How to sleep with a catheter

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Hi all

Just wondering how people sleep post prostatectomy with a catheter. I had my surgery two days ago.

The instructions say I have to keep the night bag below the level of my bladder which is easy enough as I put it in a bowl on the floor but it's attached to my leg bag which is about the same height as my bladder as I lie flat on the bed.  So last night (first night home) I sat up in bed to make sure it was all OK.  Is that what everyone else does or is it OK to lie down flat?  Just worried about urine flowing back to my bladder.

Thanks 

Mike

  • Hello Mike ( 

    I had an indwelling catheter for over 10 months and had no issues with this, although I had a "night stand" for my night bag.

    When it's time for bed, you empty your leg bag, then attach the night bag to the bottom of the leg bag, leaving the leg bag tap open so everything flows through to the night bag. As you are in bed (above floor level) and the night bag is on the floor gravity will ensure there's a flow from your bladder, through the leg bag into the night bag during the night.

    Sometimes you do get a build up in the leg bag or pipe but it usually flows with a gurgle or two.

    As long as the tap is open on the leg bag and the night bag is on the floor you should be fine.

    Best wishes - Brian.

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  • That's great.  Thanks Brian