Very First Condom Cath

[Patrick]

Puffy,

You should be working for the "National Geographic." Those shots are terrific. If I tried to take them, my head would be spinning.

[Puffy Pants]

Thanks Patrick, I am getting better with the camera, but still get lucky now and then with a result I didn't expect! Puffy

[JDinVirginia]

Hi all, I am resuming my trials of different condoms for the external catheter. Today I am using the Hollister InView Extended condom. This one I will not even attempt to remove before 24 hours has elapsed as it has extra adhesive in it. I am testing it for possible use during my cruise when I want additional security to keep the condom from pulling off the penis. I did apply a double application of skin prep to the penis before putting on the condom.

I am wearing a high quality fabric leg bag straps with Velcro, plus another band at the thigh to secure the tubing. To keep the tubing from pulling loose from the condom or swaying back and forth when I walk, I now am wearing a pair of UnderArmour compression pants on top. Thank you Puffy for mentioning that idea! I'm going to go ahead and chance it and wear the outfit out of the house today for a couple of hours (I'm betting on my enema procedure protecting me from a bowel accident).

The down side is that I will not be able to do my evening self-intermittent catheterization while wearing the condom. I am concerned that attempted to self-catheterize through the condom (without an opportunity to cleanse the glans of the penis) might be too risky for a UTI? What do you all think about that?

--John

[wheels5894]

Don't attempt to self-catheterise with the condom in place. It will be very hard to do among other things. There are some condoms sold which can have the top unscrewed to enable this but it is hardly worth it. You can fully drain your bladder when the condom comes off each day.

[JDinVirginia]

Wheels, I agree with you. I do not need any more complexity added to this process. Besides, I seem to be responding very well to the increased dosage of Flomax. My residuals have dropped to such a low level that I think my urologist will not be concerned.

--John

[JDinVirginia]

My first test of the Hollister InView extended use external catheter condom was a success. This condom is in a slightly larger size than the Conveen Optima condom which was my first. The new size (32mm) appears to be exactly what I needed. The condom was comfortable and very secure, even after 24 hours, yet I was able to remove it without distress (however, I had applied two coats of skin prep before putting on the condom). While I normally would not expect to remove this condom before about 24 hours, I would use it during international travel when I need additional security against the condom pulling off.

Next I will test a different condom, one intended for "regular," rather than extended use.

My post-void residuals have become so low that my concerns about removing the condom in order to catheterize after 12 hours may not apply. Of course, I will have to check with my urologist about that.

--John

[wheels5894]

If you are going to use the condoms full time, go with the ones that stick well. There is nothing worse that one that come unstuck at a crucial moment. It will only happen when you actually void and, if you are like me, there's nothing I can do to stop the void! Instant mess! Stick with something you can count on to work.

You are doing very well, by the sound of it and getting the residuals down is great news. Keep it going and you will have a great cruise!

[Puffy Pants]

Seems to me you are getting the hang of the system, and trust it enough to venture out in public. One other thing I forgot to mention is that you can, for added security, use a foam catheter strap, w/Velcro, that goes fully around thee shaft helps the condom to stay in 100% contact at all times, under slight pressure, but may not apply if you are not walking a whole lot/seating. I have them, but use on rare occasions. Glad to hear things are working out! Puffy

[JDinVirginia]

Puffy, would you mind explaining that again about the foam strap? You are talking about a strap around the shaft of the penis? Where does the strap attach?

Wheels, I have had good luck finding quality condoms that stick well. That part has been very encouraging. However, I still need to work on getting one off after only 12 hours. For example, if I put one on for nighttime, but need to remove it for my morning enema and to wear a diaper off the ship for an excursion. If I am wearing shorts in the Caribbean, I can't wear the catheter.

Does anyone who is bowel incontinent wear a diaper with an external catheter? I have been going "commando" and trusting the effectiveness of my enema procedure, but I can do that with confidence only for a limited number of hours after the enema. Actually, I probably could do it for much longer, but I tend to get nervous about the possibility of a fecal accident, even though they are becoming uncommon for me.

--John

[Puffy Pants]

Yes JD, they go around the shaft, and Velcro for closure. Tagged online as a Rochester item, but I am sure others make them. I got a bag of 20 for less then $1 each, still have half left, that was 5-6 years ago I bought them, they last a long time when not used every day! http://www.exmed.net/p-2063-rochester-adjustable-foam-catheter-holder-strap.aspx Google Rochester foam catheter strap, see if you can find cheaper, Puffy Just did that, found them for less then $1 each! http://www.vitalitymedical.com/rochester-reusable-latex-free-external-catheter-strap.html