Catheters and Infections

In 1978 I was hospitalized with a bleeding duodenal ulcer. The only H2 antagonist that was discovered at that time was Cimetadine (Tagamet). I was give an injection of Tagamet every 6 hours. My IV had a"Y site" on it for IV administration of meds. When the RN's would shoot my dose it felt like they were shooting ice water into my vein. Does anyone think that this was actually irritation to the vein?

@jimmyt44 Its difficult to say , but I suspect that it may have been caused by the nurse using saline that was cold. Even though the bags of liquid or saline ampoules are room temperature it's really cold compared to the warmth of your body and so may account for that cold feeling.

Normally you would experience tenderness and pain ( burning or stinging),redness (at site and along the vein if visible) with or without swelling as well as the site feeling warm if their was irritation .

Potassium burns like hell.

yes ma'am it dose, not a fun experience at all

Was reading that non sterile catheter use is recommend for home use of a intermittent catheter now. Research is showing that using clean not sterile catheters does not raise the risk of UTI's. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/745908_7

Also webmd http://www.webmd.com/men/tc/intermittent-catheterization-for-men-topic-overview

Simple answer, yes.

Less simple answer….

Let me start by saying that I am not a medical professional and this in not medical advice.

That said, I am someone who has bladder emptying issues caused by nerve damage and for the last twenty some years has had to use intermittent clean self catherization on and off. I have never had to rely on it totally, but have had to use CIC 0 to 3 times a day to get my bladder completely empty. It has been one of a set of tools that I have used to retain as much bladder function as I can. I have done it a few thousand times.

The only times I have had UTIs has been when I was cathing. (I tended to get them in clusters to. I might have no UTIs in a year or I might have 4.) You can have the best technique in the world, but your penis, like the rest of you, is covered in bacteria and you will eventually push some in.

If you are going to do this for fun, I have this personal advice. This is just personal advice, not medical. I am not a medical professional. Talk to a real doctor or nurse in person for medical advice. This is just stuff that seemed to help me over the years.

• Never reuse a catheter.

• When cleaning your hands before hand, use a paper towel to dry your hands, not your regular cloth one.

• Try to use one of the no touch or less touch catheters.

• Wash the head of your penis before inserting.

• Cleanliness! Cleanliness! Cleanliness!

• If the catheter touches something that it shouldn’t before going in you (like the head of your penis), throw it out. (or clean it for a little rectal play)

• Check out some catheter manufactures web sites. They will usually have instructional videos.

• Try a supplement like d-mannose when you are cathing.

• Get some urine test strips.

• If you suspect an infection, SEE A DOCTOR! It is embarrassing, but do it.

Similar advice applies to those with vaginas instead of penises.

UTIs can be just annoying and go away on their own. Or they can be really bad and even life threatening. Please take them seriously. I have had them go from “a little cloudy I’m not sure if I need to go in” to fever of 102 real fast.

Sorry to be preachy or a downer, but it’s just what I have experienced. Be careful out there.

(If you want me to preachy in a more fun way, ask me about Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy. ;>😉 I will sing its praises. )