Self-Cathing input needed.

[Grace53a]

Hello all,

I need a little bit of input from those of you who cath. I just started cathing last week. Since the second day, I've been able to do it without looking. The problem is that I've been seeing a tiny bit of blood, not in the urine steam, and you can't see any in the cath as it is draining. It's whenever I pull out the cath, that I notice just a little spotting in the tubing. I don't have a UTI and I am very careful whenever I do it---never pushing it in too far. My question is, could this just be from irritation of the urethra because I am so new at this? I have been experiencing a tiny bit of burning whenever I remove the cath and pull it past the sphincter. Although I certainly need to cath, I don't want to kill myself doing it.

Input please?

Gracie

[hunterd]

have had the same thing from time to time. my dr said that a little blood (either on or in the tubing) is common, and not a problem. it happens for a variety of reasons. same with the burning. the urethra may have been scratched previously, or otherwise irritated. as long as it`s a very short sensation and quits after the cath is removed, not to worry. if it continues after a week or so call him/her. hope this helps. good luck.

dave

[mommy1]

It could just be a little trauma or scraping, your urethra just isn't used to being cath's yet. It shouldn't be a problem. Be sure to lubricate well.

[Des]

I had the wrong size catheters (the ones for men) at first and cut them to the right size. I had spotty bleeding when I used them, apparently from my lousy cutting of the cath.

Since then, I make absolutely, positively sure that I order the right ones (for females), and I haven't had any bleeding since.

I used to have to cath. No more since the Interstim.

I had trouble all the time, could never get past the pain when I removed the cath. Make sure you lube the tube really well.

Good luck