Help with Cath and Irrigating Indiana Pouch

Philly Indiana · Post by **Philly Indiana** » 2008-02-03 13:43:44

Hi I spoke with a fellow member Carl regarding the cath stopping upon entering my stoma site, he suggested I go in further with the cath and it seemed to work temporarily. Sometimes it doesn't work it feels a though it just cuts off on me.Does anyone have any suggestions?
Also I am irrigating 1-2 times a day, my urologist suggested I irrigate and leave the saline flush in the pouch and empty upon the next time I cath. Does anyone have any suggestions if I should be leaving the saline in until the next time I cath. Should I be flushing immediately and remove the saline from the pouch. I am new to this as my surgery was on 12-12-07. I have found this site to be very informative and very helpful. I read on the site that some use distilled water can you please advise me how much salt to a quart and how long will the homemade solution last?

Lynne · Post by **Lynne** » 2008-02-03 21:41:19

Philly,

There are a few "experienced" Indiana Pouchers that post here. I'm hoping one of them will respond to you soon.

Philly Indiana · Post by **Philly Indiana** » 2008-02-04 10:17:47

Thank You Lynne, I'm sure someone will be able to provide me some information, my daughter located this site for me for support and it is very helpful and informative. As I stated I am a newbie my surgery was December 12th 2007. My doctor and my wife tell me I am doing incredibly well but its a blessing to have this forum for support.

squid56 · Post by **squid56** » 2008-02-04 13:40:12

Welcome to the board! I have had my pouch for over 16 years. Yours is not even 2 months old, so give it LOTS of time! How often are you cathing right now? How much are you getting out at a time? Do listen to your uro and try leaving the saline in . It may be that you having lots of mucus and that is why you are having the trouble. To get the mucus thinner, drink more water. IT does take time, you will always have mucus but with time it will get less and less, the more you drink the thinner the mucus will get. I also suggest that when the flow just quits, try moving the catheter in and out a bit. There are little pockets in the pouch where urine can collect, so sometimes the flow just stops dead and by moving it around a bit you may find that you can get a bit more out. Having anew pouch is a lot of trial and error, your pouch is still growing and maturing. With me and others it can a year for it to get fully matured. What size catheter are you using? I personally use a 14F coude catheter- it is also stiff, so I can negotiate all the twists and turns of my tract that goes into the pouch. When I first got mineI would have times when I coudln't even get the catheter in, so I had a smaller catheter when I encountered that. Just let me know if I can answer any other questions you may have. Judith

Philly Indiana · Post by **Philly Indiana** » 2008-02-04 19:48:15

I am catherizing every 4 1/2 hrs as of today. I usually output 8-10 oz during the day and at night I have outputted 12-15 oz. I am using 16 cath. I have found the curve tip does not work as well for me the straight cath is better. My doctor just gave me a rx for 14 gauge. What is a coude catheter?
I must admit I am not a big water drinker as a matter of fact I drink little water cause I hate water, I have been drinking alot of Gatorade. My wife is always trying to push the water and I will try to input more water,Lol

Could you please tell me how much salt do you add to a quart of distilled water?

I am glad to hear of someone who has the pouch for such a long time, I find that reassuring. My greatest fear is how much will the pouch hold, I have a fear of the pouch rupturing. My doctor told me my pouch can hold 15oz or better. A few weeks ago I had tremendous abdominal pain and was not sure why, I went to cath and 16oz came out I was scared, as at that time I was catheterizing around every 3 hrs. I am still trying to figure out the timing, but your right I need to learn how to listen to my Uro, ay suggestions on how to do that? LOL

Thank you so much for the information Judith. This has helped elevate some of my fears.

Hope to hear from you soon.

rikki · Post by **rikki** » 2008-02-06 08:36:26

if you check under my post "i need to flush my indiana pouch" you will see the reply on how to make the water to flush with. i've had my pouch for 7 years and still get the intense pain if i wait too long to flush my pouch. once your pouch has healed totally they are really strudy and can stretch out to accomadate a lot of fluid. i have one of the larger pouches that i've heard of. i can sometimes drain 1200cc of fluid or more. of course i drink tons of water and you really need to learn to drink at least some water. your pouch will work better if you can learn to drink water. of course i live in Louisiana so if you don't drink water here you pass out. it is a learning process and takes a while to get used to things but it all gets better with time. i have a wonderfully supportive wife which is a great help but it is also nice to talk with someone who understands what you're going through. email me if you need to talk. rikki

squid56 · Post by **squid56** » 2008-02-06 20:58:24

It sounds like you doing really well! Dont worry about getting out 16 oz. this just means your pouch is growing. I too can hold a lot- I have gotten out about 1,300 cc's. but my pouch is over 16 years old. Gice it time- it really takes a good year for the pouch to totally develope, two months is nothing.
As far as drinking Gatorade- this not the best option. Gatorade is specific for when you have been exercising or losing electrolytes due to vomiting or diarrhea, it really is not meant to be a drink to replace water. If you do not like the taste of water, you can try adding fresh squeezed lemon or lime into the water to make it taste more interesting or you can buy some of the new flavored waters they sell now. I love to drink ICE COLD water. Do make a habit of always having something to drink by your side, and everytime you pass a water fountain stop and take a drink.
A coude catherter is one with a curved tip- I need to use that type because my tract into the pouch is very curvy and twisty- a straight cath just does not work for me.
As far as saline- it is 1/2 teaspoon salt to each 8 ounces oif water, just boil them to together for several minutes. Somehow you really need to listen to and do waht your uro says, especially if you want a good outcome with the pouch. I know it can be a pain in the beginning, but trust me, the final result is well worth following all that they say to do. You will find with time your body's signals when you need to cath- I feel a pressure in the area of my stoma, if I wait too long it begins to hurt and if you do not get those types of feelings then you will need to go by the clock.

Philly Indiana · Post by **Philly Indiana** » 2008-02-07 11:28:36

Thanks rikki for the info. I guess iam paranoid about the amount of urine i get out when cather. I guess in time i'll get over this fear of rupturing. Thanks again.