Stopping treatment

So sorry to read of your Dad’s troubles. I am sure someone will be along soon to give you are reply. Don’t loose heart, make sure you keep asking for solutions, do not let the medical teams off with a “nothing much more we can do”, ask for second and even third opinions. 

Good luck.

I hope you are able to obtain more hopeful/helpful information soon from the medical staff caring for your Dad. I have a Foley urethral catheter - have had them since mid-2018. Catheter blockages caused by sediment or blood clots are common. Flushing the catheter and bladder with sterile water using an irrigation syringe which connects to the catheter after disconnecting the tube to the collection bag is the usual first course of action when a significant blockage occurs. Initially, I visited my GP or A&E/Same Day Emergency Care at my local hospital where this procedure was carried out. Quite often the catheter could not be unblocked. It was therefore removed and a new one fitted. As my blockages became more frequent, I equipped myself with a supply of irrigation syringes and used pre-boiled water, carrying out the flushing myself. Eventually, by 2022, water flushing using this method became less effective. The hospital suggested that I use 3.23% citric acid flushing, obtained by prescription via my GP. This has proved to be effective in reducing the build up of residue in the catheter and also enables more pressure to be used to clear blockages thus restoring flow. I do this myself twice weekly but eventually I have to get a new catheter fitted at the hospital because even with acid flushing the catheter generally blocks irrevocably before the 12 weeks standard replacement schedule. The product prescribed for me is: Uro-Tainer Twin catheter maintenance solution (B Braun) ref. 9746609 - Uro-Tainer Twin Suby G 3.23% Citric Acid 2 x 30ml. Mine are obtained via Charter Coloplast and a GP prescription.  I have tried other 3.23% citric acid prescribed items which are administered using an irrigation syringe or a bellows type container but the B Braun twin sachet product and application method proved far superior for me. Your Dad's team should be familiar with such products, so maybe they are not suitable for your Dad. Maybe worth asking though. Best wishes to you both.