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Women's health

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Original poster

Removing word catheter at home

11 replies

babymummy96 · 17/07/2021 20:53

Has anyone removed their own word catheter at home? I know I will need a syringe to deflate the balloon but other than that, do I just pull it?

Also does anyone know what size needle/syringe to buy and where I can get it from please?

Want this out ASAP without a 4 hour wait at gynae lol

OP posts:

Scautish · 17/07/2021 20:58

I don’t think you should do this yourself

If it was straightforward then they’d allow most people to do this. The fact they don’t is probably because something can go badly wrong. Having suffered from recurrent cystitis in the past there’s no way I’d take any risk of messing with anything bladder/urethra related.

Fluffycloudland77 · 17/07/2021 21:14

I really wouldn’t. I’d be cheesed off after 4 hours too but you can’t risk making a mistake.

MartyHart · 17/07/2021 21:22

I wouldn't, it really hurt when they took mine out

Fluffycloudland77 · 17/07/2021 21:28

Are you on your own in there?.

Steelesauce · 17/07/2021 21:44

Why do you want to take it out? Is it painful? Are you awaiting an appointment to have it removed? Removing catheters isn't as simple as taking out. Monitoring etc. Needs to happen so they know its safe and you're not going to go into full retention afterwards.

Iliketeaagain · 17/07/2021 22:52

Please don't - at least call 111 or your out of hours nursing service for help. They are easily taken out when you know what to do, but you've got a catheter for a reason, I'm assuming some sort of gynae surgery related issue since you mentioned waiting for gynaecology review.

Whatever you do, please don't pull it out - you need to be monitored by someone to check you can wee after it's been out for a few hours.

If it's really bothering you, someone may be able to take it out tonight if they can speak to someone in the team who put it in, with the proviso that you have a bladder scan in the morning to make sure you aren't in urinary retention after it's taken out.

NoNobramma · 17/07/2021 22:57

A word catheter isn’t the same as a urinary one!
It’s meant to be in for a good while to allow abscess drainage and the creation of a fistula.
Please don’t take it out yourself @babymummy96

Topseyt · 18/07/2021 19:29

Don't. Wait for your appointment. You could really do yourself serious harm.

Isn't it supposed to stay in for several weeks if it is a drain for a cyst?

Original poster

babymummy96 · 18/07/2021 19:31

@Steelesauce

Yes it's so painful :-( I had it put in Thursday this week and it was drained. By Friday it had doubled in size again and I couldn't even walk! I went to the emergency unit again Saturday and basically the end of the catheter that they tuck up inside had a 'kink' in it so it hadn't been draining at all and all the gunk had just been making me swell etc. The relief was immense yesterday however I had to wait 3 hours for this to be done and I was in agony (I'm not complaining about the wait, I completely appreciate the NHS however with a little baby I'm struggling to find all this extra childcare when her dad works long hours and we have no family near, I keep having to drop her on him last minute.)

They've now basically left the end of the catheter outside of me to ensure it drains properly however it keeps sliding down and it makes me seriously uncomfortable, I can't sit down properly, I can't really do much. I keep having to poke it back in and it bloody hurts!! It is draining but I'm so sick of feeling like this and I've got to put up with this for 4 weeks! I'm honestly dreading it!

OP posts:

Original poster

babymummy96 · 18/07/2021 21:00

@NoNobramma

A word catheter isn’t the same as a urinary one! It’s meant to be in for a good while to allow abscess drainage and the creation of a fistula. Please don’t take it out yourself *@babymummy96*

What does fistula mean? Sorry just generally interested to know haha

OP posts:

WH74 · 24/12/2024 15:59

I took mine out. It was simple. I took scissors and made a tiny slice in inch or so in on the narrow section just after the thicker port that hangs out. I did not cut through because I was worried if it didn’t work I would have less material to work with. As soon as I nicked the tube the water in the ballon came squirting out and the word catheter fell out. Instant relief from the pressure of the bulb. I am not suggesting anyone do what I did but if you chose to that is how I took mine out.

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