# Urgent - how to get bladder to drain when MD screws up script **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 12, 2017, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urgent-how-to-get-bladder-to-drain-when-md-screws-up-script/782034 "2017-03-12T22:39:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urgent-how-to-get-bladder-to-drain-when-md-screws-up-script/782034/1 "2017-03-12T22:39:51Z")
Anyone following disaster of kidney failure knows: serious, life-treatening kidney failure, now reduced to to constant-full bladder which will not drain. doc was supposed to call in flomax, but pharmacy has no record. no catherter around anyone know a home-made diuretic? ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urgent-how-to-get-bladder-to-drain-when-md-screws-up-script/782034/2 "2017-03-12T22:42:24Z")
Drs. can be called 24/7 and there normally is at least 1 local pharmacy open 24/7. Call the Dr. office number and they will get a message to him/her. Or you could try an urgent care center or ER. ---
**Author:** ![boffking](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/858c86/32.png) [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urgent-how-to-get-bladder-to-drain-when-md-screws-up-script/782034/3 "2017-03-12T22:42:53Z")
Caffeine and alcohol are both diuretics . can you take/drink these with your condition. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urgent-how-to-get-bladder-to-drain-when-md-screws-up-script/782034/4 "2017-03-12T22:50:26Z")
Don’t drug stores sell catheters? Also, if you already have a full bladder, what benefit would there be from a diuretic? It seems to me, ignorantly admittedly, that that would only worsen your situation? ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urgent-how-to-get-bladder-to-drain-when-md-screws-up-script/782034/5 "2017-03-12T22:53:16Z")
If this is serious I would not mess around with home remedies. Talk to a Dr. or go to ER/Urgent Care. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urgent-how-to-get-bladder-to-drain-when-md-screws-up-script/782034/6 "2017-03-12T22:57:19Z")
I have no idea how appropriate such a technique is with somebody with otherwise normal bladder function but I use the [crede method](http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Crede's+method) to manually empty my bladder. I’ve been doing this for 17 years with nary a problem. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urgent-how-to-get-bladder-to-drain-when-md-screws-up-script/782034/7 "2017-03-12T22:59:24Z")
A diuretic stimulates urine production. It has nothing to do with the ability to evacuate the bladder. If you are having trouble emptying a full bladder a diuretic is only going to make it worse. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urgent-how-to-get-bladder-to-drain-when-md-screws-up-script/782034/8 "2017-03-12T23:05:09Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > A diuretic stimulates urine production. It has nothing to do with the ability to evacuate the bladder. If you are having trouble emptying a full bladder a diuretic is only going to make it worse. Yeah I don’t think he should use a diuretic…_unless_ for some reason he wants to explode his bladder. I mean, I guess that would be one way of expelling urine.😃 ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Sanchez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e19adc/32.png) [@Rick\_Sanchez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Sanchez)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urgent-how-to-get-bladder-to-drain-when-md-screws-up-script/782034/9 "2017-03-12T23:10:31Z")
Go to the ER and get a catheter from them. ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urgent-how-to-get-bladder-to-drain-when-md-screws-up-script/782034/10 "2017-03-12T23:11:17Z")
And ask at the ER about diuretics … ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urgent-how-to-get-bladder-to-drain-when-md-screws-up-script/782034/11 "2017-03-12T23:18:54Z")
Talked to pharmacist - it seems that all things like flomax are scriptonly, and he had no idea of any OTC alternative. have sat on toilet and flexed every muscle I could address - I consider it a success if I can get a dribble of 10-20 cc’s. last night, I used 4 sleeping pills (I’m not supposed to have) in a failed attempt to sleep. I suppose it is nice that they finally developed a great concern for my failing kidney function, but: how long do you suppose I’ll live without sleep? Without food? (lost 14 pounds in 5 days) In constant pain? I do have have enough opioids to probably finish me off, if it does come to that. Funny, I always imagined I’d be serene and calm when taking that final dose, not fried, desperate and in great pain. Don’t worry - I won’t do anything until I can be sure my cat will be cared for. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urgent-how-to-get-bladder-to-drain-when-md-screws-up-script/782034/12 "2017-03-12T23:27:32Z")
