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  • Nighttime Neobladder Continence Solutions

    Posted by joel on July 24, 2011 at 8:47 pm

    I know there is a lot said on this forum regarding continence, but for those of us who have a neo-bladder, there’s never enough discussion of that subject (speaking for myself, anyway). I would like to start a thread for the purpose of sharing SOLUTIONS that work for you regarding nighttime incontinence. I am about 9 months post-RC surgery, and due to some complications and subsequent surgeries, am still working on daytime continence. Nighttime continence is still a cloud on the horizon, but I’m hopeful.

    Recently, I’ve started using external catheters. I’m trying several styles, have more samples coming, and have not yet landed on what works best for me. I’ve tried the diaper/absorbent underwear and pad route, and we’re tired of washing sheets every day, so I conclude that is not the solution. So far, it looks like the external, condom, texas catheters may be it.

    So far, here’s what I can offer:

    Make sure you have the right size. I picked some condom catheter samples up from a cancer services center, and didn’t pay enough attention to what size I was bringing home. Found out quickly that a condom catheter that is too small is not only difficult to put on, but even moreso to remove!

    There’s the issue of retraction which some guys deal with, myself included, which makes some styles not work. Then there’s the issue of aggressive adhesives, and removing the condom without removing the skin, and keeping hair out of the adhesives and the roll of silicone or latex (ouch).

    I ordered some called Gee-Whiz by Merlin Medical Technologies which are pretty innovative. They employ a silicone strip and a non-adhesive condom catheter, which is really easy to apply and remove. Unfortunately, retraction may cause it to come off while you sleep!

    I’ll offer more info as I learn it. Meanwhile, if anyone else has experience to share, please do.

    Thanks, Joel


    GKLINE replied 10 years, 4 months ago 7 Members · 7 Replies
  • 7 Replies
  • gkline's avatar

    gkline

    Member
    October 8, 2014 at 10:49 pm

    Better living through Scientific thought

    George


    Light a man a fire and he is warm for an evening.
    Light a man ON fire and he’s warm forever.

    08/08/08…RC neo bladder
    09/09/09…New Hip
    =
    New Man! [/size]

  • Judy's avatar

    Judy

    Member
    October 8, 2014 at 7:12 pm

    My husband finally has the secret to sleeping dry. Here is what we do:

    he uses an adhesive Rochester condom catheter;
    finding that they can slip off or leak, we pull up a Depends on him and I make a hole strategically placed so the tip of the condom cath goes through it, then we connect it to the collection bag. The Depends serves to hold the condom on better and catch any leaks–but he’s had none!!

    Brilliant plan if I do say so myself!

    Good luck!

    Judy

  • Mikelcharles1's avatar

    Mikelcharles1

    Member
    October 4, 2014 at 7:15 am

    I feel that as long as I’m able I will scream from a mountain top to get the word out about BC. Perhaps if we knew more before Jim’s diagnosis we may not have dismissed his frequency as readily as an age, guy thing! Who knew? Not us!

  • GroundedFlyer's avatar

    GroundedFlyer

    Member
    July 10, 2013 at 8:24 pm

    I gave up on achieving night time continence and there’s nothing more uncomfortable than a five-pound wet Depend. I rely on external catheters and a urine collection bag. I tried the Pop On that Mike uses successfully but they didn’t work well for me. I’ve used Rochester UltraFlex for over a year. Be warned if there is a molecule of moisture on your penis they will leak.

    On my last order I got some Rochester Spirit hydrocolloid adhesive sheath Style 3 on my last order. They seem more reliable but can be a literal pain to get off in the morning. And they are more expensive at $1.60 than the UltraFlex at $1.26 each. They’re a little less in lots of 30 or 100. It’s a small price to pay for a good night’s sleep and dry sheets in the morning.

    I tried some other brands and styles but the products from Rochester seem to work best for me.

    I got a Norelco bodygromer for the hair issue. It’s more comfortable for me than a razor. However, it will occasionally ‘bite’ if not held in perfect contact with the skin.

  • mmc's avatar

    mmc

    Member
    July 26, 2011 at 4:53 pm

    Joel,

    I’ll answer your PM here so more people get to see it as I expect this is a question that many men would have.

    I never encourage condom catheter use unless one is just absolutely exhausted from lack of sleep while trying to train themselves for night time continence or if they’ve given up on the idea. Not everyone achieves it and the Depends and being wet is a big pain.

    So, if you think getting night time continence is an option, don’t use condom catheters except as an exception situation.

    As for me, I’ve pretty much given up on the idea. I can take a nap for about 30 minutes or so if I empty right before but I can’t to much more than that.

    There are products out there (vibrating alarms that click to nightwear or that come as watches with vibration enough to wake people) that may help. Set the alarm for every couple of hours, empty completely and then set it for a couple more hours. Slowly stretch the time until it is too long and then cut it back a bit to be on the safe side.

    Personally, I’m trading off getting a good nights sleep every night (by using the condom catheters) for waking up every couple of hours like I used to have to do because of enlarged prostate issues. I could probably do that if I wanted and be relatively safe (without leaking) but it’s a matter of convenience and choice.

    Again, if you (or anyone else reading this) still thinks there is a potential for night time continence, then don’t use these condom catheters for long (if at all).

    Mike


    Age 54
    10/31/06 dx CIS (TisG3) non-invasive (at 47)
    9/19/08 TURB/TUIP dx Invasive T2G3
    10/8/08 RC neobladder(at 49)
    2/15/13 T4G3N3M1 distant metastases(at 53)
    9/2013 finished chemo -cancer free again
    1/2014 ct scan results….distant mets
    2/2014 ct result…spread to liver, kidneys, and lymph system

    My opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of ABLCS or anyone else. I am not a doctor nor do I play one on TV.
  • mmc's avatar

    mmc

    Member
    July 26, 2011 at 2:25 pm

    Rochester has a style called Pop-on and they are intended for retraction issues.

    I use the wide band Rochester style. No the ‘wide’ has nothing to do with where I am putting it, it has to do with the adhesive band being wider so it can deal with retraction. Definitely don’t want to too small or too large.

    Hey, it’s the “in” thing to shave there now so that should solve the problem with getting hair stuck. OK, you don’t really need to shave but using trimmers to keep hair short is worth the effort to not have the problem with the adhesive.

    I also stay away from the kind that have the wraparound band to help keep them in place. Don’t want to cut off the circulation and you have to be very careful with that kind so you don’t impede blood flow.

    Mike


    Age 54
    10/31/06 dx CIS (TisG3) non-invasive (at 47)
    9/19/08 TURB/TUIP dx Invasive T2G3
    10/8/08 RC neobladder(at 49)
    2/15/13 T4G3N3M1 distant metastases(at 53)
    9/2013 finished chemo -cancer free again
    1/2014 ct scan results….distant mets
    2/2014 ct result…spread to liver, kidneys, and lymph system

    My opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of ABLCS or anyone else. I am not a doctor nor do I play one on TV.
  • 's avatar

    Guest
    July 24, 2011 at 11:23 pm

    ooooooooooh..OUCH Joel……not a guy but i did read one article about a guy who used a too small catheter and got gangerine..so we do not want that to happen. Mike is the expert on condom catheters..they seem to work for him so hope he steps in to reply.
    I started laughing remember the episode of Seinfeld with George and his shrinkage after swimming!!! :P
    Is there a possiblility of putting in a spincter valve? I know one of our past moderators had that done at USC/Norris and worked like a charm.
    I shall now get out of the guys territory!!
    pat :S

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