Posted by Andrew on 3/3/2009, 9:39 am, in reply to "backflow to kidneys?"

Hi Bea Welcome to this board, and I hope you will find it and the linked website helpful. Your question about backflow: first I have to emphasise that we are not medically qualified: anything written here is from personal experience only, unless accompanied by a reference. I do not know the answer about backflow; only that the medics take urinary retention very seriously and treat it as an A&E case. If I can find a more helpful answer I will get back to you; in the meantime, where on the internet did you see that scarring etc "was not the case"? Re self-catheterisation; this should never be painful. If it is, either the catheter is not suitable for you (e.g. wrong diameter of tube), or is not lubricated, or the technique is wrong. I assume you are female (forgive me if i am wrong) in which case the cath is short and the urethra straight (unlike for men). A disposable self-lubricated cath should be comfortable to use. They come in a container that looks like a lipstick (i.e. discreet). I suggest you go back to your continence nurse and ask to be shown other makes, sizes etc. Secondly, get in touch with the Carol the women's co-ordinator (she is in the USA) who is also on the board of the IPA. She has written a book about paruresis from a woman's standpoint, which may be useful for you. The book details are on our books page: http://www.ukpt.org.uk/news_info/news_info_Books.htm You can contact her via the women's page of the IPA; you will find her email address there http://www.paruresis.org/womens_resources.htm Hope this helps you best wsihes Andrew

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