Self Catherizing While Traveling

Welcome @anonmike, While we wait for members to share their experience with self catherizing while traveling I thought I would share this article on the topic that may be helpful.

--- Flying with Intermittent Catheters: Relax After - Reading These Must-know Tips:
https://www.compactcath.com/blog/flying-with-catheters-plane-tsa/.
Have you talked to your care team or doctor to see if they might have some suggestions or tips?

Yes, I've talked to the doc/nurse info source for more info.
But I'd like to hear from us on the ground people about practical strategies when away from home. I'd appreciate any information that people are comfortable sharing. Thank you.
Michael

Hello,
I am new to this platform and would like to share my experience using catheters while traveling.
I am 79 years old and have used intermittent catheters for about two years. When I first started I was prescribed 5 times a day. Now, with medication (Tamsulosin .4mg twice a day) I use two . . . one in the mornings and one at bedtime.
I love traveling all over the world and usually stay away for several months at a time. However, this meant packing became difficult with so many catheters. I was packing 250 to 300 catheters, some in my carry on but most in my check luggage. I prefer Cure Ultra on a daily use and I purchased Coloplast SpeediCath Compact to use in airports, planes and trains because of the ease they fit into a pocket or small backpack.
Long story short. About a year ago I found myself in an emergency situation with only 3 catheters left and I was away from home. I developed a cleaning routine to make the 3 catheters last using bottled water and hydrogen peroxide. I did not know how long I was going to be away but continued to cath twice a day while cleaning and reusing one catheter (I also purchased some KY for lubricant). I returned home after 10 days away with no problems and no UTI's. I told this story to my urologist during my next visit and all he said was . . .
"Dial Antibacterial hand soap 99% is alway good to use". I took this as "Go for it".
I just returned home from a 6 month trip to another country. Instead of packing hundreds of catheters I packed 60 for the entire 6 month trip. I contained to cath twice daily, cleaning and reusing one catheter for a week. I used purchased bottle water, hydrogen peroxide, cotton makeup removal rounds for wiping and cleaning the tube, and a sterile lubricant I purchased on Amazon. I had no problems and no UTI's the entire 6 month trip.
This method has changed my life daily and the way I can travel. On another note . . . I feel better knowing now that I am only using one catheter a week instead of two a day and not contributing to all that plastic going into our landfills.
I hope this posting might help.