I wouldn't say you have a defect or condition. Some peoples bladder can hold 800+, mine used to, others only 400 or so. Normally if you don't hold over 500 they don't say your a good candidate for in and out caths. When I first got my bladder tested in rehab it held a little over 900 and they said I was a good candidate for cathing. After a few months though I started developing bladder spasms and when my bladder has a certain amount over say 300ml, it will cause me to pee, not just leak a little but actually pee anywhere from 200 to 400ml. I eventually got tired of wetting the bed and trying to cath around this that I just wear an external catheter now. Now I just wear that and have it hooked up to a leg bag. Though I'm not fond of wearing the bag, it is actually more convenient in most cases and makes bathroom visits quicker and easier. Normally a urologist can tell you a lot about your bladder and how everything works but they aren't as inclined on how they work with spinal cord injuries. After you speak to a urologist, I'd also speak with your doc you deal with about spinal stuff, your rehab doc, or whoever that may be. Here's a link to the product I use, it may be something for you to consider. Just remember, everybody's body is different so there's no cookie cutter formula to solving some issues, sometimes it's just trial and error to find out what works best for your body. www.coloplast.us/freedom-clear-advantage-en-us.aspx#PRODUCTBRANDNAMEWEB=Freedom%C2%AE&PRODUCTCONDITION=&PRODUCTWOUNDCONDITION=&PRODUCTSKINCONDITION=&PRODUCTOUTPUTTYPE=&PRODUCTPREFERREDPOUCHINGSYSTEM=&PRODUCTWOUNDTYPE=&PRODUCTPURPOSE=&PRODUCTTECHNOLOGY=&PRODUCTSYMPTOM=&PRODUCTUSERPROFILE=
On a side note if you decide to try these, I'd start with the 31mm size as that's considered large or average and go from there. If you order too big or small they may not stay on or flow good. Just a little side note.
I've heard many guy comments who use a condom cath, or "male external cath" who have been happy with them. A few people have problems suffer skin reactions to the glue. Good luck. It is an excellent solution.
I've heard many guy comments who use a condom cath, or "male external cath" who have been happy with them. A few people have problems suffer skin reactions to the glue. Good luck. It is an excellent solution.
It does have an adhesive but I wouldn't call it a glue. I get the same ones every time and sometimes the adhesive is a little "too good" and it harder to get off. Sometimes it's not good at all and I have to replace the cath twice a day :/. I've never had any bad abrasions but I have had a couple times where it takes a little skin with it taking it off. It's not a big deal, if you ever have one that's a little rough on the skin you can just take a little piece of gauze and put a little neosporin (antibiotic cream) on it and put it under the cath for a day and all will be well.
it looks like condom caths are recommended by a few, question I have is do you pee more since wearing condom cath and does it hinder normal bladder function?
i have avoided condom caths in the hope of getting better and being able to pee normally one day. am i wrong for thinking this way?
it looks like condom caths are recommended by a few, question I have is do you pee more since wearing condom cath and does it hinder normal bladder function?
i have avoided condom caths in the hope of getting better and being able to pee normally one day. am i wrong for thinking this way?
A valid question. What improvement have you seen, and when, in the nearly 2 years since you became SCId, Sam?
I step in the water, but the water has moved on...
it looks like condom caths are recommended by a few, question I have is do you pee more since wearing condom cath and does it hinder normal bladder function?
i have avoided condom caths in the hope of getting better and being able to pee normally one day. am i wrong for thinking this way?
A valid question. What improvement have you seen, and when, in the nearly 2 years since you became SCId, Sam?
there are small periods of time where bladder function will change for 2 or 3 days. for me a few months ago my bladder was holding up to 750 to 800 ml when I int cath for a few days, that was strange and there have been other minor improvements that have me hoping for better function one day.
I think you could vary- use the condom cath some days (like especially if you were going out), then not on other days. Or one week on, one week off. That would offer plenty of time to practice natural bladder function while still giving you some respite from the problems.
My own bladder function is a lot like yours. It was actually somewhat better 5 or 6 years ago but when my digestion tends toward bloating, or when bacterial count is high, I am less successful at emptying.
i wear the coloplast conveen ultima no condom catheter thats better...ive been wearing condoms for 18 yrs
I have never tried condom caths, and have concerns like leaking issues, condom not secure and falling off when peeing, any suggestions from your 18 years of experience?
My bladder was similar, it used to hold a lot and now it varies. Also the amount I pee varies and how often. I just started using a condom cath because I got tired of guessing and wetting myself. The condom caths come with a sort of adhesive to help it stay on so falling off isn't usually an issue unless the hose or bag is kinked. If that's the case then pee can't flow and it will push off the condom cath. I get a bit dysreflexic when I pee though so I can kind of feel when I start to pee, like with my hand placed on my lap, and if it for some reason doesn't seem to be flowing good I can reach down and make sure the bag isn't kinked. It sounds weird but once you get used to it, you'll know what you're doing. As for it falling off, I haven't had that happen in a few years, once I finally got used to everything. For me, I'm a grower, if you know what I mean. (big during erection, small all other times.) When I get dysreflexic and pee, my junk shrinks to as small as it possibly can lol, and the condom cath stays on. It also stretches if I get a random erection and stays on through that. With the adhesive that's on it, they seem to stay on through all size changes though. Sometimes I'll get a batch that the adhesive doesn't seem very good though and I end up replacing one half way through the day. Other times it's good enough that it lasts for two days. It's kind of a learning experience but for me it was worth it.
that is super helpful, thanks for detail and links, I won't change until I see a urologist which should be in the next month or so. in the last month I have not leaked at all from bladder, so I think I am getting stronger down there? at least the muscles that hold pee in. I guess they call my condition neurogenic bladder, I guess most of us with sci have this condition.
I have exactly the same problem, and I use condom catheters.
Regarding the adhesive issues, I'd suggest looking into Smith & Nephew "skin prep wipes." They help make your bits stickier and help the condom cath stay on. I also back things up by placing some tape at the base of my penis. I also take a pair of male leakage pads and stuff them in the front of my brief, and that seems to hold the condom cath in place.
well I sampled a condom cath for 5 hrs and it worked well, no leaks though I had to mess with bag a number of times because it wasn't in right position on my leg and kept adjusting on its own. so ive decided to order condom cath. supplies, thanks for all the help and info.