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No amazing happenings this morning.
I’d just typed this in the blog, and something happened that got me overly concerned. I received a letter about my Cather Pouch Reflux. This is it, copied from it.
Urinary tract infections(UTIs)
UTIs caused by using a Catheter are one of the most common types of infection that affect people staying in a hospital. This risk is particularly high if your Catheter is left in place continuously. (The Carers should change the day weekly, but rarely do & I forget to ask them).
Symptoms of a UTI associated with using a Catheter
Pain low down in your tummy or around your groin.
a high temperature, feeling hot, cold or confused. I am aware and have suffered these.
Contact your GP or community nurse if you think you have a UTI. You may need a course of antibiotics.
Other risks and side effects: Bladder spasms, which feel like stomach cramps, are quite common when you have a Catheter in your bladder. The pain is caused by the bladder trying to squeeze out the balloon. You may need medicine to reduce the frequency and intensity of the spasms. The Nurse told me there was nothing that could be done about the Catheter reflux when I asked her.
Leakage around the Catheter is another problem associated with indwelling catheters. This can happen as a result of bladder spasms or when you poo. Leakage can also indicate that the Catheter is blocked, so it’s essential to check that it’s draining. Yes, I’ve had this problem twice, each time we found the tube taken from the Catheter was blocked with black Goo! The nurse said they would ask the Doctor to prescribe antibiotics. But none came.
Blood or debris in the Catheter tube is also common with an indwelling Catheter. This could become a problem if the Catheter drainage system becomes blocked. Get medical advice as soon as possible if you think your Catheter may be blocked, or if you’re passing large pieces of debris or blood clots. See the blue printing above.
Other potential problems include:
Injury to the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of your body) when the Catheter is inserted.
A narrowing of the urethra because of scar tissue caused by repeated Catheter use.
Injury to the bladder caused by incorrectly inserting or not checking that the Catheter is working.
Bladder stones (although these usually only develop after years of using a Catheter). I didn’t see a mention of when the Catheter gets blocked. Any male with a fungal lesion on their whatsit will find urine shooting out of a tiny wound. It sprayed out so hard, it covered my 1963-built, falling-to-pieces Hopewell’s E-Plan Sideboard, with the doors falling off, the computer, my legs, feet, and the carpeting. I was sitting with a bucket between my legs for five hours, trying to catch some of the wee, waiting for the nurse to arrive again. Which was a lot better than the first time – I had to wait for five days!
Key Dangers of a Non-Working Catheter
Urinary Retention: The bladder becomes rapidly overfilled and distended because urine is trapped in the body, which is highly painful. Pain 8/10.
Kidney Damage (Reflux): Because the bladder cannot empty, urine is forced backwards toward the kidneys. This can cause severe back pain and cause permanent renal damage over time. It did and does!
Sepsis (Urosepsis): Trapped urine quickly becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. If the infection enters the bloodstream, it can cause sepsis, a life-threatening medical emergency. Oh?
Bladder Spasms: Trapped urine or the blockage itself irritates the bladder, causing severe cramping spasms, pain 10/10. I know!
Catheter Bypassing: Pressure builds up and forces urine to leak around the outside of the Catheter tube, which can cause skin breakdown and discomfort. Yes, it did!
Confusion or extreme agitation, yes!
Very high or very low body temperature. Erm…
Breathing difficulties or shortness of breath. Oh, yes!
Nausea, vomiting, or extreme fatigue (tired me out)
Slurred speech or a weak pulse. Slurred speech!
When a Catheter becomes blocked by debris or sediment (as it did for me), it traps urine in the bladder. Causes it to flow backwards into the kidneys.
This buildup creates a breeding ground for bacteria. The resulting pressure & infection can allow bacteria growth in the bloodstream, pain (10/10) & life-threatening sepsis.
In the NHS, a “lifetime” (long-term) urinary Catheter. When someone is experiencing flowbacks, it is usually changed at least every 4 weeks (more like 12 weeks!) to prevent blockages and infections. When a patient has vesicoureteric (renal) reflux, urine travels backwards from the bladder to the kidneys. Strict Catheter management is vital to protect the kidneys from damage.
I changed the colour of the comments I added above.
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Well, the time is running by, and I have been so busy… Yet again, dealing with the darned new computer and CorelDraw 26 problems, I just don’t know where the time has gone. Yes, I do. Wasted on a machine and programme that has left me with my lowest bank account for 50 years.
Already time for the third teatime caller.
I’m guessing, but I’m still struggling to work out where the time has gone. I do have a slight acidic taste in my chest and mouth. So, maybe I’ve had some seizures?
What the heck, not many photos taken, and I’m feeling suddenly drained, shag… tired.
Gonna try to have a sit-down, & hopefully a little kip.
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Morning view.
Leg burns a lot easier.
The above are the only photos I took that made it to the SD card. I recall taking several cloud shots, the new brush & dustpan as I cleaned up with it, and the evening meal. There must have been more, but I couldn’t access them.
I suppose it’s a part of the mysteries of Woodthorpe Courts hobgoblins, spectres, gnomai, phantasms, grotesque succubae, ectoplasms, Whoopsiedangleplops, ailments, extraterrestrials, spirits, Accifauxpas, rent increases, food price hikes, and the Fata Morganas strike again!
Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
mysteries of Woodthorpe Court, with the hobgoblins, spectres, gnomai, phantasms, grotesque succubae, Whoopsiedangleplops, ailments, extraterrestrials, ectoplasms, spirits, Accifauxpas, rent increases, food price hikes, and the Fata Morganas, that have been sent to taunt, irritate, hassle, annoy, gloat at, and terminate my already limited saneness of mind?
A Final Catheter Wearing Fact Discovery
In the UK, Catheter-related deaths are primarily caused by severe infections (Urosepsis – Kidney Failure), bladder trauma, or procedural complications.
Prolonged use of indwelling catheters significantly increases mortality risks, particularly in vulnerable or elderly patients (Great!), making routine maintenance and timely replacements essential.
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