Using a Catheter at Home

[janelle77362]

I have a hard time starting to urinate and have been in the ER several times just so I could get a catheter. My doctor has suggested that I try to catheterize myself at home.:yikes: I looked at him like he was :loco: I am scared to death to do this myself. Has anyone else been told to do this before? Is it hard? Does it hurt really bad?
Janelle
:butterfly

[Dixiefireball]

i cath my self almost daily for treatments it isn't bad at all. it only took a few times to get use to it.
sending you hugs and prayers
Rhonda:kiss:

[janelle77362]

Rhonda,
Was it painful at first? Do you use some sort of anagelisic beforing using it? Sorry I am being so nosy about this but I am REALLY nervous about trying it.
Janelle

[mayray518]

When DMSO was working for me I was going to self cath at home. I was so desperate for something to work I could have done it. The only thing I worried about was getting regular UTIs from the cath. Anyway I started in on elavil and it worked so I didnt have to do it. I have heard of people who self cath at home and, if they are careful, they have had success with it.

[ICNDonna]

I learned to cath myself years ago. I don't need to do it very often, but it's such a comfort to me to know that I can if I do have the necessity. I absolutely assure you that it's far easier than a 45 minute drive to emergency room, added to a wait for treatment --- not to mention the expense.

If you learn from your urologist's staff and follow their instructions carefully, you shouldn't have a problem. The first time or two might be a little scary, but after that, you'll do fine.

:grouphug:
Donna

[Dixiefireball]

people use diff things there is some type of numbing cream some people use to put in before the cath I think but may be wrong I believe Donna uses this.
and my doctor did this when i had dmso at the office.
but i just use KY Jelly on the tip of the cath and slowly push it in until the urine start to come out then i know its in far enough. IF your doctor says its okay to do this ask them about some type of numbing cream.

sending you hugs and prayers I hope this helps sorry i got back to you late i had some running around to do today and had to go get my meds.
Rhonda:kiss:

[ICNDonna]

I just use KY jelly. One thing I do is to purchase sterile gauze squares to use for cleansing myself before cathing. I open the gauze container and squeeze a small amount of KY on the inside of the container and dip the catheter in it there --- that way there's less chance of contaminating the KY still in the tube.

I use antibacterial soap and the gauze squares for cleansing myself; and store cathing supplies wrapped in a clean washcloth that has been washed in clorox water.

Donna

[Dixiefireball]

Hey donna do you think that the clorox water is more steril then the vinger and water?? that is the way i was told to steril my caths and other things i have to use. if its better way of cleaning i would like to try it. how much clorox do you mix to the water? anything to make it more steril i would try because of risk of infection.
Thanks for your input.
Rhonda.:)

[ICNDonna]

The only thing I clean with clorox water is the washcloths --- and I put clorox in my washing machine every time I launder towels and washcloths. My catheter supplies are cleaned with antibacterial soap in very warm water and rinsed thoroughly.

Donna

[blue]

It seems scary to me!

[redstonebef]

I also was told by my Dr. to use Vinegar to steralize my Cath. I use K-Y jel to insert Cath. I clean myself with Dial soap first. I also take antibot. for a few days afterward. Cipro always seems to make my bladder feel better. I use Cystospas also. Hugs

redstonebef

[janelle77362]

I saw my uro again today because I have not been feeling better in the last week and have actually been getting worse. He recommended I cath at home and I reluctantly agreed. :( The nurse came and showed me how to cath myself and it was not pleasurable. Tonight will be my first try and I'm still scared to death. I am just hoping that I can use breathing techniques and realize that this will make me feel better so it needs to be done.
I do have a question though. :confused: The nurse used a mirror to show me how to cath myself. Does anyone else use a mirror to help them cath themself or do you just look down and hope to god you hit the right spot?
Thanks everyone for your help. :kissing:
Janelle

[curlycue]

Good Luck Janelle I will be praying for you:pray:
Ruth

[curlycue]

Hi :hi: Janelle,
I give you alot of credit for accepting to do this at home. I was told by my uro that I would have to do it last May 2003 and I have totally avoided it? I am soooooooooooooooooooooooooo
scared. I am a wimp and I am scared I am going to hurt myself. I have spoken with alot of women and they say its not that bad? I was so desperate that I told my husband if it got to that he is going to have to go to Nursing school to learn how to do this. Good Luck and I will be :pray: :pray: :pray: :pray: for you

Ruth

[curlycue]

Hi :hi: Janelle,
I give you alot of credit for accepting to do this at home. I was told by my uro that I would have to do it last May 2003 and I have totally avoided it? I am soooooooooooooooooooooooooo
scared. I am a wimp and I am scared I am going to hurt myself. I have spoken with alot of women and they say its not that bad? I was so desperate that I told my husband if it got to that he is going to have to go to Nursing school to learn how to do this. Good Luck and I will be :pray: :pray: :pray: :pray: for you

Ruth

[Dixiefireball]

i used a mirror like the showed me in the office in the beginning but now i don't use one that all. it takes time but you will get use to it.
hope things are going better for you.
sending you hugs and prayers
Rhonda

[lexur]

:help: I just started self-cathing yesterday...
Two weeks ago (my NEW urologist) did a biopsy, heparin instill and a cysto. Since then my pain has increased and now it hurts everytime i urinate(it didn't before). I went to my follow-up yesterday. While waiting to be seen I had peed 3 times, told the doctor. The nurse then did an ultrasound and said that I still had 141mL in my bladder, so I have to start self-cathing 3 times a day and they've scheduled a urodynamics test. The only treatment I am getting is percocet, ultram, and now the self-cath.
But for some reason this whole self-cathing thing is really bothering me. I'm really scared that I'll be doing this for the rest of my life....I'm only 23. So devastating, now I don't know which is worse the pain or the treatment.. :help:

[curlycue]

I felt the same way as you do,but I was 27 Ithought to myself I can never do this self cath? what are they crazy, but I have been doing it for about 2 months now and its the best thing I could have started doing, hopefully it will only be temproary. Good Luck

[emilyrose197377]

I self cath just started a few weeks ago . it is painful but my dr. gave me some lidocaine creme and it works some.

[Imustpee]

It's not hard to do..You can do it!! Use a mirror at first...I can now cath myself standing up with one hand.....

[Dusty]

I have been cathing for years and it is such a relief to know I have those catheters if
need be. You will get use to it and it is easy after awhile. I use plenty of lub like my doctor said and it is painless. Also my caths are small.
Good luck and I think you'll be happy you can empty and so forth. Not to be able to is
very painful and difficult.
Dusty

[curlycue]

Janell how have you been? Have not heard from you hope you are doing well.