[charliechalk]

I am looking for advice regarding my usage of catheters. I am a 30-year-old man and broke my back six years ago, resulting in an incomplete spinal cord injury. I live an extremely active life and have encountered some challenging times regarding my bladder control. I use Lofric Single Use Urinary Catheters (Ref 9012, Nelaton, 40cm, CH12).

My issue concerns the storage of my catheters during the day.

I use a single-use catheter for a day, hence one catheter and its packet may be used up to eight times a day. After a few uses the paper side of the wrapper starts to deteriorate because of the water contact. This then leads to the catheter sometimes breaking free of its packet, which is both inconvenient and likely to lead to contamination.

Does anyone know of any sort of a plastic or rubber case that could conveniently hold a catheter? It would need to be able to be sterilised or redecontaminated. Something flexible and small that is convenient to keep in a front trouser pocket. Is there such a product?

[Tinbasher]

I use these and Single Use means exactly that. Use once and bin it. If you are only allowed one cath a day then I suggest these are not for you.

Lofric do provide a cute little wallet which holds up to 6 of these but not used ones

Tin

[qbounce]

Hi Charlie,
Where are you from? If it's USA, then Medicare now alots as many caths a day as you need, and it's covered. Why are you reusing your cath and risking a UTI in the process?

Call your doctor and up your perscription to how ever many you need in a month for a single use.

By the way, this went into effect January of '08'.

[charliechalk]

Thanks for the responses guys.

qbounce, on Nov 6 2009, 06:35 PM, said:

Why are you reusing your cath and risking a UTI in the process?

I travel a lot and the prospect of taking an individual catheter for every time I pass urine is simply unfeasible: say I go away for 3 months. That would be 3 months or 13 weeks or 91 days. Then if I'm urinating 5 times a day (normally more as I drink a lot of water) that would require 450 catheters!!!! Are you guys being serious?! I travel with a 35 liter rucksack and even taking only 100 catheters using about a quarter of the space up!!

I have no concerns at all about reusing a single use catheter as I'm very careful about using fresh water, protecting the catheter from contaminants and drinking a lot of liquid in my diet in general; however, yes, I am increasing my risks but its a trade-off. I hate the idea of using 5 catheters a day when I can use only one; from an environmental point-of-view its terrible. I recently met an Indian man who, for financial reasons, had to use a single use catheter for three months.

Thank you for your thoughts; however, I'm not looking for advice on the wrongs of reusing a catheter. I'm looking for ideas on how to better protect the ones that I am using.

[Kwag_Myers]

I'm not familiar with these particular catheters, so forgive me if this is unfeasible. I travel from time to time myself and what I find works best is to save and store the catheters after boiling them for 10 minutes and letting them dry over night. I use a zip lock bag to keep them in. Then, when I travel I just use them once and (on short trips) throw them away, or keep the used ones in a Tupperware type sandwich container until I have access to a microwave. Then wash the catheters, boil them for 10 minutes in the microwave and lay them out to dry overnight.

Up until a few months ago I was only allowed four catheters a month. Washing and boiling them after each use was the only way to prevent UTI's. I now get 30 per month, so I use five each day for five days. This way I only have to wash and boil them once a day.

[City Girl]

What about FedExing your b&b supplies to your hotel? That way you have all your supplies waiting for you. I sometimes do that with all kinds of things.

[Char]

Not sure how long the catheter is, but a travel plastic toothbrush holder works well.

[Ches]

Eyeglasses container comes to mind..

[charliechalk]

City Girl, on Nov 6 2009, 11:24 PM, said:

What about FedExing your b&b supplies to your hotel? That way you have all your supplies waiting for you. I sometimes do that with all kinds of things.

That would work when I know what route I'm going to be taking and some definite places to stay. Also assumes some decent postal service (which in the UK right now is a particularly risky assumption to make!).

Travel plastic toothbrush holder should work for female catheters but male ones, at 40cm long, may be too long... Shall investigate!

[Tinbasher]

Sorry I came across so preachy but my first thought was some tight HMO was only giving you one a day. Being in the UK I wasnt sure of the rules.

Ok I get your point about travelling although the post isnt as bad as all that You could always carry a prescription(s) with you although you'd probaby need two days to wait for delivery to a local pharmacy.

The reason I was uneasy about reusing the Hydrocath is that I once reused them when my luggage got lost and ended up with a mega uti. Afterwards a friend suggested that that once used the coating might actually act as a culture medium (she a nurse not a microbioligist!)

Dunno how old you are or how long you been injured but in the olden days before hydrocaths we used to carry our caths in a plastic ziploc bag or a tupperware type container. You can wrap it around in a small flat circular container without it getting too bent up.

I have to say that for travelling I now swear by the Hydrocath kits with water bag etc all in one you can cath almost anywhere without worrying about the quality of the water. I have used them when camping two days on a fishing boat etc etc.

