External Catheter at Night

[MJOTR]

Hello, folks. I am an Occupational Therapist serving a gentleman with PLS. He is having difficulty using a urinal at night, and I am wondering about the effectiveness of using an external catheter to help him (and his wife) sleep at night instead of getting up 1-2x to try to sit/stand to use a urinal.

Will it just make a mess, or is there hope this could work?

Your experiences are valuable to me!

God bless each of you.
MJ

[Al]

Hi there. Welcome. Mike or Quadbliss would be the best one to answer this one. He is usually on in the daytime.
AL.

[Mary Helen Barr]

My father has been wearing an external catheter for over a year. It is a life saver!!!!! It may take a few times to make sure you get it on right. We've had a very few accidents in that time, usually when someone other than me puts it on. I have perfected the "technique" in our situation. I am the one who puts it on 99percent of the time. He is uncircumcised, so it was a little strange at first. If you have questions, you can ask me. I would recommend non-latex catheters. Even though my dad is not really allergic to latex gloves, etc, having a latex catheter on for that long caused a really bad reaction. It was terrible. You might as well just skip the latex and get non latex. I put a new one on every single morning. They are only made to last for a day. I would highly recommend this. The person who puts it on and takes it off eventually perfects the way not to dribble urine when removing it, etc. My dad does not use the leg bag. We use a bedside bag, and hook it into a plastic lined wastebasket. I empty the bag every morning, too. I change the bag every week, because it gets ugly looking after a while, and can smell if used longer than that.

[mspiering]

Hi there-
It took me forever to get my husband to try the external catheters but now it is a life saver. I change it every 12 hours to avoid a blowout. We have had several of them and it has taken us trying several different brands till we found one that was adhesive enough to stay on since he wears it 24/7.

[quadbliss]

Hi MJ,

All I can do is back up what other folks are saying. I have been wearing an external cath 24/7 for about 7 years now, and it literally changed my life. Not only do I not have to bother my wife Jen any more during the night. I can leave the house without worrying about public restrooms, etc. If you guys decide to persue this, let me know and I will share our experiences with getting a good seal. This can be tricky at first. :-D

Mike

[ChrissyWho]

Just to add my two cents... When my husband started having trouble holding his urinal the external cath was a lifesaver. He wore it 24/7 and very rarely had any problems.

Chris

[crystalkk]

Is this the same thing as the condom cath. and only for men?

[Al]

Hey Mike. Do you know of a website that has information on the condom catheters? As they say , a picture is worth a thousand words. Or maybe you could paint a picture and sell it to the manufacturer. Anyway I looked in a couple of online medical catalogues and there wasn't much info there.
Thanks. AL.

[quadbliss]

Hi Al,

This (http://www.hollister.com/us/products/product_series.asp?id=3&family=20&series=175) is the one I use.

crystalkk,

Yes, unfortunately this only works for men.

Mike

[oldmoor]

I know the external catheter you described is for men only....but is there anything other than a regular catheter that a woman can use. This is such a problem for my sister and her loving husband. He is really getting so tired and she hates to wake him up. I just spent last week with them,and was exhausted when I returned.

I live 500 miles away and spend one week a month with them. I love the time my sister and I have together, but each time I visit ,it is so clear how she loses more strength and agility . She was diagnosed with ALS two years ago, but showed severe speech difficulty a year prior to that. She is not afraid, and very serene. An Incredibly strong person with a deep spiritual trust. She is beginning to choke fairly easily. I am so scared for her at times.

Thanks for the forum. I just feel sad tonight.

Loving sister

[janf]

Oh You Men Always Have It Made Lol

[janf]

Hi Al,

This is the one I use.

crystalkk,

Yes, unfortunately this only works for men.

Mike

OH YOU MEN ALWAYS HAVE IT MADE LOL

[CindyM]

Hello Oldmoor- You asked the question I wanted to ask. I saw on one of the handicapped equipment sites something called a "female catherator" but it didn't look very leak-proof to me. I can't recall where I saw it but if you do a google search I am sure one or two will come up. If I find anythink I'll post a link. Cindy

[Al]

Thanks Mike. That just may be the thing to get me out more.
AL.

[califsand]

I know the external catheter you described is for men only....but is there anything other than a regular catheter that a woman can use. This is such a problem for my sister and her loving husband. He is really getting so tired and she hates to wake him up. I just spent last week with them,and was exhausted when I returned.

I live 500 miles away and spend one week a month with them. I love the time my sister and I have together, but each time I visit ,it is so clear how she loses more strength and agility . She was diagnosed with ALS two years ago, but showed severe speech difficulty a year prior to that. She is not afraid, and very serene. An Incredibly strong person with a deep spiritual trust. She is beginning to choke fairly easily. I am so scared for her at times.

Thanks for the forum. I just feel sad tonight.

Loving sister


Your sister and my father seem to have a similar progression. It is painfully sad sometimes, I'm having a sad day myself :cry:

[CindyM]

Let's hope tomorrow gets better. :) Al- you are too frisky to be kept indoors. I hope mike's tips send you back out in the world. just don't mow the lawn. :-D cindy

[Al]

No more lawn mowing for me. Content now just to watch it grow. Well not really content but puttiing up with it.
LOL.
AL.

