Urinary retention Post Op Day 2 Help!!

redshiloh · Jul 16, 2004

While I can't speak to when you will be able to pee....get the MD to write for lidocaine jelly for your caths. Use a lidocaine urojet 5 minutes prior to cathing and it will be much less painful.

zumalong · Jul 17, 2004

This is fairly common after that type of surgery. You may be suffering from bladder spasms that can be relieved by med- ditropan was our GU's fav. Rx.

As weird as it sounds--keep drinking lots of fluids to prevent UTI. As with everything in life this too will pass. Good luck.

RN92 · Jul 17, 2004

Do you immediately cath yourself when you have the urge? I know that with indwelling catheters, your bladder gets "lazy" . When we take a catheter out of someone whose had it for a while - it takes time for the bladder to "remember how to pee". Maybe, you should try drinking lots of water, and dont cath yourself unless you absolutely have to. Give your bladder time to initiate urination. Have you let your MD know? What does he/she say about it. After 2 wks, I would think you should at least be able to urinate some. Good luck.

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Jul 17, 2004

Have you tried standing in a warm shower? Sometimes between the water running and the warmth of the water it might be enough to let the muscle relax enough to void. Even with a handheld shower, you could sit on the side of the tub and run the warm water over your peri area to help relax the muscles enough to void without cathing yourself. I would think each time you cath it traumatizes the urethra again, causing a vicious circle. Just a thought.

Hope your better soon.

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Jul 17, 2004

Have you tried standing in a warm shower? Sometimes between the water running and the warmth of the water it might be enough to let the muscle relax enough to void. Even with a handheld shower, you could sit on the side of the tub and run the warm water over your peri area to help relax the muscles enough to void without cathing yourself. I would think each time you cath it traumatizes the urethra again, causing a vicious circle. Just a thought.
Hope your better soon.

Agree.. my dtr. poured warm water from a small pitcher over her peri area after not being able to pee for several days post op... did the trick immediatly.

kwagner_51 · Jul 17, 2004

I called my dr. yesterday complaining of frank blood and inability to urinate w/o cathing. When I insert the cath, it feels like I have a UTI [it did at the hosp. too] He gave me Cephalexin 500mg 1 capsule 3xday and Urecholine 25mg tablets 1 tab. 4xday plus the Darvocet-N 100 w/APAP 1-2 tabs q6h PRN for pain.

After taking the Urecholine I was able to get a trickle but nothing else. I am getting frustrated and a little concerned about the bright red blood. It has to be coming fron the urethra because the urine is clear. I have a stitch on each side of my pubis synthesis and the entire area is severely swollen The dr. said I had a hematoma so I'm wondering if that might be part of the reason I can't pee.

I also get chills when I try to pee. Like I get when I have an UTI.

Thanks for reading and for the advice!!

Appreciate it very much!!