8 replies to this topic

[WheelGamer]

Hi, this is my first time posting anything!

So I've been super super lucky to have been able to start working in an office now for almost 5 months and have a pretty good routine for going to the bathroom. I go every 3-4 hours or less, depending on my liquid intake, and the bathrooms are easy for me to get into and out. However, I'm looking for ways to reduce my cathing kit size and for any tips on how to self cath in the cleanest way possible.

The main issue in kit size is that I carry around and use this knee-spreading mirror. In addition to the paralysis I have Lupus that includes Renaud's Syndrome, which is where the blood vessels in my fingers tend to constrict at the slightest hint of cold causing them to turn white and go numb. Many people in wheelchairs and healthcare providers tell me feeling for the urethra becomes easier with practice but I don't know how it works without actually being able to feel down there. My fingers have perfect sensation when they are warm but once they go numb it's hard to tell what I'm doing. I'm not sure if anyone has developed a technique for this kind of situation and just wanted to get some feedback.

As for cathing the cleanest way possible I usually self cath in my chair. Because I cath in the chair I use a disposable underpad in case I ever have leakage or a small accident, which has happened, and the underpad has proven useful if not necessary at times. I don't enjoy using it, however, or rather, I hate that people can see it. It didn't used to bother me until a friend looked at my chair one day and refused to touch the cushion. >.< So if anyone has some advice on a discrete way of using an underpad it is very welcome! I should also mention I'm pretty tiny, like 14" x 16", so an underpad that size or smaller is probably what I'm looking for. Also, how long does it take you ladies to finish a cathing session? The fastest I've done is 10 minutes but on average it's 15. I want to be faster so I can take breaks at meetings without worrying!

Thanks for reading!

[Wicky]

Soooooo, I am not a female but i was wondering if you have ever thought about getting an indwelling catheter, or a suprapubic, i personally have an indwelling catheter that allows me to have a bag on my leg that the urine goes to by which i just drain in the toilet when needed, i use to have to self cath but got a fairly back pressure sore because of all the moisture from continuous leaking, so they recommended that i get an indwelling, i absolutely love it, only maintenance is you have to get it changed once a month, and make sure it flows smoothly, but if you have the right size cath the flowing part will not be an issue. anyway i hope this helps, and if it doesn't im sorry for rambling, also i would like to get to share stories with you, have a good one.

[ClaraTaylor]

RE: The Raynauds.
I also have it (not fun) and find washing my hands for a couple of minutes in warm soapy water before I go into the cubicle often warms my hands sufficiently so that I can do everything that is required before the cold gets to them.

[Tetracyclone]

I take as long as you , wheelgamer, without your difficulties.

Might it be possibe to bend up a small mirror holder (with some stiff wire)that could hook over something in the cubicle at the right height and angle for you? It could be left in the bathroom.

[Liz56]

This is probably going to be a bit explicit, but here goes:

I don't have a lot of sensation down there, though I'm not a wheelchair user. Because of arthritis I also can't get my legs apart very easily, and I often have quite sore fingers. I also have to go by feel, and like you, I used to have to have a mirror to get a full view. What I do now though is I dont feel for the urethra, but rather just put a finger in my vagina. Then I know how much above that I have to aim with the catheter. It took a few misses before I could find the spot reliably, but it usually works fine now, and no mirror needed. It also wouldn't require you to actually "feel" with your fingertip.

I'm not sure about the underpad - do you need it all the time, or just when cathing (but leave it on your seat all the time)? I'm also not sure what kinds of catheters you have available. If you only need the underpad when cathing, then I'd be tempted to try and find a catheter that works for you to be able to use on the toilet rather than in your chair. I use the little speedicath compacts and because they are really short, I find I can get them in when seated on the toilet as long as I not sitting too far forward on the seat. When I was using regular length catheters it was too hard to manipulate the length without it flopping against the edge of the toilet bowl which I didn't think was a good idea for hygiene. If you are cathing while seated over the toilet, then you don't need anything long - you just have to have enough outside your body to hold onto, and as your urethra is only about 1.5 to 2 inches long those small compact catheters work well.

