5 replies to this topic

[London]

Hey all!

I have a few questions for the guys about the use of codom caths. Up until now I have used a foley catheter but I have been progressing to the use of intermittent cathing. Sometimes while taking a shower I will take out the foley just to give myself a break from being hooked up to "the hose" for a while and I've noticed that I am beginning to leak a little bit on my own. Although I can't always tell when my bladder is full, just leaking a little for me is a change. I have an appt. with my urologist in a few weeks so I want to ask about the possible use of condom caths. Do they seem to stay in place? Another thing I wondered about is ( I know this sounds crazy!!) but I am a pretty hairy guy, do you have to shave any of the pubic hair etc.. to keep them attached?

Just a few wonderings, who knows if i'll be able to try them or not but at least I'll know a little more about them.

Thanks

London

[Quad65]

I'm a quad and have used a condom cath set-up for over forty years. Over that time, I've had very few problems with it, but it does take a bit of getting used to and has to be changed more frequently than a regular catheter. There are several types that you can buy/use that have adhesive strips and tape that come with it. Personally, I've never used them and use an 'old style' set-up I'll explain.

For my set-up, I use good old Trojan latex condoms, the dry kind, not pre-lubed or ribbed, a good silicone brush on adhesive, and an elastic tape for added security. The adhesive is Uro-Bond III made by Uro Care, Inc. and the tape is 1" Elastikon tape by Johnson & Johnson. Here's how it works:

I have a pair of cone-shaped plastic connectors that fit together, inside each other, to hold the condom and which I re-use each time. I start with the condom rolled up, like it comes in the little envelope. I put one of the pair of cone connectors under/inside the condom and the other over/on top of the condom and squeeze them together securely. I now have a condom sandwiched in between the two connectors. I use a narrow metal rod to poke a hole through the condom to allow the urine to pass. After I wash my penis and it is thoroughly dry and I have a decent erection, I apply a thin coat of the adhesive around the middle third of my penis, about 1.5" to 2" wide. Next, I roll the condom down, just like before sex. Then I trim off the rubber ring, mostly for comfort, and put a band of the elastic tape around the bottom, partly on the condom and partly on the skin to keep everything well in place. The tape helps to peel the whole affair off when the next change is due.

I know it sounds rather involved, but it's really not, for me at least. I've not had many problems over the years with leakage and such. Some people are more prone to skin problems with their penis being wet and covered, but I've yet to have anything serious happen. Maybe I've just got a durable 'unit'. I change mine about every 4-6 days or more often when me and the Missus get frisky.

Like I said, you can buy the pre-made condom caths where you just wash yourself, dry well, and apply. I've never felt inclined to try them so I can't speak to their effectiveness or reliability.


One more thing. I keep my pubes trimmed back. It helps keep things fresh and also with applying the condom cath set-up. No fun having liquid adhesive dripped into your 'patch' and trying to cut it out with a scissors.

Edited by Quad65, 31 August 2008 - 06:37 PM.

[qbounce]

It's common for you to leak once an indwelling foley catheter has been removed.
Your sphincter muscle is relaxed and not in use while the indwelling catheter is used, so expect some leakage for up to a few days after it's been removed. By then the muscle should tighten up and all should be ok for you to IC. Also, if you aren't on any bladder spasm medications you may need to consider that too if leakage persists.

[Hapahowlee]

My husband uses a urinal b/c he can void on his own. However, I used to take care of my ex roommate who wore a condom cath. He bought the pre-made ones and bottle of glue with the brush attached to the lid. Tape was never required. Usually his cath would get a little loose near the tip every 2-3 days and that's when I would change it, by using a alcohol wipe to help loosen the condom from the bottom on up. It doesn't take long to put one on, but you do need to be able to have a good grip so you can pull up on the penis to get a good fit if your penis is flacid. I highly recommend making sure you have no hair in the way, at least on the penis for two reasons. Having no hair in the way makes it easier for the condom to adhere and also if you have feeling down there, it hurts like hell when you try to get the condom cath off.

I suggest you talk to your urologist thoroughly about whether it is a good idea to switch. You need to be sure you can completely void on your own. About 16 years ago, my husband had taken some medicine with ingredients similar to the OTC cold meds and those aren't good for the bladder muscles. These meds were preventing my husband from voiding all the urine in his bladder and he had a bout with Autonomic Dysreflexia. Back then, we had no idea what was going on until I took him to the emergency room on Christmas day. Even though they came up with a diagnosis right away, all they did was check him into a room and give him Tylenol for the severe head pain. He had to wait until the next day for a Dr. to tell the nurse what meds to give him and they cathed him the entire 4 days he stayed in the hospital. It took a few months for him to get back to normal where he didn't have to take the meds and he hasn't had any problems since.

[robbo100bike]

Condom caths take abit of practice to put on and use. they are prone to blow backs if they cant drain properly. Eg is you are seated and clothing is restricting or pressing on the conveen. Or if the leg bag tube is badly routed and urine is trying to flow "up hill". Or if the leg bag is full. I where my leg back on outside left calf but i run the tube behind my knee and then up the inner thigh, this means that the urine is flowing downhill.

Once you master, putting them on and kno the pitfalls they work very very well and you can be confident with it.

As stated above there are a vast range out there.

I do ISC and only use the condom caths occasionally for those sitautions where i am not confident about being able to get to toilet if bladder fills and starts to leak. (I get subtle warning signs about 5-20mins before leaking). I use the condoms when travelling, nights out, certain work situatoons like meetings or site work, cycling and sport. When wearing the condom you can still peform ISC, there are devices to open the condom up but i have found i can pass the cath down thro a standard conveen condom into the bladder. I use conveen security they are self ashesive and easy to use. They can damage skin if you are careless removing but there are barrier wipes which put a thin film on the skin to protect against this Manfred Sauer do these.

When i was in the spinal unit they used to recommend using elastoplast tape around the condom as an additonal security measure to hold in place. But i havent bothered since i left 10years back.

Some companies supply a "guard" to stop pubic hair getting involved. Basically a hankershief with a hole in!!! Personally i find a bit of routine trimming helps - short back and sides with a number 2 guard on the clippers!!! Its the shaft that the conveen attaches to so this area needs to be realtively hairless to work best.

The downside mediaclly speaking is whether your bladder emptys or not? If it emptys fully the condom cath on its own will be fine. If you dont fully empty you run the risk of the resdual urnine left in the bladder going septic and getting UTI's. In this case you will need to do ISC as well.

Have you considered asking urologist about doing ISC (Intermiitent self catheterisation) this will mean you dont need to have any plumbing at all. Pass a cath every 3-6hours and you have control of bladder. I have a reflex bladder which means it leaks once it gets near full and take an anti spasm bladder tablet called Propiverine. Without the drug my bladder would leak before it was half full. With it bladder only leaks when near full. Its best thing i ever did. Worth exploring all options.

Good luck







PS You can get free samples to try.

[London]

Hey guys,

Thanks for the replies. Ended up getting an earlier appt. with the urologist, so I went today. Looks like the condom caths are out of the question. What I thought were the beginnings of being able to urinate on my own is actually what has already been suggested.... the leaking is from having the foley in place for an extended amount of time.

Like I said before, intermittent cathing is difficult because of a previous bladder operation a long time ago so for now things will just remain the same in the pee department. My wife and I are ready to start a family so I was hoping the foley wouldn't be in the way!! Oh well, we'll see!

London