ISC - does anyone do, where do you dispose of catheters ?

[andyouloveme]

Posted for years, name changed.

I self catheterise for an atonic bladder, got about twenty mins nhs training two years ago and then left to it and told this is the rest of my life. No specialist nurse and consultant won’t see me til June next year. GP says she knows nothing about this.

I’ve avoided using like them the plague as I can wee without them, just not fully or properly, however am currently getting a UTI every two weeks so thinking I should get on with it.

Suppose it’s a Silly question but no idea where else to ask. I usually use a sanitary bin if one’s available but am conscious I probably shouldn’t do that in other places as a) they look relatively like sharps of a sort once closed and b) I’ve been asked by relatives a couple of times not to place them in bins that others use as its embarrassing (even in a nappy bag) . Usually have a fair amount of rubbish unfortunately as have the catheter itself, gloves at times, baby wipes for before and after and, anaesthetic gel .

I am wondering if I should buy a separate bag for inside my handbag and store used ones in there (in a nappy bag obviously) and then bin once home ? They don’t need a sharps bin do they as they’re blunt, and capped anyway once used (ie you can stick a lid back on). My only worry is they leak a bit (as they would) but if they’re double wrapped..

I’m supposed to use them every time I use the loo, so that’s about 8 times a day - which obviously means public loos, friends, family, etc...

Other daft question is would I be wrong to try and use disabled loos? Have tried in public bathrooms and there’s never the room unfortunately, and it would help to have a sink for hand washing ....

Sorry if no one does this, just no idea where else to ask unfortunately.

of course you can use the disabled toilet, you don't want to be struggling with this. can you see the practice nurse or the continence nurse. in hospitals they are put into the yellow bags, I'll have a look and see what they suggest in the community, are you in the u.k. I would also seek medical advice about self catheterising with a u.t.i. if you don't need to, could it make the uti worse?

Yes I’m in the UK.

I’m really not sure, last few dipsticks have all come back with blood, wbc, and high levels of protein. Even if there’s no infection markers there’s still a lot of protein hanging about, no idea what that indicates. Out of hours doctor said I probably need kidney function tested.

I’m on coamoxiclav just now for the fourth time in three months.

That’s what I was remembering, there was some argument when I worked in hospital as to whether they needed disposal in a bucket or in a bag, but they were always double bagged etc. I feel a bit manky walking about with several used ones in my handbag even if they are bagged up. In public I usually try to use a nappy bin or something, but unsure if that’s OK.

I’ve asked if I can see the continence team and was told I don’t come under their remit really, as no real diagnosis at the moment, just that my bladder doesn’t contract well and I don’t often get a sensation of needing to empty it.

that sounds frustrating, I would contact the community continence team for advice, as far as I know they can be disposed off in the bin if they're wrapped up in plastic bags or newspaper but that there may be a different system if you have an infection. where abouts in the uk are you? who supplies the catheters for you, could they not help.

Central belt in Scotland ... GP usually supplies the catheters when I ask for them , but will look up coloplast or something , I’m sure they’re coloplast ones so will see if they have a helpline . No idea how community nursing works , I think you need a GP referral for some reason but will mention next time I phone and see if they can offer any advice . I probably need to prod a bit with regards to getting more help . I’ve got gynaecology again in 3 weeks and think I am seeing clinical lead so perhaps she can do something .

all nhs trusts have a continence service, often led by nurses, some say you need to be referred by a gp, others are happy for people just to call and refer themselves. the gynae people should be able to help you too, hope you get it sorted.

Coloplast have a web site in Australia and also customer support nurses on the phone. I think would be same in UK.
I only suggest catheterising 4-5 times a day unless you can’t pass any urine yourself, then aim for 5 times a day. Dispose as you would a nappy, so double bag and in the bin is OK. If at relatives etc, just bin straight away in outside bin as you would a smelly nappy.

Regarding disposal, check with whoever supply's the catheters and see what they say.
It is absolutely fine to use disabled loos as you have an additional need. You can get radar keys from the supplier of the catheters.
Can you go back to where you were originally trained? Your local hospital will have a nurse led department somewhere that deals with ISC if you are struggling and your GP is claiming no knowledge they should send you to someone who can help you. The secretary of the consultation you are under may be able to get a nurse to see you too. If the catheters you are given are not very discrete ask about changing brands maybe?

Try searching our local authority webpage,, ours has a page regarding the different medical waste options. They may supply you with a clinical waste bin or tell you that they should go in your normal bin.

If the do go in the Normal bin then perhaps when visiting you could pp them straight in the outside bin.

In term of needing to carry bits home, the wet bags sold for cloth nappies are great. You might still want to bag in a nappy bag, but a smallish zipped bag would be a bit more discrete in you bag. Also being thinker fabric nothing pokes out. Something like these www.cheekywipes.com/wetbags-mesh-washbags/cheeky-wipes-double-wetbag.html

Can you contact your local District Nurses. Your GP practice should be able to give you the number. They deal with catheter issues on a daily basis. I know our DN's would definitely give you help/advice but not sure all would be the same. Worth a try.

I work for a company that dispenses ISC catheters. We provide disposal bags, basically the same as nappy sacks, and people just pop the used catheter in there and stick it in the bin. Most toilets have a bin for paper towels etc.

Coloplast have continence nurses working for them, but not sure if you’d be allowed to see them given you live in Scotland. I know Stoma patients in Scotland can’t see company nurses due to the issues with sponsorship, but not sure if that’s the same with continence. You should though be able to self refer to the local continence team.

I would recommended contacting Hollister. I'm a neuro nurse specialist and they are the first company I recommend for patients with neurogenic bladder. Here's their contact page:

secure.hollister.com/en-GB/ukcontactuspage

You can call them for supplies and advice as a patient (It's not just for healthcare professionals.)

And the page with ISC products;

www.hollister.co.uk/en-gb/continencecare

I'm sorry you're receiving so little support.

Also, used catheters should be bagged and disposed of in household waste.

Thanks all so much , will get on to them tomorrow .

I suspect probably should see my GP as well - wee has gone a bit funny tonight eg it looks fizzy/foamy? Doesn’t seem right to me but clueless as to what could be up. I have PCOS and am pretty overweight (well, I am huge to be honest) and was told chances are I am probably pre diabetic , so am very wary of what might be up .

I’ve been asked by relatives a couple of times not to place them in bins that others use as its embarrassing (even in a nappy bag)

First off, your relatives who say this are douche canoes... would they ask a disabled person not to use a wheelchair because the fact the disable person couldn’t walk impacts their feelings?!

I’d suggest using the disabled toilets where possible my lovely, or if you are really not liking the prospect of having to put them in the sanitary bin (I totally get what you mean by them looking like sharps!) would a small waterproof pouch to store them in until you get home be any better? I imagine that using the catheters (you mentioned you hadn’t been in the past) would mean that you would be able to fully or at least mostly void your bladder and not need to go as often?