[Justinkase]

So, I'm considering using a Foley for greater independence. Is this a mistake?
I cath intermittently, contracting the occasional UTI, and suffer from regular bladder irritation. Sometimes bladder spasms, along with my excellent regimen of hydration, cause me to cath 6 or 7 times a day -- the problem being that I'm a c4-5 incomplete with crappy hands and can't do it myself. I've been relying on parents or girlfriend or a helper, and they're obviously not always there. I don't want to get the supra pubic procedure if I don't have to. And I've heard bad things about using Foleys as well. The information I've found in other discussions has been scattered and sort of limited.
I'm open to any and all suggestions and ideas people have.
Will my bladder shrink and spasm more? Will i be able to go back to IC when the indwelling cath is not necessary? Is the SP really that bad (pros and cons)? Any quads have suggestions on self cathing? And if I decide to use a Foley, what are the best brands and techniques -- or configurations for independence?

[Quad65]

Can you tell when you bladder is getting full or can you void at all without cathing? Using an external condom catheter set-up might be an option. I'm a C5-C6 quad incomplete and have used it for over 40 years. I've had very few problems with it. I can tell when my bladder is getting full and when it reaches a certain point, it contracts and drains enough to be comfortable and avoid UTIs. Can you empty a leg-bag on your own?

[Cuseman]

hi i have been using foley for the last 10 years on and off my 1st 15 years i used condum external cathters but got alittle breakdown so the last 10years i switch back and forth my e-mail is sport327@hotmail.com i can tell u more like sizes a medicine i take for bladder spasms i dont leak i have done my homework

[Bobo1974]

Any one of these is a great idea. You can not continue to cath like this anymore. First I would try the condom cath. See if that works. If you like it great. It is the least invasive of the ideas. I have the SP. I love it. The bladder will be constantly draining but you can re-train and be able to reexpand it when or if the time comes when you don't need it anymore. Also, you are able to have sex with it still in your bladder. I don't know about the foley. I have had my SP for ten years, and no problems at all. Good Luck.

[Justinkase]

thanks for responding. To answer Quad65's question -- No, I cannot void on my own, but I can tell when I'm getting full. The problem is that it won't drain; I don't leak (which has its good points too), or by the time I do I have a pounding headache, A.D.s, the works. I think the condom cath is probably out of the question.
I really appreciate hearing positive feedback about some of these methods that I'm reluctant about.
I'm not sure if I can empty a leg bag because I never tried.
I may be contacting some of you in the future for more advice.
Thanks,
j

[Justinkase]

CUSEMAN, on Jun 27 2008, 05:25 PM, said:

hi i have been using foley for the last 10 years on and off my 1st 15 years i used condum external cathters but got alittle breakdown so the last 10years i switch back and forth my e-mail is sport327@hotmail.com i can tell u more like sizes a medicine i take for bladder spasms i dont leak i have done my homework

I'm open to any info you can give because that sounds like the route I'm going. expect to hear from me. Thanks

[russ1]

Justinkase, on Jun 29 2008, 07:01 PM, said:

No, I cannot void on my own, but I can tell when I'm getting full. The problem is that it won't drain; I don't leak (which has its good points too), or by the time I do I have a pounding headache, A.D.s, the works. I think the condom cath is probably out of the question.

Sounds to me like a condom cath is out of the question - I'm not sure why you think a supra pubic is all that bad, I would have thought that a supra pubic with a leg bag would have been your answer, you can just drink what you like, when you like and it's not out of the question that you might be able to empty it yourself, I know Simon had posted here a description of how he does it and IIRC he's only slightly lower level. I've had my SPC 5 years and so far (touchwood) only one very minor UTI. The SPC is definately a better long term solution than an urethral indwelling and the surgery is very simple, mine took about 10 minutes while I watched.

I don't continually drain my spc but allow the bladder to fill and then empty it using a tap between the cath and the leg bag which retains the bladder size and help prevent shrinkage etc and would help if you ever wanted to reverse the procedure. This seems common in the UK and Europe but the US practioners seem horrified by this. Still not sure why this should be as it doesn't seem any different to doing intermittents but there you are.