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Can Self-catheterization Affect The Ability To Empty Bladder?

Posted on Fri, 17 Jul 2015

Question: I'm 40 year old male born with spinabifida. I self catherize my self and for the past week have been having difficulties getting my catheter into my bladder. it seems to go all the way down but then stops right before entering my bladder. yesterday however my catheter did go in 5 consecutive times I used the restroom. today again I cannot get it to go in. could this be caused by prostate issues?

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Could be due to narrowing of Urethral Passage.(Stricture Urethra)

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for query.
You have Spinabifida with neurogenic bladder making it necessary to empty your bladder by self catheterization .

Long time catheterization causes narrowing of urethral passage (Formation of Stricture of the urethra) due to repeated trauma to the delicate urethral mucosa.

This needs to be confirmed by doing radiological test called Cystourethrogram.

Consult qualified Urologist for clinical evaluation and get this test done under his guidance .

If turns to be positive you may need to undergo endoscopic surgery to incise the stricture and dilate the urethra ( Optical Urethrotomy.)

You may discuss with your Urologist regarding the efficacy of putting catheter through Supra Pubic Route (SPC) so that catheterization can be done through this tract and avoid passing catheter through urethra .

Hope I have answered your query. If you have any more questions please feel free to ask me I shall be happy to help you .
Thanks and Regards.
Dr.Patil.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (2 minutes later)

there's a 3 week wait to get into urologist. could this be done by going into the emergency room

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
This test is done by Radiologist

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for follow up
This test is done by Radiologist .You can get it done on request by Doctors from Emergency Room and keep the reports ready for persuasion of Urologist when you meet him.
Thanks and Regards.
Dr.Patil.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (47 hours later)

I went to the er today and all standard blood work they ran came back normal but the did tell me I had a uti. however they did not run any other tests and just told me I needed to see a urologist. the first opening for a urologist is a month away. can a uti be a cause for my catheter not going into my bladder?

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Difficulty in passing cathetr can not be due to UTI.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for follow up.
Difficulty in passing catheter can not be due to anything else except narrowing of Urethral passage (Stricture Urethra).

I really feel sorry for the health system in a advanced country like yours that Patient has to wait for 1-2 months to get appointment and help of a proper consultant.

Take antibiotics as per advice of ER people and go to them after a week,

Thanks and Regards.
Dr.Patil.

Note: Consult a Urologist online for consultation about prostate and bladder problems, sexual dysfunction, kidney stones, prostate enlargement, urinary incontinence, impotence and erectile dysfunction - Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad