@cartoon I just roll 'em up and tuck into my pants pocket, or stick one down my pants if I'm heading right to a WC.
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Is that a catheter in your pocket or are you just glad to see me 
Alternatively, if you don't want to bend them (I do not recommend bending the Coude models) the Speedicaths can be tucked into your socks and covered by your pants, or simply just carry them in a back pack which is my preferred method.
Jim
Its good to know that one do regular CiC and live pretty normally and discretely. If I ever need to, I'll reach out for some pointers.
JimJames: HAH! And you know, the SpeediCath regulars are just fine with rolling up. I've never had a problem with that, although if it's been rolled for a while, I have to insert while considering the curve it picks up.
Ans yes, sliding 'em UP the pants leg and into the sock also passes muster.
How do you manage not hurting your urethra? I feel hurt down there and not enthusiastic about sex...I wonder whether the pother CIC fellows don't have this problem?
And I use Soeedycath compact! The question would suit that even better!
Hi ZD,
Where exactly does it hurt? Is it during the cath process itself, or afterwards? The only times I ever felt sore was when I stopped cathing for a month or so and then started up. Other than that, no soreness.
Trying a different catheter might make sense. Because of its telescoping design, the Compact is actually quite wide at the top (18F) before it tapers down to 12F at the tip. Compare that to the regular Speedicath I use that is 12F from top to tip. That's a major difference. I also found the Compact a bit rigid compared to the regular Speedicath, and again this was probably due to the telescoping design. I'm not trying to put down the Compact, and I'll admit its very convenient, but if your urethra is getting sore from it, then it's time to experiment with a different design to see if that makes any difference. You will also find the regular Speedicaths around 2" longer, which I find helps with insertion. With the Compact, I found that the funnel was right against the meatus.
Jim
ZD, You also might want to try the new Speedicath FLEX Coude. The material feels much softer than either the Compact or regular Speedicath. I prefer the regular, but some have said the FLEX works better for them. It's also designed to fit into your pocket like the Compact, so you will still have the convenience factor.
Jim
Biopsy can cause permanent damage to the prostate and could be the cause of the retension. I would get a second or even third opinion on what can be done. As you know once they remove it there is no going back and you may have all kinds of problems after or you may have none. You will never know until it's done. So really no hurry to get it removed unless you have cancer that is spreading, I would ask for more options.
I use the Flex Coude when I want to discretely carry a catheter in my pocket. It has a very flexible olive shaped tip. However, they are expensive, so I only use them when the need arises. I generally use a straight tip latex catheter, but I also carry the straight tip Cure Ultra Male catheter in my travel kit. I find the plastic in the Cure is more flexible than the SpeediCath. They are pre lubricated, which makes them easier to use when away from home. It is not a hydrophilic coating. They now offer a coude tip version.
Hi, DB,
In 2016, I had PAE done by Dr. Charles Nutting with RIA Endovascular in Denver. He and his staff are very good. At the time, I also checked into having it done with Mountain Medical in Ogden, UT, but it appears they are no longer doing them. You might want to call to verify that.
Since my prostate has a large median lobe, I knew PAE might not work for me. Prior to PAE, I had urinary retention of 7 liters! My bladder was incredibly distended, and the urologists told me I would never regain bladder function. However after PAE, I regained some natural void ability, and it kept getting better until I had bladder stones removed last February--and had a setback. I do CIC 5 or 6 times a day and hope to rehabilitate my bladder. Jimjames and others on this site helped me master CIC.
Since my BPH journey started in 2015, I've seen 7 urologists. One recommended a suprapubic prostatectomy, one a series of TURPs and two recommended HoLEP. Keeping my sexual function is a priority, so I opted to go with PAE. After reading a book by Richard Ablin, I no longer put any stock in a PSA reading. Ablin is the researcher who discovered PSA. Another resource that helped me was a Youtube video on Pelvic Floor Exercises Introductions. On the video, a female researcher gives a good explanation of what happens when a surgeon removes part of your prostate. It helped me better understand some of the possible complications from surgery.
Right now I'm fine with CIC-- I prefer it over losing any of my sexual function. And I prefer CIC over using any drugs. I'm waiting to see how FLA progresses. It looks very promising so far.
Stebrunner
When you had the bladder stone removed did they try to talk you into having a TURP. They like to do it to make it easier to remove the stones. My doctor said that you don't have to have it done to get the stones out. Hope all is doing great. Ken
Thanks craig84609. I have an appointment next week with another Urologist to start getting more opinions on what can be done, it'll be interesting to see what he has to say.
Thanks Stebrunner. Sorry to hear about the setback. I've also read the book by Ablin.
I don't think Mountain Medical does the PAE anymore, there site doesn't mention anything about it but I will call them to verify (I've had some MRI imaging done by them). Interestingly, a local company, Merit Medical, manufactures the product and a top PAE doctor does training for them, but I don't think it's done anywhere locally.
I've read a lot of the posts from jimjames, he provides a great service to everyone and a lot of good advice. I would rather not take any medications, but the flowmax has helped reduce the volume when I CIC and makes it so I don't always have a pain in my side. The side effects are tolerable, but I don't like the light headiness, so for now I'll keep taking it and hope to continue to improve my bladder pressure.
Good morning DB I agree with Craig. To many biopsy's can hurt you. And you have had to many and they are all normal. See what this new urologist will say. Does he know you saw another doctor. Ask questions. Like I told you before. If your prostate is the trouble. Have the UROLIFT. it will open you up and relieve the pressure on the bladder without cutting your prostate. Your to young to be deal with any of the other problems that some of the other procedures can cause Good luck buddy Ken
JIm, I have been doing your dive bomb method for CIC. I like it but now i don't understand whats happening. The fr12 catheter has trouble going in .I don't have this problem with other catheters that i feed a small amount in the uretha at a time.Any ideas why this is happening?
thanks jim,
frank,
Frank,
Can you elaborate a little more on what trouble you're having getting it in? At what point does it happen? What do you feel or what is going on at that point? Have you tried the dive bomb method with FR14?
Jim
Jim, Adding to this conversation, do you know if the Prostate can move about as I have had times when it has taken me 3 or 4 attempts to get the catheter in past the Prostate, and normally know if I am going into retention as flow really slows down night and morning first. Also noted that when Nurses have had trouble putting a catheter in, the one who gets it in is the one who forces it in.
David
David sorry that your having a problem. I don't think it can move. I know the few times that I had a catheter and it did not going. The nurse told the other nurse that it can curl. You should never force a catheter in. The first time they did that to me I had blood coming out. Be careful. ken
Thanks Ken, I too have had bad bleeding if they push too hard. It just seems strange how it becomes blocked at times and then clears for no reason, and I did wonder if the catheter could force it back.
David
David I know when your in the hospital and they try to get it in. They do tell you to breathe and relax so it goes in better. They have more problems if your tense. I hope you can figure it out. It can be very painful. Good luck Ken