www.incontinentsupport.org

Ok, so because intrastim is out for a while I got a lot of cath supplies. A nurse showed me today how to insert and take care of a foley myself. What are the downsides to just being cathed full time? I have the abili to take it out when I need a break from it, and they are so cheap on amazon that it would end up being much less then diapers. What are the hazards of doing it this way?

I also got some of the small tubes to just cath and discard it. I was thinking that on weekends I could take a break from the foley and use diapers and self cath when needed.

Mixing the use oF diapers, single Caths, and A foley seems like it might work out well. I like the flexaility that having all three at my disposal would afford me. What do you guys think?

There are risks to everything, but any tube entering into a body in any area poses risks, mainly infection, and I am sure you are aware that is not an area you want one! There are also risks of damaging the urethera, as the tubing does irritate it, bleeding etc. They are an insert and not have to deal with voiding, but they can also leak. On rare occasion, the balloon can rupture. That being said, I would avoid any long term use if at all possible, but for a few days it is doable. I barely could get thru the cystoscopy procedure, I can't imagine a tube being left in there for any length ot time! OUCH! There are a few F/T users on here, they can chime in, good luck! Puffy

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Puffy
BC, Canada
Fighting the "Bladder Battle" since 1995

flagrl1225u

I have had a Foley catheter in for three years now some on here have had them longer.

I can say it has been the best thing for taking care urinary incontinence I have used so far. It is mostly comfortable I had some problems like infections and some bleeding.
Using a Foley has given me more freedom I do a lot more and most of the time I don’t know it is there.
I much prefer it to using diapers and pads

But there are some serious side effects that go along with using a Foley.

1. Infections I had one every month for the first year and still get them on occasion.
2. Bleeding you can hurt the urethra or the neck of the bladder where the balloon sits or where the tip of the catheter rubs.
3. You can get sepsis a serious blood disease.
4. You can get Kidney infections.
5. If used long term it can up your chance of bladder cancer.

Did your nurse tell you the best time to get an infection is when it is taken out and a new one put in. After the insertion of a Foley I take an antibiotic for three days to help stop infections.
If you use it for long term it should be left in for four to six weeks at a time. This helps risk of infections and the trauma to the urethra.
Never once after it is put in, in a sterile manner should you open the system. A Foley is a closed serial system this is to stop infections.

Using a Foley should only be used under a doctor care and only if needed.
I have a flaccid bladder with sever retention I cannot go on my own thus the Foley.

I did self cathing for two years prior to a Foley but my hands just give me fits so a Foley became necessary.

If you can use diapers then why the Foley?
No urologist I know would prescribe a Foley when not needed.

You said you buy your catheters from Amazon?
Foley by federal law restricts this devise and only dispensed by a doctor order.
I know there are places that will sell them illegally and if you are buying it from a place like that make sure it is with in date and the packaging has not been open or tore.

2lyle