Self Catheritization

[Sunshine 2]

Does anyone here self cath ?
I had my first of 3 bladder scan and it shows significant retention of urine. I have had this problem for a while, where there is Pelvic Pain, which turned out to be large amounts of retained urine.
I have Detruser Extruser syndrome so I already am on Alfuzosin for a year. The disorder enlarged the bladder. The danger is that , besides causing UTI, the bladder can be so full that it backs up into the kidnes

I think Cat Dancer had a catheter

[Lazarus]

It would help my life tremendously but I could not do it. I was trying to do Botox which also turned out to be exquisitely painful. I remember Cat Dancer did Botox on an outpatient basis but this urologist would not. So the Botox was too painful and so was the self cathing. My bladder walls get rigid and the oxybutinin is the only drug of its kind that makes the walls flaccid. Sometimes works…most of the time….until it wears off!

[Sunshine 2]

Lazarus, what made it too difficult to do the self cath?

[agate]

I haven't done this but have heard of quite a few people who self-catheterize regularly. I understand that infection is a big risk but sometimes you have to do whatever works.

[Virginia]

Cat did do it for awhile before they put her on a permanent cath. She got to the point that she was so good at it that she said she could go faster than a normal person. I guess it was her overall condition that put her permanently either in bed or a wheelchair.

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Sunshine)))))) ~

I don't have experience with self catheterization. Jonathan had an indwelling catheter, which his home health nurse changed monthly. Periodically, his cath would slide out too far causing excessive leakage or no urine output. So, we had to reinsert it, which is similar to intermittent cathing.

A couple of Moms on the Child Neurology forum intermittently cath their children, who are adults now. One has chronic UTIs, the other uses a different access to cath. Her daughter had Mitrofanoff surgery:

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When Jonathan needed the indwelling catheter, I asked three Urologists whether intermittent cathing would be acceptable. All three said that the risk of infection was greater with intermittent rather than indwelling. The reason is obvious: the more often you insert a catheter, the greater the possibility of introducing bacteria.

We were diligent about keeping Jon's catheter clean with alcohol wipes and betadine swabs. We used sterile gloves for reinsertion or flushing his catheter, and sterile water for flushing.

Whether indwelling or intermittent, a catheter is invasive, and it isn't comfortable. But, like everything else, once we get accustomed to it, it is more tolerable.

I am sorry that you have this to add to your list of things to manage. I hope you have an excellent Urologist, who will guide you to the best solution.

Love & Light,

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Rose

*Virtual Hugs Are Germ-Free!


THANKS!

[Sunshine 2]

Indwelling cath is where they where a bag outside of the body, no?

[Snuggles]

I have been self cathing for years now. I also get injections of Botox into my bladder. I suffered from hesitancy and urgency but had to push the urine out. The worry is that the urine could back up and damage the kidneys.

It was easy for me to self cath once I learned how to and practiced. I used a mirror at the beginning. Although it was hard to balance the mirror in one hand and hold the cath in the other hand. It was easier for me to use a mirror to see the entrance of the bladder while lying on the bed and get the 'lay of the land'. While on the toilet I use my free hand (fingers) to pull open the tissue and insert the catheter into the opening with the other hand. It takes some practice to be able to do but it is easy once you get the hang of it. My hands are not affected by my MS though.

[Lazarus]

Thanks for your clear answer. It is the most restrictive of problems. I remember when I went to my first support group meeting….1992 I think…Andy one beautiful young woman told the story of a date she had when her bladder totally malfunctioned and she peed. Her date wrapped his coat around her and she never forgot the gentleness and kindness of his support which made the situation laughable and part of the routine f dealing with problems one at a time, simply and elegantly.

[Virginia]

Snuggles, are you anesthetized while getting the botox injections?

[Snuggles]

Snuggles, are you anesthetized while getting the botox injections?

Mine is done as an outpatient at the urologist's office. They numb the outside with some gel then put a numbing solution into the bladder through a catheter. After they insert the numbing solution into the bladder they wait around 30 minutes for it to fully take effect before they start the botox injections. They have a camera on the injection device they use and since I am fully awake I can watch the screen and see them inject the bladder wall.

I never counted the number of injections but it must be around 20 or so? I feel a prick with each one but it is tolerable.

I have had it done 3 times now. They say I can have it every 9 months but it seems like I wait about a year between each.

I also am on Myrbetriq daily for my bladder issues.

[Virginia]

Snuggles, thanks for that very good description of the botox injections. You explain things really well.