Struggling with Intermittent Self Catheterisation

[Cherryblossom99]

I’ve been intermittent catheterising for just over a month now and I’m having difficulty with pain during the process.
When I begin withdrawing the catheter I experience a nipping/stinging sensation which is making the process really difficult.
I keep removing the catheter early then not fully emptying my bladder. Sometimes it also doesn’t seem to be draining effectively so wonder if I’m not inserting far enough because of the uncomfortable sensation?
The nurse has been great and they are going to try me with smaller catheters to see if that helps. They said if it doesn’t, I could be having bladder spasms and will need to try an anticholerinic, sp?
The thing that is confusing me is that sometimes it is painless? I’m really worrying that I’m not going to be able to continue doing it, as I’m getting a lot of anxiety etc at the thought.

Are you using a lubricating jelly? It's a very sensitive area, so it's not surprising that it gets sore sometimes. Spasms can be intermittent, too.

I don't think you can really 'not put it in far enough', tbh. Gravity makes your urine flow downwards, and once the catheter tip is in place, it has to flow. I guess, if anything, you could be putting it a bit high, so that you have some urine left below the catheter tip, then you pull it out. But that shouldn't cause you an issue even if you did.