Hello
Are any of you doing the ‘Self-Catherterising’ please?
What problems can I expect to get from doing it please?
I have been advised that this is a possible way forward for me but I am scared. Can you guys please help?
Anon - for obvious reasons
thank you
Hi, we have quite a few members who do this. I`ve never done it myself, but know it works well for many.
Im sure theyll be along soon.
Boudsx
Hello
I’ve been self catheterising for years.
the hardest part is finding the urethra. Keep practising. I can now find it easily.
Also have a UTI self check kit and anti biotics on standby.
Nothing to be scarred of or shamed of, loads of people do it successfully.
Been doing it for years
I am an expert at it
If you can stand up and do it over the toilet that is fine. Wash your hands, Drop your pants insert catheter, up to where the diameter increase until urine starts coming out. Start counting if it takes 60 seconds that is roughly three quarters of a litre. When it steps fold it up and put it in a plastic bag.
If you are like me and can no longer stand. Put toilet lid down, have a spare towel on it, sit down with your pants down and have a plastic jug to catch the urine. Pour it down sink and put used cath in a bag.
You will probably use about 8 per day and always go before you go out.
I use speedicath made by Coloplast 12CH 28212 they are green and about 14 inch long
When I go out I use a pocket one 28922 which fits in my jacket pocket or in the back pocket of my jeans these are covered in see through plastic
If you struggle with the 28212 if your bowels are full just use the pocket one as it is stiffer
The chemist will provide free bags if you request them
It change my life as I was always pissing in my pants
Bertie any questions just post
I sent the above message
I don’t know if the OP is male or female. If male, then Berties explanation is definitely spot on. If female, then Caroles experience is more common.
Women have more trouble finding the right hole for the urethra - whoever thought women’s anatomy downstairs was sensible is an idiot - the easy route to UTIs! Which is why Caroles suggestion of self testing for UTI is kind of essential (my experience).
But then men have a longer route to the bladder. So although they should theoretically find the entry route, it’s harder to push the catheter through. I’ve been told the prostate gets in the way a bit!
Whichever gender, it’s all about practice. If you do it wrong and the catheter goes anywhere it shouldn’t, throw away the catheter and get a new one.
(I’ve been doing ISC for 9 years, have used a variety of catheters, currently on Speedicath Compact Eve.)
Good luck.
Sue
Thank you all, for your help and advice.
I am female - sorry I didn’t say.
I am still scared and nervous.
So will I have more UTI’s when I try using them pls? do you guys have more uti’s and other problems when using them?
thank you again
Anon
Hi again Bertie
I haven’t a UTI in ages, before starting ISC.
A male friend I know from The MS Therapy Centre told me that he was on a maintenance dose of Trimethoprim.
I spoke to my GP and now have it on repeat prescription. Also have a self test kit on repeat prescription.
Thanks for the information.
When I bought my first car a mini for £81 several years ago the salesman said if it is working do not try and fix it.
I have always followed that advice so my body is working ok so I will stick with the routine
Bertie
Bertie
I’m sorry but I don’t understand the last message, but I’m scatty most of the time and today seems to be extreme.
Original Poster
It is well worth learning how to self catheterise.
It is important to be clean down below and relaxed because a steady hand is needed.
You need to be able to find your urethra which is a tiny aperture between the clitoris and vagina.
Get a mirror and study your anatomy.
Once you know what you are aiming for now you need to decide where you are going to do it and if you will need the mirror.
You can get speedi-bags to use with the speedicath which are useful if you are unsure.
If you miss the urethra and get the wrong hole you must dispose of it and get a new one.
I know it’s like a crash course in rocket science but with practice and patience it soon becomes easy.
It gives you confidence to go out knowing that your bladder is empty.
good luck
I 100% agree with Carole. Have a good look at your downstairs area in a mirror. Once you see for yourself what the opening to the urethra looks like it’s kind of easier to hit first time.
I reckon that with good technique and awareness, using ISC needn’t be a cause of more UTIs. Many people (specially women) take a maintenance dose of antibiotics, I take Nitroferantoin nightly. The reason being that it is possible to get more UTIs. I don’t know about ‘:more’ than without catheters, possibly not as urine isn’t staying in your bladder too long! But maybe.
I self test like Carole, ask your MS nurse for guidance as to how / when. Even if you decide ISC isn’t for you, having MS it’s a good idea as an infection can bring on MS type symptoms.
(Btw, I think Berties comment about ‘if it ain’t broke …’ relates to if you don’t get UTIs, then you don’t need maintenance antiBs. More women than men suffer with UTIs, so irrespective of ISC, more women than men take prophylactic antibiotics for UTI prevention.)
Sue
My dad has to self catheterise, he has not got ms but other medical conditions. He does get more uti’s and is on a constant low dose antibiotic.
Hi
I did it for years. You’ve had lots of good replies already, but I’ll add a couple extra things from my experience. I always found it easier to do if I passed a bit of urine naturally. And the other thing to say is that It’s in no way painful. The name of the catheters I used made me nervous - Lofric. It made me think there would be friction, and therefore be a bit painful/uncomfortable. I was very relieved to discover I barely felt a thing!
Dan
I have been self catheterising for years now also and it can seem daunting at first. A couple of things that I was told that might help. If your bladder is not properly emptied it can lead to infections, even kidney problems and Also problems with emptying your bowels. I was told to always have a wee naturally first in order to retain the muscle memory. Then to self catheterisation. I use VaPro Plus Pocket which are easy to use and empty. Your continence nurse should have plenty of different samples for you to try and find what suits you. Good luck and it will become second nature in no time
When I was diagnosed I noticed that I never felt like my bladder had fully emptied.
My MS nurse gave me an excellent tip which was to lean forward against my forearms which did allow me to pass a bit more.
As Verona said, it is helping to retain muscle memory,