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Hello,
Glad that I found this site for catheter users. I have urge incontinence which I manage most of the time with a Foley catheter. My choice of using the Foley rather than taking medication is supported and guided by my urologist. Using the Foley has improved my quality of life. I find learning and being open for improvement is on going process with catheterization.
Gerald
Hi Gerald,
After years of using briefs and external catheters to control my urge incontincey, I finally was able to convince my urologist to insert a Foley. The first day I cried of happiness because I was finally liberated from diapers and external catheters which never provided the protection I needed. Everyday was a challenge and almost always an accident. I don’t have a spinal injury, but untreated UTI’s (uretheal scarring) and increased loss of muscle control has caused my urinary incontinence. Prior to the Foley I was self-cath to help with the urge and to reduce the UTIs. Worked okay, but just added another procedure to wearing briefs and an external catheter. Medication to control the urges doesn’t work well with my bi-polar meds. The urologist suggested I have surgery to remove the scar tissue to help voiding, but that just means I’ll still have urge incontinance. I don’t see the benefit of surgery when my life has changed for the better. I don’t want to go back, to wearing briefs, self-cath, and using an external cath just because I may not have as many accidents. I want to keep my Foley for the rest of my life (61 years old). Am I crazy for thinking this way?Hi Trex,
Thanks for making your post. It is good to connect with others that use the Foley to manage their urge incontinence.To answer your question, you are not crazy for choosing Foley catheterization. Having urge incontinence myself and knowing how quality of life improves with the Foley I understand how you are feeling. I understand from my urologist there is a growing community like us using the Foley to manage their incontinence .
In the past couple years as my urge incontinence has progressed I started experiencing difficulty of getting my flow started at times. Also my volume has slowly decreased each time I pee, and my bladder is now retaining. When I am off the Foley , I have to self cath with the intermittent. I was surprised and confused how these symptoms can occur when I have uncomfortable leakage when an urge occurs if I don’t make it to the bathroom immediately. It seems weak flow, or difficulty in getting flow started, plus retention, go hand in hand with urge incontinence. Sounds like you have the same.
Do you do your own Foley insertion?
I assume your urologist is supportive of you using the Foley?Gerald
Gerald,
I was so happy you took the time to respond to my post. I can’t count the number of times over the past 20 years primary physicians and urologists conclude by saying “I’m sorry”, which obviously implies continue to use briefs and external catheters. The first time I asked my urologist about a Foley catheter he talked me out of it. I finally made an appointment to let him know I understand the risks and want a Foley. He agreed and after he inserted the catheter I literally cried for 2 days of happiness. I don’t think my urologist is a fan of indwelling catheters, but how would he know what it is like to wear diapers and external catheters that have a 60%, in my case, success rate. What do you do when off the Foley? I can’t imagine ever being without it. My flow prior to the Foley was messed up because of scarring, and I started to get really upset because after a week the urge and flow was painful. It’s all about positioning the tube to the bag. I don’t use the Foley tube strap holder and problem solved. Perfect urine flow and the only issue I have is I don’t realize I’m passing urine. This was the major problem when I used an external or a diaper. The balloon exploded or the heavy absorbent diaper got too wet too fast. I do not realize I’m passing urine because there is no feeling. I use to be able to let out a little when I was weary moderate protection to give me time to find a restroom. I don’t want to ramble on, but I just need to share my feelings. I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to respond. Even though I have experience with drainage bags, I went on a shopping spree and purchased bags of all sizes and shapes. For the moment I’m comfortable with 1000 – 1300 ml bags during the day because I can’t feel how much has collected until the bag tightens up. I also bought sport and low volume bags when I need to be discreet. I like the Hollister vented and reusable Urocare and Coloplast bags. To answer your final questions, I don’t believe my urologist is supportive of the Foley and made it clear I had to have it changed by him every 30 days. I wish I could do my own insertion, and overtime I will ask him that I want to do it myself. I sent him an email yesterday that I intend to live life with an indwelling catheter. So maybe he will teach me how to do it myself. I have a question for you. What do you do when you are off your Foley? Thanks again.Hi Trex,
In regards to your question when I am off the Foley. I have to wear protection or use the external. The protection can be a Male Guard in my brief if I am not leaving the house. But, if leaving the house I have to wear a taped disposable diaper usually with a disposable booster insert. Like you , using the external can be a little concerning at times. I have found the Simplicity Collection system where the external cath attaches directly to the bag. The bag then sits in the pouch of your brief. To empty the bag you unzip your pants , open the port and lightly press against the bag for the urine to flow out.
Over the years I have been concerned of getting a sore on my skin if I wore an external too much. Therefore I would only wear it during the day and remove it at night.
With urge incontinence as you know it continues when you’re sleeping. Some nights can be brutal, therefore getting no rest.With the advantages of the Foley it is much easier to manage your incontinence and allow you to function normally.
Trex , I taught myself the insertion method and was using it before my first visit to my Urologist. Many men do their own.
I believe if you talk to your Urologist and explain how your quality of life has improved with the Foley he will become supportive.
Like you, in the beginning, when I asked my primary doctor about using a Foley he shut the subject down. But months later I did it on my own, and he finally became respective of my thoughts. Then he set me up with my urologist who is very supportive.
Stay safe,
Gerald
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