What's the Big Deal With Getting Intermittent Catheters??

I'm a male over the age of 40 so and have been experiencing the typical problems pertaining to a possibly enlarged Prostate. The biggest issue is not being able to urinate at all for hours. This causes all manner of issues, but the most pressing is the issue of drug testing at my workplace.
The tests don't happen often, but when they do, I'm not able to urinate "on command" for the nurse. This is a problem. I'm told that if I cannot urinate during my next test...whenever that may be....that I could face the possibility of termination for "refusing" to take the mandatory test.

In light of this, I scheduled an appointment with my doctor to get some tests and to discuss my options. He ordered the requisite testing and referred me to a Urologist for further tests.

I had been researching Intermittent Catheters for a couple weeks and asked him if this could be an option for me to empty my bladder during those times that I just couldn't go. He flat out refused to even speak about the subject.
I asked him what his concerns were about writing the prescription and the only response he could offer was that catheters could cause a UT infection.
When I urged him to provide another logical reason, he could not. I asked him which was the lesser of two evils: Not being able to urinate, possibly causing bladder/kidney damage, or a UT infection? He just kind of stared at me blankly with bewilderment as if he couldn't believe I would challenge is "authority".

I calmly told him that millions of people suffering from incontinence use catheters daily for years without any issues and that if he didn't mind, I'd like to try them myself as I'm confident that they will help my current situation in many ways. He just shook his head and said that he would not.

Mind you, this kid can barely be 25 and is an aide to the doctor...whom you will never actually see...ever. I'm a pretty cocky ***hole and tell him that if I were asking for Oxycontin or Morphine, he would probably write a prescription no questions asked. I then ask him why his office gives clean needles and "works" to Heroin addicts that are useless pieces of garbage, but when a paying customer comes wanting a plastic tube they are summarily denied. Again, just a blank stare. I hate him.

So, now I have been forced to order them online, with no supervision from a physician as to sizes and whatever else. The only place I could get them was India without a prescription so...yeah.
I cannot believe that catheters are such a protected medical device! I'm so disgusted with the way every system appears to be against people that do the right thing while that same system caters to druggies and scammers.

a reply to: MrBuddy

The kid probably dropped the ball on this one by not explaining that it would be best to try less "invasive," means to control difficulty in urination.

Maybe he felt anxious with your attitude, I don't know, but he definitely should have recommended one of several medications that work very well with this condition with little to no side effects.

Catheters are *really* not something you want if there are other options...

ETA: He also should have provided you with a note explaining your medical condition which could prevent you from urinating "on command." This should be enough for any employer to accommodate your condition instead of threatening you with separation.

A couple cups of coffee and I pee many times.

Some food chemistries stop me from going pee while others make me pee too much. I am having a problem identifying the ones that stop me from peeing though, it is hard to test for that because I eat multiple chemistries in a day. If you are not hydrated, usually you can't just pee on demand either, maybe more water and some multiminerals will help.

Celery makes me pee within half hour of eating it, but it also sensitizes me to the sun pretty much. Adding onions on a hamburger does help a person pee too, it seems like I know all of this from experience. I have more experience in peeing too often from what I do.

I also seem to pee more often if I eat salt, that is sodium chloride, not sodium chemicals found in highly prepared foods. But if you do not pee it out, the salt pulls water from your cells and dumps it into your blood stream. It can cause your blood pressure to rise. Salt is also secreted in the feces, salt water can help you poop under certain conditions. Laxatives are sometimes sodium based.

a reply to: MrBuddy

You need to go see a GOOD Urologist instead of self diagnosis leading to you guessing at a catheter. BIG mistake.

I had major trauma to my pelvis and lower extremities when I was 16. Long story short I had MANY surgeries (40+) and many, many catheters inserted by students and residents. When I was about 30 I started having difficulty urinating and after many tests it was determined that I had urethral strictures due to scarring from sub par/improper catheters and the inexperienced 'doctors' inserting them.
My first Urologist was a butcher. He performed 3 urethrotomies , basically they go up your Urethra and roto-route, or cut out the 'stricture'. Not pleasant afterwards is all I will say. This only helped for a few months and the symptoms came right back.
Finally I got an expert Urologist and he did a 12 hr surgery called Buccal mucosa urethroplasty. They take tissue from inside your mouth and reconstruct your Urethra with it. After the initial 6 month recovery this procedure was a huge success and at age 54 I have had no problems.
My point? Deciding to diagnose and treat yourself could have major consequences, it is not something you want to guess about. Trained medical professionals did major damage to me with catheters.

Go see a specialist.

a reply to: stosh64

Oh, Man... You made my balls shrink up into my abdomen with that story.

I've had a few catheters that I remember. They kept me pretty doped up after I was wounded but I remember enough to know it's not something one should want when other options exist.

On the plane ride back to the US - still pretty doped up - I remember removing the catheter myself cuz it hurt so much. Thanks for reminding me of that

a reply to: 35Foxtrot

Sorry Its something I try and forget.

Thank you for your service!

Glad you made it home.

Happy Memorial Day

a reply to: MrBuddy

What was his solution/advice to your problem?
If it's not TMI?
He refused your idea.....but what did he offer???

There are a few contraindications to catheterisation, your doctor is right about the risks of UTI's which are substantial, then there is also the risk of traumatic insertion which while low isn't something you want. Furthermore if your body is already struggling to take a piss and you start using the catheters for basically any time you need to take a leak then you may completely lose the ability to piss and with these you become opened up to a whole load new complications none of which are particularly nice.

In general if you are able to pee then a catheter isn't appropriate unless its being used for some acute reason, if medications for your prostate are able to help with this then that's the best route to take, failing that there are surgical options that can be exploared and if you are chronically unable to void your baller then and only then will intermittent self-catheterisation be a realistic option. If you are able to void your balder (all be it with difficulty) and are seeing your doctor regarding your problems then the doctor is right that the risk of a UTI probably outweighs the risk of kidney damage, which itself can happen with catheters that cause problems in the bladder and this works its way up to the kidneys.

You are also incorrect in your statement that millions of people have catheters for incontiance, they don't, usually when you see some old granny with her leg-bag on its indicated because they are unable to void their bladder effectively themselves, their inconstance coupled with immobility and and lack of cognitive function increases their risk for pressure sores and urine burns.

I would highly recommend you ask to speak with an urology specialist before sticking god knows what from India down your pee-pee hole, you're just asking for trouble doing something like that.

Also...

I'm a pretty cocky ***hole and tell him that if I were asking for Oxycontin or Morphine, he would probably write a prescription no questions asked. I then ask him why his office gives clean needles and "works" to Heroin addicts that are useless pieces of garbage, but when a paying customer comes wanting a plastic tube they are summarily denied. Again, just a blank stare. I hate him.

You said this to the guy who does your prostate exam....

NEXT TIME.....



Good luck!!

I don't understand why a note from your doctor, confirming your condition, wouldn't work for your employer.