Indiana

559d

Hey! I’ve used catheters for the last 16 years. My condition is not due to a known injury. My dad also has to catch. I want others insights on how they cope. Once you are diagnosed doctors kind of let you find your own way. Thanks!

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Top reply
    • Mikala

      526d

      @utiguy So sorry to hear that.

    • Mikala

      559d

      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.

    • Indiana

      559d

      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.

    • Mikala

      558d

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

    • Mikala

      558d

      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.

    • Mikala

      558d

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

      • Mikala

        526d

        @Mikala Yes, it does.

    • strawberrysoop

      557d

      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

    • utiguy

      526d

      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.

      • Mikala

        526d

        @utiguy So sorry to hear that.

☝ This content is generated by our users and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your physician before making any medical decision

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