Coloplast Speedicath Flex Coude Review
Posted , 12 users are following.
As way of background, I've tried just about every catheter on the market but settled on the Coloplast Speedicath FR12 Coude. It combines a very slippery hydrophillic coating (pre-mixed, no packet to break) with enough rigidity that you can basically do a "no touch" cath by holding the catheter in one hand by the plastic funnel and literally dropping it into the meatus of the stretched out penis being held open by the other hand. About the only thing I didn't like about it was that it didn't bend well, meaning you couldn't keep one in your pocket. At least not with the coude model where it's important that the bent tip stays in line.
So along comes the Flex Coude which comes in a little pouch, just meant to put in your pocket. Decided to give it a try.
The samples arrived today but since I don't cath much these days I figured it might be weeks or months until I tried these new catheters out. However, once I opened up the package, I was like a kid in a candy store and just could not wait. Of course the rationale was I was being "proactive" and better preparing for the future.
Since I haven't had to cath for months I am no longer colonized, and while there's nothing wrong with that, everything being equal I'd rather not be. So step one was downing 100mg of Macrobid prophalactively and washing it down with a couple of fried eggs so I would not end up with any stomach issues.
Next, I hunted around for my supplies, now dusty and hidden behind stuff in the closet. Pulled out some hand sanitizer, Povidone-Iodine Swabsticks, (3 packs), Spray bottle of Vetaracyin and paper towels. I was all set.
Did a small natural void to clear the pipes, sprayed on a littlle Vetaracyn, swabbed on the Providone-Iodine and then sprayed it off with the Vetracyn as Providone Iodine tends to sting sometimes.
I had ordered FR12's and FR14's and decided to start with the 12's. My hunch was the 12's would be too flexible, so if that was the case, I would then just go right to the 14.
So I opened the pouch and immediately my hand touched the catheter, as I was not used to this packaging. Not good. Threw it away!
Opened the second FR12 and more carefully removed it, then realizing that I didn't really touch the catheter the first time, what I touched with a plastic sheath that ran the whole length of the catheter. Very un Speedicath like.
So I stared at this new contraption for a minute and then tried to unwind the catheter which is sort of joined head to toe with a plastic screw on thing. Not as easy as it should be with my now slippery hands, but hey, I'm new with this thing.
So I stared some more thinking I probably should have gone to You Tube or read the instructions first, but to make a long story short I stuck coude end in and began feeding in the rest of the catheter while at the same time trying to keep my penis stretched out. By this time I would have been finished with the Speedicath, thrown it away and downed a beer, but again I'm new with this catheter.
It finally passed the prostate and I must say it went aound very easy. In fact, this was the first coude catheter -- other than the Speedicath -- that didn't stick into my prostate. That probably had something to do with the fact that this isn't really a coude (bent tip) as we know them. It's more of a flexible little ball, so nothing to stick, no tip to orient. Just push it in any which way!
Past the prostate I'm thinking OK my well is going to blow any second now and probably all over the bathroom because unlike the Speedicath, I'm having a little trouble aiming the other end toward the toilet while still feeding it in. But it went into the bladder, and I did hit the toilet, so a success. Pulled it out in the usual way and went through the disposal process which is screwing the ends back together and stuffing it back in the little packet....
(to be continued)
2 likes, 70 replies
jwrhn1951 jimjames
Posted
I finally got the new Flex samples..they sent 14 FR which I'm using. Read through this thread on how to use them. Might even break down and read the directions.
I'm taking the family to Vegas tomorrow and going to spend a day in a VA hospital on the way well be gone about a week and using public bathrooms so I'm hopeful these will work out better than the Speedicaths both straight and Coude. I just havent been very successful in the public bathrooms..I think its probably nerves I'm hopeful these will work better....
jimjames jwrhn1951
Posted
Hi JW,
I think you will like them. Didn't know they came with directions but I did make a mess the first time I used the FLEX, didn't know which end was which
So maybe do a trial run at home before you leave. The nice thing for traveling is that there is sheath the whole length of the catheter so it's less likely to get infected with germs or bacteria. And the coude is more of a round end so you don't have to orient it, just sort of feed it on. Let us know how you like it, and have a great trip.
Jim
jwrhn1951 jimjames
Posted
Hi Jim
Got back from the trip. I found the Flex Compact really worked well while using the public restrooms in the Las Vegas Casino's. The package was small enough to put into my shirt pocket and is indescrete enough so that even it someone would see it they would not know what it is.
I had a cystocopy at the VA on the way down and the next day came close to AUR. I wasn't able get the straight coude's into the bladder, but was able to get the Flex in easily. Kind of an unexpected benefit of Flex.
The VA doesn't have the Flex on thier formulary yet but Coloplast gave me a number for a distributer. They are kinda expensive but I'm thinking the peace of mind in having a few around for travel and espically should I need something that works if the regular coude don't is worth the cost.
The cystocopy showed I have multiple trabeculation and multiple
small divertimcula. Which the urologist said is consistant with a nuerogenic bladder. The prostate only protrudes slightly into the bladder.
So it looks like I'll be doing CIC for a long time...
jimjames jwrhn1951
Posted
Hi JW,
Glad the Flex worked out for you on your trip! Curious was it the Speedicath Coude that didn't go in? What French size did you use? PM me if you need the name of a distributor that stocks them.
Was a diagnosis of neurogenic bladder confirmed by urodynamic testing? I also have multiple trabeculation and diverticulae and I do not have neurogenic bladder.
Jim
jwrhn1951 jimjames
Posted
Yeah it was the SpeediCath Coude's. They work almost all of the time but after the cystocopy maybe the urethera was swollen and the lubrication and the rounded tip made the Flex work better.
