47 replies to this topic

[DxM]

Hey All,

Having just had a load more Urology tests done, it turns out my bladder's not been working anywhere near as well as I'd thought since developing the CES and I'm voiding less than 25% As a result, the consultant now want's me to start a routine of Intermitent Self Catheterisation. I've heard all the arguements when it comes to the long term benefits of doing this, but I'm really quite scared . Apparantly someone will show me and try and teach me how to do it for myself, which is scary enough in its own right, but I wanted to ask for any tips and advice that anyone out there might have for a new comer to this practice? I'm hoping I will get used to it eventually even though it's scary, like I did in time when I was diagnosed with type one diabetes and had to learn to inject, but any information or advice that anyone whose experienced in doing this might have for me, would be gratefully recieved.

DxM

[Johnny J]

Hi DxM! i remember being concerned like you about ISC but after i was shown how to do it there was really nothing to it: it was easy, quick and painless ( I know someone your level and they too find it painless) In fact, with in a few days it really was second nature. I think the benefits are also really good especially the connivence. i know that we differ anatomically, but i really don't see you having any problems with it. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Edited by Johnny J, 09 June 2012 - 12:59 AM.

[tinamarie]

Hey All,

Having just had a load more Urology tests done, it turns out my bladder's not been working anywhere near as well as I'd thought since developing the CES and I'm voiding less than 25% As a result, the consultant now want's me to start a routine of Intermitent Self Catheterisation. I've heard all the arguements when it comes to the long term benefits of doing this, but I'm really quite scared . Apparantly someone will show me and try and teach me how to do it for myself, which is scary enough in its own right, but I wanted to ask for any tips and advice that anyone out there might have for a new comer to this practice? I'm hoping I will get used to it eventually even though it's scary, like I did in time when I was diagnosed with type one diabetes and had to learn to inject, but any information or advice that anyone whose experienced in doing this might have for me, would be gratefully recieved.

DxM

Hey DxM - I never thought I'd get any good at self cathing. My vision isn't that great and the nurses at the hospital kept trying with a mirror to point out the right place to put it; I felt really dumb. Then they told me that there was a lady down the hall who was having trouble, too, so that made me feel better. Amazingly to me, I got better at it with practice. But still for a while I could only do it while in bed, which was also depressing, because I didn't think I'd ever be able to go out of my house for longer than an hour or so. After that I got mad, which kind of turned into determination. Figuring out how to do it on the toilet/ commode was a happy day. I think I could do it in the dark now.

I would be totally scared to have to inject myself!!!. If you can do that, I have no doubt you will be just fine self cathing. Tips: Don't be afraid to use plenty of lubricant. Take your time. Remember to breathe. Good luck!!

[qbounce]

here's a tip: I use the catheter sheath to funnel my urine directly into the toilet.

That way, I don't need to use the bag type to drain into, nor do I need to transfer onto the toilet, or even carry around a hand urinal.

Just practice, it won't take long.

[DxM]

Hey Johnny J, Tinamarie and Qbounce,

Thank you so much for all your replies and for your experience based tips and advice too I was wondering where I'd have to do the ISC, especially as I'm limited when it comes to movement and hand dexterity, so it's good to know there are options, even though from what's been said the toilet sounds like the most convienient place. Having not seen any of the equiptment used for ISC yet I'd kind of assumed you'd have a long tube and after having inserted it, which sounds like it could take a while to get used to, I'd have to try and run it into the toilet, but with a bag at least to begin with I'd be able to practice without the worry of pee going everywhere.

I'm not too worried about the pain issue as over the past 18 months or so I've got used to living with pain 24/7, but I am worried about the risk of introducing more infections . The Urologist said the long term benefits to my bladder and kidneys of ISC outweighed the risks associated with an increased number of infections, but being diabetic with a pretty crap immune system, it's concerning for sure. Are sterile gloves a good idea or does anyone else have any other tips or suggestions for avoiding infections?

Thanks again for all your advice and support. Hopefully it won't be long before I too can ISC in the dark like you Tinamarie.

DxM

[tinamarie]

I'd have to try and run it into the toilet, but with a bag at least to begin with I'd be able to practice without the worry of pee going everywhere.

I'm not too worried about the pain issue as over the past 18 months or so I've got used to living with pain 24/7, but I am worried about the risk of introducing more infections . The Urologist said the long term benefits to my bladder and kidneys of ISC outweighed the risks associated with an increased number of infections, but being diabetic with a pretty crap immune system, it's concerning for sure. Are sterile gloves a good idea or does anyone else have any other tips or suggestions for avoiding infections?

Thanks again for all your advice and support. Hopefully it won't be long before I too can ISC in the dark like you Tinamarie.

DxM

You just reminded me of something. When I was cathing in bed, into one of those handheld clear plastic urinals, I used to clip a tiny little booklight on it so it would shine on me so I could see what I was doing. Worked great!

I was taught just to clean my hands before cathing with a BZK wipe. I would do that or use alcohol hand sanitizer. I did get some infections so I switched to using an exam glove, not a sterile one.

