8 replies to this topic

[ruth]

Hi

I'm sure you all know that I go to places (on rivers) where there are no toilets nearby and my chair is often leterally miles away. As I am now doing more river trips and have just invested in a drysuit, I need some advice as to how I can go for a wee (also without stripping off in front of everyone would be an advantage!). I usually just go normally on the toilet.

The a/b women use shewees but I cant see how I could use one without being able to stand up.

I have considered using an indwelling cath for the day, but they usually make me have a lot of accidents for the following few days.

Anyone got any better suggestons?

[ems]

ruth, on Jun 17 2008, 05:31 PM, said:

Hi

I'm sure you all know that I go to places (on rivers) where there are no toilets nearby and my chair is often leterally miles away. As I am now doing more river trips and have just invested in a drysuit, I need some advice as to how I can go for a wee (also without stripping off in front of everyone would be an advantage!). I usually just go normally on the toilet.

The a/b women use shewees but I cant see how I could use one without being able to stand up.

I have considered using an indwelling cath for the day, but they usually make me have a lot of accidents for the following few days.

Anyone got any better suggestons?

I use a foley for the day if I'm going on a long ride etc, I just put a cath valve on the end of it. last month I had an operation on my elbow so what did was use the foley cath and valve but with long tube going down my leg. I could flip the valve under my trousers without taking them of and aim tube!
When I take off on my bike for the day I tend to use the same method. I dont like using bags, a) they fill up and I'm petrified of them going pop! you can see them and c) I don't like my bladder to shrink.

[Ches]

Wow.. SheWees.. Never ever in my life have I heard of a shewee until now. Thats amazing. But what the hell is it for? Girls are using it when they are in drysuits right? I guess its like a penis in that pissing sense? Am I even close? Im clueless.. haha.

I dont have much..more like ANY experience with your situation, Im trying to think outside the box here and maybe help you out. I understand the hesitation to using indwelling anything b/c I feel the same way.

Answer me this,.. How long have you been injured (the polite way to ask; how good are you at getting a hand down there to cath in akward positions) and how accessible is this drysuit. Do you have to strip to get access? Seems like you could come up with something pretty simple, the real issue may be getting a moment to yourself to do it. Not sure how that works out on the river trips. Id want a few minutes away from the guys, at the least.

You'll figure it out!

[LuckyinKentucky]

What do you mean when you say you just go normally on a toilet... if you're meaning without catheters the goal here should be making a makeshift toilet in your yak.. Personally i just use a two liter bottle and fold up the memory foam cushion i use for my yak anyways to elevate me. Oh yeah and usually i'm in a remote enough place where i can just partially beach for a minute(for stability) and get er done. Being a woman you may want to look into something that you can sit straight on or slide into a space you can create by mashing cushions to elevate yourself over it.

[Lucydog]

If you usually do ISC then try using speedy cath complete. Its a cath with a bag on the end. You then tear the perforations on the bag and pour away appropriatly. Charter Healthcare will usually send you out a couple of samples to try out.

cheers
L

[ruth]

Yes when I say going normally it is without the aid of a cath - for info I have foind a link to a description I found on google - it is a bit like Ches's description - http://shop.packyour...FQunQwodP2sqXQ)

This is the first time I have ever had penis envy!!!!!!

Yes Lucky, I need a toilet in my yak, well really in my drysuit if I dont want to strip off! It was easier when I separated in the middle, and then at least I could perch on the edge of my yak if desperate. With the purchase of a drysuit, this would have to come off to do this. Maybe a legbag for the day is the only solution to staying dry (in a canoeing sense, not getting wet when you fall in, rather than a bladder sense!).

Have been in a chair for 16 years and not needed to use ISC for about 14 of those (apart from using the odd indwelling cath on very rare occasions like staying at a friends house who has no donwstairs loo and havent even done that for about 10 years!) - so its been a long time.

[ruth]

Think I might have found something -

http://www.helptheag...ize-CN2062.html

- might work??? (If I get one I'll find out on Sunday!)

[Ches]

Looks as though it would work well enough Ruth.. I'd take Lucky's advice and figure out what your going to need to comfortably position yourself..

What ever happened to the days of getting wet n pissing in the water? The damn dry suit is your problem, lol.

[ruth]

Its pretty cold to go swimming and get wet here, even in the summer. I can only dream of paddling in warm weather (see other thread about moving to a better climate) but yes it is the suit that is the biggest problem I guess. I have the choice of warm and dry and no toilet facilities or cold and wet and toilet facilities - some choice!!