mrsdixon,
If the nerves which control your bladder are damaged, either you could have retention, or you could have leakage. They may seem to be opposite, but they are not. If your urologist wants you to have a suprapubic catheter, he/she is clearly concerned for your life, and this is a good place to work out your fears in a loving community. Paxton

There are times when I do retain urine. So far my body will eventually release the fluid but there is a chance that it wont. Getting a super pubic was suggested but I chose not to because it is a tube that goes through the skin to the bladder. I cant imagine how you would be free from infections.

I have had catheters and they can cause problems. Even when I can use catheters I chose not to because there is the risk of damage to the bladder and an increased infection risk.

If I had your condition, I would seriously look at getting Botox injections of the urinary sphincter. This would have the effect of leaving your bladder open to drain. The effects would last 3 to 6 months. ( I assume that your sphincter isnt damaged from the catheters. If so, this may not be a viable option.)

The down side to this, and is a BIG downside, is that you would leak all the time and that would necessitate the need for absorbent under garments. (That means diapers.)

If it was me, and I had your condition, I would look long and hard at the temp Botox fix and the surgery. The surgery could cause more problems and you are stuck with it once you do it. The botox is not permanent and your can take your time to make up your mind. If you decide that you would rather have surgery than have to wear diapers, then ok. Just remember, that even with the super pubic, you will have to wear a collection bag somewhere.

Another surgical procedure is a where they open your urinary sphincter with either a stint or permanently remove it. These would also leave your bladder to drain.

Ive been wearing diapers for awhile now so they are not the end of the world to me. I would much rather stick with them than risk infections with a tube surgically implanted in my body. The few who Ive seen with that always have issues. The skin around the tube never hears and there is usually some fluid (puss or something else) that leaks around the tube.

Dont just accept what one doctor or team of doctors or you insurance carrier suggests. Why they are so quick to recommend surgery is sometimes scary.

Best of luck and I hope things go well. Let us know how it goes.

Thomas,
I have had several Botox injections. They work as advertised, but wear off in a couple weeks. They disable the urinary sphincter, sort of a chemical sphincterotomy. In August, 1999, I had a urinary sphincterotomy, which saved my kidneys from reflux damage, at the expense of complete incontinence. I do not know whether mrsdixon is a candidate for a sphincterotomy, or whether she or her doctors would be prepared to deal with it. Paxton

Thankyou everyone for giving me your support, well i have yet another kidney infection and have been told that if i don't react to these antibiotics then i've got to go in hospital for iv antibiotics, a scan of ny kidneys showed they aren't holding up to good so i got to go see urologist in the next few weeks n then i'm going to get an date for the super pubic which i can for once say i'm looking forwards to having done as i've had 3 uretha cathaters changed in the last week due to them blocking cause of the infection and also they by pass which is excruciating. Thankyou every one xxx

mrsdixon,
Good luck with your surgery, and report in when you return. Paxton