Leaking around catheter question

Has anyone had it explained to them why urine leaks around the catheter directly after a bowel movement?
3 so far- 1st uneventful except for some leakage.
2nd- same thing except for a little bit of blood clots around the catheter.
3rd- same thing except more new blood (but not alot) around the catheter, just wondering what was making this occur. I know it's supposed to be normal, just don't know why.
Curt

CVK,

I had both urine and blood leaks (outside the catheter) during BMs.  This is what I observed:

The muscle contractions involved in a bowel movement (both voluntary and involuntary) also put pressures on the bladder & urethra.  These muscle movements "unseat" the inflatable spherical valve in the urethra holding the catheter in place and the urine leaks around it.  The blood is from the newly sutured (sans prostrate) urethra that  is healing around the catheter tube. The blood  is probably caused by a combination of the muscle contractions slightly tearing the suturing - and the urine leaking past.

Once, after a somewhat constipated BM, bloody urine actually migrated back into my bladder and flowed into the bag.  This upset my over-active imagination!  As others here have suggested, eat foods that give you  a soft BM for a few weeks.

My Physician's only concern about these "leaks" was that I not take aspirin nor other blood thinning agents until there was no sign of blood.  Probably a good idea for at least six weeks for most (Ask you own doctor, please.) patients from any major surgery, anyways.

I'm in week 13 and all of you newly recovering patients, please be patient!

For weeks I thought I'd never be off pads again.  I still leak a little, mostly after a long day at work - before I lay down for the evening.  (I agree with the others, it seems to be fatigue setting in!)  Some of us recover faster than others.  I am believing all of recover in due time.

Because God first Loved us (cf. John 3:16), each of us is a temple for His Presence.

C^Cedar

For me the leakage and significant but brief pain were results of bladder spasms. As always, the best advice is to call your surgeon's service and ask whenever you have unexpected things happen. I would have expected that the surgeon or nurses at checkout from the hospital would have mentioned this, but in my case, the reality was much more painful than the academic discussion.

Welcome to HW - sorry you have the need to be here, but speak up with any questions, or just to vent of need be.

I agree with most,the reason is probably pressure from gas.Do you have alot of gas?I sure did,but most of you systoms seem normal,keep an eye on the burning though,call Uro and get it tested in case of an infection which I did since I didn't take antibiotics after surgeryalso good advice on stool softners and be very carefull what you eat,mashed potatoes ,rice ,good stuff,stay away from heavy greacy meats,and vegtables that cause gas.Good luck be positive!TAI-CHI is wonderful...
GAMMS

I'm having the same problem of leaking blood and urine around the catheter during BM's or when trying to pass gas. I feel like I have to pee and find little or nothing in the catheter bag. Then I stand over the toilet and pee and blood flies out. disgusting. My doc says it's normal; doesn't feel very normal!

Hi,
I was so happy to read the answers to the question on blood "leaking around the catheter"
https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=810206
that I decided to share my own experiences.

I had a catheter put in a month ago, and then requested the doctor to remove it a week later on a Friday. Big mistake. I went back to the emergency room to have it put back in. I couldn't stand the pain. I have a few suggestions for those who are new to the catheter process.

1. Lessening pain during a bowel movement:
When you have a bowel movement, you might experience some slight bleeding. If it is heavy bleeding you should see a doctor. (that is what it said in my outtake form). To lessen pain, take a small hand towel, wet it with cold water and hold it against your penis. This will prevent blood from dripping out onto your scrotum. It causes a mess, especially if it drips onto the floor. Also you will be able to see the extent of the bleeding and determine if you need to see the doctor.

2. Reducing the chances of an infection:
Every once in a while, (I do it about once a week), unstrap the pouch from your leg. (Make sure to notice how it is tied to you leg, because you will have to put it back again after you take it off). Remove the straps, and the buttons. then unplug the plugs from the urinary sac. Be very careful to place them in a safe place as the buttons and plugs are very small and can easily get lost. Now wash the plugs, buttons and straps thoroughly. Take the sac and hold it under a tap. Turn on cold water. Let the sac fill up a few times (you can hold a finger over the bottom and top). Shake it a bit and let it flow out. Now wash the outside of the sac. Also wash the hand towel, this time with warm water and wipe the leg areas where the straps were tied. Now dry the items thoroughly. Rethread the straps and the buttons and tie it back to you leg. This should reduces the chances of an infection.

3. MEDS:
Make sure you don't forget to take your meds. I was prescribed Tamsulosin, and after taking it for a month and a half, I stopped it without telling the doctor. A few weeks later I had the most excruciating, pain, feeling I wanted to pee but couldn't. After staying up the whole night on a Saturday, hoping I could make it to my doctor on Monday, I had to give up and go to emergency. (this was the first time). They inserted a catheter. I was scared at first of a foreign object entering my body through my penis. There was some slight discomfort, but compared to the relief I experienced, it was nothing. Also when I went back to the doctor after my second catheter insertion, I noticed my blood pressure had fallen from 139 (at its best) to 119. I don't know if it will happen for everyone. but it did for me.
Also my doctor suggested I take Finasteride (generic for Proscar) to shrink my prostate. She said it might make my breasts enlarge. At first I thought "no way", but when the pain increased after taking out the catheter the first time, I gave in and am taking it now. She said it could take upto a month or two to show effect. I hope it works out. I am not inclined to a surgery, even though my uncle had it and it worked out fine for him.

Take care and best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Post Edited (SDsf) : 3/8/2018 1:47:48 PM (GMT-7)