Hi Everyone,
Hope you’re all ok? I’ve recently just been told I need to self catherize. I’m struggling really bad. The nurse came and showed me how to do it, I’ve now forgot. My urethra isn’t the easiest to find and the nurse said that. I’m trying constantly and using my cathetersm I have done it but now forgot. I’m putting that much pressure on myself to do it. Has anybody else struggled with this.
Thanks Nic Xxx
Hi Nik1982,
I’ve been doing this for years, I also have Botox injections every 5mths to calm my bladder down.
Now as far as using a catheter, personally I’ve been lucky, my urethra is fairly easy to find, most of the time, sometimes it does hide, anyway I’ve never had a problem, but I use a mirror to help me, do you ? The supplier I use, Charter supplied a mirror with my first order, it sits across the toilet seat allowing me to see my urethra, so if you don’t use a mirror this might help, good luck.
Jean x
Hi Jean,
Awww that’s great thank you. I mentioned having Botox to my husband as my bladder is overactive.
I was doing it, but now I struggle as it hides from me. I have a mirror and I lie on the bed to be able to see the urethe and then use catheter. My bathroom isn’t that big but I know I need to get it sorted now. I’ll keep you updated.
Nicola Xxx
Hi Nicola,
My bladder is overactive and up to a point the Botox does help, I was going 16/18 times a day, now it’s around 9/10, sadly 2/3 of those is during the night 
The way you do it sounds quite complicated, is there a bag attached to the catheter ? My bathroom is only small too and I balance myself over the toilet, not easy but I just about manage, anyway good luck with what ever you decide to do about the Botox.
Jean x
Hi Jean,
I’m definitely going to look into having Botox. I’ve just done it woohoo. It’s very hidden and not easy to find. The nurse wants me to do it 3 times a day, won’t be able too when I’m in work though. I’ve been so defeated past few days and worked myself up. I’m knew to all this. Only found out I had RRMS 2 years ago, just thought I was vlumsy. Thank you very much.
Nicola Xxx
Hi Nik1982,
You’re very welcome. So glad you’ve just managed it 
just out of interest, if you’re only going to be doing this 3 times a day, how do you urinate when not doing it, I have to catheter much more than that, because I start to go naturally and then it just stops and I have to empty with the catheter, otherwise I’m leaving some behind, which isn’t good and can lead to an infection, so I’ll be interested in your reply.
Jean x
You could always speak with urology again and ask for more training? I was taught in September after several UTI and bouts of retention and nocturnal. I was advised to self catheterise twice daily more if I go into retention. I’ve found sitting on the toilet easier as my balance isn’t the best, and feel for the urethra. I found this easier than using a mirror. I hope things settle down for you.
Hi animali, I straddle my legs around the toilet, my balance is rubbish, but if I have a wide gait and hug the loo I’m ok. So catherise twice a day, how many time do you need to go to urinate ?
Got to say that after a quick scroll through the replies to your question I do think that this forum and the people on it are incredibly helpful and quite impressive . I’m quite moved by all of it.
I usually self catheterise 3 times daily , this has helped with retention. Since starting a DMT I’ve noticed a small improvement. But I can’t feel my bladder, only time I feel it is when I’m in retention. That could be down to MS but I’ve also got degeneration of the spine as well.
Hi animali,
So just to clarify, do you only urinate 3 times a day, or do you go more naturally and just use the catheter 3 times a day to make sure you’re empty ?
I have Botox injections every 5mths, which yes up to a point has calmed my bladder down, but I still urinate 9/10 times in a 24hrs, 2/3 times during the night, I sit go a little and then it stops, so then I have to use a catheter, otherwise I’m leaving a good bit behind, so basically compared to you and the lady that put this post on, I’m using way more catheter’s. So is the Botox not working, who knows, but the alternative is a permanent bag, which at this stage I wouldn’t want.
Jean x
Hi greenhouse
I can pass urine but I don’t fully empty my bladder with residuals of around 300mls, and it was causing frequent UTI. I suffer a lot with hesitant start and a weak flow, because of other issues I have I can’t try any o f the medications so went straight onto self catheterisation. This has been an issue since diagnosis in December with lack of feeling. I didn’t need Botox but that’s why you need to self catheterise more frequently as Botox makes you unable to pass urine.
