When I was in the ER two weeks ago for blood in the urine, I sat for nine hours waiting for some kind of help. Finally it was decided that I should receive a catheter. I heard the nurse and EMT talking about how they were out of lidocaine. Well, they shoved that thing into me anyway. To say the least, it was an excruciating experience. They sent me home with the catheter and a bag. After five days I couldn't stand the pain any more. Urologist could not get me in for two weeks. Finally went to PCP who removed it. What a relief. That was a week and a half ago. Still have some pain in my urethra from having the catheter jammed into me. Never again!. Hope you have a better expereince than I did.