Catheter recommendation

Hi Joseph,

You didn't mention whether you have a prescription for the catheters. You will need one. If you have an obstructive prostate, you may need a coude tip. Medical supply houses will usually send samples, so get some of both tips and see what you like. 14 French should be fine. Good luck,

Fred

Hi Joseph, Been self cathing (CIC) for four years now and maybe I can share some of my experiences.

First of all, being on a trip and away from home is not the ideal time and place to learn CIC. I would say the majority of folks take to it fairly easily, but a sizeable minority (including myself) had difficulties the first few weeks.

So here are your choices:

1. Listen to your doctor, forget the caths, and head to an ER in the unlikely event you have acute retention. 

2. Practice CIC well in advance of your trip, like several weeks. That way, should you get a UTI early on, you will have time to recover prior to the trip.

3. Go ahead with your plan without practicing as an ER alternative. If you are going to go this route, definitely look at some videos and not a bad idea to bring some prophalaxis antibiotics along such as Macrobid. With your doctor's blessing, I would take one Macrobid the first time you self cath, and maybe one or two the next day depending on how much difficulty you have.

I agree the Speedicath FR14 is the best to start with, but if you have an enlarged prostate, you should start with the Coude model which is designed to go around large prostates. Note the coude tip needs proper orientation unlike the straight. But even if you want to start with the straight, which I do not advise, you want to pack Coude tip models as well in case the straight doesn't work.

I would also look at some of the self cath threads for technique tips but as a first timer, bring some surgical non powdered gloves with you that will give you a better grip on the Speedicath which can be slippery.

Jim

Hi, Joseph,

Light1 has given you good advice. Can I ask you which country are you in? If it is the U.S.A. then the need for a Dr.s prescription will be required by any reputable catheter supplier, and it may also be a legal requirement. Stick to these to be certain that the catheters you get are manufactured to strict medical standards, and not from recycled tractor tires, or the like. The Coloplast one you mentioned would probably be an excellent choice.

Now, the "no touch" insertion technique can be a challenge. If your daughter is a RN then she is fully qualified to coach you through the prep and insertion, but manipulating the catheter while holding it by the funnel demands a degree of skill. So, to help you avoid the "wet noodle" syndrome, I'll describe how I cath myself (3 times a day) for the past 18 months.

I do the whole procedure while standing. Holding my penis with my non-dominant hand (left, because I'm right-handed). I move my penis to as near vertical position as possible. Using thumb and index finger of non-dominant hand I open the meatus (the hole where urine comes out and soon the catheter will go in) by gently spreading the glans. Now lower the catheter into the opened meatus, Gently stretch the penis vertically while lowering the catheter a few more inches. Somewhere along here there should be slight resistance opposing further catheter passage. This would be the external sphincter, the first of two. To help the catheter I bear down as though to urinate. Alternatively  wait a few seconds while pushing on the catheter, but never force it. The catheter, once through,should travel another two inches, or so, to come up against the inner sphincter, the second one of the two. The bladder is on the other side so line up with the toilet, or get ready with a container because once through this one, urine will flow, so don't be caught off guard. Again, I bear down as though to urinate while pushing firmly on the catheter, but do not force it through. Once the urine stops move it out a fraction of an inch and rotate the catheter a quarter of a turn to get every last drop. When there is no more flow place a finger firmly on the funnel opening and withdraw the catheter. Finally, with the catheter aimed into the toilet or container, take your finger off the funnel to allow the catheter to drain any urine retained within it.

If your daughter has been watching all this she'll probably wonder who the heck trained this guy! Please disregard.

All the best. alan86734.

Joseph, I use a 14fr coude tip.  I think you will be OK with the straight tip, but perhaps the coude tip, would be an improvement.  My opinion, best to get off the medication and just do CIC.  I've been doing CIC for close to two years, and it helps to keep the bladder empty.  I used to have bladder stones, and reason for it, according to the Urologist, was that I had stale urine in the bladder.  By using a catheter, the bladder empties completely, and so no stale urine. Have a great trip!

Without being too repetitive, I would first do a risk/reward analysis of the situation. What do you think the chance is you will have to go to the ER during your trip because of acute urinary retention. If we're talking very low risk, then the risk of developing a UTI and possibly ruining your trip is greater. In that scenario, I would advise against practicing at home within two weeks of your trip. While not ideal, you could still bring the catheters along and try them in an emergency with the ER as a back up. The ideal scenario is to learn how to CIC at home without having additional stressors like traveling on the short horizon.

Jim