Inspired Spinal Cord Injury Support Forum

tonka
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Who reuses catheters...besides me? Apr 29, 2015 18:08:05 GMT -8

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Post by tonka on Apr 29, 2015 18:08:05 GMT -8

So I started self cathing 30+ years ago using a "clean" method with very little information available. My "technique" has evolved over the years to reusing catheters (I never had an insurance company that would cover catheters until I hit 65 and Medicare) several days after cleaning in alcohol after each use. Since using this method my UTI frequency has dropped to once a year except when traveling. Fast food restrooms just aren't clean!

I know caths are listed for single use but old habits are hard to break...

For what it is worth, I have had a kidney infection that required 3 days of IV antibiotics.

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Who reuses catheters...besides me? Apr 29, 2015 23:48:32 GMT -8

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Post by Lαrα on Apr 29, 2015 23:48:32 GMT -8

Looks like that method works well for you tonka! Fortunately in the UK I dont have to pay for anything so I dont need to re-use. I have some heard of some having to re-use though as you do but I dont know their methods of cleaning.

Butiki
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Who reuses catheters...besides me? Apr 30, 2015 2:03:31 GMT -8

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Post by Butiki on Apr 30, 2015 2:03:31 GMT -8

Hi tonka, I was taught how to sterilise catheters for reuse while I was in rehab. But I have never done it. I only pay 50c a catheter so I don't want to risk a UTI. Touch wood I've only had one UTI in the two and a half years since my injury.

Just do it

DJ Administrator STAFF Posts: 8,162 Post Likes Received: 2,829 Date Joined: July 2013 Injury: C6 - ASIA B Date Injured: June 2011 Member is: Offline Send PM	Who reuses catheters...besides me? Apr 30, 2015 5:51:56 GMT -8 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by DJ on Apr 30, 2015 5:51:56 GMT -8 tonka, 1 UTI per year is impressive. Let's hope it stays that way! How many times do you reuse a catheter and where do you store it?

kilg0retr0ut Advanced Member Posts: 2,507 Post Likes Received: 1,862 Date Joined: July 2013 Injury: L4/5 Cauda Equina Date Injured: 7-15-10 Member is: Offline Send PM	Who reuses catheters...besides me? Apr 30, 2015 7:17:22 GMT -8 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by kilg0retr0ut on Apr 30, 2015 7:17:22 GMT -8 I reused mine for about a month. They turned from red to a wild shade of green. Them my wife showed me where it said single use. I've only had one UTI in almost 5yrs. and that was when I had a foley.
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tonka New Member Posts: 35 Post Likes Received: 59 Date Joined: April 2015 Injury: L1 Date Injured: 1980 Member is: Offline Send PM	Who reuses catheters...besides me? Apr 30, 2015 19:03:48 GMT -8 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by tonka on Apr 30, 2015 19:03:48 GMT -8 Originally I reused one cath per month but switched to one per week. That is when my UTI's dropped to one per year. Alcohol tends to stiffen the cath too much when you use over a week. I'm sure liking this forum!
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DJ
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Who reuses catheters...besides me? May 1, 2015 16:57:42 GMT -8

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Post by DJ on May 1, 2015 16:57:42 GMT -8

Apr 30, 2015 19:03:48 GMT -8 tonka said:

Originally I reused one cath per month but switched to one per week. That is when my UTI's dropped to one per year. Alcohol tends to stiffen the cath too much when you use over a week.

I'm sure liking this forum!

Ohh I see, well it's good that you're saving money by reusing and not having to worry too much about UTI's!

Glad you like it here

sherry
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Who reuses catheters...besides me? May 8, 2015 7:06:32 GMT -8 via Inspired Mobile

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Post by sherry on May 8, 2015 7:06:32 GMT -8

Hi gang,
Well i install a foley catheter every morning and remove it at bedtime. I alternate using two catheters for two weeks then pitch them out and start over with 2 new catheters, two leg bags and ziplock bag. .
Once i get out of bed in the morning, I clean the catheter I removed the night before, with plain soap, rince it very well, dry it off with clean wipettes and when dry, I pop it into a ziplock bag that has another dry wipette in case there is some humidity the comes out of the catheter. I also just rince out the leg bag and wrap it up in a plastic PK.
(FYI: for leg bag users: the urology nurses taught me that I could put my leg bag on my abdomen, inside my underwear, my bladder still empties out even if it isn't lower than my bladder. You just have to beware not to let the bag drop with urine and it pulls out with the balloon inflated with the 10cc's water (ouch ouch ouch)