[DxM]

You just reminded me of something. When I was cathing in bed, into one of those handheld clear plastic urinals, I used to clip a tiny little booklight on it so it would shine on me so I could see what I was doing. Worked great!

I was taught just to clean my hands before cathing with a BZK wipe. I would do that or use alcohol hand sanitizer. I did get some infections so I switched to using an exam glove, not a sterile one.

Great idea the book light Tinamarie, I've just ordered a poseable one, which will hopefully shed enough light to make this malarky easier...Thanks

I'm still waiting for the referral to the people who'll teach me how to go about this, but I doubt very much that any of them ISC on a regular basis themselves, so any more tips, advice or suggestions from anyone whose been doing this for a while and is now a pro at it, would be very much so appreciated.

DxM

[Tatiana]

Hi again...we keep bumping into each other ...

I learnt to self intermittent cath in jan this year...il be honest, i have had ups and downs with self cathing and have tried almost every type of catheter you can imagine lol. Dont worry, it isnt scarey at all......if i can do it then anyone can..

I have suffered from bladder spasms and sometimes i have experienced difficluties cathing due to this but on the whole its not so bad. The thought is worse than the reality of it.

Pm anytime to chat

[DxM]

The thought is worse than the reality of it.

Pm anytime to chat

Hey again Tatiana and thanks for sharing your experience with ISC I'm hoping you're right and the thought of it will be worse than the reality, but just in case I run into problems I'll bear in mind your really kind offer of being able to PM you to chat . - .. - Thanks. I'll no doubt bump into you again somewhere around the forums, but till then...

DxM

[tinamarie]

Great idea the book light Tinamarie, I've just ordered a poseable one, which will hopefully shed enough light to make this malarky easier...Thanks

Well, my booklight died a long time ago; I think I'm going to get another one, but not for cathing. I was just reading on another thread about pressure sores. I don't check for them anywhere near as much as I should, partly because my vision isn't all that great and it seems like my butt is always in the shadows. Maybe I could put a booklight on my mirror to shed a little light on the matter. Heh, heh, in my case shed a little light on the BIG matter!

[greybeard]

Great idea the book light Tinamarie, I've just ordered a poseable one, which will hopefully shed enough light to make this malarky easier...Thanks

Well, my booklight died a long time ago; I think I'm going to get another one, but not for cathing. I was just reading on another thread about pressure sores. I don't check for them anywhere near as much as I should, partly because my vision isn't all that great and it seems like my butt is always in the shadows. Maybe I could put a booklight on my mirror to shed a little light on the matter. Heh, heh, in my case shed a little light on the BIG matter!

Do you have a webcam? If so take a pic of your bum and enlarge it. (Tip courtesy of Tetracyclone a while back)

[qbounce]

Actually DxM,
The catheter is actually quite short, but that's where my tip comes in handy.

By:
1. biting a small hole in the tip on the sheath
2. Pulling the catheter out of the small hole until the large tapered end is water tightly secured
3. Open the large end that drains into the toilet.

I insert the catheter in me while taking it out of the sheath, keeping the cath as sterile as possible.

I simply wash my hands With soap in the bathroom before and after each cath. No gloves or hand sanitizer required.

Most UTI's occur from fecal matter that can get in the wrong area from either: bowel accidents, how an area was cleaned incorrectly (ie.carried from a wash cloth) , or on your hands after a regular bowel program, to name a few.

You can wear gloves and/or use a hand sanitizer if you wish, but I don't know what the statistics of not getting an infection are with those methods?

[DxM]

I like the idea of taking a picture of your butt and enlarging it to help with skin inspection issues Greybeard, (courtesty of Tetracyclone) though in my case it's definitely big enough to see, so I'd want to be zooming out rather than in

Thanks for the information about the length of catheters Qbounce and for making it clearer how you take advantage of the sheath to gain some extra length too. That sounds like a clever idea that I'll add to my bag of tips, thanks

I'm pretty sure I'll mess it up good and proper to begin with, but I'm hoping I'll be a good enough shot with the tube not to stick it up my butt, especially as you said fecal matter's one of the worst culprits when it comes to getting infections!

Does anyone know how they decide what size catheters to prescribe? Is it just trial and error or does some other system apply?

DxM

[tinamarie]

Do you have a webcam? If so take a pic of your bum and enlarge it. (Tip courtesy of Tetracyclone a while back)

Well, I have a webcam, but it's in a box under my bed (long story). I'm not all that swift with technology; maybe that's a good thing in this instance -- let's just say I'm with DxM on the zoom direction needed!

[greybeard]

I like the idea of taking a picture of your butt and enlarging it to help with skin inspection issues Greybeard, (courtesty of Tetracyclone) though in my case it's definitely big enough to see, so I'd want to be zooming out rather than in

Be inventive. One cheek at a time.

[DxM]

Be inventive. One cheek at a time.

hahaha...Yeah, that's probably the best way to go rather than being overwhelmed by the bigger picture

DxM

Edited by DxM, 12 June 2012 - 09:58 AM.