I was scheduled for urodynamic testing at the end of July with the civilian MD but its been changed to Seprember with the VA. I'm fine with that as they have my medical history for the last 20+ years available.
I guess with my nurological problems they assume its likely a nuerogenic bladder and dont feel pressed to condirm the diagnosis.
jimjames jwrhn1951
Posted
You might want to get several catheters in a French size larger than you normally use for those situations where CIC is difficult. Or, just use the Flex, if you have them around.
I don't have to tell you how important it is to get a proper diagnosis before doing anything. They can't diagnose neurogenic bladder properly without urodynamics. Urodynamics is not a big deal especially if you do CIC. They use a pretty thin catheter (12F I think).
Jim
hank1953 jimjames
Posted
Hi Jim,
" ...French size larger than you normally use for those situations where CIC is difficult..."
I thought we should go to smaller size if we have difficulty. Can you explain why ?
Hank
jimjames hank1953
Posted
Counter intuitive like with chips
A larger size is stiffer and therefore can often "push through" an obstruction easier. Think large vs small nail. The rule of thumb, however, is to use the smallest size that works. Of course, every situation is different and there could be some instances where the opposite works, but in general better chance of going up.
Jim
Supertractorman jimjames
Posted
David
jimjames Supertractorman
Posted
That's a great question! At first, I didn't know what you meant because I didn't remember that happening to me, but it was months ago. So, I just took out one of my Flex's and low and behold the lubricant DOES run out the other end if the other end (non tip end) is facing down.
What I found was that if I held the other end up between a couple of the fingers in my non dominant hand, that worked, but I guess extra hands would help
The other way would be to simply drain the extra lubricant out into the toilet before you start. Hopefully, this will not make much difference when cathing, but since I'm not cathing these days I really can't do that experiment, but you might try.
Maybe someone else using the FLEX will chime in with a solution or that we're missing something. Because again, I don't remember this happening to me before you mentioned it!!! I will also try calling Coloplast later in the day and see if they have any suggestions.
Jim
jimjames Supertractorman
Posted
Hi David,
So I spoke to Coloplast. After opening up the catheter, you just drain the other out into a toilet or other receptacle. It's just water that keeps the hydrophillic coating moist, and draining the water will not effect the hydrophillic coating at all as long as you use the catheter right away. But please let us know how it works out.
Jim
alan86734 jimjames
Posted
Yes, this is one of the changes I noted. Dump the lubricant first. Just for the heck of it I tried leaving the lubricant in but it just increased the mess factor.
Let me add, the only reason that I have not adopted the Flex as my regular use catheter is that I found it too expensive since I would have to change up from the straight catheter. However for the occasional trvel it is great.
Warm regards,
Alan.
jimjames alan86734
Posted
Are you paying for catheters out of pocket? The way I had my doc write the rx, I can get either a straight or coude, either in FR 14 or 12. I therefore frequently had mixed orders/deliveries from my distributor -- so many 14 Coude, so many 12 Coude, so many Straight, etc. I have Medicare and it pays for up to 200 a month of any combination.
BTW which is your regular catheter?
Jim
hank1953 jimjames
Posted
I am paying 10% copay about US$50 for 150 speedicath hydro straights a month. I would have to pay about twice of that if I go for the flex coude, which my distributor is not even carrying at the moment. Hank
jimjames hank1953
Posted
Jim
hank1953 jimjames
Posted
My bigger problem would be finding the distributor that will accept my insurance. I think I will wait for medicare in 18 months. Hank
Supertractorman jimjames
Posted
Certainly pleased with the product when I have to use it.
David
jimjames Supertractorman
Posted
David,
Yeah, it's just water that drains out, not the actual lubricant, or at least that is how they described it to me. But I'm telling you, it never drained out on me until you mentioned it
Glad you like the way it works.
Jim
alan86734 jimjames
Posted
Hi Jim,
I'm also Medicare similar to Hank and yourself. I was also on a mixed order but my vendor, with their several warehouses, suffered from logistic problems and suggested single catheter size oreders would make things much easier for them.
Then Steb appeared on the scene with his novel catheter insertion technique and that changed everything for me. I had been using Coloplast SpeediCath Standard straight Fr-16 alternating with occasional Fr-18. Steb's method improved things so much that I changed my order to straight Fr-18 three times a day, all the way.
I did run a technical evaluation on the SpeediCath Flex Coude which is billed in the coude catgory. I thought I posted my report on this but I am getting a little forgetful in my 88 years celebrated just the other day, so perhaps I didn't.
Many thanks for your support,Jim.
Warm regards,
Alan.
jimjames alan86734
Posted
Alan,
Well, as I said to Hank, just PM me and I'll give you the name of a good cath distributor. I've mixed my orders with different types of catheters many times and never had an issue, or complaint from them. They also are really good about letting you return/excange catheters, if let's say you try a box of something new and don't like it, you just return what you didn't use and they will exchange it for another type of catheter.
Jim
hank1953 jimjames
Posted
Hi Jim,
What medicare package do you have that gives you free catheters without copays ? I won't turn 65 until Dec 2018 but am interested for planning. Hank
jimjames hank1953
Posted
Hi Hank,
I have regular Medicare with a Plan F Supplemental. You get the supplemental from another provider like AARP, but all Plan F's are the same by law. You will also want to get one of the drug plans. So three policies, total. Alternatively, some of the insurance companies package deals for you, but I believe you have to use their network doctors and I'm not sure how that works with catheters.
Jim
hank1953 jimjames
Posted
This will give a headstart. Hank