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tonka New Member Posts: 35 Post Likes Received: 59 Date Joined: April 2015 Injury: L1 Date Injured: 1980 Member is: Offline Send PM	Who reuses catheters...besides me? May 8, 2015 7:32:17 GMT -8 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by tonka on May 8, 2015 7:32:17 GMT -8 sherry, I learn something new everyday! I knew about leg bags but never heard of someone managing a foley that way. This forum is full of knowledge!
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DJ Administrator STAFF Posts: 8,162 Post Likes Received: 2,829 Date Joined: July 2013 Injury: C6 - ASIA B Date Injured: June 2011 Member is: Offline Send PM	Who reuses catheters...besides me? May 8, 2015 17:09:47 GMT -8 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by DJ on May 8, 2015 17:09:47 GMT -8 Great info there sherry! One of my biggest fears when I did have a foley was getting it accidentally pulled... Ouch!

sherry
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Who reuses catheters...besides me? Jun 21, 2015 15:17:51 GMT -8

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Post by sherry on Jun 21, 2015 15:17:51 GMT -8

Yes DJ, I am kind of nervous also but it is working for me. I still have to figure out a system though for when I go downhill skiing next year. This past season, on the last day of my weeklong clinic, my catheter partly filled, and I filled the diaper plus it went through all my layers and I had only been gone for the morning!! Next year, where I will be taking courses, they will be full days. I am thinking of a night bag and running it down my leg instead of leaving it on my abdomen as I am leaning forward when in my equipment.
I was talking to someone who does a lot of para-cycling and they just have this extension and leave it open as they are cycling! Except for those races where it is prohibited. That won't work skiing though as the tubing would probably freeze.
Are any of you downhill skiers? How do you ski all day? One lady that I was talking to dehydrates herself by not drinking much the day before and the day of skiing. Any thoughts regarding her solution??

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Lαrα Global Moderator STAFF Posts: 7,350 Post Likes Received: 3,100 Date Joined: August 2013 Injury: CES Date Injured: March 2011 Member is: Offline Send PM	Who reuses catheters...besides me? Jun 22, 2015 7:19:42 GMT -8 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by Lαrα on Jun 22, 2015 7:19:42 GMT -8 sherry,Il post this to some adaptive sports pages on facebook, maybe someone will have some good advice
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DJ
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Who reuses catheters...besides me? Jun 22, 2015 13:05:11 GMT -8

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Post by DJ on Jun 22, 2015 13:05:11 GMT -8

Jun 21, 2015 15:17:51 GMT -8 sherry said:

Yes DJ, I am kind of nervous also but it is working for me. I still have to figure out a system though for when I go downhill skiing next year. This past season, on the last day of my weeklong clinic, my catheter partly filled, and I filled the diaper plus it went through all my layers and I had only been gone for the morning!! Next year, where I will be taking courses, they will be full days. I am thinking of a night bag and running it down my leg instead of leaving it on my abdomen as I am leaning forward when in my equipment.
I was talking to someone who does a lot of para-cycling and they just have this extension and leave it open as they are cycling! Except for those races where it is prohibited. That won't work skiing though as the tubing would probably freeze.
Are any of you downhill skiers? How do you ski all day? One lady that I was talking to dehydrates herself by not drinking much the day before and the day of skiing. Any thoughts regarding her solution??

Oh that's a bummer! Leaks are always the worst. I think leaving it on your leg is the best idea.

Lol that's a good idea leaving it open all the time. On the days I have physio I try not to drink as much since I'm worried that the condom catheter might come out and leak during leg stretches/exercises. After physio I come back and drink lots so I don't think it's bad.

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Who reuses catheters...besides me?

Post by tonka on Apr 29, 2015 18:08:05 GMT -8

Post by Lαrα on Apr 29, 2015 23:48:32 GMT -8

Post by Butiki on Apr 30, 2015 2:03:31 GMT -8

Post by DJ on Apr 30, 2015 5:51:56 GMT -8

Post by kilg0retr0ut on Apr 30, 2015 7:17:22 GMT -8

Post by tonka on Apr 30, 2015 19:03:48 GMT -8

Post by DJ on May 1, 2015 16:57:42 GMT -8

Post by sherry on May 8, 2015 7:06:32 GMT -8

Post by tonka on May 8, 2015 7:32:17 GMT -8

Post by DJ on May 8, 2015 17:09:47 GMT -8

Post by sherry on Jun 21, 2015 15:17:51 GMT -8

Post by Lαrα on Jun 22, 2015 7:19:42 GMT -8

Post by DJ on Jun 22, 2015 13:05:11 GMT -8

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