My bladder is having a merry old time playing the “shall-I-wet-myself-or-shall-I-be-completely-unable-to-go-at-all?” field - I think the oppressive pee-when-told regime was getting it down.
I have been trying, on and off for weeks, to self-cathaterise and I’ve tried every size/style down to the weeny pediatric ones and I still can’t do it and it still hurts! Are there some people who are just fundamentally unsuited to this? I can’t see that I’m doing anything wrong?! Wits end …
Hi Twinklejelly My continence nurse told me that one third of people find ISC easy, one third find it easy after one week and the final third struggle. I guess maybe you need to persevere? Do you use a mirror and a jug to help? I use one of those plastic steps that children use when they first use the loo. I sit on the edge of the bath and put my mirror (on a stand) on the step with the jug next to it and then have one hand free to catheterise and one to hold the jug whilst being able to see what I am doing. Sorry folks for the graphic details! I don’t know if this is at all helpful Twinklejelly but I find this really works for me. Teresa xx
Hi Twinklejelly, like you I have problems with isc, I have seen bladder nurses etc and absolutely know how to do it but always make myself bleed and cause irritation and pain. All the specialists say ‘oh there’s nothing to it and you will soon get used to it’ but after loads of trying I can tell them all I am not! However I have the other problems caused by continuous pressure in my bladder by not fully emptying my bladder - my already sad kidney worryingly dropped to 13% function - very scary! And my urologist made me have a urethral catheter which I have now had for four weeks. My kidney function has risen slightly (22%) so my urologist has been proved right. This horrible thing has had a huge impact on my whole life as you can imagine and I have begged him to remove it, he agreed but said I have to self catheratise FOUR times a day! I am now completely stuck between a rock and a hard place - I hate the catheter but also hate the idea of isc four times a day! ( but I do like having better kidney function). I asked the district nurse to come today and remove it so here goes, I may try the wAy that Tree described - and tips and tricks are needed as I know my alternative now and I really do not want to go back there! Sorry for the rant - I hope you find a way that helps you - please continue to try as it is possibly the least intrusive way to completely empty your bladder. Lilbill x
Something that works for me is to get comfortable with my Piddle Pot and to gently play the warm air from a hair dryer around the bladder.Easier for a boy,but if you want to try this I’m sure you’ll find a way. If you decide to do this whilst on the loo,BE VERY MINDFUL OF TAKING A 240 VOLT APPLIANCE INTO THE BATHROOM.
I can only assume that the heat causes the micro-bore plumbing to dilate and let the pee pee escape.
Wb x
Hi again, I was very fortunate that my continence nurse was brilliant at teaching how to self-catheterise. She said that she had tried it herself as it was only fair considering she was asking others to do it. Perhaps it is worth asking a nurse to show you how to do it again - a different nurse could make all the difference! Good Luck, Teresa xx
Hi,
I’m a bloke so different problems but concept is the same.
I started ISC about 5 years ago. I did not find it easy and yes I got bladder infections. I knew I had to persevere, could not face havig a tiny tinkle every hour and wetting my pants.
Ity did take me best part of a year until I was entirely confident that I could insert tube into bladder and get knack of emptying bladder completely. You haver to pull the catheter out a bit and then urine trickles out again.
I even have the compact catheter to use when I go to meeting or theatre.
Basically persever, it does work and brcome a part of your daily routine. Jist a shame thaty they are so b****y primitive
Good luck,
Patrick
www.aid4disabled.com I have SPMS, dfo take a look at website
There is a ‘revived’ post on the Queens Square bladder stimulator. Try googling it - sounds a good idea for getting the bladder muscles to relax. lf it can save you lSC - and risking introducing UTI’s - lts worth a try. Much safer then Woblyboys method.
F.
I’m trying to persevere with isc as the MS nurse has said it will get easier, but I seem to kick off a urine infection every time, even though I’ve cleaned everything to be cleaned. I’ve been given a low dose antibiotic to take daily but still doesn’t hold off the infections. I’ve also found it difficult to get a mirror into position and keep hands free - anyone come across a mirror that would strap to your leg?
s.
Hi s Can you position a mirror on a stand on top of a child’s plastic step? That’s what I use. It works really well. Teresa xx