Hello Doctor,
I have a suprapubic catheter, it's my second one, and it's a 14fr foley. Lately, I've noticed that the flow of urine is slow, only about one-fifth of what it should be. Does this slow flow matter? Could it be causing bladder spasms? I'm worried because nobody wants to flush or replace the catheter. Also, my first catheter was a pigtail 14fr, and it worked fine, but it needs an x-ray every time it's replaced.
Hello,
Thank you for reaching out to Dr. Galen. Please find the below response to your query.
It appears that there's a buildup of precipitates around the opening of your catheter over time. This buildup is likely what's causing the decrease in urine flow. It's essential to address this issue because a slow flow can lead to various complications, including bladder spasms.
To determine the exact cause of the slow flow and to rule out any bacterial infections, I recommend having a sample of your urine analyzed. This will also help us identify if there's an accumulation of salts contributing to the problem.
In terms of management, I suggest considering a change to a silicone catheter of the same size (14 F). Silicone catheters tend to have smoother surfaces, which can help prevent the buildup of precipitates and maintain better urine flow.
Additionally, staying hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids and regularly flushing the catheter can significantly reduce the likelihood of this issue recurring.
Thanks
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