As many here know, I am a big fan of the Coloplast Speedicath, a single use hydrophillic catheter. That said, I recently ordered some red rubber samples to try out. The idea was that if I ever ran out of Speedicath's, it might be a good idea to have some red rubbers at home, since they are reusable. I'm not a stranger to red rubbers, since they were the ones my first cath PA gave me. But it's been awhile. It's actually been quite awhile, so long awhile that after awkwardly lubing the tip, I tried a "dive bomb" only to remember that red rubbers don't dive bomb, not stiff enough. Me bad. So that catheter went into the sink for future cleaning. Then I remembered that unlike with the Speedicath's I needed to thread the red rubbers in using my hand. Hand washing should be sufficient, but after using a no-touch dive bomb for all these years, the idea of touching the catheter didn't sit well, so I hunted around for a pair of surgical gloves and fortunately found a few in the back of my supply case. They were not in a sterile pack, so I generously doused them in hand sanitizer, probably not the best idea since alcohol can sting, but that's what I did. So then I tried again, and things finally worked as they should, just a lot slower with a lot more steps, and of course with external lube. I definitely will keep some red rubbers around for the eventuality that one day I might run out of the single use Speedicaths, perhaps not packing enough in a travel situation, but I don't look forward to using them at all. The stiffer single use hydrophillic catheters like Speedicath have spoiled me. That said, practice makes perfect, and I'm sure if I kept at it, things would go smoother and faster with the red rubbers. And if I didn't have insurance to cover the hydrophilics, red rubbers might become my first choice. Jim
Jim,
When I use the red rubber catheters I wipe them down with an alcohol wipe first, and let it dry. The last thing I do, before inserting, is wash my palms and fingertips with alcohol. Then dry the alcohol by swinging the hands forward and back 15 to 20 times. The problem with hand sanitizer is oil is mixed in with it. If the oil gets into the urethra it will probably stay behind when you pull it out. Any germs in with it will also stay behind. That is why you are supposed to use water soluble lube, so the next time you urinate it will be washed out. I always wash the catheters afterwards with antibacterial soap, running a couple drops of the soap inside with water. Some people store the red rubber catheters in a alcohol filled jar. I made a hanger for them with a piece of wood and brass screw eyes.
I’ve been using the red rubber catheters , with no problems, from the beginning (about two years ago), as my HMO (Kaiser) won’t cover the Speedicaths.
I don’t wear surgical gloves, but thoroughly wash my hands with antibacterial soap, then then uses a hand-sanitizer before lubing the catheter. I also use an iodine solution on the head of the penis.
After use, I thoroughly wash the catheter with an antibacterial soap, squirt alcohol down the shaft (with a syringe made for irrigating the ears), and store the catheter in an alcohol bath for 24 hours, then hang it up to dry.
It’s a simple procedure, and works for me.
Oof. Red rubbers. Even the name sounds archaic.
Like you, Jim, I have become spoiled by the SpeediCath and the “dive bomb” technique which has worked well for me since starting CIC last November. I firmly believe “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” and will stick with what works well. My uro has hooked me up with a cath nurse who gave me my first CIC lesson in the comfort of my home and remains very responsive to my questions, concerns and requests and has provided samples of other catheters, none of which match the ease, convenience and comfort of the SpeediCath.
The cath nurse works for the supplier that keeps me well-stocked and calls regularly to make sure I have an adequate supply. He is always on the road with his SUV loaded with all kinds of catheters and I’m sure he would personally deliver a supply in the unlikely event I should run low. I have never had to call to ask for a re-supply as they always call when I am down to the last couple of boxes. The process couldn’t be easier and is covered by Medicare.
However, I get your message about having some red rubbers on hand in case of emergency so will ask my cath nurse to have a few sent. Is there a specific brand you would recommend?
Patrick
Hi Jim,
Thanks for the post. Having just passed the 5000 mark on my Speedicaths coude 14fr hydrophilics I cannot imagine life without them.
Do you think the Speedicaths could be re-used again and again if they are sterilized carefully and then reapply lube for each use?
