Hi, I just found this place and sure wish I would have a long time ago. I've been using folly catheters 24/7 for the past year and feel great about it.
Let me tell you how I got here: I'm 58 and starting about ten years ago I started to get up more and more at night to use the bathroom. About 5 years ago it started to happen about every hour to hour and a half and it was getting frustrating not to get any sleep.
About four years ago I started to have a little bit of leaking when I'd feel the urge. I'd bare down to stop and it was ok but then on the next urge there may have been some in the urethra and it would come out. Now I've got a little dampness and so I started to used disposable belted shields and store brand disposable underwear for men. Expense is a concern. So now I'm ok in this area except I still have to get up every hour to go pee.
I looked into medication and that was just not for me. I'm not going to dehydrate myself and cause other problems I don't want. I thought that catheters might do the trick and so I looked into using them. I gotta' tell ya', Dr.'s, nurses, and medical personnel have got to be some of the most incompetent people I have ever come across on this issue. They all seem to have forgotten that the human body has a central nervous system that detects irritation and pain when inflicted on the individual. Inserting a catheter is not like snaking out the kitchen drain.
So after researching things on the net I made the decision to try it for myself. I started with a 16fr and a 5cc balloon. I went up to an 18fr but it was still uncomfortable. I tried the 30cc balloon and found what worked for me. When I first inserted the first catheter I made sure it was very well lubed up and the environment was clean. I took it nice and slow and could feel every bit of it as it progressed. No wonder why so many scream in pain the way they try to shove it in you just because they're in a hurry. Slow is the key even if you use a lube with lidocaine. It doesn't go past the sphincter muscles and into the prostate where things are very sensitive. Gee wiz, take your time it's my body you're working with here.
I was using a leg bag and never felt so uncomfortable with something like that before. The pinching, the sagging, the trying to hide it, etc . . . . This is so old school it isn't funny. Then I came across the Belly Bag and read up on that and the amount of pressure in the stream it takes and all that. I got one, tried it for a week and NEVER went back to a leg bag. I was feeling great!
Eventually over time I worked myself up to a 26fr that I have in now. I use a belly bag and store brand disposable underwear. It catches the little tiny leaks around the catheter, keeps me clean in back so clothes don't get dirty, and the wide waist band keeps the bag nicely tucked against my body at night so I can sleep without interruption. Finally I'm sleeping 4-9 hours without having to get up to use the bathroom so often.
Oh, and as for the pinching at the tip of the penis due to normal extension and retraction of the penis, use some Neosporine. Apply some on the tip and the catheter, hold the catheter tube and move the head of the penis up and down and inch so some of the neo gets inside the head. I think someone here said that if it gets to the balloon, the balloon will pop. Are you serious? How much of this did you use? It's not a lube for insertion but a lube to stop irritation.
I hope this helps anyone who might be considering going with a foley. No, I didn't see a doctor. From all the research I did I found it wasn't necessary for me. Do what you feels right for you. It's right for me and I'm not going back. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. Have a great "Incon" day.
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