SCI Nurse or Dr Young - Cathing lubricant problems

TD · 07-13-2002, 02:47 PM

Lately I have discovered something that I am hoping has a solution. I use Surgilube as a lubricant when I cath in 3-4 hour intervals. I have found that if I do not leak before cathing I have to struggle to get the catheter in. If I had leaked the catheter slides in effortlessly. It is as if the lubricant has dried, gluing my urethra shut.

Is this a common problem? Is there an easy solution?

"And so it begins."

SCI-Nurse · 07-13-2002, 03:20 PM

TD - have you tried different style catheters both with varying materials as well as tips? What size catheter are you using? Is this problem a new occurrence for you? I will ask the SCI-Nurse team for their comments, since some have more urological SCI experience than I. CRF

TD · 07-13-2002, 06:31 PM

I posted something then about the lubricant blocking my catheter. I have always used a red rubber (now a 14 French) catheter and the problem began about the same time I started taking ditropan. I have the same problem when I use the touchless system (clear plastic). I do not have any problem inserting the catheter if the urethra has been wet by urine. That is why I believe it to be the lubricant and not the catheter.

"And so it begins."

SCI-Nurse · 07-14-2002, 04:17 PM

TD - In re-reading your posts and giving more thought to your dilemma, you have noted that the problem began when you started taking ditropan. One of the side effects of Ditropan is that it has a drying effect on mucous membranes. (People often experience 'dry mouth' when on ditropan, as the mouth lining is a mucous membrane tissue. The same is true of the lining of the urethra.) The most likely correlation, especially since you do not have a problem if you leak (i.e. moistens the lining) and that the problem followed commencement of ditropan, is that the ditropan is having a drying effect on the urethral lining. Surgilube is a water-soluble product and thereby does not have drying "glue-like" qualities.

The SCI-Nurse team members strongly suggest that you use a lubicious catheter such as the LoFric or the new Mentor one. If reimbursement is an issue, it is important to discuss this, as well as the problem you are having, with your primary care physician. When a product is denied that is medically necessary, a prescription from one's doctor for the specific product, accompanied with the reason for its necessity will often result in approval. It is also recommended that you should not be using the red rubber catheter as long time use can cause a person to become 'latex sensitive' from long term mucosal exposure. CRF

TD · 07-14-2002, 05:06 PM

When I only needed to cath once or twice a day I did not have any problems but now that I am cathing 7-8 times a day I will have to rethink this. I will contact my VA SCI Nurse and get her involved now. She is the one who will have to make the necessary changes to the cathing supplies order. I have been cathing using a sterile method for the past couple of years and have begun noticing a red area surrounding the area where I use the betadine. I have discontinued using that now too.

Are there any of the non-latex catheters that are not hard? I have had past problems with the eyes catching on my bladder sphincter and causing pain? Last thing I want to do is start to bleed from cathing so frequently. I will be glad when I can convince my urologist to put in a stent.

"And so it begins."

07-13-2002, 02:47 PM	#1
TD Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Phoenix, AZ, USA Posts: 649	SCI Nurse or Dr Young - Cathing lubricant problems Lately I have discovered something that I am hoping has a solution. I use Surgilube as a lubricant when I cath in 3-4 hour intervals. I have found that if I do not leak before cathing I have to struggle to get the catheter in. If I had leaked the catheter slides in effortlessly. It is as if the lubricant has dried, gluing my urethra shut. Is this a common problem? Is there an easy solution? "And so it begins."

07-13-2002, 03:20 PM	#2
SCI-Nurse Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 41,367	cathing lubricant problems TD - have you tried different style catheters both with varying materials as well as tips? What size catheter are you using? Is this problem a new occurrence for you? I will ask the SCI-Nurse team for their comments, since some have more urological SCI experience than I. CRF

07-13-2002, 06:31 PM	#3
TD Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Phoenix, AZ, USA Posts: 649	Problems began around June 11 I posted something then about the lubricant blocking my catheter. I have always used a red rubber (now a 14 French) catheter and the problem began about the same time I started taking ditropan. I have the same problem when I use the touchless system (clear plastic). I do not have any problem inserting the catheter if the urethra has been wet by urine. That is why I believe it to be the lubricant and not the catheter. "And so it begins."

07-14-2002, 04:17 PM	#4
SCI-Nurse Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 41,367	cathing lubricant problems TD - In re-reading your posts and giving more thought to your dilemma, you have noted that the problem began when you started taking ditropan. One of the side effects of Ditropan is that it has a drying effect on mucous membranes. (People often experience 'dry mouth' when on ditropan, as the mouth lining is a mucous membrane tissue. The same is true of the lining of the urethra.) The most likely correlation, especially since you do not have a problem if you leak (i.e. moistens the lining) and that the problem followed commencement of ditropan, is that the ditropan is having a drying effect on the urethral lining. Surgilube is a water-soluble product and thereby does not have drying "glue-like" qualities. The SCI-Nurse team members strongly suggest that you use a lubicious catheter such as the LoFric or the new Mentor one. If reimbursement is an issue, it is important to discuss this, as well as the problem you are having, with your primary care physician. When a product is denied that is medically necessary, a prescription from one's doctor for the specific product, accompanied with the reason for its necessity will often result in approval. It is also recommended that you should not be using the red rubber catheter as long time use can cause a person to become 'latex sensitive' from long term mucosal exposure. CRF

07-14-2002, 05:06 PM	#5
TD Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Phoenix, AZ, USA Posts: 649	Changing from red rubber catheters When I only needed to cath once or twice a day I did not have any problems but now that I am cathing 7-8 times a day I will have to rethink this. I will contact my VA SCI Nurse and get her involved now. She is the one who will have to make the necessary changes to the cathing supplies order. I have been cathing using a sterile method for the past couple of years and have begun noticing a red area surrounding the area where I use the betadine. I have discontinued using that now too. Are there any of the non-latex catheters that are not hard? I have had past problems with the eyes catching on my bladder sphincter and causing pain? Last thing I want to do is start to bleed from cathing so frequently. I will be glad when I can convince my urologist to put in a stent. "And so it begins."

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode