How do we know if the catheter we’re using is the best one for our body? I asked myself this question long ago when I was discharged from the hospital and sent home with a standard intermittent catheter. I struggled for a long time with insertion, leaks and pain, unaware that there were a variety of different types and that a different style of catheter may have been a better fit for my anatomy.
Now, I’m not saying that my doctor misguided me; the product did serve its purpose, but as a newly-injured person with no prior experience, I didn’t know what I didn’t know.
I received a general education on urology while I was in-patient, and I practiced with my nurse on how to use a catheter. However, at the time, there wasn’t a wide selection available for me to learn more about.
For instance, It wasn’t until I experimented on my own with a different style catheter (from a friend) that had a Coude tip (bend in the tip), which allowed me to maneuver it much more smoothly during insertion. That’s when I realized I could, and should change my catheter style.
I subsequently progressed to an external catheter, and now to rarely needing to catheterize at all. I also in the process learned that there are a ton of products to choose from: medical supplies that better suited my body and lifestyle.
We have written a plethora of articles on this subject here at Shield, a few of which I’ve linked below.
I would love to hear from you!
Please share your questions, concerns, or comments about your current bladder aid and what works, or doesn’t work for you, or reach out to me personally with the Ask Aaron feature.
My best to you, in health.
Aaron
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