Camping/Outdoor Pursuits with Self Cathing?

• By crdemers72 (Inactive)
• Reply 3443978
• October 9, 2012 at 11:45 am
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Hi mlt,

I do have an alternate suggestion; have you thought about wearing a Foley indwelling catheter for the duration of the trip with a plug installed in the tip? You could be out for extended periods that way and simply unplug the catheter when you needed to void. Self-cathing in an environment would be difficult at best, impossible and unhygenic at worst. You can wear indwelling foleys for up to a month (two weeks is what I call tops) and if you get a good silicone catheter (I recommend the StrataSI catheters since they are softer at http://www.allegromedical.com/catheters-c539/strata-si-foley-catheters-5cc- p561612.html) with a bard plug, you'd be good to go.

Hope this helps,
Colin

• By cmenglish
• Reply 3459985
• October 15, 2012 at 12:37 pm
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Hi MLT,

You could also get you some touchless catheter kits. You can cath anytime and not worry the cleanliness of your hands. I use them when I get in tight spots like when I am in my van.

Good luck.

• By Impalasteve
• Reply 3460379
• October 15, 2012 at 2:59 pm
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What are touchless catheters????

Steve

• By cmenglish
• Reply 3460786
• October 15, 2012 at 5:31 pm
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They are sterile catheters in a sterile urinary bag. You can cath and never touch the catheter with your bare hands. It has the catheter and lubricant in a closed kit. You can view some here: http://www.allegromedical.com/catheters-c539/touchless-intermittent-cathete r-kit-male-p193064.html

• By Mouky
• Reply 3462194
• October 16, 2012 at 7:43 am
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Hi, i have not gone for weeks on in nature and i imagine that yes it would be a bit complicated ad risky. However i highly recommend coloplast products...they are by far the best products out there and i use a prelubed no touch catheter when i am on the run. I would recommend yiu have disposable gloves with you to improve sterility...

Here is the product
http://www.us.coloplast.com/products/continencecare/product.aspx?commcatego ry=EasiCath(Coloplast)&categoryId=220(Coloplast)&productid=25215(Coloplast)

I tried everything and the prelubed (liquid lube so not a gel that can block the urethra etc...) coloplast products are the best. My insurance cvers them...

Good luck!
M

• By mlt
• Reply 3470346
• October 18, 2012 at 10:53 pm
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Thanks all for your help- very much appreciated. Has anyone had issues with Foley bags freezing in sub 32 degree temps? I know it's a random question but these are the specifics I'm facing.

• By crdemers72 (Inactive)
• Reply 3471216
• October 19, 2012 at 9:38 am
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If the bag is left outside or away from your body, there's a problem since the freezing point of urine is in the range of 28F - 31F. So, unless you have a belly bag or something near your body (or somewhere else warm), freezing will be an issue, even with warm urine flowing into the bag (since the urine will be trickling down the tubing to the bag and losing heat as it travels). In a situation like that, depending on the temperature, the urine in the bag will freeze, or you will have an ice jam in the line. The latter is a worse problem since once that happens you will back up into your bladder and infection becomes an issue.

Hope this helps,
Colin

• By cweezy2148
• Reply 3541736
• November 14, 2012 at 6:17 am
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Have you tried condom catheters? They are completely non invasive and from what I've seen in my clinical experiences, seem to work alright. I just worry about keeping a sterile field in the outdoors and the occurrence of a UTI...however, I'm sure if you practiced the steps you would take to keep sterile field prior to and during catheterization.

If you do use a foley, Colin is right. A great way to prevent freezing is to secure your cath bag inside one of your upper thighs.

Really hope this helps you, I'm a huge outdoor/camping enthusiast too, but have trouble going on day hikes or overnights because of my own personal incontinence issues.

Good luck!

• By mlt
• Reply 3562041
• November 21, 2012 at 8:50 am
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Thanks for all the suggestions. Ver
Much appreciated. I'm a woman do I don't believe a condom cath is an option. Thanks again everyone. Great
Suggestions!