Infection from catheterization

[rebeccat]

Hello
I've been doing home instills for almost a month now.
Last week I started having pain on urinating again, so I took a sample to my dr.
She called me yesterday telling me I have an infection. I'm quite prone to UTI's, usually they are an E-coli bug but this time it was a different bug. I can't remember the name of it but she said it was a viral bacteria, common with catheterization.
I've started anti-biotics to treat it.
I'm very careful to keep everything clean when doing my instills and soak everything in a miltons solution to sterilize everything afterwards.
Should I use everything brand new each time?
I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem of infections from catheterization?
Could I be doing something wrong?
Rebecca

[ICNDonna]

It's not unusual to have infections from catheterizing. Are you re-using catheters? If so, I honestly don't think that's a good idea --- and I believe insurance companies have to pay for one use catheters now.

Donna

[kadi]

About 4 years into doing home instillations, I started getting infections - every 2 months, even though I was doing everything the same & keeping everything scrupulously clean. My doctor said that hormonal changes in our 40s can make us more vulnerable. But, he said that the best way to prevent recurrent UTI's (more than 3-4 in a year), was to go on continuous low dose antibiotics - so I'm now taking 500mg Pen VK in the morning & again in the evening. Doing well so far. No infections since December - knock on wood!

[rebeccat]

I am re using the catheters and the syringes I mix up the medicine with. I soak them in a miltons solution after( like bleach)
Should I see if I can get new ones each time?
I hope it's not too expensive..

[ICNDonna]

My suggestion is to use new catheters each time --- your insurance should cover. The syringes may be okay.

Donna