Catheter Kit in UK

Posted , 10 users are following.

How does one do a self Catherization? Or is it called CIC?

Is there a kit available from an 'approved' source or is it from the Dr.

Many Thanks. I am in the UK.

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • Posted

    hi,

    for me, I got the first sample packets and training at the Doctors office. They put in a order for the catheters which were mailed to my door and I have been reordering since. I have been buying bzk cleaning wipes to help .

  • Posted

    HH,

    My Urologist in Florida showed me how to do it and gave me about 15 re-usable red rubber size 14 coude (curved tip) catheters and tubes of water soluble lubrication . They also sent a prescription to the supplier they use. That supplier started sending me monthly shipments. Medicare and my supplement insurance pay the cost. I don't know the procedure in the UK.

    CIC means Clean Intermittent Catheterization. You should get instruction from a doctor's office or watch videos on line about how to do it. If you use the red rubber re-usable catheters you need water soluble lube to go with it. If you use one time usable catheters they usually come pre-lubed.

    Hope this helps,

    Thomas

  • Posted

    My Dr referred me to a Urologist at local hospital....they will need to do examination to make sure that is appropriate for you... Yes , I do get a supply of catheters in UK ( on Prescription) If you use them, the procedure is easy...main thing being hygiene so as to avoid infections.

    The urologist may recommend some other procedure, it will have to come from your doctor initially.

    P.S I am assuming you are male !

  • Posted

    I couldn't get a doctor to give me a script for them so I just bought them online and started doing it after watching some videos and instructions. It's pretty easy. Use the Jimjames "divebomb" method. Google it.

    I don't know how you could clean the re-useable ones. I did get a UTI from contamination once and had to take antibiotics. Anyway, I bought the Coloplast hydrophilic ones. They come wrapped in saline so they're prelubricated. You use an alcohol swab on the tip of your penis. I use three or four swabs and repeatedly wipe it. That seems to have helped.

    I found the size 10 works ok. It's a little whippy but works. Buy a mixture of sizes and experiment. When you find out what works, buy a box of 30. Good luck. It's been a Godsend for me being able to sleep for 5-7 hours a night without having to get up.

  • Posted

    Hi Happyhacker,

    I had a urodynamics procedure June 2017 where the nurse practitioner offered to teach me how to self-catheterise after she found I was retaining 65ml urine. In the UK it's known a ISC (Intermittent Self Catheterisation). I didn't try it because my urologist told me afterwards that ISC wouldn't have any benefits for me. I suggest you have a chat with your GP or, if you have been referred to a urologist, with someone in the urology team.

    Best wishes.

    • Posted

      My understanding is that 65 mL is not considered to be a high PVR especially for men older than 55. A PVR of around 150 to 200 mL is typically a threshold where urologists recommend procedures (all other things being equal).

    • Posted

      Probably why my urologist didn't recommend ISC! I eventually had TURP Feb 11 2019 and am OK now.

      I have to say that I find the two agendas here (UK and the rest of the world) quite confusing at times. I'm glad the NHS is here for me when I need it.

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