Male with neurogenic bladder: what are my options?

@wadelong
Thank you waddling for taking the time to write to me. I found your words to be encouraging to me. Is that you’ve been doing this for eight years and you expressed really no complaints. Eight years is a long time and you seem very positive with all the other information that you shared with me. If I could ask, what type of catheter do you use? Would you have any suggestions for me when I’m gonna start doing the categorizing as to what I might use or definitely want to stay away from. I really had no idea that there were a number of choices. A fellow was texting me the name, Nikki 6969 and you shared with me the type of catheter he was using. I googled it and that’s where I realize and found out. There are a number of choices that lie ahead for me. Talking with the two of you certainly helped me. Up to this point I have kind of had my head in the sand. I’m starting to realize that I’m going to be making some choices in the near future. Presently, I have a catheter that the urologist changes every four weeks. So other than emptying the bag is really nothing that I am doing that is causing any discomfort or anything I should worry about. My surgeon and neurologist I have mentioned that you know I can only do this so long and that something else will have to be done. It’s easy for them to say to do self catheterizing or whatever because it’s not part of their life. I’m sure neither one has done it. And communicating with you and the other fellow I’m talking with men who know what it’s about and or living it. It was about a week ago a friend suggested I go into the Mayo Clinic website. This is where I started to get some information from real men who are living the life with catheters. I think both of you for communicating with me. The other fellow then I was a communicating with said that he categorize himself 4 to 6 times a day. They ask you wait how many times you characterize yourself? As you can see from that question I’m still kind of nervous about the whole situation. Your words are calming to me, especially when you told me this is eight years and you didn’t have any complaints that you expressed which gives me great hope. Can I thank you for your time and if you have any other suggestions if you give me I would really appreciate them.
Have a nice evening,
2will2

I cath 5 times a day, right before bed, when I wake up and 3 times during the day and I drink 3 liters of water everyday, it's good to stay hydrated. My bladder stopped overnight after my prostate biopsy 4 years ago.

Hi Christophers,
Thank you for your i post. My bladder stopped working right after I had spinal surgery in October. So right now I’m trying to find myself in relation to what lies ahead. It looks like it’s going to be self catheterization. I’m really not all that knowledgeable about it and I have been kind of putting it off. Presently I have a catheter and I empty several times during the course of the day. I go to the urologist every four weeks and get a new catheter. The technician removes the old catheter and then wipes the tip of my penis before applying lidocaine, which is a numbing cream. After applying it, they waited about five minutes before inserting the catheter. With the self catheterization that you do do you have something like lidocaine that you apply to the head of your penis first. I hope that isn’t too personal a question to ask. Just I have really have not a lot to go by. The number of times that you gather during the day, is that determined by just every so many hours or you get some type of a feeling that you need to void? And doing a little bit of research I see that are different types of catheters can be used. When I start, I’m not sure what I will use. Maybe the neurologist will tell me. Anything is with neurologist they haven’t done this to themselves so I don’t know if they really know the best to advise. I seem to be starting to ramble on. I apologize for that. If you have any other information that you think will help me be more relaxed and not as frightening the amount of the whole situation I’d be so pleased for you to share it with me.
Have a nice afternoon,
2will2

@2will2
Ultimately you of course have to find what works best for you. Order samples and try them all. With Medicare funding I use a Bard Magic3. Folds up pretty good. I prefer a SpeediCath Compact but insurance won’t cover the cost. Docs have tried to get me to do the nerve stimulator but my research shows only 30-40% success rates. For me that is not acceptable. So do your research before blindly agreeing to do whatever procedure they want to do. I’m complacent I guess with where I am and make it work. You will too. It’s better than some other issues I could have I figure. Best to you. You will handle this speed bump in life. Those around you will support you and understand the more you decide to include them.

@wadelong
Thank you again waddling for taking time for me. A good idea of ordering samples and see what works best for me. Both my spinal surgeon and urologist weren’t in favor of the stimulus because of its track record of not being reliable. If I could ask what kind of instruction did you get before your first time self catering? As an ex-educator I was hoping that I might be able to take a class/get instruction from a man who himself self catherrizes because he’d know what really happens.
Have a nice evening,
2will2

@2will2 hi, it sounds like you are slowly coming to terms with self catheterization. @nicky6969, WSL @wadelong and @christophers all have experience and knowledge that they’ve shared. You are making progress already. You’ve learned that the numbing cream is called lidocaine not Land Cocaine! Now remember that your specialist for this is a urologist, not a neurologist. Relax if you can. You will do just fine!

Hi,
I’ve been orally dictating and unfortunately it printed neurologist instead urologist. The same with the lidocaine. I’ve become more comfortable with my upcoming situation because of communication with men living with self catheters. I’m not as frightened. I thank the men who have shared with me. Thank you for your input also.

@2will2
No help from the Urology doc or his office that I had at the time. They say you never forget your first time. Several videos are available from mfgrs and suppliers on line. I think if you check those you’ll be well prepared to go it alone. Best of luck. You’ll be fine and will learn what techniques work for you.

@wadelong
Gee waddling, that was ashame that you were let down by the doc and his office. Hope I do not run into the same problem. I’ve tried looking up some videos on self catheterization for men, but they all seem to make things that are animated and not really a person. I’m not a pervert, but I really wanna see an actual man and what’s happening in the process. I have a question to ask you also. I have my catheter changed every four weeks at the neurology office. Before they insert the new catheter, they rub the tip of my penis with a numbing cream. When you do the catheterization for a five times a day, I exercise the self catheterization. Do you also use a numbing cream? Again, my friend thank you for your comments.

Nope. You won’t need it.