Has anyone had to intermittently catheterise? Any tips

[Cherryblossom99]

Morning,

I found out yesterday that I need to catheterise due to neurogenic bladder causing retention and incontinence.
The nurse was able to catheterise me in clinic and then she got me to have a go. They did get another nurse in at one point as my urethra is difficult to find and very close to my vagina (like not even a cm away and slightly to the left).

I came home and tried myself and just cannot seem to find my urethra or I’m not inserting at the correct angle. I’m scared to push too hard incase I’m in the wrong place and hurt myself.
I’m finding it challenging to see in the mirror and don’t have enough hands when doing it to shine a torch.

The nurse is calling me on Tuesday to see how I’ve got on. However, I have wasted so many catheters trying to do it and I’m embarrassed to tell her that I can’t.
Luckily I can partially empty my bladder but I’m stuck then with the incontinence and frequent urges.

Does anyone have any tips to ease the process?

I used to teach patients this, if you can try using a mirror, may be easier on the bed at first. It is trial and error at first but its like putting your earings in you can soon do it without a mirror.
Some patients found it easier sat on the toilet, some stood and some layed down, you just need to try. Also once its in you’ll need to be upright to assist with the drainage.
Don't worry about going in the wrong hole (it won't damage anything).
Make sure the catheter is lubricated enough before hand.
If your still having problems after the weekend dont be afraid to call the nurse. I used to do daily home visits to assist (but it'll depend on your area and what they provide) you may find it more comfortable at home to get support.
I once had a 90 year old ring in tears because she couldn't do it, we got her managing independently (confidence and practice is what it usually needs).
Best of luck.

Yes, I have had to do it many, many times. I really struggled at first but you will get there, confidence is key. Personally I use a small ish hand mirror on a stand on the bed, between my legs. I lean back on pillows. Adequate lubricant is a must. I have ones that come in a packet with lube. I heard a urologist once say that the urethra has a ‘false entrance.’ This helped me hugely as I’d find myself trying what looked like the entrance and hitting resistance. Once I heard this, I would try moving the catheter end 2mm up or down, just basically a slight shift until it went in easily. The other key thing is angle. I’d wince trying to go in straight across. You need to aim down, imagine a line from urethra entrance to entrance to back passage. That’s the angle you want.

Try those things AND relax and breathe and take your time. I thought I’d never get there and couldn’t believe how people I know could do it so easily. Now I can do it in about a minute.

Lots of lube- start at the clitoris and slide down in direction but with a back and upward pressure… hope that makes sense.

I managed to get there in the end! I was aiming in the wrong place, my urethra is kind of difficult to find.
It definitely isn’t as bad as I was expecting, the concept sounds a lot worse than the reality. The feeling of having an empty bladder is amazing!
The support I have been getting from the continence nurse is excellent also.

I had to do it for urethral stricture, but honestly i gave up! Normally takes two nurses to do it, so I had no hope.

Good job getting it done!