Thread: Self cathing again...

Hi all

I am certainly going round and round in circles with these so-called health professionals...first they say I could have a suprapubic instead of self cathing, now they tell me I can't and that I have to self cath! What is wrong with these people!

Unfortunately I have been told to self cath again even though I find it difficult due to my spine and urethral area being extremely sensitive, yet they are not bothered by this and have suggested it is all in my head...

Are they right to suggest it is all in my head when I cannot reach my urethra to do it and it hurts?

The other thing...the surgeon suggested it was less risk for infection (only one or two per year - cannot really believe this due to women having it near their other part and it still introduces it in fact more frequently due to more meddling) and no risk for kidney or bladder cancer, compared to an indwelling catheter (urethral or suprapubic). Are they right in saying it has no risk for kidney failure or bladder cancer and very little risk for infection? I have researched this and my research says the opposite - self cathing is higher risk for infection and bladder cancer than for suprapubic. What do I believe? He has NO evidence to be able to suggest this. Only word of mouth, whereas I have research papers (official ones).

I do not trust them or feel they understand, particularly the surgeon...

They do not understand my problems enough to be able to judge me and say it is all in my head. In fact I may report that as it is totally inappropriate to judge your patients in such a way.

I feel like giving up ...

Regards

Gamma

Hi, sallyskellington

Thanks for your reply.

I am definitely going to get a second opinion as I feel it is necessary as they may even offer me a different treatment. This urologist I saw just assumes it is very easy to self cath even though I found it painful and difficult. In an ideal world, they should at least think about what the patient is saying and take account of the patient's feelings.

Kind regards

Gamma