Male Incontinence

[mintymow]

My husband has had a catheter for 4 months following an operation and stroke. Removing the catheter and use of a sheath like external catheter caused a serious UTI, plus the external sheath is difficult to keep in place which means he is often wet. This has caused soreness. I am looking to find a suitable protection which will keep him dry. His extended use of the catheter means he does not register when he urinates. Any help or suggestions from anyone would be greatly appreciated.

[bednobs]

have you tried a barrier cream, for example sudocreme?

[Mamyalynne]

Your GP surgery should be able to put you in touch with a Continence team who will advise on the best products to use. Please call them on Monday, there is no need at all for him and you to suffer needlessly.

[shaneystar2]

My husband had a catheter for over a year after an operation .He had all these things you describe to start with including an awful contraption that was strapped to his leg .In the end I put my foot down and they plumbed him into one that had a tap .I think it was called a Foley catheter.This regulated the flow better .
You can get incontinence pants at Boots for men .I do sympathise .It's not pleasant for either of you .
Get in touch with the continence people and make a fuss .

[Sqad]

I am not quite sure that I understand..........he is now incontinent and does NOT have an indwelling catheter in situ at the moment......is that correct?

[mintymow]

Yes Sqad that's correct.

[boxtops]

Definitely ring your continence team, they will be part of your local Community Health Trust.

[Sqad]

This is a difficult problem as the answer may well be the insertion of a long term catheter with attached bag or spigot but this will depend upon his general medical condition.

The decision will need to be made by the Urologist or "Continence Team" whatever they are but i would advice against the "make a fuss " approach.
Describe the problem and ask for their advice, suggesting perhaps the reinsertion of a permanent catheter.

[boxtops]

There's a continence team in every Community Trust these days, sqad - specialist teams like this http://www.kentcht.nh...nt/?entryid109=228816

[Sqad]

Thanks boxy....funny name..."continence team".....if one was continent then one wouldn't need the.......have i missed the point?

[boxtops]

I think the "Incontinence team" gave the impression that it was the team themselves which were leaky ... :-)

sympathies for Mr Minty though, I hope he gets it sorted.

[Sqad]

boxy...;-)

[mintymow]

Thanks for your advice. I will try and find the people who deal with incontinence and see what they advise.

[boxtops]

which area of the country are you, minty - I'll have a look for you.

[mintymow]

Hillingdon, Middlesex. thanks boxtops.

[boxtops]

Here you go, minty http://www.hillingdon...o.aspx?p=55&pr=PBC264

[mintymow]

Thanks boxtops I'll give them a call tomorrow.

[Sqad]

mintymow..... keep us informed...... interesting.

[fbg40]

Hi Minty
So sorry to hear of Hubby's problems. I had a catheter for 9/10 weeks following a biopsy for prostate cancer and subsequent surgery for removal of the prostate. (I was diagnosed with cancer). During this period, one catheter was terminated in a "tap" ( I think they called it a Flip Flap valve - perhaps Sqad can confirm ?) and proved to be the best answer. You still feel the need to go but you have to open the tap to go !! I found it most helpful. Perhaps you could look into this.
Good luck to you and yours.
FBG40

[carlton23]

My catheter has been in for about 4/5 months with the flip-flap valve, but sometimes I have had to call out the `crew` 3 times at night to `unblock` the `gubbings` for relief. Anyone whom has had this will know how it feels to have a bladder/block. I am 77yrs and on the short list.

[mintymow]

Update - experiment with the size of the "conveen" (condom like external catheter) has helped,apparently there are 5 different sizes, and of course the hospital doesn't keep them all! I don't think I can contact the Continence Team until he is out of hospital. Thanks everyone for your comments.