Re: Cathing

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/16/2008 7:57:33 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

mzw4@... writes:

I wonder what makes cathing so traumatic for kids, and

for many adults. Does it hurt for most people? It

never hurt me, but I don't know if that's because lack

of sensation or what. But you know, there are kids who

go through medical stuff that is much, much worse than

cathing and they learn to deal with it. Small kids

are very resilient and if this is what she has to do

to be healthy, then she will have to get over the

trauma. If a child is diabetic and has to take shots

of insulin, no one mentions how traumatic the needle

might be. We just do what we have to do as parents. I

think there are other parents on the list whose kids

cath. Maybe they can tell you how they dealt with it.

, I have to agree 100% with this. I know MANY children on my other

support groups who cath, either from neurogenic bladder from TC or from

structural differences/function issues due to Caudal Regression Syndrome or as

part of VACTERLS or complications from an imperforate anus.

Yes, the beginning is traumatic, as you incorporate something invasive and

new and not comfortable into the routine. But, if you stay calm and matter of

fact about it, it does become part of the routine and even " ordinary. " Once

the child realizes it is here to stay, usually within a matter of weeks they

relax about it (grit their teeth and bear it) and find that once they relax

it isn't as uncomfortable. I've heard time and again from parents just

starting to do this how horrible it is, they can't do this, it will never get

better, but it does. Just like when I give enemas, at first it was

kicking

screaming crying fussing till it got to be routine and he realized the whole

thing was so much easier if he lay still and relaxed so we could both do our

thing more effectively.

Here are some tips a mom on one of my support groups recently wrote that

were very helpful...

" For what it's worth, here are some coping strategies that worked for me.

Maybe something here will be of use to you:

1. Get a smaller catheter. The smallest we've used is an 8 french. The

doctors might tell you that you don't want to go that small because the urine

will

take too long to drain, but the doctors are not the ones listening to your

son scream, so it's not up to them. If you can get a small one in without too

much discomfort, then you can move up to the next size whenever you and your

son are ready. I was told once that a 6 french was so small it was too much

like a wire, and could be too sharp, but I don't know if that's true or not.

2. Use a LOT of lube.

3. Eliminate any steps that cause stress. For example, we got catheters with

collection bags attached so we could stop worrying about spilling urine.

4. Double-check that you are doing the procedure absolutely correctly. Talk

to the urologist, the uro's nurse, and other parents for tips and tricks that

may make it easier. Ask your medical supply sales rep for a how-to videotape

- some of the manufacturers give them away. Go back to the urologist and

have them do the cath for you in the office while you watch, then have the

doctor watch while you do it several times until you are comfortable. Make sure

the urologist knows you're finding the procedure unmanageable and are having

difficulty coping. They may be able to help or have resources you're unaware

of, like a referral to a child life specialist at the hospital. But if the doc

is not sympathetic or helpful, or if they treat you like you're a hysterical

mother, get a different doc.

5. Talk on the phone or in person with another parent who also has a boy who

is catheterized through the urethra. I had the good fortune to speak with a

wonderful dad who had a teenage daughter with a Mitrofanoff. Just hearing

from someone who survived the ordeal, and whose child survived too, had a very

calming effect on me and I was able to...

6. ... set aside all fear and negative emotion during the procedure itself.

Afterward, in my case, I would go into another room and bawl my eyes out, but

while I was with my daughter, I was matter-of-fact, calm, and better able to

focus on my motor skills, which enabled me to do a better job with the

mechanics.

7. Remind yourself that everything gets easier with time and experience. It

may not seem like it right now, but it's true.

8. Before you do the caths, psych yourself up by reminding yourself that you

are doing a GOOD GOOD GOOD thing for your son. You are keeping him healthy.

You are preventing infections, and UTIs are far more painful than the

temporary discomfort he experiences with the catheterizations.

9. Listen to your instincts. If your son continues to react as though he's

in pain and your gut tells you that something is not quite right, go back to

the doctor. Have your son's anatomy thoroughly checked out to rule out any

anatomical " obstacles " that may be causing pain. You never know, every

individual is so different... I have a male friend whose urethra has a " kink " in

it -

now THAT would hurt if someone tried to put a tube in there. "

And I'll add 10. Bribery (okay, call it reward for good behavior if you

like) for cooperation doesn't hurt, till things become so routine it's not

needed...

Connie

Mom to Sara 16, Nicky 9 (GI issues, megacolon), and 7

(CRS/VACTERLS incl. tethered spinal cord (repaired 9/00, 8/06) perineal

fistula imperforate anus (repaired 5/00, managed with daily Exlax), single

kidney, PDA (closed on its own), malformed pelvis and hemisacrum, long segment

lumbosacral levoscoliosis with hemivertebrae (spinal fusion T11-sacrum 8/06),

extra left rib, genital anomalies with hypospadius (repairs 9/00,11/00,

5/01,12/01,12/03), hypoplastic left leg with clubfoot (repaired 5/01) tibial

torsion

and 4.5cm length discrepancy - wears AFO and 3.5cm lift, SUA, GI reflux,

DGE/gastroparesis, mild swallowing dysphagia, eating issues and the most

beautiful smile ever)

conni60640@...

Our website: _http://members.tripod.com/conni60640-ivil/_

(http://members.tripod.com/conni60640-ivil/)

VACTERL/VATER support _http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/VACTERLNetwork/_

(http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/VACTERLNetwork/)

TC support group _http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/LMC-TCS/_

(http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/LMC-TCS/)

Congenital scoliosis support group

_http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/CongenitalScoliosisSupport/_

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_http://www.pullthrunetwork.org/index.php_

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S. Jersey

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[Guest guest]

It was for me. Yet, I do have feeling there, so that probably makes a

difference.

I was Cathed periodically as a Child to get sterile Samples, and for Tests.

I then had to Cath for about 4 months, about 3 times a Day, when I was an

Adult. So there was no Child/Adult difference for me, I realize that is the

case for some..........it was still not a painless procedure.

I don't think we can say as a whole that it isn't painful.

Brande

mymocha@...

> Cathing is not (physically) painful. If you have a UTI or the catheter is

> no

> sized properly, then perhaps. I think for kids it is more emotionally

> traumatic. As said, it is something new, different and

> (initially)

> scary. Eventually, they incorporate it into their life and realize that it

> really doesn't hurt.