I am on trospium and cath myself 4 to 5 times a day...been doing it since December

self Cath about 6 times daily

basically have the mindset that if I don't I am heading for stage 5. helps me put it into perspective

I have been self cathing for only about a week. We agreed 4x per day was good, but I am finding my urine volumes are < 500ml ( I read thats what you want each time) on the second and third caths, so I am going to try 3x, or 6 hours apart and talk to the doc tomorrow when I have my Urodynamics test tomorrow. It does take a little getting used to, but isn’t too bad. As previous people have said, lay everything out, and wash your hands with antibacterial soap. I wash the genital area and use an alcohol wipe on the tip of my penis as well. I use gloves too which os probably overkill, but I’m still getting used to all of this and paranoid for infection as I just getting over one. Take it slow. When you first insert, it’s easy, a little odd feeling, but it slides right in. When you get to the prostate, you will know and it pinches a little. Just breathe and reposition yourself a little, and go slow. I stand rather than sit. I find stretch and holding the penis firm helps. You will know when you are in.
There is the suprapubic cath option as well, then you wont have to self cath. For me, depending on my UDS outcome, that might be the way to go.