Indiana Pouch Overnight

[Nemo1975]

Hello. I have a continent urinary resivor. Pretty much the same as an Indiana Pouch, I think. Had a fistula at first, but that seems to have cleared up so now I am beginning to use it normally. I still wear a bag overnight. During the day I empty it as soon as I feel anything, which is about 3 hours usually.

I am still a little afraid of going overnight. I know everyone is probably different, but what happens if you let it go too long? Does it wake you up? Or will it explode. I am very new to this.

Do you hold of on drinking a certain amount of time before going to bed?

[Lil' Poppa]

Hi Nemo - I have an Indiana Pouch (since March 06). I understand your concern. My experience has been that (during the first several months) if my pouch got full at night, I'd leak. I sleep on an absorbant pad that I got from the hospital. However, I rarely have needed it, especially now.

In the last few months, sometimes I'd wake up, but wonder why. I'd touch my pouch and realize I was full - so yes, a full pouch wakes me up. Oh - forgot to mention that I usually set my alarm for 3 to for 4 hours after my last empty so I could get up to empty in the middle of the night - I think the very very few times I leaked, I miscalculated or maybe had too much to drink before bed while I was still learning my pouch.

On nights I stay up later than usual (around 11 pm) I empty right before bed and since I get up at 330, I find I'm good for the night. More recently, I've realized at night that I can go 5 hours or slightly more. I was told years ago, that kidney function slows at night anyway. I think my pouch has probably also gotten a bit larger. I've set my limit at 5 hours - I heard/read it's not good to let the pouch hold too long.

Hope this helps.

[squid56]

In the beginning I was told to set the alarm to get up to empty. Now 15 years later, I just automatically wake up if it gets too full. I usually sleep through the night now and can get a good 8 hours before I have to get up to cath. Judith

[jpotts]

I have had my Indiana Pouch since May of 06. Initially, I set my alarm as well, but found by the 5th or 6th month I could feel when it was time to go and.....thank god even woke up when it was time. Most nights now, I go around 10p or so and can make it through until about 5a or so. Have you gotten to a point yet where you can "feel" when you need to go vs. timing it? This will make a significant difference. I would also pay close attention to what you drink and how you react. I find I can go a lot longer when I drink water vs. liquids with citric, caffeine and carbonation (seems odd huh). There are nights when I may drink juice or soda and wake up within 4-5 hours, water alone I get through the night just fine. I have "peed the bed" (gotta look for some humor) one night only and guess what? Not that earth shattering, got up, washed the sheets and done. I always wear a NexCare stomaseal patch over my stoma (mine is umbilical) to avoid leaks and because I am paranoid I will injure my stoma. That coupled with the suggestion of an absorbant (sp?) pad should get you hooked up just fine! Remember, be patient and look for the positives.

[w8eu]

Hello. I have a continent urinary resivor. Pretty much the same as an Indiana Pouch, I think. Had a fistula at first, but that seems to have cleared up so now I am beginning to use it normally. I still wear a bag overnight. During the day I empty it as soon as I feel anything, which is about 3 hours usually.

I am still a little afraid of going overnight. I know everyone is probably different, but what happens if you let it go too long? Does it wake you up? Or will it explode. I am very new to this.

Do you hold of on drinking a certain amount of time before going to bed?

I had those same question 20 year ago when I had mine. I do not wear a bag or leave my cath in all night. I dont monitor my liquid intake (except for alcohol) ha ha. I have never had my Indiana Pouch explode even after sleeping allnight. You will (leak) but not explode.

[Nell]

Hello everyone!

I'm a 33 yr old woman and I had what they call Radical Cystectomy (most of my female organs removed) back on September 06, and I'm still having to learn more about the new bladder made whit a piece of my large intestine. That is the Indiana Pouch correct??? well I was just wondering if any of you have problems whit your belly hole (stoma) ???? mine is getting really small and it really hurts when I insert the catherer in.

[squid56]

Have you been to your surgeon about the stoma closing up? If you are having major trouble getting the catheter in I would try using one a size smaller and also make sure you use plenty of lubricant. Stomas do shrink with time and they are also affected by weight loss or gain. Yes, you do have a version of an Indiana pouch.

[bobh]

I have had the continent reservoir since April 97. It is a bellybutton stoma. Three years ago, I had severe problems with inserting the catheter. The stoma had almost closed in one spot. My doctor inserted a small catheter left it in and over a period of 4 weeks he kept enlarging the catheter. At the end, the stoma was back to normal and I have had no problems since. He said it is not uncommon for that to happen and you just need to find either a smaller catheter or "stretch" the internal tube from the stoma.