size of cath

[Megs]

i've had instilations for 18 weeks now and am starting them myself tomorrow. i have always had trouble with the catheter. it always hurts even when lidocaine is used. sometimes i feel like i have had a cystocopy for the rest of the day. i was wondering what size everyone uses. the dr gave me size 14 to use. i saw they had size 12 but i didn't know if that was too small and wouldn't allow the meds to get in good enough. any advice would be appreciated! thanks

[Angie]

I do my own instillations, but I use a size 10 catheter - it's what they generally use at the hospital. I also have size 8s, though they are what I use when I go into retention - I don't know whether they would be too small for the instillations.
Love Angie

[Dixiefireball]

i use a size child size ten cath for my treatments i find doing them my self it doesnt hurt me even my husband can give me a treatment without hurting me but if i let them do it in the office it hurts me i think its because i'm more relaxed at home the reason it doesnt hurt me here.
wishing you lots of luck and sending you prayers
Rhonda

[Dixiefireball]

Oh i didn't know they had a size eight in the caths.
this may be a dumb question:o but is that also child size??? i thought they was only child size ten twelve then it went to adult size. hummmm i still have alot to learn.:rolleyes:
thanks for the information.
Rhonda

[momw/ic]

I use a brand of catheter called LoFric. They are super slippery and designed with a funnel shape on the end especially for putting meds into the bladder. It was designed by Dr. Lowell Parsons. I use the 2% lidocaine gel on the urethra about 10 minutes before cathing and I also use it as an additional lubricant on the end of the catheter. If you want info about the caths I use I can get you the contact person. They will send you a free 25 day supply with an instruction video, special mirror etc... They are also the best at getting insurance companies to cover the catheters for IC patients. Please feel free to let me know if you have any questions.

Pam

[curlycue]

Pam,
I would be intrested in finding out about the LoFric Cath's. I see a woman Uro in the are that I live in and she states that she has never had some one self cath but I might be going to that and I am so AFRAID.

Any information that you can provide me with would be wonderful.

Thanks,
Ruth:)

[momw/ic]

The company that makes the catheters is

Astra Tech Inc.
21535 Hawthorne Blvd. Suite 525
Torrance, CA 90503
Toll Free # 877 456 3742

The district sales manager for my area and the person who is my contact is Laura Stearns. Her e-mail is laura.stearns@astratechus.com

She has been very helpful! The video was helpful too - I was really freaked out when my uro suggested this but after only about 2 weeks I felt like a pro! Location is the key! lol Once you know the spot and how to find it...no problem. If you need anything else just let me know.

Pam

[curlycue]

Thanks Pam,

I really appreciat the info. I am so FRIGHTEN. I am afraid that I am going to hurt myself.

1. Can you really hurt urself ?
2. I am afraid of putting in the wrong place
3. I am afraid of making a whole some where else ?

Thanks,
Ruth

[ICNDonna]

Curlycue, you are not apt to do yourself any physical damage with a catheter. If you position yourself so you can see where you are putting the catheter, and remember to not force it in, you shouldn't have any problem.

The way I insert my catheter is to put a mirror on the toilet seat and a large flashlight on the floor, pointed up so I can see what I'm doing. I then put one foot on the side of the toilet seat and I can then see clearly. And the catheter can drain directly into the toilet.

Donna

[Megs]

tx for all your supplies. i went back to the med supply store and they let me exchange my size 14 for size 12. i self-cathed for the first time sat., and it was so much easier than i thought and did not hurt nearly as much as it does in the drs. they should have smaller caths on hand for pts. like me who don't tolerate the bigger ones all well. hope you all had a great weekend!

[yorkyloverx3]

Thanks Pam for all the info.
:p I have emailed the company and hope to hear a reply soon. I live in North Carolina, so I ask for a district manager in my area.
I have not had to start to cath myself YET but I know it is coming
:eek: The nurse has already ask did I want her to teach me:eek: :eek:
Well she is not the gentlest person I have had to do the cathertering lately, so I think the video would be of more help.
You are sweet to provide us with all the information.
:grouphug: Denise

[Dixiefireball]

i use a cath once to three times a day i'm so use to useing it i dont have to look anymore i just found that ex stuff to get in the way but i do agree until you get use to it you need to use a mirror. Your not going to hurt your self as long as you dont force it use lots of ky jelly or what ever you have to lube it with i know we all use diff things. i stand over the tolit put in the cath after all my medicine is mixed up and ready to go drain my bladder sit on the tolit put then put the medicine in then i clean up. i don't find it a big deal at all at first i was scared but really it only took me one or two times it came easy to me. I hope it does you also.
sending you hugs and prayers Rhonda

[curlycue]

You are all wonderful and brave Women. I really appreciat all the advice and courage you Ladies have given me.

I hope that some day all this Self Cath stuff is somthing that we can all joke about and have funny stories to tell, but intill then I guess we have to do what we have to to keep us going and to be able to live a some kind of NORMAL life.

Thanks Everyone,
God Bless you Ladies

Ruth :hi:

[yorkyloverx3]

:D Thanks Pam for all the info you posted. I emailed Laura at the company and she responded with questions right away. After answering her questions she let me know I have a video on the way. :kissing:
so again thank you...thank you....thank you!!!
Denise