Self-cathertisation

I had to self-catheterise (is that a verb??? Dunno) for about six months after an optical urethrotomy to deal with a stricture. For the first couple of weeks I was doing it daily, then twice per week for the remainder of the six months.

Really it is no big deal. I started off with a size 12 (quite small) then 14 then, for the majority of the time size 16 (one down from hosepipe). The catheters are disposable so you don't have to worry about cleaning after use. The procedure is simple - hold penis somewhere near vertical so there is a smoothish curve of the urethra down, then up again into the bladder. Gently insert catheter until it stops (usually hitting the sphincter and/or opening up a stricture), apply gentle pressure until the sphincter lets it through then stop as urine appears in the tube.

The size of catheter you can manage obviously depends on your anatomy. You may assume what you like from my ability to use a size 16.... The worst part was having to demonstrate that I could manage the insertion of the catheter in the presence of a (female) nurse..... After six years of living with prostate cancer and its after-effects, you would think that I would be used to revealling all and having various orifices probed and examined, but hey ho.

Incidentally, no sign of a return of the stricture.

Hi there,

I have just started this journey too.  I had the tube stretched due to a restriction after my LRP two years ago.  For the last two weeks I have been self-catheterising twice a day.  This then goes down to once every other day for two weeks, then once a week for six weeks.

Like you I was dreading it but after the first week it has become a lot easier. Just remember to take your time and try to relax. I find it easy to take deep breaths when inserting the tube.  I have also been marking each session on the calendar to ensure that i don't get in a muddle.

Good luck with it!

Hi flexi

A bit more ... If you have difficulty getting past the sphincter pause for a moment and either cough or take a deep sigh and at the same gently push again. This has worked for me. The procedure sounds worse than it is for many men.

Alan .

It is a completely different procedure Debbie to inserting a proper catheter. The self catherisation uses disposals thin tubes which you insert yourself until water flows then remove and dispose. Being cuddly would not make any difference, I am as cuddly as anyone on this site and I have had few problems with this procedure. The advantages of it is that you only need use it when you have some retention. A full time catheter is in all the time and therefore carries all sorts of other problems.

As I said above the procedure is simple and once the technique is mastered really does not cause any problems. I can still recall starting and really thought I would never conquer this. My son spotted that I was staying up later and later to avoid doing it. He was right once I realised I had to do this, I got on with it and a few days later only had the technique mastered with limited pain as it passes the sphincter muscle. I now do it twice a day just before bed and first thing in the morning and simply get on with the rest of my life.

Just an update to close this thread.

On Monday the lovely Melanie arrived pulling behind her what seemed a trolley of coloured golf clubs. These turned out however to be boxes of catheters and other paraphernalia. 

Anyway, after a quick chat we got down to business and after a bit of fumbling I manage to do it (and surprised myself at how easy and painless it was).

Now after a few days I'm becoming a bit of a "dab hand" and the thought of doing it for the rest of my life doesn't feel so much of a burden. as it did before. I just wished that the sticky bit on the back of the packet was a little bit more sticky! 

Flexi

Great flexi,

I have been doing it for 18 months or more and it is very routine and quick activity. I have had th odd UTI (though am prone to them anyway) but just be aware of that and get to the GO quick to get it sorted if it happens. But I haven,t had one for over six months now. Enjoy (if that is the right word)