I was told if i experienced more frequent retention to catheterise more in accordance. But I have to say it’s helped with nocturnal urination.
Hi animali,
Yes this is what I thought about myself and the need to do it more, but some seem surprised by it, whereas I feel it stops me getting UTI’s and I also take a low dose daily antibiotic. It’s amazing how our bodies change when we get something like this, so good luck to you and fingers crossed for no more UTI’s.
Jean x
Hi greenhouse
Yes we soon adjust to a new normal , we are all different and our bodies deal with these things in different ways. If you need to do it more frequently, you need to listen to your body. As long as it’s helping and keeping you infection free that’s the main thing as infections make the MS worse. X
Hi animali,
Oh gosh don’t I know this, I’m spms, have been for 18yrs, this year February I was in hospital for 6 days with double pneumonia, I don’t have relapses, but do have episodes of esaperbation, (can’t spell) and this has made everything worse, now my bowel has joined in the fun and I have to do a daily irrigation, oh the joys of MS, take care love.
Jean x
Hi greenhouse,
I was only diagnosed in December, but I’ve had to fight for treatment. Once I changed neurologist and he looked at the scans from December he said I could have a high efficiency treatment due to brain stem lesion and the amount of relapses I’ve had ( 4 ) . I’ve completed the 4 loading doses of kesimpta so on the 21st I start the monthly injections.
Oh bless you I feel for you, it has such an impact on your life with its effects. I’ve had bowel issues most of my life , but found cutting out certain foods helped. But MS makes me so constipated which just adds to bladder issues. Do you get help from the bowel and bladder team?
I hope this settles down for you Jean as know how debilitating it can be on top of everything else you have to deal with.
Take care Jean x
Maria
Hi animali,
Oh gosh love, you’ve had a terrible time, I’m hoping things will get better for you, people have no idea what we have to go through.
Oh I’ll be ok, I’m a veteran at this now and yes I get help with my bladder and bowel, bowel being the newest one, me and husband are getting to grips with the bowel one, he’s my full time carer, God love him and helps me no end.
Take care lovely lady and enjoy your Christmas,
Jean x
Hi greenhouse,
Thank you , yes it’s been tough but it’s made me stronger to fight when I know I’m not being treated right. This is all new to me and a big adjustment at 55.
Bless you , and hope your bowel symptoms settle down.
Hope you both enjoy a lovely Christmas too.
Maria x
Hi Nik1982
Understand the hunt for the urethra - I had to catheterize 6 times a day to start with, now 2 - 3 times a day. I catheterize at work as well as home; I do this standing next to the toilet - using a hand mirror (one with a built in light) - push hips forward/tuck bottom under, hold the mirror and catheter in one hand (I support the catheter between the mirror, one finger and thumb) and use the other to lift and stretch to make the urethra easier to spot - using the mirror to guide the end of the catheter into place. Once the catheter is partially in you can take the mirror away with your free hand and insert the catheter fully to allow the pee to go straight into the toilet.
It was fiddly to start with but now its second nature.
PS. You need to stand right next to, slightly straddling the pan.
Hi Niki1982,
I started with self cathing 5 months ago (in July). I will not lie to you, the first month was horrible, painful and bloody. I received no training at all, I quote my doctor “You have everything on youtube”. But now, it’s not a really big deal. Hope that it will be the same for you.
Anyway, after trials and errors, here’s what works for me. I sit on the toilet, but I pull up the toilet seat, so I sit directly on the toilet bowl. It’s little uncomfortable but it gives me more space (maybe your toilet bowl is smaller, and you will need different position - keep trying). After I clean myself, I spread my legs as much as I can with my left hand, while holding the mirror with right hand. I hold the lips with index finger and ring finger, and I put my middle finger directly above urethra opening. Then I put the mirror down (left hand does not move) and I take the already prepared catheter with the right hand and try to find the spot below my middle finger. For me, the sensation is different when I touch urethra, so I know I hit the right spot. There is a fabolus youtube channel called “Empowered para”, and her videos really helped me.