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Water-based liquid lube for self catheterization - CIC

Posted , 6 users are following.

hank1953
hank1953

Has anyone used a liquid in stead of a gel lube for catheterization ? I am currently using a prelubed hydrophilic catheter Coloplast Speedicath 12fr, but the catheters sometimes are very dry. I have tried gel like Surgilube but found it messy mainly because the gel did not want to go inside the uretha. I thought maybe there is a liquid that I can kind of squirt it in, before inserting the catheter. I found some liquid lube advertisement but they seem to be for the sex market. Hank

0 likes, 22 replies

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  • Howard31850
    Howard31850 hank1953

    Posted

    Hi Hank

    I use the same catheter as you except one size larger (14fr) and coude tip. Before I open the package I turn it back and forth about 10 times like a baton because the saline solution can settle over time so that way I can wet the whole catheter.

    I've been adding a gel lube to this catheter for 2 years now as I need the extra lubrication. I use Surgilube but others have worked ok too.

    My technique is as follows: I hang the catheter on the end of the bathroom counter top at waist level. I then very slowly pull down the sleeve half way being careful not to touch the exposed catheter. I then place a paper towel under the catheter on the floor to catch any lube. I then slowly squeeze a generous amount of lube into the open sleeve and let it settle for a minute. Then I slowly pull out the catheter twisting it as I go to make sure the lube coats the catheter well. This way I find the catheter goes in much more smoothly and does not burn. Some gel accumulates at the tip of the penis but that helps coat the remaining catheter as it goes in. After pulling out the catheter I wipe the penis with a small gauze pad.

    I've tried this with regular catheters that are not in saline solution and it does not work as well. The gel is 99% water and when it contacts the saline solution it melts and provides an extra layer of lubrication right inside the catheter package. Don't worry about spilling extra gel from the sleeve onto the paper towel. It is unavoidable but well worth the ability to CIC without the burning pain I used to get.

    Howard

    • hank1953
      hank1953 Howard31850

      Posted

      Thanks Howard for sharing. I am sure your method will work. However, it's more complicated than I'd like. I think I will try Pepasan method first. It's much simpler. Hank

    • hank1953
      hank1953 Howard31850

      Posted

      Hi Howard, if you had to add Surgilube to your Coloplast Speedicath catheters, it means that you found them not lubricated well enough. I experienced the same.

      Hank

  • alan86734
    alan86734 hank1953

    Posted

    Hank, I tried mixing the hydrophilic with Surgilube but I was following you guys. May main concern was that if these two products were incompatible, mixing them might set off an internal exothermic penile conflagration!  very painful, I'm sure, And how would one go about explaining such a misadventure to one's urologist?

    II tried getting information from Coloplast themselves, and from my own Urologist, but all to no avail.

    So I went ahead with the experiment and, I'm happy to say, my fears were completely unfounded.

    The experiment worked perfectly and I was able to extend the time the catheter remained inserted by 30 minutes with no tendency to stick to the urethra walls.

    Warm regards, alan86734.

     

    • hank1953
      hank1953 alan86734

      Posted

      Alan, I too tried Surgilube with Coloplast Speedicath with no problems other than messiness. Why would you want to keep the catheter inside you for 30 minutes, BTW ? Hank
    • Howard31850
      Howard31850 alan86734

      Posted

      Hello Alan - I contacted Coloplast 2 years ago when I was first considering mixing the two. Their engineer said it was ok and their marketing person said not to do it. Since both the gel and the saline solution are 99% water I figured there was not a risk of a fire! I took a photo under my microscope of the water layer adhering to the hydrophilic surface of the plastic catheter and then I added the gel and let it settle for a minute vertically and then took another photo. The thickness of the lubricating water layer adhering to the catheter actually went up by 400%! And what was even more amazing is that after I used the catheter to drain my bladder, that thickness of the water layer was the same - that is, it did not rub off as long as I went slowly!!

      So 2 years later and 2600+ catheters I have never had a burning problem or other issues getting the catheter past my 240gm prostate. It is a great system. Good luck. Howard

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