How does it feel to have a Foley insertion?

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Feb 19, 2016

I feel sad for those who never heard of Urojet or have it stocked :down:

I've had a foley; I was under anesthesia when I had it placed, so I missed that part; I tolerated the nuances of urinating on command, meaning, I still felt the urge to go, then it would subside as my bladder emptied into the foley system; it didn't really hurt after being removed.

However.

I suspected that I ended up getting a CAUTI-I spiked a temp during the time I had it, I didn't get it removed until two days later (after having it for about seven days), then burning after urination WELL after removal and discharge, and my urine STANK like UTI.

I straight cath kids pretty much on a daily basis; I live it up get the sample, and get it OUT!

rfrishe · Feb 19, 2016

I was admitted to a Level 1 trauma center after a horseback riding accident that left me with a grade 4 lacerated spleen. They started a morphine drip at the ER and then life-flighted me to the trauma center, where they inserted the foley. The morphine made it so that I was more embarrassed than anything (at 17 I hadn't even had a pelvic exam yet, and had it placed while in a room with glass walls so the nurses station could keep an eye on me until a bed was ready). I never felt it. I was on a pain medication drip in the ICU and was switched to Percocet PO when I was moved to a regular room so any pain from removal/pain after wouldn't have been an issue for me either (if anyone is curious, I still have a spleen. It healed and didn't need to be removed. and my treatment there is what is driving me to work in ED/Trauma). However, from what I understand from residents at the LTC facility I'm working in, it is very uncomfortable for men even while on narcotic pain meds. We have one man that is catheterized 24/7 and has to have it changed about once a month, even using trammadol before the change doesn't help him much.

DNS.RN78 · Feb 19, 2016

I had it done while I was in preterm labor and getting a Mag drip. My contractions weren't that painful... so I felt every bit of the Foley insertion. It was .... very unpleasant... and uncomfortable the day or so I had it in.

Exact same experience here. Mine was very unpleasant, also; pressure, burning, a sense of..."wrongness," something going IN where things are supposed to come OUT. The straight cath I had before a bladder scan was much the same - a very sharp sensation, not cool. The ones I've had with epidurals or spinals - awesome. LOL.

Coming out wasn't that bad IME, just uncomfortable, and sore for a few days afterward.

SwansonRN · Feb 19, 2016

Jeez, I catheterize wide awake/non medicated people daily and we don't use urojects at my institution. Feeling pretty evil! It's a rarity that patients complain about it in my experience.

SmilingBluEyes · Feb 19, 2016

Didn't feel it going in as I was either out or numb (surgery and in labor in the times I had them). Felt like I had to pee when they were in, very irritating. Coming out, NO BIG DEAL, I just breathed out as they pulled it. Taught my patients to do the same. No complaints from them.

MyFive · Feb 19, 2016

Cath's and IV's are why I decided to become a nurse. I've had 6 deliveries, 7 children, so I've had some AWFUL experiences with cath's and IV's. I always praised nurses up and down that did it correctly and as pain-free as possible. The ones that just didn't give a crap or didn't know what they were doing (and didn't want to listen to my pain level speech) infuriated me. I decided I wanted to be a nurse that would do it the right way, because, we definitely will always need more of those.

If you tell your patient you are going to be as gentle as possible, I think that helps a lot.

thecareerchanger, BSN · Feb 19, 2016

Had it inserted when I was in labor with my first and second. It hurt during insertion with first (I almost let nurse have it) but removal didn't feel bad. For second the nurse must have knew what she was doing because I didn't feel much pain at all.

Brinseana, ASN, RN · Feb 20, 2016

I worked LTC for years and never had a pt not complain of discomfort to serious pain. I've never had one myself so, unable to give first hand info

Nightshade1972 · Feb 20, 2016

I'm usually already anesthetized before they put the Foley in (I've had multiple surgeries). After I wake up and the catheter's been removed, the first couple of times I have to pee it burns/stings like hell--first pee is the worst, then the discomfort decreases over the next couple of urinations, then it's gone.

Susabella74 · Feb 20, 2016

I think you can see that experiences vary! I have never had a foley inserted while awake (have had them multiple times but post op), but have been straight cathed awake and learned to straight cath myself, had 14 ureteral stent surgeries (through the urethra, but general anesthesia. I've had some crazy urology issues), AND I've had urethral dilation done without anesthesia. That was by far the worst pain, but only temporary. I think the first urination after a foley comes out (and after the stent surgeries) has been the worst pain for me, cath wise.

sharpnac56 · Feb 20, 2016

as a woman having had several surgeries,I will say that the insertion is virtually pain free, and if the balloon is completely deflated, pain free when pulled. according to my husband (and male pts. I' ve talked to) the level of pain depends on the technique and skill of the nurse, pain tolerance of the pt.,and the reason for the cath. if there is swelling and inflammation there is pain.

NurseDiane · Feb 20, 2016

I've had several----straight caths with red rubber catheters and indwelling ones. The straight caths I had were for urinary retention after spinal anesthesia for a knee reconstruction---my abdomen was distended & I was begging for it because I was in so much pain from the over full bladder. Those weren't bad---in fact, when the catheter reached my bladder & the urine started coming out, I nearly cried because there was so much relief. I had a Foley after abdominal surgery, but I was so sick from salmonella that I really didn't care. I had tubes coming out of everywhere, so the Foley was the least of my problems. After ureteral stent implantation for complete obstruction from a kidney stone, I woke up in the PACU with it, and the first thing I asked the nurse was to take the Foley out because it was killing me. It is uncomfortable coming out, but it is so quick that it is not bad. I was never awake to feel it being inserted, but I can't imagine that it feels good.