How does it feel to have a Foley insertion?

Ruby Vee, BSN · Feb 19, 2016

I've always wondered, but never wondered enough to try it for myself. Lol does it hurt? Is there a stretching, burning or stinging sensation? Ive had a UTI before, so I can only imagine having a foley inserted feels like those last little painful trickles of pee during a UTI. Can someone enlighten me please?

It' really not a big deal. I've had them inserted in the OR several times, and a few times post op either because I couldn't pee or because I had back surgery and was flat on my back for a week. The Foley was the least of my problems!

WellThatsOod · Feb 19, 2016

*is taking notes on Foley insertion*

I've had one twice. Both were put in after my spinal block right before cesareans so I didn't feel them go in. While they were in it was more if an annoying inconvenience. Getting them taken out was like a tugging. And yes, it hurt to pee for a while afterwards.

maelstrom143 · Feb 19, 2016

For those not used to Foley, it can be uncomfortable, varying from pressure to acute pain that may resolve to a mild discomfort. When I had one while awake almost three decades ago, it hurt but was quickly over. The next time I needed one I was unconscious, but the removal was just slight discomfort. Bearing down as if to pee helped with the ease of removal. I always instruct my patients to breathe deeply in and out and near down with exhalation (during which I rapidly remove the fc after ensuring I've removed all of the saline from the balloon to ensure it is completely collapsed). Doing it that way seems easier on the patient, from the feedback I've received over the last ten years.

Some people may experience bladder spasms, esp if they have a UTI, in which case the doc can prescribe an anticholinergic.

GrumpyRN, NP · Feb 19, 2016

As far as Urojects, we had a Urology PA tell us that the lidocaine takes over 20 minutes to numb up the urethra! And that is purely for placebo effect. Unless the nurse is nice and waits for it to kick in.

I had to have a cystoscopy and the nurses (who I knew) put the Instilagel in then clamped the end of my old chap and left me for about 15 minutes (to marinate :roflmao: ) before the urologist came to do the procedure. Pretty painless.

Twinmom06, ASN, APN · Feb 19, 2016

I got my spinal block before insertion so I felt the sensation of people touching my labia but I don't remember the insertion itself (of course my BP dropped to the 60's at that point so I was more focused on not throwing up)

Nursynursenurse, ADN, RN · Feb 19, 2016

The most painful experience of my life. Absolutely horrifying.

The first time I had a procedure done to diagnose interstitial cystitis where they inject fluids into your bladder that are supposed to irritate the lining. I have always had UTI-like symptoms but have never tested positive for a UTI. I also have vulvadynia. Pap smears are unbearable and I cant physically have sex or even wear tampons. My Dr. used a small catheter but it was so painful that I didnt feel anything going in or out of my bladder, just the fact that the catheter was there and causing horrible pain. It wasnt interstitial cystitis because the pain was my urethra itself.

The next time I saw a uro-gynecologist to find the source of my problem. I felt better about it this time because he said he would use the smallest catheter they had and use lidocaine. The catheter was so tiny I think it had a guide wire inside. When it went in, it felt like my urethra was being sliced open with a serrated knife. I gasped for air as tears ran down my face uncontrollably. All the muscles in my body contracted and I'm surprised I didn't pass out. It was a super quick procedure but felt like an eternity. Once it was in the pain continued. The Dr. would make a slight movement with his hand and it felt like my urethra was being stretched and ripped out. If I had a gun on me, I would have shot my self in the head.

When I was in labor, I feared the epidural so much because of the foley. I initially refused it solely out of fear of being catheterized. Then of course the pain got so bad and I wussed out and got it. Luckily, by the time they were going to insert the foley, I was already fully dilated and it was time to push. I couldn't be happier! My lower half may have been numb but I still feared the pain. Later on my nurse walked me to the bathroom and said (threatened) if I wasn't able to pee she would have to straight cath me. Thank god my bladder complied.

Whenever I even look at these jumbo 18-22 Fr foley catheters at work and my heart rate jumps as if its a murder weapon.

RNdynamic · Feb 19, 2016

All I know is that if I'm told I should have a foley put in, I'm likely to refuse.

mercurysmom · Feb 19, 2016

I'd say a lot of it depends on the skill level of the person inserting the foley.

This!

I've been self cathing q6h for 15 years secondary to neuromuscular disease. At this point, it's no biggie. My anatomical landmarks are exactly where the textbook says they'll be. I used to let students do it whenever I was inpatient. Key phrase: "Used To."

A couple years ago, I had a foley placed during surgery, and I wanted it out and to go back to self cathing ASAP. No problem. Six hours later, a nurse comes in and straight caths me. (Remember, my anatomy is right where Lippincott says it should be.). She "missed" three times and when she did finally get it in, I swear she was using a jackhammer. I asked her to stop after her 3rd attempt, and she told me "Listen, Honey, you're be doing this for the rest of your life, so you should figure out a way to suck it up." I was LIVID! Unfortunately, that totally destroyed any trust I had before then, and now I do everything myself unless I'm unconscious.

NutmeggeRN, BSN · Feb 19, 2016

Horrific...
The first time I had one inserted was while in the ED for a kidney infection with stone. If I had to compare the pain to something then I guess I could say that, had I not been informed ahead of time that it was a cath being inserted, I might have assumed it was a scalpel that was being used instead. After the procedure the nurse proceeded to play down my blood curdling screams that I let out while she was inserting it by explaining to me that the types of catheters that were in use when she was younger were glass and were far more painful than the one I just had inserted.
Oh how I would love to run into that nurse again and just casually mention to her (and yes, I realized that she wouldn't remember me) that only a couple of months after that my urologist, the one who followed up on the stone, also diagnosed me with having a constricted urethra that subsequently needed multiple dilation procedures, which were performed under anasthesia due to the pain involved, to resolve.
So all in all, I guess I'm not your run of the mill case, but I am an example of how bad those things can actually be.

Ouchie!

Bobondialysis · Feb 19, 2016

I'm a male and I self-catherise. Also I've had more foley inserted than I've had hot meals. I used to hate them when I was a kid. But really if you relax you'll feel a bit of pressure along your urethra and then into your bladder. I suspect it's worse for a guy as our urethras are longer (obviously). So bottom line is not fun but not the worst medical thing to happen.

Alisonisayoshi, LVN · Feb 19, 2016

I had to have a cystoscopy and the nurses (who I knew) put the Instilagel in then clamped the end of my old chap and left me for about 15 minutes (to marinate ) before the urologist came to do the procedure. Pretty painless.

That's how we do cystoscopy in my office as well.

nurseletDZ · Feb 19, 2016

There is NO lol involved.

Whoa there. I got the impression that the "lol" was in regards to her mentioning the idea of practicing on herself.