I think you’ve probably made a good decision. Just remember to ask the nurse who starts you off on ISC as many questions as you can think of. These are some of the things I wish I’d been told / thought about before starting
I thoroughly recommend have a look at yourself ‘down below’ in a mirror before you have that appointment. I certainly wasn’t really au fait with my own anatomy before I started poking a straw up my urethra (so to speak!). Even having a look at an illustration of the anatomy helps.
When they offer you a choice between catheters, as none will be familiar to you it’s tempting to just point and say ‘that one’! I think to begin with you’re better off starting with a catheter that’s reasonably rigid. Some of the catheters are just so floppy, they remind me of cooked spaghetti; just imagine trying to make that go into a small tube!! Also, think about the type of handle that will suit you best, ie long or short.
Personally I use Speedicath Compact Plus. They have the benefit of a long handle, which is quite helpful for me, they are hydrophilic (which means they are made of a type of material that becomes lubricated when introduced to water) and the saline water is easily released by twisting. They are also discreet for carrying about with you. But I’ve also used Lofric which are also hydrophilic, what goes against them is they’re not as discreet, coming in larger packaging, the water bubble is harder to burst, and they are slightly more bendy. I started off with Actreen Lite Mini. They come in a small plastic sachet which has lubricant in it, they are very easy to use as they are the most rigid of any I’ve tried but ultimately I swapped to a type that is more gentle. I’ve also tried a number of others, most of which I found impossibly bendy.
But you will be shown a variety, see what the nurse advises. Just remember, that whatever type you opt for isn’t something you have to stick with, if you decide you want to try something different, either contact companies direct (do a search for ISC and you’ll find plenty), they will all send you free samples. Or ask the company that your bowel and bladder nurse sets you up with for delivery of catheters to send you samples.
The thing to aim for ultimately is to be able to ISC straight into the loo, but you may have to start with a mirror and a collection bag. This is what I did to begin with, laying on the bed with a strategically placed mirror. But once I was familiar with what it feels like, and my own anatomy, I tried doing it over the loo and immediately it worked. This is the reason for being comfortable with your anatomy first, you may find that you can do it into the loo straightaway if you know exactly what you’re aiming at.
And if you need any more advice, help, or just a friendly bit of shared experience, then ask on here. There as many people with loads of experience with ISC.
Sue
