Hi… I am from Belfast… Having major bladder issues… Need to wear tena pants all the time… Because of Covid unable to have surgery for spc(hand tremors mean can’t self)… Any advice r personal experience… Really getting to me
Have a look at this thread Rose: https://community.mssociety.org.uk/forums/everyday-living/thoughts-about-suprapubic-catheter
Mostly positive experiences with SPC - I think mine was the only negative comment - so lots of people have found it to be the answer to their bladder / continence problems.
Sue
Hi, I have an spc and would recommend it…but if youre surgery is on hold due to covid, thats a shame.
Keep using the pads and hopefully youll get the spc soon. Why not check with urologists secretary for waiting times?
Boudsx
Or you could ask if you could have a urethral indwelling catheter as surgery’s out right now.
Sue
What is a urethral indwelling catheter… Cant use my hands with tremors and spasls
Basically, it’s a catheter that is inserted through the urethra, it sits in the bladder with the help of an inflatable balloon. It usually is on a constant drain, so urine is collected in a leg bag (through the day) and a larger night bag over night. It’s a way of having a constant catheter without the need for surgery. (Have a look at https://www.mstrust.org.uk/a-z/catheters )
The problem with a urethral catheter is because it goes through your urethra, medical professionals don’t like to leave them too long (they’re changed every 6-12 weeks anyway, similarly to an SPC). You can get an irritated urethra or have more susceptibility to infections with this kind of catheter. But during this period of time when an SPC is a long way off, it could be a temporary solution.
Why not discuss the idea with your MS nurse? Or bowel and bladder nurse?
Sue
Hi I had one of those in dwelling catheters, before the SPC. I had it for 5 months…didnt like it much, but it would help you as a stop gap for now till you can have the op. it is inserted through the vagina. Good idea Sssue.
Boudsx
I suspect you had a brainstorm when you wrote vagina Bouds!! That would be a strange route to the bladder!! 
Sue
Hi Rose117
My wife has an SPC and along with that she gets botox injections into her bladder every few months. It has helped. She and her MS nurse worked tirelessly to get the procedure done. So keep knocking on doors and using the phone.
It wasn’t always this way though. As her symptoms increased so did the issues with incontinence both bladder and bowel. The catheter over the toilet, then the leg bag. She couldn’t self administer either with no dexterity in her fingers and unable to keep her legs open.
My wife is so frustrated with the NHS these days as it has pretty much abandoned everyone else. But not her MS nurse
Do you have an MS nurse that looks after you?
Genuinly sympathetic to your situation.
M.
They did go up my vagina to reach the bladder outlet for the in dwelling catheter…
Boudsx