Relieving catheter pain
I wrote previously about having to wear a Foley catheter. At the time I wrote those posts I could not recall the analgesic that I used to relieve the irritation and pain of the catheter. Well, I found a pill bottle with my leftover stash.
During each of my two emergency room visits the doctors inserted a latex catheter. The latex irritated me. Most likely I had an allergic reaction to the latex. Also, the latex catheter was stiff. Every time I sat down or bent over, there was a pain where the catheter bent inside my groin.
During my second ER visit, I pleaded with the doctor to give me something for the irritation and pain. He wrote me a prescription for Pyridium. Pyridium is a tradename for phenazopyridine. It is an analgesic for the urinary tract. The drug is a tablet taken orally, preferably with food. It is quickly secreted through the kidneys and relieves pain and irritation from the catheter.
As soon as the second latex catheter was inserted, the irritation started. I went immediately to the drug store and filled the prescription for the generic version of Pyridium. I took the first tablet in the parking lot. By the time I got home I was feeling better.
The only side effect was my urine was a deep orange color. And, it stains. That was no problem because I live in East Tennessee, Big Orange Country with the local Tennessee Vols football team.
At first I was taking the full dose of 3 tablets a day. As the irritation and pain subsided, I reduced the dose and took the pills only as needed.
When I finally saw my urologist, he removed the latex catheter and inserted a silicone catheter. I did not react to the silicone. The silicone catheter was also a lot more flexible and did not hurt when I sat or bent over. I stopped taking the analgesic.
- See Wikipedia for more information on phenazopyridine.
- See also my posts Wearing a catheter, part 1, and Wearing a catheter, part 2
- Tally's blog
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Comments
#1 Going thru this now
I had button turp surgery on Monday. I've had extreme discomfort ever since from the Foley. They removed it Tuesday morning but had to reinsert it due to blood clots, blocking my urine flow. That was painful. I called the nurse after reading your blog and begged for Pyridium. She wouldn't give it to me, saying it wouldn't help. She seemed perturbed that I was doing my own research. So I have to suffer until at least Monday @ 11 am.
#2 Be a demanding patient
I would not settle for the nurse being the final word. Talk to your doctor. If it was me, I would go to the emergency room and get it. Wait, that is what I did. I made several trips to the ER during that month I had the catheter. I did not want to wait for the doctor to see me, so I went to the ER. The aggravation of going to the ER was worth the pain relief and care that I received.
Also, I do not tolerate back talk from medical people. If the nurse cannot assist you and acts surely or unhelpful, talk to your doctor about her. You are the patient and a paying customer. You deserve good care. They should provide it or you should look elsewhere for it.
Also, if your Foley catheter is latex, you may not be tolerating it well. It was a big help when they switched me to a silicone catheter. It was much more comfortable.
#3 Thanks for the reply
Thank you for the quick reply. Sorry for my slow reply.
Well Monday will be 3 weeks and I'm still experiencing pretty much discomfort. As I said before they put the catheter back in when I couldn't urinate on my own. They said that was due to blood clots. It was painful going back in, but much relief to be able to pee. I was in pain at the end of my penis and along the shaft from the catheter. It also burned every time I peed. Thankfully when I went back a week later I got a much nicer nurse who gently removed the catheter. I told her of my woes and she was surprised they had not prescribed something. She felt pretty sure I had an infection. So she gave me another round of Cypro and the Pyridium (sp?) you spoke about. It helped somewhat but for most of the week since then I experienced great pain at the end of my peeing. It felt like peeing a razor or glass shards. I also passed a good bit of blood. I finally called back after 3 days to see when this might let up. I asked for Nickey the nice nurse, but got nurse ratchet. She was short with me. She said that this is normal and it takes time. No explanation as to what was going on or how long it would continue. It's eased up some, but it is still very painful when the stream is shutting off. Then I walk away with a strong burning sensation and a feeling like I still have to go. That takes awhile to reside.
I'm back to going every 1/2 hour or so again. Also there is a deep pain in my testicles and an occasional pain- burn on the end of my penis. My follow up is not until 4 weeks away. I found out that I'm still able to get an erection and get the feeling of climax, but nothing comes out, a weird feeling. But after I tried that, that is when I went back to peeing every 15-30 minutes. Makes me feel like I messed something up. When I go back I will let the Dr know I'm upset that I was not told what to expect as far as long term pain, how long, what is normal. I'm hoping the pain goes away at some point, and I'll get some sleep without getting up 10 or more times a night. Makes it feel like the operation was a waste of time. So please tell me it gets better.
Thanks, Dave
#4 Hang in there
Give yourself time to heal. Passing blood when you urinate is normal after a TURP. Your prostate is suffering from major trauma. The wounds from the parts of your prostate removed need to heal. There will be blood. But it will stop bleeding after the wound heals. It took me about a month to get over the worst of my laser surgery. I was urinating like a firehose after a couple months.
It sounds like you may have retrograde ejaculation.There is a valve between your bladder and prostate that keeps your ejaculate from going into you bladder. One of the possible side effects of TURP is damage to that valve such that your ejaculate goes into your bladder instead out the end of your penis. After you completely heal, you may still be able to ejaculate normally. Your doctor should have explained this.
I have that too, but not completely. I kind of like it. There is less of a mess when I jerk off. :)
#5 Catheter just removed
CRIPES! I wish I would of seen this before I ever had the catheter insterted! - I quite suddenly went from orange urine non cloudy to cloudy on Saturday - then red and small blood clots on Sunday - to not being able to urinate on Monday. My primary care sent me over to a urology office - ( and me being really unknowning - but no paid) the doctor did a 2 minute look - a rectal prostrate exam - and then said to the assistant to put in a catheter.
He did - but only sprayed on the outside - no effect - then started the insertion - so painful I screamed like a little girl - and then it hurt as he then did some "flushing" to remove stringy blood clots - thet he threw away. Went home - but still could not urninate - so had to get into office. They said - "oh that catheter was too small so we will need to remove - place in another larger one and flush out the bladder, again.
This time when the assistant was trying to insert I was so loud that a doctor came in and placed lubricant on the catheter - but NO local or internal pain stoppage or relief. After it was in and over two cups of stringy blood clots (think afterbirth) the doctor said well give him a shot of morphine - belive me it did not have much effect on the penis pain.
Had a Cat-Scan that showed no issues with Kidneys - and some gall stones, but not substantial
Just yesterday went in for appointment and the doctor said that he wanted it removed and then he was going to look at my bladder - by using a light thru the urniary track - after the very apinful removal - and my yelling - he came back in and said he would rather wait for two weeks. The nurse when asked about pain involved said yes there was - so I asked how can it be managed - and she said get some valium.. I had just taked two valium before I came in - and I can tell you it did not help!