Also, the red rubbers are not coude tipped which is important for those of us with huge prostates. Any thoughts? Thanks Jim. Howard
Howard,
I have some coude tip red rubber caths from BARD. See the picture in my previous post. I have never tried sterilizing and re-using speedicaths, and would be leary of it.
Thomas
Thomas, thanks for the tips. I’m basically keeping the red rubbers in reserve but you never know when you might need them.
Jim
Thanks for the tips Charles.
Jim
I used Bard Coude, FR14. I’m sure there are others that work just as well. Keep in mind that they are much more flexible than the Speedicath’s so you probably will have to go up a size. I use FR12 Speedicath but used FR14 with the red rubber.
Jim
Howard,
I thought about that but never re-used a hydrophillic. I don’t see why not, as long as you sterilized them carefully, but again, have never done it. Another thought for back up, is to try a non-hydrophilic plastic catheter which should be re-usuable. BTW red rubbers come coude or straight, just like the Speedicath. Again, I wasn’t at all unhappy with the Speedicaths, I just wanted a few re-usuable catheters around in case I ran out.
Jim
Thanks for the heads-up! I have ordered some samples and will keep them on hand for emergencies, hoping to never need them!
Patrick
jimjames, good to see you posting. I haven’t seen any posts from you in a long time. Maybe I’m just missing them.
Hi Jim, I tried the red rubbers and you are right, they were too soft for dive bombing. Also, the dark red color makes it difficult to see if you had minor bleeding or not. However, I suspect that these catheters would not cause bleeding that easily.
Why did you consider these red rubbers ? I have been using Cure catheters which are soft, but firm enough that I can still dive bomb with. And they have hydrophilic version as well.
BTW, are you still doing OK with sardine and spinach supplies during these chaotic times ? Take care. Hank.
Hi Hank,
I ordered some red rubbers because a couple of months ago I was
concerned the supply chain for catheters in general might get broken due to Covid. The red rubbers are reusable. That was the only reason. There are also some reusable stiffer plastic catheters but I just settled on the red rubbers because I was somewhat familiar from the early days. And right, impossible to dive bomb. Yes, I stocked up early on both sardines and spinach and probably will have some spinach tonight! Hope you’re doing OK in these strange and unsettling times.
Jim
I ordered some red rubbers because a couple of months ago I was
concerned the supply chain for catheters in general might get broken due to Covid.
I ordered some as well for the same reason but haven’t tried them out yet…and hope I don’t have to! My supplier was happy to honor my request for a 3 month supply of SpeediCaths! Hopefully I will continue doing this until this pandemic passes.
Patrick
Hi Thomas & Charles,
What is the reason for you to use reusable catheters ? I buy very inexpensive silicone catheters online, Cure at US40c or McKesson 30c a piece. At this cost, I’d rather skip the hassle of cleaning. I can also use them with the dive bomb method which increases the cleanliness. Hank
Hank,
I haven’t used the red rubber caths for about 6 months, I was alternating them with the speedicaths because they are softer. I am traveling now so will probably have to use them when I run out of the Speedicaths.
Thomas
The Cure and McKesson I mentioned above are very soft, just not as soft as the rubber. What Speedicath are you using ? Some are soft like the Coude Flex Pro or the Compact that I like. The hydrophilic ones in green pouches are too stiff, gave me all kind of problems. Hank
FWIW, I prefer the stiffness of the SpeediCath standard FR14 as they are easier to use than the softer, more flexible caths that require more coaxing to insert. I did try the Cure…but the lube packet and sleeve were a bit of a hassle compared to the ease and convenience of the SpeediCath.
Fortunately, Medicare covers the cost of the SpeediCath which is currently just over $2 each.
Patrick
Patrick, I used those green pouched Speedicath for 3 years so I know them well. I still have boxes of them, unused. Their stiffness make them easier to insert but also make them more easily to cause injuries, and I had my share of that. I’d rather spend a little more time to avoid potential injuries. BTW, if you graduated from Jimjames academy 
, you should be able to dive bomb with a 14fr Cure easily. I’d just throw away the sleeves. Hank