Tin

This post has been edited by Tinbasher: 07 November 2009 - 05:22 PM

[Slowlegs]

charliechalk, on Nov 6 2009, 08:41 PM, said:

I travel with a 35 liter rucksack and even taking only 100 catheters using about a quarter of the space up!...

I hate the idea of using 5 catheters a day when I can use only one; from an environmental point-of-view its terrible. I recently met an Indian man who, for financial reasons, had to use a single use catheter for three months.

Good on you, I feel the same way about the environmental bit and also even spending a month away I have to take lots of medical products which can be a pain too.

I had trouble finding a tray to sterilise my caths. My urologist recommended the same - re using single use caths for up to a week. Annoying thing is that my state medical provider seems to think that as I am not in a chair they shouldn't pay for pretty well SCI related so last time I paid a fortune for catheters and got a lot of infections and eventually stopped using them although they were to keep my pipes clear rather than to urinate through.

Anyway, I would perhaps suggest getting some 1 3/4" (about 40mm) PVC pipe and some blanking caps, 25mm will probably work too. Then you can cut the PVC pipe to whatever length you like. Glue one end with pipe adhesive and the other can slip on or off. Perhaps even use a bit of velcro on nylon strapping at the removable end to hold the lid on. Then you can put your cath in that. If you take some Miltons tablets along http://www.epharmacy.com.au/product.asp?id...rial+Tablets+30 (only recommending this link for the product, not the seller) and attach the container to your chair or some other item vertically at night and leave it all night sterlising. Tip it out in the morning. That will keep it clean and if you keep the lid on, no foreign bodies will get in. I'd be concerned about reusing a zip loc bag because it can't be cleaned easily and you'd probably end up taking up a heap of them in lieu of catheters.

[Tetracyclone]

Charlie,

Like slowlegs I was thinking of PVC but its bulky, nor would I trust the sterilization process. What about 10 mm or so flexible tubing as is used to connect water filters? cork each end in some fashion.

I was issued multiple use caths in Asia that are good for 6 months. They come with their own containers. I'm still using that and refill once a week with Providone/Iodine solution, in which the cath sits between usages. Those I've checked with say the Iodine is safe. Definitely get something you can attach to your verticle chair tubing.

Hardware stores are so much fun. Good luck.

Maybe there is some lab grade sample tubes that are long enough.

[wheelywendy]

how about something simple like the small zip top plastic food bags., they tend to be quite strong and reliable, also not bulky so you could take a box with you and throw it when it gets too used

[charliechalk]

Tinbasher, on Nov 7 2009, 05:20 PM, said:

You could always carry a prescription(s) with you although you'd probaby need two days to wait for delivery to a local pharmacy.

I tried doing this in South Africa, Cape Town no less. And... the only single use catheters they could get hold of (in the whole of SA) were terrible quality in comparison to UK ones. And if that was South Africa then I dread to think what the rest of Africa must be like!

Quote

The reason I was uneasy about reusing the Hydrocath is that I once reused them when my luggage got lost and ended up with a mega uti. Afterwards a friend suggested that that once used the coating might actually act as a culture medium (she a nurse not a microbioligist!)

I probably get three UTIs a year and after drinking huge amounts of water they disappear after a few days (I avoid antibiotics whenever possible so have only taken them once in six years for an UTI). This is with me spending every day reusing my single use catheter up to 8 times a day.

Quote

I have to say that for travelling I now swear by the Hydrocath kits with water bag etc all in one you can cath almost anywhere without worrying about the quality of the water.

Only just discovered these and definitely going to order some to experiment with. Thanks for the recommendation.

Slowlegs, on Nov 7 2009, 11:53 PM, said:

My urologist recommended the same - re using single use caths for up to a week.

Interesting to hear when professionals are willing to state this. I had one of the top SCI experts in the UK tell me that there are no major concerns at all in reusing a single use catheter for a day. For a week may be pushing it though, again because the plastic holder the catheter comes in may deteriorate a lot over that times.

Quote

Anyway, I would perhaps suggest getting some 1 3/4" (about 40mm) PVC pipe and some blanking caps, 25mm will probably work too. Then you can cut the PVC pipe to whatever length you like. Glue one end with pipe adhesive and the other can slip on or off. Perhaps even use a bit of velcro on nylon strapping at the removable end to hold the lid on. Then you can put your cath in that. If you take some Miltons tablets along http://www.epharmacy.com.au/product.asp?id...rial+Tablets+30 (only recommending this link for the product, not the seller) and attach the container to your chair or some other item vertically at night and leave it all night sterlising. Tip it out in the morning. That will keep it clean and if you keep the lid on, no foreign bodies will get in. I'd be concerned about reusing a zip loc bag because it can't be cleaned easily and you'd probably end up taking up a heap of them in lieu of catheters.

Nice suggestion. I walk with crutches so no chair to strap it onto; could put something similar in my rucksack. However, I'd rather find a simple holder to have in my pocket, for a day at a time, and use a new catheter each new day. If/when I start travelling with a wheelchair then I may well take up your great suggestion.

