# Catheter legbag odour

**URL:** <https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/t/catheter-legbag-odour/80297>\
**Category:** Symptoms and treatments\
**Created:** [30 September 2025 10:05 UTC](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/t/catheter-legbag-odour/80297 "2025-09-30T10:05:10Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Hils](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/858c86/32.png) [@Hils](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/u/Hils)\
**Post date:** [30 September 2025 10:05 UTC](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/t/catheter-legbag-odour/80297/1 "2025-09-30T10:05:10Z")

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Hi, this is a strange one…. I recently had a catheter fitted and have noticed that the legbags take on a distinct and unpleasant odour (I can only describe it as the smell of a bonfire). They are changed regularly, I do not have an infection, but with each new bag the smell builds up after a few hours. My GP has no answer, the urologist has been no help. I’ve been wondering if any of the medication I take (perhaps LDN?) could be causing this, some sort of chemical reaction between the urine and the plastic bag.

If anyone has experienced this please could you reply as I am at a loss, feel helpless and it is hugely affecting my being able to be with other people as it is not something I can hide. Thank you.

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**Author:** ![suerosecarr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@suerosecarr](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/u/suerosecarr)\
**Post date:** [14 October 2026 15:39 UTC](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/t/catheter-legbag-odour/80297/2 "2026-10-14T15:39:02Z")

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Hi, did you get any answers about bonfire smell from catheter leg bag. I have the same problem but no one has an answer. It’s really annoying . Thank you

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**Author:** ![Hils](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/858c86/32.png) [@Hils](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/u/Hils)\
**Post date:** [14 October 2026 17:14 UTC](https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/t/catheter-legbag-odour/80297/3 "2026-10-14T17:14:14Z")

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Hi Suerose, I’m so sorry you’re having this same problem. I tried everything Urology suggested - Vitamin C, cranberry, D-Mannose, nothing helped. They just thought I was talking about smelly urine when in fact I was talking about the catheter and bag reacting to something I was taking. In desperation I decided to see what happened when I stopped the drugs I was taking. I stopped taking MIRABEGRON a week before a catheter change. Since that catheter change there has been NO smell!! It’s been a lifechanger, I can get on with my life without fear of offending anyone.

I don’t know if you take Mirabegron, but I do hope you find a solution somehow. Good luck x