Bladder emptying - good reason?

[allen-uk]

I've noticed odd comments about 'fully emptying your bladder' and the like.

Why is this so important?

As an amputee (plus CKD3 or 4), I have to empty my bladder every few hours, at night, and putting on my leg to get to the bathroom would be a pain in the arse for both me and my partner, so for years I've been using a urine collection bottle instead, which I can discreetly slide under the bedclothes, pee into, etc.

But you do lose the effect of gravity, of course, and urinating is all down to muscle pressure - so I doubt if my bladder is '100%' empty until the morning, when I am up and about on two legs again.

How much extra damage is an almost-emptied bladder doing me?

Ta.

Allen.

[amanda in CA]

More chance of getting a urine infection, but I am sure you will be fine just using a urinal at night. Ask your doctor , but I doubt that it would be a problem.

[Andy]

As a fellow amputee i totally understand where you are coming from about the hassle of putting legs on, its easier for me though as a double below knee i just crawl to the bathroom.
Anyway, emptying you bladder fully will reduce the amount of residual urine left in your bladder therefore leading to reduced risk of infections.
Once I have finished going for a wee, i sit there for another couple of seconds and try just once more, to be honest it usually means that i have another little wee, due if its only a trickle.

Sorry if that was too much information.
Take care
Andy

[allen-uk]

Thanks Amanda, thanks Andy. I'm seeing my doc in a month, so I'll save the question up for him.

Incidentally Andy (it was Andrea when I last communicated with you), to you it's more 'Hello again!' We were on the same amputee discussion board back in 2004/5 when I was just girding up my loins to have my bka, and yours was one of the stories that made me think 'damn me, aren't I the lucky bastard'.

Didn't know you were aiming for New Zealand, and I really hope you're doing well out there. I'm still in NW London, now with one or two more problems, but they're all still of my own making...

Best wishes,


Allen.

[Andy]

Hi Again Allen. Now that you mention it I do remember you.

All is going well here in New Zealand. I love it, the care I recieve from the neph team is amazing.

Hope you get all your questions answered.

Andy x

[allen-uk]

"Welshgirl" rings a bell as a handle! (I don't think mine has changed over the long years).


A.