Condom Catheters
- Thread starter Archives1
- Start date
Archives1
Staff member
With practice using the external catheter, getting the correct size etc it will be really helpful, especially on those longer trips or very active days. It has been a life changer for me. To be honest I would find the pads/pull ups very warm and uncomfortable in the warmer weather and I'm not having to endure the heat of Florida or Arizona. It is good of course to take a break from the CC from to time if possible.I don't need anything really at night and I use lighter pads on a more sedentary day like a Sunday.
Archives1
Staff member
Great advice guys.
@Hbrownlow I also found the Diaper/Pad route to be way to hot even in cooler weather, leaving me with nasty rashes... Also agree that it is good to take a break once in a while to let my penile skin breath & heal. But I do use night bags. Have found it much less disruptive to my sleep not having to get out of bed for a trip or several to the bathroom. It also means I no longer have to closely monitor my fluid intake.
@Mwm1020 Practice with local trips first or even in your driveway. I alternate daily which leg the bag is on, except when driving. I put the bag on my left so that I can stretch/move/tug if the flow seams restricted. I also bring an empty Mountain Dew bottle (green colored) so that if the bag is near full I can pull over into a rest area that does not have facilities and drain my bag so it is not overfull. I agree with not overfilling. It has led to problems for me. I am also now finding I place a hand on the tube mid-thigh and gently pull to make sure there are no kinks.
Using EC/CC's has given me back my life and the freedom to pursue all the activities I was doing 10 years ago without the worrying of "accidents". And actually some new ones. It just took time and patience and help from an online buddy to figure out what works for me. Thank you @Klew11. After a couple of years of use, I still try new & different products to find what might work better. My confidence has grown to the point that if there is the very occasional failure, I chalk it up the being the old man I am. (LOL we are allowed to not be perfect)(I also try to remember that I have medical conditions & stuff happens) Failures are almost always my fault.
All this being said I still always have, within arms reach "night pads" with sticky backs, all the time, just in case... I did have to go back to wraparounds and pads recently, for 3-4 days, for being to aggressive changing the CC/EC. I injured my frenulum again, and it wasn't comfortable and took a while to heal.
Life is about learning and when you get older relearning!!! R
@Hbrownlow I also found the Diaper/Pad route to be way to hot even in cooler weather, leaving me with nasty rashes... Also agree that it is good to take a break once in a while to let my penile skin breath & heal. But I do use night bags. Have found it much less disruptive to my sleep not having to get out of bed for a trip or several to the bathroom. It also means I no longer have to closely monitor my fluid intake.
@Mwm1020 Practice with local trips first or even in your driveway. I alternate daily which leg the bag is on, except when driving. I put the bag on my left so that I can stretch/move/tug if the flow seams restricted. I also bring an empty Mountain Dew bottle (green colored) so that if the bag is near full I can pull over into a rest area that does not have facilities and drain my bag so it is not overfull. I agree with not overfilling. It has led to problems for me. I am also now finding I place a hand on the tube mid-thigh and gently pull to make sure there are no kinks.
Using EC/CC's has given me back my life and the freedom to pursue all the activities I was doing 10 years ago without the worrying of "accidents". And actually some new ones. It just took time and patience and help from an online buddy to figure out what works for me. Thank you @Klew11. After a couple of years of use, I still try new & different products to find what might work better. My confidence has grown to the point that if there is the very occasional failure, I chalk it up the being the old man I am. (LOL we are allowed to not be perfect)(I also try to remember that I have medical conditions & stuff happens) Failures are almost always my fault.
All this being said I still always have, within arms reach "night pads" with sticky backs, all the time, just in case... I did have to go back to wraparounds and pads recently, for 3-4 days, for being to aggressive changing the CC/EC. I injured my frenulum again, and it wasn't comfortable and took a while to heal.
Life is about learning and when you get older relearning!!! R
Archives1
Staff member
Redcat what a fantastic blog .. I support everything you have written . As with you condom catheters changed my life and I too grow more confident and at ease everyday . I also continue to search for more and possible alternates not because I am unhappy but more so just to see if there is anything better out there . Condom catheters came into my life 2 yrs ago by accident and I have never looked back wards…… so good to be out of diapers and nappies !!!
