why do you have to self cath?

[Jbw1203]

I see so many woman on here are having to self cath themself and I was very curious why that is, is if because of the buring when urinating or for other reasons?


I am soo scared of having to do that!!! :shake:

[vm]

I remember having the same fear reading about that. It's OK. :kissing:

Some people self-cath b/c they are retaining fluid - in other words, the urine won't come out naturally, so they have to cath to get it out.

Other times the treatment of choice for a person might be to instill into the bladder a solution of meds. In that instance a patient may wish to do that at home - therefore they need to self-cath.

[vm]

Oh, and lots of us have not had to do that so it isn't inevitable. :)

[tbokay]

I was taught how to cath myself to avoid the ER trips.

Last Oct I was there 4 times in less than 48 hours!!! :headbang: The first time they just drained me of 800cc and said to return if needed ... so 6 hr later I was back and had 600cc drained. They left the foley cath in and sent me home with a leg and overnight bag. Then after my first uro appt later that day, I decided that I would take it out at home (after deflating the balloon) cuz I wanted to know if I could urinate naturally and I HATED the foley! Plus my employer said I couldn't return to work with the catheter.

Well I was okay for about 12 hours .. then trip #3 to ER where they drained 500cc. (Yes I remember these amounts even a year later as I wrote them down). My 4th was a rebound of 5 minutes as I started having an asthma attack in the car from the morphine they had given me for the pain --- that's when we realized I'm allergic to morphine!

It was Dec (and numerous ER trips later) that the uro decided I needed to be taught how to cath myself at home and avoid the ER.

Now I only cath when I absolutely can't go - which means I've sat on the toilet for 5 minutes with no luck :toilet: --- this is usually a couple times of month and usually the few days before my period starts and everything down there is swollen.

My docs have not been able to figure out why I retain as "this is not a typical symptom of IC" according to my first uro. :rolleyes: My current uro/gyn is not sure of why either but said I could have scarring of the urethra from the dilation my first uro did three times.

I pray you don't have to ISC .. but if somewhere a very long way down the road you need to - it really isn't as bad as you think. If you can insert a tampon - you can cath - just a smaller tube and different opening. ;)

[Babs RN]

I haven't really had the retention problem all that often, but I did self cath to do heparin and lidocaine instills. I was able to cath myself by feel on the couch with a towel underneath me. I did that for about a month earlier this year. I have only had to be cathed once in the ER for retention. I do have an emergency instill kit at home in cause I need to do an instill or drain the pesky bladder. This is another one of those situations where everyone is different. I guess what am trying to say is that need to ISC may never arise for you, hang in there. :)

Hugs,
Barb :grouphug:

[Imustpee]

I was scared when my dr first told me about doing it at home by myself, I told him no way.....but then after many many many more trips to the dr's office, not to mention the co-pay, 45 minute 1 -way drive..I finally gave in..the nurse was very helpful and explained everything..The first try was slow and messy, but now it's no problem at all !! I can even do it standing up. :bonk: ..it's nothing to be scared or worried about, please believe me...if you have to do it you will be just fine... :kissing:

[~*~Christine~*~]

It's already been mentioned but I do it also for retention, about once a day. I don't think I could function without it

[emilyrose197377]

I self cath because I have severe urinary retention and can't urinate on my own.

[hbotts]

There are many reasons that a person has to self cath. There is a pt of mine that has had radiation to her vagina and urethra. She can fill her bladder full so she urinates. One problem she can not feel the movement of urine comming down her urethra, she can only here the urine hitting the toilet. So therefore she thinks she has emptied, all, of her bladder but she hasn't. the consequense, chronic UTI's. The excess urine stays in her bladder and causes an infection. Her alternative is, self cath and get all the urine out or UTI's. Soon her body will build up a resistance to the antibiotics she is taking.

[Melanie]

Here's the good news.... Learning to self-cath can prevent pain. I swear it hurts so much less when I put the catheter in myself. I can feel when to advance, when to stop, when to change angle, when to go slow or fast, etc. I'm so glad that I learned. Although I haven't had to do it in yrs so I've probably forgotten how. ;-)

[Dixiefireball]

I do it for both reason. I use installments at home to help my bladder since i couldn't handle the Elimron. I also use it when i feel i can't empty my bladder.

VM is right not all have to do this.
sending hugs and prayers
Rhonda

[SrMaggie]

I have the same experience as Melanie. It is so much better to do it myself. I may be a control freak - but it sure helps to be able to control the destination of the cath and the speed with which it goes in.