Male Quads Who Cath: Tips?

[Scorpion]

Recently, with the help and encouragement of a friend, I've switched from using a condom cath/leg bag to intermittent cathing (just passed the 16 year mark of SCI). Having my boy free all day long is so nice! And I find I'm more relaxed usually, not feeling myself pee into a leg bag all the time, not having to worry if the bag smells of pee, etcetera. And I've been leak free for 5 weeks, though I've had a few close calls where I had to rush to cath (good thing I wasn't out somewhere at the time).

Any tips on making things easy on myself, especially while not at home?

PS - Quads only, please.

[-scott-]

carry at least one (depending how long you'll be out) extra catheter with you in addition to a normal setup, which for me consists of a cath, leg bag, small tube of cheapo walmart lube, a small container of hand sanitizer, and a washcloth or two (to wipe gel off). the leg bag is for convenience - I don't wear it, but it's way easier to empty into a closed system vs. trying to find a toilet to drain into - this also works for going in cars, etc. when nature calls & no bathroom is around.

it's also easier to put the lube directly on top of your fella & feed a dry cath through it.

apply lube --> sanitize hands --> cath.

it's pretty easy once you get the routine down.

[christopher]

I always keep a couple of Reusch or O' Niell portable caths in my bag with a bottle of Purell. Try twisting up a coat hanger to use to hold your pants down while you cath.

[ginamarie]

Perhaps this could help. Although I could not find a link online for it, Shepherd Center has whats called a pants holder that they sell in the apothecary. It sort of looks like a giant safety pin. It hooks on your pants and then on the seat of the wheelchair to keep the pants out of the way when cathing. I know that they will mail it and it cost somewhere between $25 and $30. My husband thinks its great, very useful. Shepherd Center apothecary can be reached @ 404-350-7743.

[ginamarie]

Found a link for it here: http://store.devinemedical.us/2031.html

sorry, I don't know how to copy a link into a post.

OK, I typed it in and it worked.

[zillazangel]

I'm not a quad, but a quasi-quad since i do the cathing. Chad always has in his backpack on his chair two full kits of cathing supplies. Each bag has: one 14 fr mentor disposable catheter, one quart ziploc bag (do NOT cheap out and get sandwich ... trust us on this, lol), a packet of surgilube, a bottle of lidocaine (they are small), neosporin (spread on tip of penis, a small bottle of Purell. We have two of those all the time plus at least 4-5 complete sets of meds (which vary by time of day). Hope this helps, and I hope I didn't forget anything. Oh yes I did - a blue pad in each bag AND a waterproof zipup bag that I stole out of my son's lands end diaper bag that is 100% leakproof in case a toilet is not handy.

[Sisira]

I'm a para not a quad but I thought this would help you and that's why I'm replying. I cath about 5-6 times a day. First thing in the morning, at about 10.30 am, 13.30pm, 16.30pm and last thing at night. I also control the amount of water i drink like I drink a lot in the morning and decrease the amount and only drink one glass after dinner at about 19.30. It keeps me accident free in the night. Also if I'm going out I limit my water intake. I also take a complete set of lube, catheter etc when I go out. Take an extra catheter so if you accidently drop the one you're using (It has happened to me) you can use the other one.

[bob clark]

Originally Posted by Scorpion

Having my boy free all day long is so nice!

PS - Quads only, please.

I'm not a quad (sorry!) but over the years I've become unable to leak a drop (tight bladder sphincter or enlarged prostate?) so don't use a condom cath or legbag anymore. I don't miss those contraptions at all! And it is nice to have the "boy" free all the time, like it was pre-SCI.

The downside is that I need to cath more often but my bladder has stretched to point where I can now safely hold 1000ccs so actually I'm cathing the same amount or even less. The reason for my bladder stretching was that I had to keep putting the condom cath on tighter and tighter to keep it from coming off (UTIs and bacterial colonization and the "shrinkage factor") so it was cutting off the ability to drain.

I didn't have access to the information and different "equipment" back when this happened.... pre-Internet.

[Druston]

I am a quad, scorpion and I self cath. First thing is, I use these catheters called Coloplast Speedicath-they are pre lubed and with a water solution. They go in way more smoother, dont cause as much trauma, and you dont have to bother with lube and all that. Another thing is I take this medicine called Ditropan XL, it is to prevent bladder spasms, so there wont be any "close calls." Do use a quad cathing clip?

[november]

Just wanted to add, I use these Benzalkonium Chloride Antiseptic Towelettes: http://secure.srginc.biz/search_list...d=sa&strID=141(2nd item down)

First got them from my Uro, then started buying them online because they're cheap. Cheaper and easier for me to carry around than wipes. They come individually packed in little packets like the alcohol ones above them. Can open with teeth if needed. I don't use them for hands though, so you may still want to carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer, use gloves, or just wash. I use towelettes to clean area before cathing. Help keep you UTI free!