Archives1
Staff member
I had much better luck with the Conveen rather than the Hollister. The round tube with ribs does not kink or fold. The flat rubber Hollister tube does more easily. Make sure you push the connections together as far as they will go. The empty lever is more secure with Conveen also.
Archives1
Staff member
I agree re tubing . The plastic see through ribbed tubing is quite robust and doesn’t kink . I also agree that the Conveen condom is very resistant to kinking due to the ridges in its design at the outlet . I also recommend the Urocare leg sleeve for securely holding the collection bag to the thigh .. highly recommended . It gives you confidence against slippage etc
Archives1
Staff member
I have been blessed with using these and I have found one of the most important things is keep kinks from happening in the joint where the condom attaches to the tubing.
Second most important thing is to have the condom pushed all the way up on the fitting on the drainage tube.
At night, sometimes it takes me more that one strap to keep everything kink free and pointed down hill. I use one wide strap at the joint of the condom and tube and sometimes a second strap at my knee to make sure everything flows smoothly into the bag.
Second most important thing is to have the condom pushed all the way up on the fitting on the drainage tube.
At night, sometimes it takes me more that one strap to keep everything kink free and pointed down hill. I use one wide strap at the joint of the condom and tube and sometimes a second strap at my knee to make sure everything flows smoothly into the bag.
Archives1
Staff member
I’m really tired of diapers at night, especially now that it’s gotten warmer, I get so hot!
Anyway, would a condom cath work at night? I prefer to sleep mostly on belly or side.
I’m really thinking about giving it a try. Urologist said he would end in prescription, how do you know where to start? Like the medical supply have all the info and try a few sizes etc?
Anyway, would a condom cath work at night? I prefer to sleep mostly on belly or side.
I’m really thinking about giving it a try. Urologist said he would end in prescription, how do you know where to start? Like the medical supply have all the info and try a few sizes etc?
Archives1
Staff member
@Itguy2928 they have made a huge difference for me. I sleep 8 hours straight. I was getting up 6-8 times a night and was always exhausted. I sleep on my side and back with no problems. As long as bag hangs lower on bed rail it drains fine. Be patient getting use to them. Took me 6 months to be totally confident.
Archives1
Staff member
I haven't gotten to the point that I'm confident with the condom catheter, yet. In Canada, Coloplast seems very good with giving lots of advice, including videos on their website. They have a gauge that you can print and cut out for measuring. They have been giving me samples of different products, so that I can find something that works. I saw on the website that they will direct bill your insurance, but I haven't gotten to that point yet. I need to try and make it work. It's so much nicer being dry, but it's very disheartening and potentially embarrassing when they fail. USA website is likely similar?
Archives1
Staff member
It’s a game of patience and even after using CC everyday for more than 2 yrs and no accidents I still feel a little cautious and relieved at the end of another successful day When I changed to CC my life changed enormously for the better . So much so I can’t really believe how lucky I feel having found them . It takes time to get the best fit and the most comfortable position for the bag . In the day I carry a small bag in my pockets ( see my previous comments for details how ) and at night I wear a 1 litre leg bag held firm with a leg sleeve .. all described in detail in my previous comments . Stay with it. It is better than any alternative I have been able to find .
Archives1
Staff member
@Itguy2928 The supply company will help you with samples of different sizes. I also spoke with a specialist once I had tried several types to resolve problems. But what it takes is a lot of trial and error. I had several problems, some in public. But I learned from them and now have total confidence using them.
@RickB Stick with it. You will be an expert soon and so much happier for it.
@RickB Stick with it. You will be an expert soon and so much happier for it.
Archives1
Staff member
I totally concur with the last few posts. I never notice the actual condom catheter itself. I am aware of the leg bag which feels a bit like wearing a bandage. But as I am dry at nigh its nice to give the skin a chance to breathe and I just use the lightest of pads "just in case". Obviously you only use the catheter once but they do say you can use the leg bag for up to a week. I never do and the maximum duration for me is two days. I don't want to increase the likelihood of a UTI. Also on the measurement issue I found I could use the standard length but that required more careful shaving or trimming and I tried the shorter length which worked perfectly well and minimised the trimming issue. I still find I need the adhesive remover to get the catheter released without the risk of tearing skin.
You must log in or register to post here.
