Is anyone here on intermittant cathetherization (daily)? - Urology Message Board

RageOfAngels · 11-08-2003, 05:52 PM

If so, I would like to ask you how you avoid getting constant urethral irritation and UTI's. Or do you find yourself getting them often? Also I am curious how often you change your catheter (daily? per use? once a week?) etc., how you clean and store it, and if you are sexually active, how this affects (or does not affect) your sex life or sexual abilities.

Thanks, I'll watch for replies and then chime in again.....

nanna02 · 11-09-2003, 04:30 AM

Hello there

I am only too pleased to help tell you what I do.
I am 51 yr old woman, 3 Spinal ops over 3 yrs due to huge calcification, resulted in bad nerve damage of spinal cord to the Thorasic T8/T9/ areas..Thus I have slowly progressed to a wheelchair , but can transfer myself in/out bed / onto toilet etc. ..I do know when I want to go to wee, ..

I have a plastic box beside the toilet, on my left, covered discreetly with a little handtowel, and in it I have KY Jelly tube. plus my plastic catheter always sitting in its wrapper.
When I use it , I squeeze out a dob of jelly, dip the end in it;

I have a little mirror( don't laugh!!)

with duck tape attached so on
"bad days" when I can't find the 'bladder hole' properly

( a real nuisance!) I stick the mirror onto the toilet seat for a moment and 'voila!. I can see where it's to go, & I get the catheter in no problem!..

this was my own ingenious contraption made up out of desperation and embarassment when I found myself STRUGGLING in the loo for LONG times .. (or at strange toilets.

fits in a handbag no problem.
I can void on my own at times , but it doesn't all come away, this is why the need to self catheterise as it 'pools ' and can cause problems.
I have only ever had one UTI in 3 years, (possibly due to sex) , but this is not a frequent thing due to my disability,,

The hand basin is immediately beside the toilet on my right , so I just run the hot tap and let it run thru the catheter .. give it a good shake , and pop it back in it's wrapper.then the box. & wash my hands .
Also wiping the bladder area front to back with a warm damp cloth or damp toilet paper before/after cathetering is recommended, but don't use soap as I believe it irritates sensitive area. I don't do it EVERY time but I do it once a day,to freshen me up, and it is nice and soothing. Also rub with a little KY helps make it less irritated

My continence nurse , whom I've not seen for long time, said to shake the catheter in warm soapy water , then put it in a toothbrush holder , but personally I've found the plastic icecream box & towel good and airy & that's just how it works for me..

I change the catheter maybe once a week, but definitely use a NEW one EVERY time you void if you suspect a urine infection.until it's cleared with medication..

Well my friend , I can't think of anything else at the moment to tell you..I hope this has enlightened you a little to how I do things..?
It's GREAT to be able to know there are others 'out there' who may be doing this strange 'scenario' like me.. but I wish we didn't need to, eh?

I look forward to seeing yours or any others' replies and how they may handle this darned nuisance but necessary problem ??..
Cheers.. Belle .xxx

nanna02 · 11-09-2003, 04:51 AM

Hello again! Belle here !..
I just realised with a little embarrassement you are possibly a male , and maybe what I said before might not apply to men.. (or somethings , anyway?..) However , if I was of some help to another person , or even you, then it wasn't all wasted effort !!
Cheers ..Belle..

RageOfAngels · 11-09-2003, 11:06 PM

Hi Belle,

No, this wasn't wasted effort at all...in fact I am glad that someone responded, as I get the impression that on this board there aren't that many who do have to self-cath. Or if they have to wear one it is only for a season....little do so many people know how much they take for granted! I wish I could pee like a normal person again....plus a few other things....

Well that is very interesting that with your method you do not run infections. I have been told by my doctor to change the cath at least every 2 days now, and to give it a good scrub with soap and water after each use. I am even supposed to boil it at night! So much work..... I also like your nurse's recommend of using a toothpaste holder, but since I am a guy and I use a longer cath that is not feasible. I let mine sit in a plastic box with hydrogen peroxide at home. When I take one outside, I keep it in my bag wrapped in a towel. And I always wash it before use, at home or not.

I am running so many infections though, it is so incredibly discouraging. I am going to try washing myself before urinating in hopes that that will help. But so far no matter how clean I try to be, I still get some sort of infection or irritation. Still experimenting though.....and taking D-Mannose to help keep the infections down.

Cheers for now,
Al

nanna02 · 11-10-2003, 03:40 AM

Hi Al!
I am so glad to have made a little difference for you; I know how
" alone " our problem is , as like you, I know no one else who s/caths, besides people just don't go round discussing their private peeing problems , do they

?

Well, I am afraid I have been very open on the H/Boards , if you want to look up some of my other posts there are funny stories , might cheer you up anyway?..
Look up - Spinal Cord Disorders..
belle0050 .. " Have A Laugh!"-Belles' Hospital Jokes! Join In!" in the Archives.. I'm not sure if you can find it with all the new changes but I hope you can?.

Any way Al , I came on here again to say , I'll rack my brain and see if I can find any other methods to suggest to you;
It may take a while , but keep a check in on here and I'll post you asap. OK?

Cheers.. Belle