UOAA Discussion Board

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?

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.

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

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.

Nemo1975 wrote: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.

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.

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.

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.