Pwuff, on Nov 8 2009, 12:38 AM, said:

What about 10 mm or so flexible tubing as is used to connect water filters? cork each end in some fashion.

That stuff could definitely work. I suppose I'd still need some sort of a receptacle to add the water to the catheter before use.

Quote

I was issued multiple use caths in Asia that are good for 6 months. They come with their own containers.

Who is the manufacturer? I'd be curious to look into them.

[Tetracyclone]

Charlie,

The brand is Cliny. Go to:

http://www.graykon.com.au/Products/Inconti...turia_Catheters

and scroll down to self-catheterization Products, where you will see the cases for both male and female. "Graykon Pty. Ltd. trading as Graykon Scientific, is a successful distributor of equipment and consumables to the healthcare market in Australia."

It would be interesting to see if you could simply order from them. In Taiwan these are over-the-counter goods. Don't know about Australia. Do you travel there? Beware- The top is not a watertight fit. I put Iodine in it and it leaks just a few drops, necesitating the little travel sleeve. I will need a new one come February, and they are not available in the USA.



P.S.- The Taiwan National Health Service depends on these, and with Taiwan drivers being what they are, they have lots of SCIs.

[dangerousdave]

Hi Charlie

When I am at home the SIC will last a day as I am happy with the cleanleness of my home
When out and about I ditch em after 2 uses. I just keep it in a old used juice plastic bottle
What your looking for is a multiple use cath
Approach your local hospital urinary nurse
The lady at my hospital is a mine of information and full of helpful web sites to look at .. but that was 4 years ago
As your travelling a lot .. another thing to try would be D-Mannose .. which I first heard about on this site .. it appears to be helping me.

This post has been edited by dangerousdave: 09 November 2009 - 12:45 PM

[Hikkakaru]

Just out of curiosity, why do you reuse single-use catheters? I understand the not wanting to carry excessive supplies with you, but why not use a urinary incontinence product that is meant for multiple use?

[ems]

Good call .. these are silicone caths designed to be re-used over and over again. My friend uses them in Australia where she resides.

Re-using a catheter does not mean your more at risk from uti's. Many countries still re-use, australia is one of them, and they areby no means backward in any medical way! Unless you shared you catheter with someone else or dropped it on a dirty floor or didnt bother rinsing it etc.. Your body is very used to its own germs. I have used a single re-usable catheter for over two yrs now. Its made of silver and was custom made for me. Its all I now use. I've not had a UTI since using it, and before that was constantly getting them. Obviously you have to be careful, and kepp it clean. Through the day all I do is rinse it under the tap as soon as i've used it, and let it dry in a pen case I got when I sent a mont blanc back for a mend job. It lets it dry and keep it clean ready for the next use.

One way of not getting an infection is to allow your body to recover from one by itsself. I am not saying sweat yourself to death, but if your a *well* person there is generally no risk. I have my bloods checked regualry for other things, and there has been no sign of any infection for a very long time now.

I've talked about this subject alot on here.. 'so sorry to all those this is de ja vou for!!! LOL

ps.. hiya all again ;)

I would personally suggest a toothbrush holder, or a flexible tube like a leg bag tube you can put a spigot on each end would surfice.

THe cliniset though allows you to sterilise the catheter within its carrier, which is rather handy.

This post has been edited by ems: 09 November 2009 - 06:51 PM

[guido]

ems, on Nov 9 2009, 06:03 PM, said:

I have used a single re-usable catheter for over two yrs now. Its made of silver and was custom made for me. Its all I now use. I've not had a UTI since using it, and before that was constantly getting them.

This is interesting? Got me curious now. I have spent 6 years just thinking that what the healthcare company sent me was the way. A silver one??? flexible, entirely silver or a coated or impregnated other substance? what's the benefit: assuming it's not just a pimped status symbol!!!

Have often wondered about how to go away without a million catheters, so finding this thread very valid.

[ems]

hehehee, sorry to confuse you .. the clinicath.. the picture above is the silicone re-usable cath, in Aus where my friend is she gets on once every three months.

I use this.... ( ps I'm a girl.. I dont think erm, a solid silver one would be erm.. nice for a guy!) .....

This is what I use ...





http://www.apparelyzed.com/forums/index.ph...\&st=0

[guido]

ems, on Nov 9 2009, 06:48 PM, said:

hehehee, sorry to confuse you .. the clinicath.. the picture above is the silicone re-usable cath, in Aus where my friend is she gets on once every three months.

I use this.... ( ps I'm a girl.. I dont think erm, a solid silver one would be erm.. nice for a guy!) .....

This is what I use ...





http://www.apparelyzed.com/forums/index.ph...\&st=0

Brilliant. This has now answered a 6 year question! (As a guy) guess I still won't be getting a silver one any day soon though!

[ems]

I'm very sure there are silver impregnated catheters out there.. most catheters can be re-used, generally not those that have a hydrophillic coating, as the coating ends up leaving an uneven surface after a couply of uses, which isnt a great idea!

Theres plenty of money guzzling medical companies out there remember ;) LOL
Emma.