Intermittent self catheters- patient experience

Recently I’ve had a number of people contact me about the odd world of catheters.  This has been either through comments on a blog article, or through using the contact screen.  So I thought it was time to do an FAQ post on intermittent self catheterisation – a patient experience in the hope it might be helpful for some.  If you are one of my friends, please skip this post as you don’t want to know about this stuff and don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Frequently Asked Questions

 1.  What is intermittent self catheterisation and why?

I should say this is all from my experience as a man and remember I’m not a Doctor, nurse or any kind of medical professional.  My only qualification is that I use them.  I’m sure there are both similarities and differences with women, so please bear this in mind.

A urinary catheter is a flexible tube which is passed into the urethra and up into the bladder, for the purpose of draining urine.  Some people have indwelling catheters which are there all the time, although routinely changed by a nurse every  three months.  Some have supra pubic catheters which go directly through the abdomen into the bladder (this sounds more heavy duty to me).

I use an intermittent catheter as it allows me to lead a normal life. This has been the case since November 2018 when I had a HoLEP operation.  I can only urinate when my bladder is full and I can never empty it on my own, therefore an intermittent catheter is needed to drain it completely.

I have to do this 2 or 3 times a day.  That’s when I get up, go to bed and often somewhere in between.  The reason for this is because my bladder had become stretched through having an enlarged prostate and it hasn’t gone back to the normal size and shape.

2.  What kind of catheters do you use?

I have two types.  Both are pre-lubricated, single use and supplied through an ongoing repeat prescription.  Both are suitable for me as a man, I think the female versions are different (perhaps shorter?).  The longer type (left in photo) is for home use and the other is more compact and easier to keep in a pocket when out and about.  The compact type is a little more comfortable, comes in a handy resealable package and I suspect a little more expensive.

I understand there are plenty of others about.  These are the two suggested by the hospital last year and they work fine, there’s no need for me to experiment

3.  Does it hurt?

Hardly at all.

If you are one of my friends and you’re still reading this, I did warn you this might make you wince.  Or faint.  Or both.

It can sometimes be a little uncomfortable inserting the catheter but the important thing is just to relax and stop those muscles clenching up!  I can sometimes feel it right inside me when the bladder rests on the tip as it’s draining and that’s sensitive too, sometimes a little painful, prompting me to retract the catheter a little.

When it comes to the catheter passing through the sphincter, which is the ‘valve’ which opens when you pee, there is sometimes some resistance.  I was told that I should never force the catheter through, just relax and a little cough does the trick.

4.  What are the problems?

There have been very few problems so far.  The issues are:

• Urinary Tract Infections are more likely.  I have had one infection requiring antibiotics since using the intermittent catheters.  The key is to be as hygienic as possible.  I wash my hands before I do anything and use a wipe on the urethra opening.  I never touch the catheter, only the green sleeve to ensure no germs are passed up stream into the bladder. Also it’s important to keep drinking plenty to ensure anything untoward is flushed through.
• Having to remember taking a supply of catheters when I go away, or out for the day.  Plus some hand cleanser, wipes and disposal bags.  Actually it’s no big deal, you just get into the habit.
• It takes longer to completely empty yourself and you need to obviously use a private toilet cubicle.  A few times I’ve used a disabled toilet as they are a little more roomy and cleaner and think I’m justified in doing this.

5.  And the benefits?

• I can lead a normal lifestyle.  I can go cycling, running, swimming etc.  The tube is only inside me when I need to pee, 2 or 3 times a day
• It is discreet.  Probably nobody will know unless you tell them
• As intermittent catheters are only used when needed, there’s no impact on having sex or being intimate
• I very rarely need to wake up and use the toilet at night
• Compared to indwelling catheters, there are no leaks or issues with leg bags or nighttime bags etc

As I have mentioned catheters in the past, mostly last year – click here – to read those previous posts.

I hope this will have been helpful for some.  Please feel free to comment below or get in touch via my contact page.