Posted by Andrew on 8/2/2011, 12:05 pm, in reply to "Re: self catheterisation"

Hi Mike What a trial you have been put through: and I mean put through, because there is no way the medics should have put you through that. Catheters should be no more than slightly uncomfortable, never painful. There are several manufacturers to choose from, two types of tips - one of which is known to cause discomfort, and a range of diameters. You should have been offered several to try out. I do wonder is this was not an example of hospital practice, rather than a GP practice. As for younger men being more sensitive! Where's the evidence. One might as well say that older men are tougher as a result of life experience. Its a cop out for not doing anything about it. The feedback from a survey of users was that for most a catheter is uncomfortable but a huge relief; for one or two like you it was painful, until a different cath was tried. So reader. insist on trying a different cath if there is any suggestion of pain. Hey but well done for persevering with the AP side of things and progressing. As yiu say: getting to the point where you dont think about it and dont let it affect your life is the main aim; being a bit shy is then no problem. cheers Andrew

464