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I have a neobladder and I am having to cath at least 4 or 5 times a day. My problem is getting them washed. I have been washing in antibacterial soap, rinising and hanging to dry. I am having a hard time getting them to dry inside and the nurse told me not use them if they still had water in them. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
I don't think its a good idea to reuse catheters.
I understand that it could be an issue if ones insurance doesn't pay for enough catheters each month.
What is the opinion here of our nurses?
Anna
My husband had to self cath at least 7 times a day before he had his rc in june and developed 2 urinary infections until he started ordering in large amounts so he could use each one only once.
Good luck,
Candon
Ardy, This sounds silly but when I have had to reuse catheters I would whirl them around for a bit after washing to get water out. Also letting them hang upside down seems to work. then bag them up after they're dry. Most insurance and medicare will allow you to purchase catheters in bulk with a small copay. I use a company called Edgepark: 1-800-321-0591 or Edgepark.com. they will contact your urologist or Gp and the insurance companies. There are others as well.Hope this helps good luck.
You are aware aren't you that Medicare pays for the catheters prescribed by your physician.
My son made the arrangements for a three months supply, two or more catheters per day and I understand that it was fully covered by Medicare and possibly some by my insurance.
HighlandGuy
Hi Ardy,
I have to cath 5-6 times a day as well. Early this summer, when I first had to cath, I was washing mine with anti-bac soap and hot H2o. I did this for about a month. I recently found out that my insurance may not pay for disposable cath's forever, so I began washing them again. They never completely dried either. I guess it is pure luck, but I never had any problems with a UTI or any other issue. I was very concerned about infection, nonetheless. Finally my Doc gave me a script for a year. I pray my insurance will continue to pay. I feel the best/safest bet is disposing of them after each use. Speak with your URO and have him write a refillable script for them, and hope your insurance will pay.
My insurance started paying when I went ballistic with them and submitted a prescription from my doc. Catheters are meant to be SINGLE USE....hello! I use
byrumhealthcare.com and they send my supplies once a month. They are great.
Thanks for all your suggestions. Right now I'm paying $25 for one a day and my insurance is suppose to pay the rest but I haven't heard but when you have to cath several times a day that can get very expensive.
Well - there are some good things about health care here in the UK! We can get single use catheters and all cancer sufferers now get free prescriptions.
Surely if you are at risk of UTI's you should have a good case to put forward to your insurers for single use ones - I am aware of other people in the USA who have done this successfully.
Good luck from across the pond!
Betsy Mae
It depends on your insurance.
I too use Edgepark and recommend them to you as well. They are very good at working with the insurance companies and with your doctor as well.
My doctor will not give prescriptions for using catheters one time. I wash and reuse mine. Try rotating several of them a day and that will give them more time to dry. Mine are not always dry and I still reuse them. Luckily I have not had an infection but I have only been at this for 5 months and I have an Indiana pouch. You could ask for some samples of catheters that are not so expensive and try them. I have tried them from $1.30 up to $25.00 a piece.
Hope you get the help you need to cover the costs.
Tamlin
What I used to do is wash with a non antibacterial soap as I was told. Soft soap. As the antibacterial soap kils off all the bacteria which is not good. You need good bacteris to help with your infections. Also I stored my catheters in a large plastic pencil case. After washing I placed them in the case with appox 6 alcohol cotton balls. The alcohol absorbs the water. Medical alcohol.
Reards
Bruce
Hi Ardy
I have a neo and that is the only way I can go is to use a cather. I do re use mine, I simply let water run through shake it a little and then put it away in like a small zipper pouch. I have used it when it is not dry but I do change every few days. I also use Edgepark.com they have been great they will contact your doc. and check with your ins. co. before they order. My cathers are no where near 25.00 each. Maybe $3-4 each but after ins. no more than $1. Check around the medical supply sites. Again Edgepark really works with you to get the best price.
Mariann
hey andy -
i wash my catheter's warm soapy water (i use dawn-if dawn works for cleaning wildlife after a oil spill i figure it's ok for my catheters) - rinse in hot water THEN i hang them up using cable clips - they are made of plastic and have a peel and stick backing - ( i placed the clips to the inside of my medicine cabinet) they dry within 24 hours -
i've doing this since august '08 and so far so good -
later rob
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