Self Cath ( Do You ) Help ! New Question

As most know mw I been struggling with urinary issues since I had my treatment and cannt get any sleep beyond 2 hrs max so tomorrow Im going in to the Uro and they are going to teach me to Self Cath . im not sure I can do this or if I need it but im goin in to see.

Id like to hear form some of those here who self cath can you tell me how difficult it is , is it painful and are you getting results form it I would appreciate if someone can give me some info about it , I've looked into to it and see they have some that are self lubrication ones that sounds ok, but sounding ok and being ok can be to different things,. and also getting a thin one think the smallest is 12g .

thanks appreciate any help . just trying to find a solution to this constant peeing and not getting much out

John

John sorry you had to go through all of that. I just wrote this on your other thread but here it is again. It helps me to write it down. I would recommend that you start cathing. I have used an intermittent cath for 20 years with very few infections. The trick is to wash your hands well and wipe the cath with an alcohol wipe before using and when you put it away. You don't need to have a new one for every use. There has not been any significant difference between the folks that do that or reuse one according to the research. Also, you won't have to worry about a lot of supplies or expense. I use one 6 times a day. I really help to have one in your pocket when flying so you can empty your bladder once rather than getting up so many times. You will know when your bladder is empty. I am not sure if it will get rid of your urges, however, if you still have the urges Flomax might work for you. I wish you the best. I am sure it will get better. Keep writing!

68 yr old marathon runner, PSA .12 August 15, 2018, 1.42 June 18, 2018 (6 M Lupron 5.21.18), 12.7 May 2018, 13.7 Jan. 2018, 2.1 May 2012. Tot Mayo 19 ng .17 testosterone Free 6.18.18, Gleason 3+4=7 involving 15% of the right apex and 15% of the right mid with additional Gleason 3+3=6 prostate cancer involving 5% of the left base. Pathology interpretations by John Hopkins, UNM Cancer, and SF Path 3+4=7 or 4+3=7 MD Anderson Proton Center. T3 MRI 1.8 lesion left side, Negative Bone Scan. Prolaris test 3.5 consistent with intermediate and a PTEN test negative. Father had PC at age 78 now 93. Neurogenic bladder due to lumbar disk disease and recurrent bladder neck contracture with urinary retention man. 20 years doing catheterizations. Finasteride 5 milligrams daily since 2002.

Our Ro gave us a 14 French catheter in case Dan could not void after HDR. He said he did not want to give us “a garden hose”.

thanks guys appreciate the support, I feel a bit better but still nervous, ive been looking at caths and see something called speedicath which looks self contained anyone have any experience with this .??

https://www.coloplast.us/speedicath-flex-coude-pro-en-us.aspx

John

John, I'd start off with a red rubber #14. They are very flexible and should be fine. They cost about 50 cents. I had to go the stiff one which is clear with a green drain at the end. This was due to scarring on the bladder neck from the long-term use and frequency. You will need to buy Surgilube these also come in travel size. There are big bucks for DME dealers who can get you to buy the most expensive variety and send them to you once a month. I never allowed this to happen. That would have been 180 caths a month for me and around $800 a month for them. When I started I made the nurse show me how to do it after watching the video. It was scary, but after a second consult, I knew I had to do it or face my kidneys shutting down. You will be fine. Good Luck!

Used self cath about one month prior to Prostate reduction. Also prior to Prostate removal. It is really not a problem once you get the hang of it. Even travelled using catheter. It is actually comforting to know your bladder is empty.

John those are okay but if you start with the red rubber they will be the kinder to your bladder neck and easy to roll up in your pocket for travel.

Glad to hear you got that going.

Hopeful it helps.

Andrew

lapilot said...
I only was catheterized twice, both times for surgery, and each times it was hell to pee afterwards for rest of the day. Every time I tried to urinate it burn and stung so much that my normal reaction was to immediately stop the flow.
Does repeated catheterization reduce the stinging during urination?

Intermittent self-catheterization uses a smaller-gauge catheter than an indwelling Foley, and it’s in your urethra for less than a minute, so there’s much less irritation. Usually no discomfort later when you pee freestyle.

I sincerely doubt you did serious damage. They only let guys self cath because it’s so hard to screw it up badly. Probably you just didn’t use enough lube and abraded the urethra. Use more next time. If you’re still peeing blood in the morning, call the Uro.
I didn’t have bleeding, but Bard’s website says it’s fairly common for new users to find some blood in the urine.

UPDATE- The bleeding stopped guess I must of scratched something and I thought i had lubed it good maybe I didint or went to fast . the reason I was self cath'ing was to try and get some sleep at night after emptying my bladder and having the blood scare , I still had to get up to pee about 5 or 6 times last night so . what I was hopefully expecting did not happen,

so I think im going back to not cath'ing and just peeing … I guess or assume im still even at 8 weeks post EBRT still having urgency and frequency SE. The Journey continues... Seams when I get up in the morning I pee quite a bit more and it gets less during the day.

I understand this is a process and appreciate all the suggestions and support its easier to get thru things when you have some help , assistance and support.

Thanks
John

Thanks SantaZia, appreciate your help as you have experience, I was freaked out by the blood but when I got up to pee there was none.

I was pretty careful the nurse told me the same thing you can reused it , I washed it good rinsed if off and took a alcohol wipe to it and put it back in a plastic bag they gave me but as I said my sole purpose was to try and get a good night sleep and it didn't happen so not sure how often I will do this .

but ill keep you posted. im sure it gets easier as you get the hang oif how to and at what pace to push it in and take it out .

John

John - also remember that just a few drops of blood can look like a lot in urine. Yes, scary, but sometimes it looks like more than there is. Still keep an eye on it.

Hopefully this was just a one time thing.

Hang in there,
Andrew