Self cathetizing seems like it may be the only alternative if one does not want to take medication o

When I was having heart surgery I had warned them that I had prostatitis. They said it would be all right but they were unable to insert a catheter and had to use a supra pubic one.

I think that most of us have seen the television commercials about catheters and thought that it must be incredibly difficult and painful to push a plastic tube into your penis, up through the urethra and up into the bladder. However, you will be pleasantly surprised at just how easy it can be (for most men), especially when you have several hundred cc's of urine in your bladder that won't come out on its own.

The key to success in catheterization is to get some good instruction. In my case, a young female PA (physicians' assistant) stood by me and gave me very specific instructions on each step. The catheter type that I used that day, and for almost a year afterwards, was a relatively stiff 'FR16' type of catheter. My trip that day to the urology office was because I had been having BPH symptoms for years, and getting progressively worse until almost compete retention happened. I was very surprised that there really wasn't any direct pain at all of using a catheter. Just some feelings of 'I can't believe what I'm doing'. And of course there was a lot of relief when I directed the end of the catheter into the plastic measuring device. But I was shocked that almost 500ml came out.

As I mentioned, I self-catheterized for several months after that, usually 4 or 5 times a day, until I decided on the Rezum procedure. For me the Rezum procedure was an easy experience because I was 'out' with a twilight anesthesia, and I was able to avoid the Foley catheter by self catheterizing. I started back in using catheters within an hour of the Rezum procedure, and continued using them for about 3 weeks until my flow was well on its way to normal.

Johnny,

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I had to self-cath for 10 months before my Rezum. It is not a big deal. I never had a problem with it. I use the reusable soft red latex ones, size 14 with a curved tip. After my Rezum, I had to use a stiffer reusable latex one due to swelling. If you are going to have a Rezum you really need to know how to self-cath before the procedure. I cannot comment for other procedures.

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Steve

Johnny,

My experiences with self cath were the exact opposite of what ken19524 is reporting. I first tried to self cath in my urology office and was unable to complete the procedure. It was painful and difficult. I did send for some sample catheters at a later time and was finally able to self cath a few times, but each time it was difficult and somewhat painful. The last time I tried was earlier this year before my bipolar TURP. I was able to get the catheter in about an inch, but the pain was terrible and I had to stop. Obviously, we're all different, and my urethra must be narrow and sensitive. Others here think this is no big deal. I don't think one knows in advance how it will go until it is tried in real time. I still have some catheters just in case of an emergency, but hopefully I will never have to use them.

Tom

I've spoken with several men who self cath regularly, one is a brother in law on mine who has nerve damage. I've had a catheter a few times. While I'm sure that I could learn, I fear infection every time, regardless as to who does the insertion. Some of the men I know have made it years without an infection, but sooner or later most regular users do get an infection. There are pros and cons with every decision we make.

Hey Johnny, dont swet it, lol . I have been doing it for almost 5 yrs, absolultly no problem at all! i am 100% dependent on it and its seriously so simple and no problem at all!Best part is only 2 people know about it and thats because I wanted them to know.I play tournament softball, have sex on a regular basis, go to concerts, and drink wine every night, so none of my lifestyle has changed.and with absolutly no problem with orgasams or erectile disfunction. I cath 5 or more times a day and it is absolutly discreet and takes no more than a minute or so, dont be concerned with the fear of painfullness because, dude it is so simple and there is no pain or un comfortableness to it at all, it is extremely easy and fast,initially I was a little "easy does it" but seriously those fears will be so far behind you in no time! As a matter of a fact after the first time you will feel and be a pro!.I use a "compact" cath that is in a little green tube that when you use it you just unscrew off top and it is kinda like telescopic, it is very skinny, like a piece of spagetti, it is lubed and ready to go instantly!Actually I rinse it off and push it back into the tube and reuse them only once tho, makes it easy to carry one in your pocket and use it twice if you are out and about shopping or wine tasting or playing ball or what ever you got going on.Dont think you got to change your lifestyle and your life is going down hill because doing this keeps you healthy and with an empty bladder, anytime you want! Get off of the meds, especially the tamsulosin/flomax!That s**t will screw up your sex life! I am a very happy camper just doing the compacts, even if is for the rest of my life, No problem at all! You can do it no problem at all, your life will be as good if not better!!!!!!

I've been self cathing for a few years. It took me a couple of months to get my head around the idea that I'd end up doing it for the rest of my life. Once I got used to it didn't have any problems, except for a recent UTI that has gone away after taking the antibiotic.

There is a mega-thread on here authored by @jimjames full of great advice and he was able to rehabilitate his bladder. He doesn't drop by very often but he's a wealth of knowledge you might PM him for his perspective.

I have found for me, after the first few months, its no big deal. I travel a lot both nationally and internationally and have even made that work with no real problems in the cramped airliner bathrooms.

I do see the Doc's every six months and they have changed catheters a few times to adapt to my life style. I think its a good idea go to a place that has a lot of experience. I travel quite a way to a large VA hospital affiliated with a nationally known medical school and have been very happy with my care.

As has been said CIC is certainly not for everybody, but for those with spinal chord injuries and other types of nerve damage it is a literal lifesaver.

Good luck, hang around here, as there are a lot of knowledgeable old timers here who can answer any questions and share their experience.

I agree with Ken, if you get a qualified nurse to teach you it's really a piece of cake, a moment of discomfort or even what you could call pain but it's over and afterwards there is zero pain. But the feeling of an empty bladder and a few hours of relief is more than worth it. You might still want to take medication even if you do it since I think it makes it easier in combination but I can't say for sure.