Coping with Catheter Use: Seeking Insights and Support

I absolutely can't self-cath. They act like I am a wimp for refusing to do it, but the few times I haven't was absolutely excruciating. Even with my partner helping I couldn't, and he says never again. I have had chronic prostatitis for almost 20 years, so cathing is difficult and painful. Urodynamic studies are useless because by the time they cath me to drain there's no way I can then pee on demand. At home, I frequently void 350+ ml. At the clinic, no more than 100.

ive cathed my whole life- whenever i feel down about it, i remind myself im saving on toilet paper by not making a mess down there and make a lot of jokes about how everyone owes me money bc it's *totally* ableist that im the only one who has to pay $2.50 every time i pee

Being a man would definitely make it more of a challenge.

Before I was diagnosed with MS I had urinary issues and at one point I had to go into the urologist to have my urethra stretched, every week for a month.

Oh my goodness! I’m sorry to hear that.

Wow! That definitely puts things in perspective. Maybe it’s a guy (prostate) thing, but I’ve had problems where the urethra canal narrows with scar tissue. Twice I’ve had to go to the emergency room. The first time, after repeated attempts by nurses to insert a catheter, I had to have a skin graft with tissue from inside my mouth.

I have used catheters for 23 years now. I remember asking my doctor when I was diagnosed why I was so functional even with Multiple Sclerosis and my bladder stops working? He answered “Because you are lucky!” I’ve often thought about his answer and realized how catheterization is a minor inconvenience compared to not being able to walk or all the many other problems that can come with MS.