Catheter removal after surgery and use of pain medication

Kdeinv, my husband is a self-confessed wuss when it comes to any pain and he was more afraid of having the catheter and staples removed than he was of the actual surgery. I was with him in the doctor's office when both were removed, and they were non-events. He said the cath coming out felt weird but absolutely no discomfort or pain...same with the staples. You'll be fine.

It does feel wierd but not painful at all. Put the lid on the pain meds and put them away unless you really need them. I never took more than Excederian once I was released from the hospital. Still have the unused bottle of pain meds they gave me when I got out of the hospital.

Bill from Florida

It was not painful and yes it did feel weird, the nurse distracted me for the couple of seconds that she yanked it out. I was offered a shot of valium first for the anxiety, but I turned it down and I didn't need it after all. I was just so happy to have that rubber snake gone that I didn't care. Do take some pads to use for the trip home as you most likely will need them for awhile, for me it was 2 weeks before I was dry.

 

Terry

No worry...no pain at all...just a bit of uncomfortable for couple of sec..

hi,

 as the others have said don't worry about it, it just feels weird. the nurse told me to take a deep breath so I did when she started pulling I couldn't stop my self from laughing it's just a strange sensation but not painful at all. at that pointe you will  just be glad to be rid of the thing!

good luck,

carl

No pain; no worry;

Even though I had a visiting nurse, I also had a neighbor who happened to be an RN in my uro's practice. She checked in on me nearly every day after I came home. And then one day took out my staples and another day she told me she was going to take my catheter out and just did it. No pain at all, I promise. Though there were then a couple of tough weeks until I was able to stand up without grabbing my privates and running for the bathroom.

Had mine out last Friday. The nurse said, "take a deep breath" which I did, and she said, "Exhale!" and as I exhaled, she pulled it out. Before I could complete the thought, "Whoa! I do NOT like that!" it was over and ABSOLUTELY no residual discomfort. No need for pain meds for something that, worst case, could be described as momentary discomfort - not even reaching the level of "pain."
And it's freaking AWESOME to be rid of that thing!

In my case, it burned a little as it was taken out but the whole thing was over in like 5 seconds. No need for any pain meds.

Relax: it's great when it's out! Free, Free at last ....LOL!

Bob

kdeinv said...
Hello,
I know many of you have said that the catheter removal was not painful but just felt weird. Has anyone taken any pain medication prior to removal to eliminate the pain worry and if so can it help?

I have some pain medication left over from the hospital and was just wondering.

Thanks

It should not be necessary to take any pain meds before removal of the catheter. The anticipation is far, far worse than the actual experience.

When I went in for mine to be removed, the nurse placed me on a table and prepared to take it out. As she did so, she asked me perhaps the dumbest question I had ever been asked. In fact, it made no sense at all and I momentarily began wondering if she was nuts.

Then suddenly, as I was trying to process the silly thing she had asked, there was an instantaneous tug down below and the cathater was out! Then she laughed and said she had simply given me a brain teaser to deflect my attention from the task at hand.

Bottom line -- I felt NOTHING at all as she removed it. It took all of one second. What great relief I felt that it was finally over and that all that anticipation was unfounded.

So please try not to worry. It is not painful at all.

Good luck!
Chuck :)

Resident of Highland, Indiana just outside of Chicago, IL.
July 2011 local PSA lab reading 6.41 (from 4.1 in 2009). Mayo Clinic PSA Sept. 2011 was 5.7.
Local urologist DRE revealed significant BPH, but no lumps.
PCa Dx Aug. 2011 at age of 61.
Biopsy revealed adenocarcinoma in 3 of 20 cores (one 5%, two 20%). T2C.
Gleason score 3+3=6.
CT of abdomen, bone scan both negative.
DaVinci prostatectomy 11/1/11 at Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN), nerve sparing, age 62.
My surgeon was Dr. Matthew Tollefson, who I highly recommend.
Final pathology shows tumor confined to prostate.
5 lymph nodes, seminal vesicles, extraprostatic soft tissue all negative.
1.0 x 0.6 x 0.6 cm mass involving right posterior inferior,
right posterior apex & left mid posterior prostate.
Right posterior apex margin involved by tumor over a 0.2 cm length, doctor says this is insignificant.
Pathology showed Gleason 3 + 3, pT2c, N0, MX, R1
adenocarcinoma of the prostate.
Prostate 98.3 grams, tumor 2 grams. Prostate size 5.0 x 4.7 x 4.5 cm.
Abdominal drain removed the morning after surgery.
Catheter out in 7 days. No incontinence, occasional minor dripping.
Post-op exams 2/13/12, 9/10/12, 9/9/13 PSA <0.1. PSA tests now annual.
Semi-firm erections now happening 14 months post-op & VERY slowly getting a bit stronger.

I was very nervous the day it was removed. The nurse started, she couldn't get it out and said I'll be right back, and the 5 or so minutes I had to wait was not fun....the nurse came back with a technician and they did another ultrasound and confirmed it was safe to remove....It took a little extra tug or two and there was no pain....I was already concerned about the future for my penis so words like tug/pull did not go with don't worry...This isn't advice but looking back, no need for a new script for anti-anxiety, but if I had a few pain meds left over and I did ok with them when I took them for pain, then I would take one for this if it eased my worried mind a little...(and if I wasn't driving or coming from a three martini lunch)

BTW..when it was removed I was a fountain for what seemed like 30 seconds...the nurse and tech and eventually I were laughing about the mop job that was needed...that's an interesting thing to laugh about... thanks for bringing this up, being honest, and seeking others experiences...that alone speaks of your strength..stay close.

No pain at all. It will all be over in 2 seconds. I was lying down flat on the table. Just imagine the relief you have afterwards. OH! What a feeling. Good luck
Passed urine probably an hour and half later. Couple of drops first then a weak stream followed.

Kdeinv
You're way too concerned. No need for pain meds. It's quick and over in seconds. Staple removal not a big deal either. It's a relief when cath is out!
Bob