catheter recommendations?

[dminton]

My new doctor is ordering new catheters for me to self-instill. Do you all have recommendations on the material they are made out of? Such as latex or latex-free, or whatever? I know the size is 8 French. I used to use a special type that is supposed to glide in easier but they are pricey and I wasn't that impressed.

[jen74]

I think it all depends on what works for you. I use silicone latex free catheters to do my instills. I use a 14 french womens catheter. It is 6in long only which is easier to handle I think rather than the longer ones. I also tried those lofric catheters that they say are sooo much better and easier to use, well let me tell you, that is a lie!! When I used that catheter, I had terrible pain getting it in. They say they are pre-lubricated already. Well, not in my opinion. I never used that type again.
I guess you will have to see what works best for you. I have heard that using latex free is suppose to be better though for some reason. Latex is a irritant to most people.
Jen

[L. Thomas]

I use 8fr 15" pediatric feeding tube. They are covered by my insurance BUT I have to take a Rx to a durable supply provider. After my annual deductible I have a co-pay of $1 each. My urogyne lets me use each 4 times if I want.

[kadi]

I use 12Fr latex free BD catheters. I found them easier to use & less irritating than the 8Fr ones, because they move around less & the solution flows faster through them so less time for the catheter in my body...

[dminton]

Thank you all for the helpful comments! I agree, LoFric were terrible. I left them in the car once and I guess it got too warm in there, and the lube stuff on the tip had changed consistency and the caths were unusable after that. They became very rough. I'm glad I know now about the 6" ones, I ordered them and I bet they are easier to handle than the long ones.

[bunnykinb]

I agree that the lo-fric caths are not really that comfy. I wonder if I could get samples of the female caths because I seem to have problems trying to pour the meds into the long caths. Hmm.

[GriffsMommy]

Everybody is different as what works best for them but I use an 8fr 15 in long pediatric feeding tube like L. Thomas. I tried a 6 in type and I couldn't use them. I was taught that you have to drain any urine that is in your bladder out before you can put the instill meds in. Since I had used the 15 in ones first I had developed a way of doing them and I had troube draining out my urine with the 6 in ones because I have to have a mirror to see what I'm doing and then the cath is too short to drain out the urine.
Like I said though, everyone is different, I have never tried those low friction ones. I use a urojet to injected lidocaine directly into my urethra several mintues before I do the instill.

[bunnykinb]

The nurse gave me some urojet to use the last time so I didn't bring my own. It helped with inserting, the problem with me is becoming a bendable buddy while trying to put the meds into the bladder.

[wolfaleena]

hello everyone:
I have a few boxes of mentor 8 fr funnel catheters.. there are 30 in each box.. they are new and unopened. i am no longer doing instillations!
I thought if anyone needs them i would be more than happy to give them away ..... you would just pay for the postage.. (which would not be much)
Just PM if u are interested. I hope I can help someone who is in need of them!

[royce]

I have tried eight different kinds and sizes. I have 5 boxes of Fr 12 and FR 10 both silicone and red rubber, with only one missing. I am considering putting on ebay, but if anyone wants I will put together a sample pack for about $1 each plus $3 postage. I ordered all of mine from Allegro Medical supply, but not being able to order only one, I had to get the whole box of 30, 50, and 100. I've got about $400 invested in these just to try them, so I do not care to make a profit, just recoop some costs.

royce.knight AT gmail.com

[royce]

Try injecting 1 to 2 cc of sterile KY before the cath, if possible. It helps me.

[Dixiefireball]

Honestly what works best for me is the latex free ones. 10 french is what I use. I've been doing rescue installments for years. I've also notice over the years of me talking with other patients using rescue installments they have had trouble with the latex cath. Latex cath cause me to burn I've even had some swelling due to the latex caths. Other patients has also reported this, but since we all are so different its really trial and error. I do suggest you going back and reading threads on this issue it may help you make a better choice for yourself. I wish I could give you a better answer.

best wishes and good luck
Rhonda

[L. Thomas]

I'm glad I know now about the 6" ones, I ordered them and I bet they are easier to handle than the long ones.

I loop the tubing around like a lasso in the palm of my hand while I insert the catheter. Then when I know it is in the right place I hold it in place and release the excess tubing in my hand. That allows me more space to attach the syringe to the catheter.

I instill while I am sitting on the toilet. I need the extra length so that I won't pull the catheter out when I attach the syringe.

[bunnykinb]

If you can do your instills while sitting on the toilet, why does the nurse have me learning while partially lying back? I couldn't figure out why my neck was hurting, but I think it is the strain while partially lying back.

[L. Thomas]

There is no one way to self-cath. You problably learn the way that person was comfortable or could figure out how to teach you the way they cath and perhaps has never self-cathed. In the MD office I learned while I was sitting up on the exam table. I watched with a hand held mirror the first time and the next time the nurse held the mirror for me to watch what I was doing.

Between the visits I practiced in the bathtub sitting on a little stool. I watched what I was doing with a mirror on a stand. I have a link in my signature about home instills. I have tried to explain how I learned.

As I learned my anatomy I moved from the bathtub to the toilet. There are a lot of instillers that are more comfortable instills while they lie down. For me, I prefer to sit on the toilet. It is quick, you don't really have anything to clean up. If you can self-cath on the toilet you can instill anytime, anywhere.

[wolfaleena]

Dear L. Thomas:
You give great self help for how to self cath But like you say ask you doctor or medical practioner.
Great practical advice, though on your link!