Re: Questions - Cath's

JHarper33(AT)aol.com
Sat, 14 Feb 1998 09:57:53 EST

In a message dated 98-02-14 05:25:58 EST, cohrs33(AT)juno.com writes:

> I've been reading about "self-cath". Is that in lieu of a "foley"?
> Can anyone do this? If not - - anyone with the foley, would appreciate
> some info as they didn't teach us squat about this.

I have also wondered what "foleys" are -- figured it was some kind of tube
that stayed in whereas a catheter was inserted only for the time it took to
empty the bladder. Is that right? Now for a related question: One of my main
urinary problems is having to GO a lot, sometimes 18-24 times a day. It
doesn't seem to be a problem of the bladder not being able to hold much, as
there is often a great amount. I also sometimes feel as if I haven't
completely emptied my bladder, but that happens less and less...sometimes I
just have to wait and concentrate. And I do have a problem with "leaking"
urine. I've thought about self-cathing but didn't know if it would help since
I seem to produce so much. Usually I just make multiple trips to the bathroom.
But my question is this: is there a way to have a temporary "foley" in for
situations like travel (an 18 hour drive to my parent's house)? Is that
something you can do yourself, or does a dr. have to insert it? How does it
work?

Do you ever read back over a post you've written and think, "This is kind of
an absurd conversation?!" :-) It is good, though, to be able to talk about
these things with others who have experienced the same things.

Barbara