> [@watchwolf49](#): > > And ask at the ER about diuretics … Only if he wants to be told that diuretics would be insane in his situation. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urgent-how-to-get-bladder-to-drain-when-md-screws-up-script/782034/13 "2017-03-12T23:28:53Z")
**Moderator Action** Since this involves a medical issue, let’s move it to IMHO (from GQ). ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urgent-how-to-get-bladder-to-drain-when-md-screws-up-script/782034/14 "2017-03-12T23:32:14Z")
Can you please address why aren’t you headed to a hospital? Your Dr surely has an on call Dr/service you can contact. THIS is exactly what it’s for. Failing that isn’t there a walk in clinic, where you can be seen? ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urgent-how-to-get-bladder-to-drain-when-md-screws-up-script/782034/15 "2017-03-12T23:32:14Z")
> [@usedtobe](#): > > Talked to pharmacist - it seems that all things like flomax are scriptonly, and he had no idea of any OTC alternative. > > have sat on toilet and flexed every muscle I could address - I consider it a success if I can get a dribble of 10-20 cc’s. > > last night, I used 4 sleeping pills (I’m not supposed to have) in a failed attempt to sleep. > > I suppose it is nice that they finally developed a great concern for my failing kidney function, but: > > how long do you suppose I’ll live without sleep? > Without food? (lost 14 pounds in 5 days) > In constant pain? > > I do have have enough opioids to probably finish me off, if it does come to that. > > Funny, I always imagined I’d be serene and calm when taking that final dose, not fried, desperate and in great pain. > > Don’t worry - I won’t do anything until I can be sure my cat will be cared for. Please get help. We don’t want to see it come to that. Can you get someone to drive you to urgent care? ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Sanchez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e19adc/32.png) [@Rick\_Sanchez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Sanchez)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urgent-how-to-get-bladder-to-drain-when-md-screws-up-script/782034/16 "2017-03-12T23:32:51Z")
> [@usedtobe](#): > > Talked to pharmacist - it seems that all things like flomax are scriptonly, and he had no idea of any OTC alternative. > > have sat on toilet and flexed every muscle I could address - I consider it a success if I can get a dribble of 10-20 cc’s. > > last night, I used 4 sleeping pills (I’m not supposed to have) in a failed attempt to sleep. > > I suppose it is nice that they finally developed a great concern for my failing kidney function, but: > > how long do you suppose I’ll live without sleep? > Without food? (lost 14 pounds in 5 days) > In constant pain? > > I do have have enough opioids to probably finish me off, if it does come to that. Jesus Christ, _get to the ER and have them put a catheter in._ ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urgent-how-to-get-bladder-to-drain-when-md-screws-up-script/782034/17 "2017-03-12T23:35:19Z")
While documenting this mess: drugs the UCD system has that the pharmacy does not: Tamsulosin (take one at bedtime - sleeper?) Docusate one or 2 daily 100 mg - pain? and FloMax - drains male bladders by elongating prostate (I least this one was mentioned on 3/9) I lost a week 2/24 - 3/4. I thought today was Friday. Fun times. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urgent-how-to-get-bladder-to-drain-when-md-screws-up-script/782034/18 "2017-03-12T23:35:40Z")
If you’re having urinary retention causing anuria - no urine stream at all - you need to go to the ER. If you keep diddling around at home, you could end up with a complete loss of control of your bladder and a permanent catheter, or a torn ureter and sepsis. If you’re in End Stage Renal Failure, I can’t tell you how much urine you’re expected to produce hourly. It may very well be that 10-20cc is your new normal; I’ve cared for patients on dialysis with ESRF who literally haven’t urinated in years. But if you feel uncomfortable, then don’t wait any longer. Go to the ER where they can check the residual level of urine in your bladder and give you a catheter if need be. ---
**Author:** ![Isilder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@Isilder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isilder)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urgent-how-to-get-bladder-to-drain-when-md-screws-up-script/782034/19 "2017-03-12T23:35:51Z")
> [@usedtobe](#): > > no catherter around I think you’ve overfilled and its sealed off due to pressure. So Make a catheter. Craft type people, eg for girls beads, have hollow tube plastic… Worse comes to worse… coat hanger. Just make sure its not sharp, and is sterile… You don’t want to cause a UTI. ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urgent-how-to-get-bladder-to-drain-when-md-screws-up-script/782034/20 "2017-03-12T23:36:42Z")
bye for now [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urgent-how-to-get-bladder-to-drain-when-md-screws-up-script/782034.md?page=2)