[WheelGamer]

Thanks for the advice Wicky! I have thought about the possibility of an indwelling catheter but haven't been brave enough to give it a shot. I tried to use them in the beginning but they could never stay in. What brand/design do you use? I may need more female advice on this matter but any input is truly welcome! Of course I'd love to share any stories. I am going on 4 years now as a para and still have so much to learn.

[WheelGamer]

Liz56, on 08 February 2012 - 08:38 PM, said:

I'm not sure about the underpad - do you need it all the time, or just when cathing (but leave it on your seat all the time)? I'm also not sure what kinds of catheters you have available. If you only need the underpad when cathing, then I'd be tempted to try and find a catheter that works for you to be able to use on the toilet rather than in your chair. I use the little speedicath compacts and because they are really short, I find I can get them in when seated on the toilet as long as I not sitting too far forward on the seat. When I was using regular length catheters it was too hard to manipulate the length without it flopping against the edge of the toilet bowl which I didn't think was a good idea for hygiene. If you are cathing while seated over the toilet, then you don't need anything long - you just have to have enough outside your body to hold onto, and as your urethra is only about 1.5 to 2 inches long those small compact catheters work well.

Thanks for sharing your method Liz56. I try not to transfer to the toilet when I'm outdoors but at home I use a drop-arm commode. I've found that the short catheters are difficult for me to use on toilets because they are less flexible. I use a 16" 12 French Coloplast catheter that also works well in helping me cath from my chair. I primarily use the underpad just when I'm cathing but keep it on my chair at all times since I need to fasten it well enough so it doesn't crinkle up every time I move.

[tinamarie]

Liz56, on 08 February 2012 - 08:38 PM, said:

I use the little speedicath compacts and because they are really short, I find I can get them in when seated on the toilet as long as I not sitting too far forward on the seat. When I was using regular length catheters it was too hard to manipulate the length without it flopping against the edge of the toilet bowl which I didn't think was a good idea for hygiene.

Liz,

I currently use a 6" catheter, and sometimes have the problem of hitting the non-business end of it against the inside of the toilet. Could you tell me, how long are the speedicath compact ones that you use after you take off the cover thingie (I just watched the video on the Coloplast site)? Thanks much!

Oh, one more thing -- do you know how much the speedicaths cost? Thanks!

Edited by tinamarie, 19 March 2012 - 02:35 AM.

[Liz1956]

In total the speedicath compact once opened is 5.75 inches long. The "clean" catheter part of it is 2.75 inches long. I don't worry at all if the non-business end hits the toilet bowl, though it doesn't usually with me if I can sit far enough back on the toilet. If it did touch it would only be momentary, and it wouldn't be long enough to get any bugs all the way up it. You can also get a speedicath compact plus if you need a bit more catheter length, but I've not needed that, as long as I make sure I do insert it all the way with the plastic outer/sleeve bit pressed up against me.

I can't tell you the cost as I get them supplied on the NHS and don't pay for them. At one time I did look at the relative costs of them with other catheters and they were definitely not the most expensive on the market and I don't think they were any more than the regular disposable ones.

I actually couldn't deal with self cathing in the toilet until I got the compacts, and had either an indwelling, or used to cath on my bed with one of the catheters with attached collecting bags before that.

Actually, you can get a collecting bag that goes with the speedicath compacts as well. I do have some of those for use on my bed when I'm not well, or its too hard to get out of bed in the middle of the night. They don't hold as much as some of the other types (only 500 ml I think, which I often exceed) though. I do find it quite handy to have some of those bags available and they take up very little space as they are quite neatly folded into a pack about 1 inch x 2 inches and less than half an inch thick from memory (haven't gone and measured it).