Question
My boyfriend is a C-6 quad and had a Medtronic pump placed in his abdomen. Until last month, he's had nothing but wonderful luck with it. Recently though, I've had to take him to the ER for spasticity that caused disraflexia. We've been in and out of the neurologist's office. The pump was replaced last week; the catheter is being replaced today. We are at a loss for options other than major operations. Do you have any advice or ideas? I would appreciate ANY thing. Thank you for your time.

Answer
Dear Samantha,

I used condom drainage for 30 years with minimal problems until my bladder stopped working with that type of drainage so I began using a urethral catheter which caused me major problems with dysreflexia. My urethra did not handle having a catheter in it, especially latex catheters.

So I had it replaced with a non-latex suprapubic catheter. Which is basically an indwelling catheter that is placed directly into the bladder through the abdomen. The catheter is inserted above the pubic bone.

This catheter must be placed by a urologist during an outpatient surgery or office procedure. The insertion site (opening on the abdomen) and the tube must be cleansed daily with soap and water and covered with a dry gauze.

These catheters usually are changed by qualified medical personnel or by a trained aide. The catheter may be attached to the standard drainage bags.

A suprapubic catheter may be recommended:

After some gynecological surgeries
In people who need long-term catheterization
In people with urethral injury or obstruction

Complications of suprapubic catheter use may include:

Bladder stones
Blood infections (septicemia)
Blood in the urine (hematuria)
Skin breakdown
Urine leakage around the catheter
Urinary tract or kidney infections

Samantha I hope this helps your situation and gives your boyfriend some much needed relief. Dysreflexia is nothing to fool around with, as you have already found out.

Sincerely,
       Ken