Foley Catheter Discomfort: How do you walk comfortably?

Posted by cent66 @cent66, Aug 3, 2022

Have the foley catheter. Can't seem to find comfort in walking, the drain tube moves ever so slightly with each pace and gives me extreme pain. I am comfortable sitting down, but when I walk it just aches terribly. I have tried the STAY LOCK, sort of arrangement to keep the tubing tight against body., but still not good. Is the problem the mounting of the tubes to the leg, or could it possibly be a change on the type of underwear you would wear... boxers, briefs, tight against body, loose against body. Open to suggestions, just cannot keep the tubing from moving in the meatus area...very painful. Thoughts??

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Way to many options for catheter care. Should not be painful or hard to walk. Elastic leg strap around thigh to anchor tube. Mayo store sells everything you need to be comfortable. No need to be in pain.

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Take a4" piece of paper tape. Make a small curve in the catheter and leave a little slack. Tape the tube to your tummy a little below belly button level. This will anchor it all. Vaseline on the tip of your penis couple times per day. Elastic strap on thigh to further hold the tube. Bard 900ml leg bag has great straps. Nothing should move. No need for any pain. Tape the tube to upper thigh above leg strap. Switch legs daily.

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@budisnothome

Take a4" piece of paper tape. Make a small curve in the catheter and leave a little slack. Tape the tube to your tummy a little below belly button level. This will anchor it all. Vaseline on the tip of your penis couple times per day. Elastic strap on thigh to further hold the tube. Bard 900ml leg bag has great straps. Nothing should move. No need for any pain. Tape the tube to upper thigh above leg strap. Switch legs daily.

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I had a Foley catheter for about 6 weeks prior to BiPoLEP surgery. In my experience, once the meatus becomes irritated and painful, it takes a few days of tender lovin' care to relieve the pain. This is what worked for me:
1. Find the most comfortable position for the catheter... up, down, sideways... whatever feels best for you. Then securely anchor the catheter to hold it in that position using a combination of Statlocks and medical tape.
2. Walk/move as little as possible for a few days to allow the irritation to heal.
3. Keep the meatus very well lubricated. I primarily used an antibiotic gel, but I would also use a lidocaine gel to get some relief especially right after I needed to move around. In my experience, the lidocaine gel only provided about 20 to 30 minutes of numbing relief before it wore off, but that was helpful especially when going to bed and trying to fall asleep.
This is a very personal and individual issue. All of our suggestions here are just that... suggestions of things to try. Only you will know what works for you. I hope you can find some relief. Best of luck!

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I have a Foley cath inserted for 1 week to be checked next Tues. I find it very uncomfortable to sit on. It is attached to a garden hose going to a large see thru clear plastic huge enema bag Cant seem to get clothes on and therefore I am confined to my room. I was told it was a small bag and taped to my leg calf. Is that true and how do I get one ? I am An 89 yr old female
Appreciate any help or suggestions. Thank you

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@bonniekate

I have a Foley cath inserted for 1 week to be checked next Tues. I find it very uncomfortable to sit on. It is attached to a garden hose going to a large see thru clear plastic huge enema bag Cant seem to get clothes on and therefore I am confined to my room. I was told it was a small bag and taped to my leg calf. Is that true and how do I get one ? I am An 89 yr old female
Appreciate any help or suggestions. Thank you

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Hi, I’m an 87 year old male with a Foley Catheter. I have Metastasized Prostate Cancer, have chose Quality of Life rather than Quantity, thus, rejected radiation treatments, due to their side effects.
After visiting the radiation Doctor who told me I would need to drink a lot of water to fill my bladder in order to protect certain areas from radiation. He told me to fold my catheter tubing in half and clamp it off., because with the catheter draining the bladder the bladder will shrink and not hold the required water volume for treatment.
In short, at night I for good sleep put on the bag. However during the day I clamp off my tube, no bag, much more manageable comfortable, and my bladder retains its natural site. With it circling urgencies to relieve myself.
I use two clamps. One for the hose the other to pin the otherwise dangling hose to upper part of my underwear This is so effective I’m unaware of the catheter.
The clamps I chose to use are little wooden, about one and a half inch in size, clothe pins from Michaels Arts and Crafts
Store
Hoping this might be helpful .

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Hi. I have had catheters for many years. Currently have a suprapubic catheter. The Mayo Clinic has all the supplies you need. 900 ml leg bag with straps. Larger overnight bag. Dale makes an elastic thigh strap to hold the upper tubing. 3m makes blue silicone kind tape to tape catheter to your tummy. Male a small loop in the catheter and tape to tummy. Bard makes the bags and they also make a small plug to put in the end of the catheter when showering. Your doc can't get you a prescription for it all and insurance will pay. Prescription for DME supplies. Call the Mayo store and they can help you. Good luck. No need for any pain or discomfort. Lots of stuff to help you.

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Mayo pharmacy store. 1.888.303.9354

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@budisnothome

Mayo pharmacy store. 1.888.303.9354

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They also make an adhesive patch to stick to your tummy to hold the tubing instead of tape. Works for a few days and is very easy and comfortable. Statlock Foley 2 way catheter stabilization device.
Mayo store has these also.

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@bonniekate

I have a Foley cath inserted for 1 week to be checked next Tues. I find it very uncomfortable to sit on. It is attached to a garden hose going to a large see thru clear plastic huge enema bag Cant seem to get clothes on and therefore I am confined to my room. I was told it was a small bag and taped to my leg calf. Is that true and how do I get one ? I am An 89 yr old female
Appreciate any help or suggestions. Thank you

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@bonniekate, I hope you saw the helpful responses from @zygmund and @budisnothome.

How are you adjusting to the catheter?

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Had the FOLEY for over a year.....in and out. Painful and uncompforable. I tried using some cream around the meatus area, ther are creames that have painkiller in the cream. This offered some relief, not perfect, but every little bit helps. I used baggy boxers and baggy pants hope this helps a little...I feel your pain.

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