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Can't get catheter into bladder

Posted , 5 users are following.

Mingus
Mingus

Hi all,

I'm having to CIC for now, and more than half the time I cannot get it the last couple inches or so into the bladder. Sometimes it goes right in and occasionally I can get it in after a couple tries, but often I just can't get it in despite trying a dozen or more times in different positions and just give up, after which the tip comes back bloody. I retain about 1000ml so need to get this under control or go back to a Foley. I'm currently using a coude tip.

I've read posts here about 'kamikaze method' but that hasn't worked.

Any suggestions on getting this to work reliably?

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • hank1953
    hank1953 Mingus

    Posted

    Specifically, what catheter brand are you using? It can make a big difference. Hank

    • Mingus
      Mingus hank1953

      Posted

      Hi Hank, it's a Cure Catheter 16 Fr. w/ coudé tip.

  • hank1953
    hank1953 Mingus

    Edited

    I would try size 14 or even 12. Size 16 is a little large for beginner. Avoid coude unless you are sure you are orienting it correctly.

    Also, what are you using for lube? Make sure that it is well lubricated. If it takes several tries , you may need to relube it. Is it prelubed, or hydrophylic ? Hank

    • Mingus
      Mingus hank1953

      Posted

      Thanks, I'm getting various samples tomorrow, which I hope will include thinner ones. All I've use so far are hydrophilc with a water packet. The coudé version has a line all along the tube so I think I'm properly orienting it and it's worked more reliably than the straight, but I'm open to any other variation that might work.

    • hank1953
      hank1953 Mingus

      Edited

      For hydrophilic catheter , I would dip it back in to the water ( in the pouch ) before each reinsertion. Hank

    • Mingus
      Mingus hank1953

      Edited

      Hi Hank, I got some size 12 samples and so far all 8 or so tries have been successful. Hope this pattern holds! Huge contrast to 14, which was unsuccessful about 2/3 of the time. Med professionals were skeptical that size was the problem but sometimes the real-life experiences of laypeople can be very valuable. Just following up to thank you again for your comments, which resulted in making this unpleasant experience much better for me.

    • hank1953
      hank1953 Mingus

      Posted

      Glad to hear that you succeeded. Sure, size always matters most. After you become a pro, perhaps you could try size 14. It is recommended that you stay with largest size that works and comfortable. In your case it is size 12. Hank

  • not_too_shabby
    not_too_shabby Mingus

    Edited

    I watched a video on self cathing and it suggested wiggling your toes while inserting the cath. It keeps you from clinching down on it.

    • Mingus
      Mingus not_too_shabby

      Posted

      I think I saw the same video and tried it repeatedly without success, but I appreciate the suggestion. Looks like I just needed a smaller cath size.

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