Male intermittent catheter

Hello seeker1. No experience of this myself, but hopefully someone will be along with some help. I see you have had some responses in other groups. I hope you find the information you need. Best wishes.

In the UK the ones that patients use are all single use, ready to use & if used correctly, should be painless. (In the US there seems to be more need to have re-usable ones that need lubricating each time).  They are all simple, only need two hands at most, but each person has preferences. There is no one 'best' type. If you look at https://www.coloplastcharter.co.uk/products/catheters you will be able to see a typical range. You might be able to obtain samples, although without a prescription, you might find that difficult. 

Please read my posts on head and neck cancer about this.

Sorry if I haven't answered what you want to know, you can't expect people to adequately answer a question if only given half the information. Good luck finding the data you want.

We don't know yet as my husband is, hopefully about to start self-catheterisation on Tuesday, we know we have a long haul,  every 2 hours 24/7 for 2 weeks then every 3 hours, then 4 hours but not of a night. We thought the radical cesctomy.  Was awful. However, he is alive,  we knew it would be hard work,  however , just how hard, we had no idea. When we get to the self catheterisation part it would be good to share info. Thankyou xxx

My reply is below.  Kimdav. Useless with technology,  sorry xx but as below,  uou may be able to help us, as we haven't reached this point yet xx

I have tested twelve catheters. They are not all the same although they all work. Some are a lot harder to use than others and some take a long and others safer. Read my report on each catheter and decide for yourself which one you want. I would advise you also to show this report to your catheter nurse. You are entitled under the NHS to choose any of the catheters mentioned. I am told this is the first survey on catheters done, that is why inferior catheters can still be sold. bladdercancersupport.org/.../47481-intermittent-self-catheters.html

The hosp will teach your husband how to self cath & arrange an prescription supply of catheters before he goes solo. Probably worth trying to get used to one sort first. He could then ask for samples to try other makes, to see which he prefers, if he is going to have to self cath in the longer term. 

With neo, I'd be surprised if he is required to self cath every time - the whole point is to learn how to empty oneself. Many hosp like self cathing once a day to check for residue, this may reduce later to weekly or less frequently, if you are fully emptying. Depends on consultant's preference.