[CindyM]

I'm sorry AL. This disease makes people adjust constantly. Wish it were different. Cindy

[MtPockets]

Hi Al,

This is the one I use.

crystalkk,

Yes, unfortunately this only works for men.

Mike

I contacted this link that Mike gave and they are sending out a free sample for me try out. I think that is a great idea before committing to one product, check it out to see if it actually works. Thought some of the others might want a free sample.

God Bless
Capt AL

[quadbliss]

It sounds like you guys might be getting serious about trying this, so I thought the following ino might be helpful:

I have been wearing a condom catheter 24/7 for several years, and very
rarely experience a leak. The type of catheter, and applying it
properly are crucial. I need to graphically describe some things, so if
you are disturbed by frank discussions of anatomy, you should stop
reading.

I use Hollister Extended Use Catheters. These caths have an inner flap that prevents urine from coming into contact with the adhesive (when applied correctly). There are a couple things that are important in reducing leaks. First, the
penis must be perfectly clean and dry before application. This requires
a few minutes of air drying after the area is cleaned and towel dried.
It also means the person installing the cath can't have any residues
from cream or lotions on their hands. Second, when installing, the head
of the penis must be pushed firmly against the inner flap with the
urethra fully visible through the hole. This prevents urine from
dissolving the adhesive.

For more info about the convenience of a condom catheter, see the
article on my website
<http://quadbliss.com/travel.htm#Condom_Catheters

I hope this helps.

Mike

[robinswife]

Hi MJ
Just to add what I have experienced is they saved a whole lot of accidents from happening .Robin was getting very weak to stand and had fallen a few times trying to go,someone told me to look for external cathaters. I found them the first batch a got a little to big but once I found the right size he has had no problem and wears them 24/7 .Sometimes if he has had a restless night it will come off .All I know is I'd rather clean him up then have to pick him up or have him hurt himself . Just try them they are great
God bless all
Judy

[CindyM]

So what about us ladies? Are we consigned to adult briefs? And do they work well enough?

[greg175csp]

So what about us ladies? Are we consigned to adult briefs? And do they work well enough?

Well, there is This.... (http://www.biorelief.com/store/Female-Urinary-Pouch.html)

I'm not sure how comfortable that would be though.

[liz]

Don't know if it would travel well; but, thanks for trying.

[MtPockets]

Wow you would think some inventor would come up with something better than that. I guess it's better than nothing, or depends, but not by much.

God Bless
Capt AL

[greg175csp]

From some of my work in the hospital, I remember a urinary diverter for women as well. I don't whether you can get them readily or not, but Here (http://www.freshette.com/usage.html) is the link to that. Anything that stops another Foley cath is a win in my book :D

[CindyM]

OK Ladies- we've got our research cut ut for us! If anybody wants to be a guinea pig (or pigette) and test these items send me a PM and I’ll subsidize the cost of the items. Cindy

[landscape]

Anyone have any suggestions for removing self adhering external catheters? That adhesive seems resistant to everything: warm wet facecloths, Wet Wipes . . . more than a few moments of panic . . .

Are some brands 'stickier' than others?

Do you have to change the Hollister extended use ones every 24 hours or can they be used for longer?

[Mary Helen Barr]

I don't have any trouble removing my father's every day. I bought Hollister, non latex, with short "sheath". There are many kinds, and some are stickier than others. You could call your supplier (like Allegro Medical) and tell them the problem you are having. They should be able to give suggestions.

Also, since my dad is not circumcised, it's different than what Quadbliss was saying, at least for my father. If the head of the penis is visible when putting on the catheter, then when the skin comes over to cover it in the penis' natural state, the catheter comes right off--not what you want to have happen. Each person probably has to figure out what works best for them. Definitely no lotions or creams in the near vicinity! Sorry for the graphic language!

[Al]

Don't worry about the graphic language. We're all adults. These are the things that we need to talk about. The docs and nurses don't know much about this stuff and if they do they don't talk about it. It's great that this thread got started. I'm to the point where I either don't drink the days I go out or I really have to be choosy about where I go. This just may allow me and others more freedom.
AL.

[MtPockets]

Since we are all adults....I need clarification about something.

When us guys go into ream sleep or whatever it is called, we get an erection, according to the sleep lab Doctors. I have just received several samples of the condom Cather, in the mail, from one of the on line companies and I really don't have a clue what to do about allowing room for the movement or change in size while I sleep, if you know what I mean. :roll:

If you put it on while uh small, and go to sleep, and it changes, won't it just come off in your sleep? I hate to think I might wake up with urine all over the bed.

