Catheterization

[SumDay]

So if we can discuss Viagra in such detail, I'm hoping this isn't too over the top. I don't really know where else to ask about this...

DH has been having issues "voiding" so to speak, so he had a urologist visit this week. The doctor explained his bladder muscle isn't functioning like it used to (prostate is fine, surprisingly), so, he sent DH home with every catheter imaginable to figure out which one he likes best (sort of like picking which snake you want to bite you), and he is supposed to catheterize himself FOUR times a day for a month to help the muscle regain its strength. They gave him lessons. Can you imagine having that job?

Anyway, obviously this is not fun. My suggestion is to get a second opinion to see if this is a common procedure. He's so crabby & miserable right now he really isn't interested in my ideas.

If anyone has been through this, I'd like to hear how it was handled. Getting old is not for sissies.

 

[Jerry1]

Oh! Not something I’d care to do. Best to you. Gonna be rough for awhile. I had to learn to give myself shots once. It got easier after awhile and I got better at doing it. Hopefully the same for you.

 

[Bir48die]

So if we can discuss Viagra in such detail, I'm hoping this isn't too over the top. I don't really know where else to ask about this...

DH has been having issues "voiding" so to speak, so he had a urologist visit this week. The doctor explained his bladder muscle isn't functioning like it used to (prostate is fine, surprisingly), so, he sent DH home with every catheter imaginable to figure out which one he likes best (sort of like picking which snake you want to bite you), and he is supposed to catheterize himself FOUR times a day for a month to help the muscle regain its strength. They gave him lessons. Can you imagine having that job?

Anyway, obviously this is not fun. My suggestion is to get a second opinion to see if this is a common procedure. He's so crabby & miserable right now he really isn't interested in my ideas.

If anyone has been through this, I'd like to hear how it was handled. Getting old is not for sissies.

Did that several times a day as an orderly in a local hospital to other male patients. Since I was the only male CNA (early 70's) I got the privilege to insert these. It wasn't either of our choices to do or have this done but for the $2.50/hr I received it was certainly educational.

 

[Souschef]

I made a quick check of YouTube and there are a number of videos on the procedure. I wish him the best.

 

[CRLLS]

All I know is that I couldn't do it. Not that I wouldn't, but couldn't. When I had the need for catheterization, several immediate care nurses and several different types couldn't "get 'er done". I had to be transferred to a hospital 60 miles away where a urologist and a lot of morphine eventually did the trick. A few days later my local urologist couldn't do it even with some sort of camera guiding the way. I immediately went into emergency surgery.

My hat is off to those who can do it. Mine was not a muscle problem. A second opinion is probably a good idea. But self-catheterization for a month is not the end of the world. It sure beats surgery.

 

[mamadogmamacat]

My father had to do this every day for years as his problem was an enlarged prostate. He died in 1997, so this was a while ago.

Even these days however, I sometimes see a TV commercial advertising catheters by mail order, so there must be a lot of men (and some women apparently) who still have to do this.

Best of luck to your DH

 

[Moemg]

I was a nurse for many years so I have placed many catheters .Make sure it is well lubricated .You should also learn so you can help him if necessary .

 

[Offgrid Organic Farmer]

It is hard to imagine installing a cath into yourself.

I have prostate cancer. In 2014 my prostate was removed and in the process they installed a cath. My understanding is that they had to re-section my urethra, with the cath in place, and they re-assembled the urethra around the cath. I was sent home after the surgery, for 2 weeks as my urethra healed, before going back in to have the urethra removed. Having it in place for 2 weeks was not comfortable. Though the only 'pain' was in the head of my penis.

This summer [2018] my cancer came back and I am going through radiation treatment. To begin this treatment they had to fill my bladder with a dye [for imaging] it took 3 RNs to get the cath in me. It was kind of interesting to watch those 3 girls as they did it. [I had never had 3 girls with their hands on my penis at the same time, before]

After my prostate surgery I had to learn to inject my penis with meds to get an erection. [The surgeon removed the nerve bundle when he removed the prostate]. After doing that a few times, I got used to it. So I would guess that installing a cath would also be something you get used to doing.

What about the bulb on the end? How do you inflate that yourself? Did the 'training' include operating the bulb?

When my urologist showed me how to inject my penis. He started by asking me if I could see my penis. As it turns out most men that get prostate cancer can not see their own penises due to their bellies being in the way. It never occurred to me that a belly could block being able to see a penis.