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Blood clots in catheter tube

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Posted 8/8/2011 4:21 PM (GMT 0)
So as I am re-reading my discharge instructions, it mentions Clots in the legs that can produce pain and swelling in the legs and ankles- Its called deep venous thrombosis-DVT. Up to 4-6 weeks post op, they can break loose, travel to the lung producing life threating condition known as pulmonary embolus. This can occur with or without any symtoms. As a fan of Deadliest Catch, we all saw Capt. Phil die of this last year. Jeeze, I am seeing blood clots flowing in my cath tube now. Is this normal?
Posted 8/8/2011 4:25 PM (GMT 0)
I had small clots and a lot of what the doctor called debris. Enough that a couple of nights the valve from the tube into the bag clogged up. That caused an interesting "bloated and floating" dream which turned out to be real.

So, yes, I had some. But always call the doctor first if you have questions or concerns.

Posted 8/8/2011 4:27 PM (GMT 0)

Startech said...
 Jeeze, I am seeing blood clots flowing in my cath tube now. Is this normal?

I saw the same thing.

My discharge instructions said [underlining added by me]:

You may notice small amounts of urine, yellowish-green discharge, or blood leaking around the catheter. This can be normal; however continued or larger amounts should be reported to your doctor. You may pass small blood clots or some flecks of blood in your urine. Again, this can be normal. Report any persistent or large amount of bleeding to your doctor. Notify a health care provider promptly if the urinary catheter stops draining urine or may be blocked by a blood clot.

Is the clot large enough to block drainage? 

 

Posted 8/8/2011 5:19 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for responding guys. No, the clots are not big enough to block drainage. I am seeing the usual flecks of blood and sediment, like after the biopsy. But these clots are about 1/3 the diameter of the inside tube wall. Definately blood clots with fuzzy edges.
Posted 8/8/2011 5:26 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds normal to me for a guy three days out from surgery.
Posted 8/8/2011 5:40 PM (GMT 0)
OK Steve, thanks for posting. Guess I am a little panicky these days. When I first noticed it, my ex said I looked like I saw a ghost...LOL I was also concerned, because prior to the surgery, I was always told not to take any blood thinners, ie Ibuprofen. My ex told me the doc said I could now take IB and I have been to get off the narcs. I was hoping she did not confuse Ibuprofen with tylenol or aleve.
Posted 8/8/2011 5:57 PM (GMT 0)
Startech, the small blood clots in the catheter tube and bag sound completely normal. I would sometimes have a urine output that was crystal clear, but the next time I emptied the bag, it was reddish with clots. Healing takes a while. The clots you're seeing are coming from inside the bladder and urethra and I doubt that they have any connection to clots that would form in the legs and cause an embolism. Walking is a good preventive measure.
Posted 8/8/2011 6:46 PM (GMT 0)
on my second day home from the hospital I started seeing brownish red clots in my Folley that plugged it up. A quick trip to the URO office and they flushed them out along with about 100 more little ones. I continued to have a few in the pee bag for a couple more days.  They told me as long as there are not bright red (new blood) and stayed a brownish red (old blood from surgery)not too worry and I didn't.
Posted 8/8/2011 6:56 PM (GMT 0)
It was bright red. None since I started this post though. I think if I see another bright red, I should call the doc.
Posted 8/8/2011 7:09 PM (GMT 0)
If you have any reasonable doubts or questions, you should call the doctor regardless of what we tell you might be normal. It may be normal, but your doctor needs to be aware of what you are seeing, and you want your mind at ease. Extra stress does not help you heal.

I called my doc - he said things were normal, but that was me. I will add, though, that a single small drop of fresh blood can scare the life out of you when it tints the whole bag. Been there.

I kept a diary of each bag - quantity, debris, clots, color. It was very helpful while we were trying to sort out urinary tract infections.

Posted 8/8/2011 7:58 PM (GMT 0)
My husband had the same problem. His urine was bright red for many of the days he was on the catheter. It wasn't until the last few days before the catheter was removed that it cleared up. I called the Triage Nurse as instructed if you have a medical emergency during office hours to mention this and she was not concerned at all. He had been drinking coffee for many of the days and once he stopped drinking his one cup of coffee in the morning did it start to clear up. We mentioned this to the doctor's nurse the day of the catheter removal and she said some of the patients have the same problem when even drinking decaf tea. It is a good idea to call the doctor so they can be aware of this. It is quite scary.
Posted 8/8/2011 8:30 PM (GMT 0)
it is common to have some debris float through the catheter tube and be dispelled into the catheter bag.
I would occasionally have some colouration of the urine if having a difficult bowel movement - which would then trigger a "relax and don't f---- it up" and go back on the stool softener for a day or two....
I also had irritation of the urethra from the catheter itself ( bleeding on the outside of the tube) and that in itself is common too.

keep breathing - you will get through this -and if in a panic or venting mode - this is a great place to voice your fears and blow off some steam !

healing hugs,
Bronson
Posted 8/9/2011 12:18 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks all. So I called my doc's office about scheduling the cath removal next week and mentioned what I saw. The nurse basically repeated what you all said. Cool.

Then last nite I decided to have a glass of wine and watch a repeat of America's Funniest Home Videos. BIG MISTAKE! OW! OW! OW!
Posted 8/9/2011 1:18 PM (GMT 0)
I had my share of them, they went away in about three days after the surgery.
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