Also the ones I got were in millimeter sizes?? I feel like a lost shoe salesman, without a shoe size chart. :oops:

God Bless
Capt AL

P. S. I know this had to make Al's day. Someone had to ask it, right? :shock:

[Mary Helen Barr]

Yes, the sizes are surprising. I know they come in at least medium (29mm), intermediate (maybe 32 mm?) and large (36 mm). As it turns out, the mediums are best for my dad. Just make sure that it is sealed completely. It requires squeezing all around,. --sounds weird, but I'm used to it. It the catheter itself does not need to go the whole length of the penis. We use the short sheath ones. Anyway, the catheters are stretchy, and I don't think you'd need to worry about it coming off during your sleep. Just have whoever puts it on make sure it is completely sealed. It does take some trial and error, and we had a few accidents at home, but all in all, these catheters are amazing. If my father were a woman, I don't know how we'd manage. Obviously, the women here on this site must manage somehow.

You guys are right, the medical staff doesn't know nearly as much as you would think about this stuff. If you're going to try these catheters, I would recommend non latex. That is a very sensitive area, and, even though my dad is not really allergic to latex, he is allergic to the latex catheters. What an awful reaction he had! Another "delicate" thing to remember is to really keep that area clean.

[Al]

Hey Al. Which sounds better 6 inches or 29 millimeters. Maybe those British are on to something with that Metric stuff. LOL.

[janf]

Well, there is This.... (http://www.biorelief.com/store/Female-Urinary-Pouch.html)

I'm not sure how comfortable that would be though.

Hi girls this is just like i used in pediatric worked great for babies to get a clean catch urine . I was just sitting here thinking about those bags and looked on the site and there they are don't forget to shave though sticky on bottom lol:oops: janf

[MtPockets]

I vote for the millimeters. :-D

No comment about how many.....:-D:-D:-D

God Bless
Capt AL

[liz]

I notice they don't come in "small". What's up with that? :-D

[MtPockets]

AL right, who told on me?

God Bless
Capt AL

[CindyM]

Thanks for the info Janf. I figure by the time any woman gets ready to need one of those things, she will no longer be able to shave herself. I don't know about you but I will pee all over the floor before I let anybody near me with a shaver in that area! :-D Cindy

[Al]

I used to work in a drugstore many years ago and don't ever remember a guy coming in and asking for small condoms. They made them but no guy I knew would ask for them. LOL.
AL.

[Mary Helen Barr]

I'm sure they come in smalls, but medium is the smallest we tried, and that's what we stuck with. If the catheter is too big, it's harder to make sure it's sealed properly.

[rufus]

Mike.....I was most interested in your OLD post RE condom cathater and a GOOD fit. Could you give me some ideas. I am just learning to put it on my husband.

Rufus in AZ

[rufus]

Where do you get this one? I tried to Google it and nothing came up. Also, how DO you get a good seal? My husband is older so his penis is contracted and I have a hard time getting the condom on. Any suggestions? Rufus

[CindyM]

I think Quadbliss has some tips for this. (Did he say KY Jelly works?) Try a search of this site to see how to get a good seal...

[JAKE]

Hmmmm, This thread might get very interesting before it's over with. :-D

[quadbliss]

Hi Rufus,

Check out post no. 20 on page 2 of this thread.

One thing I have not mentioned until now; in the beginning, until you get the technique down, it is helpful if you are working with at least a partial erection. (I hope I did not cross any lines here.)

Mike

[Al]

No lines crossed Mike. Some of us guys need to know this stuff.
AL.

[Lorie]

A Condum Cath was used on Tim when he was in the Hospital. The one thing all of us learns, I hope. We cant let pride get in the way of making things easier for those in need of relief. I even help Tim potty. It don't bother me or him a bit!


Lorie

[CindyM]

Plus, Mike- I opened the door. People usually think I am shy but my theory is we might as well say it like it is! We are all adults here. :-D

[MtPockets]

Any suggestions on how to take care of bowel movements? Looking for ideas before I need them. Do the adult depends work well? Any other suggestions?


Also about the condom Cath. I went to this site and they sent me a sample pack of various types they make, so you get a better idea of what may work best for you, and you can request various sizes to try out before you buy. The sample pack was free.
http://www.hollister.com/us/products/product_series.asp?id=3&family=20&series=175

[Al]

I got the freebie pack from them up here in Canada too AL. They have an office here in Ontario.
AL.

[terri]

Hi,

I wouldn't worry too much yet about the bowel movements, Mt. Pockets. LB never really had that problem. I could always transfer him to the toilet for that adventure. There were a few times that he wore the depends when he was sick because of fear of messing himself up. And the once or twice that he was sick and I wasn't fast enough the depends did take care of the problem. I only bought one package of depends and only used a couple the entire time.

Take care .

terri

CAL to LB (2005-2007)

[whimsy_1971]

could someone feel me in on what type to use if your's retracts inside instead of staying out somewhat.

[MtPockets]

I just wanted to let you know you are not alone. Mine does the same thing. I also am interested in any suggestions anyone might have.

QuadBliss suggested on this thread,"One thing I have not mentioned until now; in the beginning, until you get the technique down, it is helpful if you are working with at least a partial erection."

Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

[Al]

I mentioned that one to my support workers and most of them weren't too keen on helping with that one at all Capt. AL..
AL.

[whimsy_1971]

well thanks, maybe we can come up with something.