[Chococat]

DxM, i have recently realised that after a year of doing ICS i am no longer stressed about it. yes it seems like a long time but got here in the end. i have a very very helpful urology nurse who visited me in hosp (last year when i was in for a week) and she explained everything and decided on the size etc. i still phone her randomly for advice e.g. when i went on long haul hol in jan she visited me to discuss cath options. the key thing for me is being meticulous about hygiene. good luck

[DxM]

Hey Chococat,

Thanks for the advice about being meticulous about hygiene and the reassuring news that even if it takes a while, in time like's happened for you, I'll no doubt get to a place of not being too stressed out by the whole ISC malarky I'm still waiting for the referral to learn the basics, but with any luck it won't be as bad as I'm imagining. Thanks again and I'm real glad you've got some good urology nursing support on hand as and when you need it.

DxM

[greybeard]

I'm still waiting for the referral to learn the basics, but with any luck it won't be as bad as I'm imagining.

Ooh! We can compare notes. My lady is coming Tuesday. (and bringing a Peristeen kit with her. Deep joy.)

[Edinburgh Colin]

GB you are getting very wierd!

[greybeard]

GB you are getting very wierd!

D'you think I wasn't always?

[Edinburgh Colin]

Yea but you are even pushing the boundaries for you! Offering to compare sticking objects up your posterior with nice ladies on the internet!
I've said enough already.
EC

[Tetracyclone]

GB you are getting very wierd!

D'you think I wasn't always?

He is a very cultured gentleman who meets adversity with humor. Rather like yourself, Colin. Except I am not sure if Haggis breeding is high culture.

[DxM]

Ooh! We can compare notes. My lady is coming Tuesday. (and bringing a Peristeen kit with her. Deep joy.)

Haha Greybeard...I'm not so sure my notes from such an experience will be worth reading though , as I doubt they'll amount to more than a comprehensive list of expletives . I'll keep my fingers crossed the Peristeen works out well for you, especially as you've been lucky enough to be prescribed it . I'll look forward to hearing how you're getting on with it...

DxM

[wheeliebear75]

GB you are getting very wierd!

I thought that was just part of his "charm".

[DxM]

So...6 weeks on...I had my first meeting with the ISC people on Monday to learn the basics. I was nervous as hell, which didin't help matters I'm sure and the nurse showing me the ropes, who didn't have any experience with SCI patients, couldn't quite get the fact that it's hard to find a tiny little hole that's not exactly easy to see when you can't really feel where you're shoving the tube. Needless to say I failed miserably and felt proper embarrased and low about the whole ordeal

Today though, under my own steam, fumbling around with some of the samples I was given, I managed my first successful ISC I feel like I've just passed an exam or something, which is stupid, but I'm going to enjoy not feeling quite so crap about myself while it lasts.

I have a question though. When I finally got the catheter in and urine started to flow....Some also flooded down the sides of the tube, making it a bit of a messy affair. Is that because the catheter tube size is too small? I was given the smallest size they had to begin with, but I'll ask for some bigger ones if that might make things easier?

DxM

[Tatiana]

You are doing real good! see...it aint so scarey lol....but ive had mis haps with urine leaking out too. i found it frustrating and its a clean up job you dont need.

Which catheter are you using,i have found some worse than others for this problem. At the mo im using speedi cath and ive had this prob if i dont insert the catheter down enough inside the neck of the bag. Ive also done it when i havent held the catheter inside my bladder enough and also when i used a male catheter.....

[DxM]

You are doing real good! see...it aint so scarey lol....but ive had mis haps with urine leaking out too. i found it frustrating and its a clean up job you dont need.

Which catheter are you using,i have found some worse than others for this problem. At the mo im using speedi cath and ive had this prob if i dont insert the catheter down enough inside the neck of the bag. Ive also done it when i havent held the catheter inside my bladder enough and also when i used a male catheter.....

Hey Tatiana,

Thanks for the reply and for your kind words about how I'm doing with this whole ISC stuff too . As for the catheters I'm using, the samples were Hydrosil ones. They said they're the smallest, CH10 I think, so I was wondering if a bigger tube might help stop the leakage? From what you said, It might also be because I hadn't inserted it far enough, but I'm not sure . I was so surprised when the urine started to flow I didn't really think about how far I'd got it in and as I didn't feel it push though the bladder's closing muscle, I have no idea how far in it was. The urine initially only flowed through the tube, but after a few seconds of it draining into the loo, it started leaking around it, which wasn't nice. I'm pretty sure they were womens ones as they're very short, but I might be wrong. I didn't realise there are so many different types out there! Which ones have worked the best for you so far, if that's ok to ask?

DxM

[Tetracyclone]

Yes, you likely need a larger size, DxM. There is no harm is pushing it in until it stops. Then when the flow stops press on your belly a little and s l o w l y pull the catheter out. I also rock back and forth with each position. Some caths it is surprising how much mor will come out. You just experiment until you learn how your body handles things and how it is shaped.

[NancyE]

Congratulations DxM! I am quite jealous of you. I am way too fat ( abundant, large, heavy, womens sized, etc) to manage an ICS. Keep up the good work! Nancy