There was a small amount of blood for the first day, but I haven't seen any since. I am drinking lots of cranberry juice.

 

[insert_8]

Yeah, I expected to have irritation, or even significant discomfort for a few days. When things were still painful 5 days after release from the hospital I started contacting doctors. Long story, but one wrote it off to an enlarged prostate, another looked for infection but couldn't find any. Finally, after a week, an ER physician gave me pain medication, a general antibiotic, and a referral to a urologist. He says my bladder is inflamed but can't pinpoint the cause. Three weeks after release from the hospital it still hurts to pee but it seems to be slowly improving.

 

[insert_8]

. . . but I am wincing like crazy and my dick has shriveled up to nothing in anticipation of the pain that awaits me.

I wouldn't wish this experience on anybody, but if it's inevitable (and there ARE good reasons for having a urinary catheter during surgery and recovery) ask whether they can prescribe a urinary analgesic beforehand, "just in case it's needed". The compound "Phenazopyridine" is available over-the-counter under several brand names and house brands but in a reduced dosage. Start with the label instructions (2 tablets every 8 - 12 hours, for two days or less) and check with your doctor about larger or more frequent doses. There are legitimate concerns that the drug may mask symptoms of serious conditions so don't use it indiscriminately.

 

[gameshow]

Had a heart problem and went to the hospital. I don't know if it was related or not (don't see how).but had to pee really bad and couldn't. They decided to admit me and had me on a gurney waiting for a room. I was in agony as it was at least 5 hours that this had been going on. Put me in a room and I pleaded with the nurse to give me a catheter. I am very shy about nudity but was in such pain I didn't care that a woman was inserting it. It turned out that I had a UTI and had a urologist examine me. I was in the hospital for a week and had the catheter removed, but I still couldn't go. I had to have it reinserted and being embarrassed about the procedure asked for a male. This Adonis-like creature entered the room and said "I hear you're having a problem". He puled up my hospital gown and said I will apply this cream to the tube and your penis so it will numb you a bit. Normally I am embarrassed about being uncut, but he appeared to be Hispanic so I assumed he was too. He was so gentle and carefully pulled down my foreskin and inserted the tube. I didn't feel a thing and asked if I could have him do this when I needed to have it inserted. He gave me his name and said yes. I had to have it removed to see if I could go on my own, but I couldn't. Around the third time he came to insert it (pretty late at night) I thanked him and told him how embarrassing this was for me. He told me not to be embarrassed and that he understood because we were both men and he had the same equipment as me down there. I got a little bold and held my foreskin and said "even this?" He said "yep". I told him that makes me feel comfortable with him telling me that and said I hope this thing doesn't get hard. He laughed and said it shouldn't. He made my stay bearable and I looked forward to what should have been a bad situation actually enjoyable.

 

[Adrian69702006]

Had a heart problem and went to the hospital. I don't know if it was related or not (don't see how).but had to pee really bad and couldn't. They decided to admit me and had me on a gurney waiting for a room. I was in agony as it was at least 5 hours that this had been going on. Put me in a room and I pleaded with the nurse to give me a catheter. I am very shy about nudity but was in such pain I didn't care that a woman was inserting it. It turned out that I had a UTI and had a urologist examine me. I was in the hospital for a week and had the catheter removed, but I still couldn't go. I had to have it reinserted and being embarrassed about the procedure asked for a male. This Adonis-like creature entered the room and said "I hear you're having a problem". He puled up my hospital gown and said I will apply this cream to the tube and your penis so it will numb you a bit. Normally I am embarrassed about being uncut, but he appeared to be Hispanic so I assumed he was too. He was so gentle and carefully pulled down my foreskin and inserted the tube. I didn't feel a thing and asked if I could have him do this when I needed to have it inserted. He gave me his name and said yes. I had to have it removed to see if I could go on my own, but I couldn't. Around the third time he came to insert it (pretty late at night) I thanked him and told him how embarrassing this was for me. He told me not to be embarrassed and that he understood because we were both men and he had the same equipment as me down there. I got a little bold and held my foreskin and said "even this?" He said "yep". I told him that makes me feel comfortable with him telling me that and said I hope this thing doesn't get hard. He laughed and said it shouldn't. He made my stay bearable and I looked forward to what should have been a bad situation actually enjoyable.

I have a friend who has heart problems and he also has waterworks problems too. For what it's worth I don't think the two are remotely related. Although he doesn't have to wear one full time to my knowledge, he's no stranger to catheters and bags or pretty nurses changing them for him. Fortunately I don't have to use a catheter myself but I'd say they were something to be wary of. My niece, who had spina bifida had to be catheterised and, sadly, they're a great way of introducing infections leading to UTI's if the people doing it aren't super careful and scruplulous over hygiene. As someone who, in defiance of the medical text book myth about men not getting water infections has had several over the years, they're not fun and something you want to avoid if you possibly can. Apart from making peeing painful and difficult, they can make you feel very ill, to the point where you're probably left with less energy than during a bout of flu. Prevention is better than cure and plenty of drinks, especially water and soft drinks. I'd sooner be super well hydrated and weeing for England than suffering from a water infection to which dehydration has contributed. In the current hot weather a lot of moisture gets sweated out and never makes it to the bladder so good hydration is all the more important.