The small catheter your doctor is referring to is an "in-out" catheter and doesn't hurt at all. I have to use catheters a minimum of 4 times a day to ensure that my bladder is emptying properly. The alternatives are medication or surgery. Ignoring the problem and just "letting the urine come out" as you put it can also cause damage. This was explained to me after my last surgery.
My message to you wasn't meant to turn you off treatment all together; it was simply a warning to find out all the relevant information about the treatments being suggested to you. If your bladder isn't emptying properly, it will lead to repeated urinary tract and kidney infections. If you ignore this you will end up damaging your kidneys. I strongly recommend you go to that appointment with your doctor and discuss catheterisation and the alternatives.
Once you have self catheterised a few times, I promise you will wonder why you were concerned. I haven't had any infections since I started regular catheterisation. Some women opt to have a catheter inserted and wear a small bag, letting the urine collect over a few hours and then emptying it at regular intervals. I was told that this method is more prone to infection. The most important thing for you to remember about the advice you are given here is from fellow adhesions sufferers, based on their personal experiences. We cannot and you must not use our advice in place of medical professionals.
The purpose of support groups and message boards is to encourage self-education so that when you visit your doctor you are equipped to make sound judgments WITH your doctor based on his information and your personal research. If you have any other questions about catheterisation, please email me at joanne@bombobeach.com
I hope you keep us up to date on your progress.
Love & warm gentle hugs, JO
-- Joanne Eslick Founder Australian Adhesions Support Group http://www.bombobeach.com NSW Australian Co-ordinator of International Adhesions Society http://www.adhesions.org
-- I am not a medical person, and all my messages are based on personal experience. I am a fellow adhesions sufferer reaching out to help others.