Self Catherterisation

Hello,

I Self Catherise twice weekly. I am male and following training I find the procedure very easy and painless. I have been doing this for six months now. I am sure the nurse who undertakes the training will help you. Garviv

Hello

Thanks for your reply and good to hear your experience has been easy and painless.  Twice weekly sounds better than th4e information I found online which often refers to several times a day.  I am hoping that it will be a few times a week to void my bladder until I can pass more normally.....at least that is what I am hoping for.  

Hi Garviv.....I forgot to ask was there any particular reason why you only need to self catherterise twice a week?

I have neobladder (reconstruction after cystectomy) & have to self catheterise every time I void. There are different sizes & designs of catheter, so quite likely there will be one to suit you. I'm female & use size 14, which I actually prefer to the smaller 12. My guess is that you might need to do it once a day to ensure no residue of urine left. I believe for males with intact prostate, it can be trickier, but you may find it easier to do yourself than a nurse doing it. Slow & steady - I'm sure you'll manage after a bit of practice. Best wishes.

Hi Teasswill....yes hopefully it will be ok after some practice and I believe the self caths are more flexible and lubricated....so fingers crossed!

Hello I have to self catherise twice a week because of strictures in my water pipe and not to void my bladder Garviv

It is almost 10 years ago that I had a cystoprostatectomy; so the memory may be a bit rusty !  But prior to the op' I did suffer- and really suffer ! with urine retention on one ocasion- A&E had to catheterise with a double tube catheter- to drain and flush- which was a bit uncomfortable, but NOTHING to the pain of retention ! I was taught to self catheterise after that - 10 mins with a staff Nurse- and did self catheterise on a few ocassions- a slightly strange sensation initially, but not painful or uncomfortable at all.  Hope this helps!

Best wishes.

Thanks xbargee.....yes I had heard retention can be very painful.  I shall be interested to find out how regularly I shall need to self catheterise after my next visit to urolog.

Hi everybody......On this same subject I have found out that because I need to have BCG treatment and have an enlarged bladder I shall to learn how to self catheterise as the BCG cannot remain in my bladder for a prolonged time.  Has anybody experienced self catheterisation of the BCG contents as it sounds like this could be doubly difficult given what the BCG is and although it could potentially be just 6 self catheterisations I am anxious over this type of procedure.

Any advice from experience would be welcome.