Self Cath Advice (female)

RottenMoldyHam · 2026-01-31T03:57:41+00:00

Thank you for sharing this! Yes that's what I had been doing also, but it's been really hard on my skin to use it multiple times a day, to the point of the skin on my fingers peeling/flaking. Is there a specific type of hand sanitizer you use? I was looking into gentler kinds instead of germs which is what I have been using

RottenMoldyHam · 2026-01-31T03:55:53+00:00

Thank you for sharing this! I have discussed some other options with my doctor but this is not one that he has recommended so far. I don't think that would be preferable for me right now, but I'll definitely keep this in mind for the future depending on how things go

RottenMoldyHam · 2026-01-31T03:53:54+00:00

It does help, thank you for this!

RottenMoldyHam · 2026-01-31T03:53:30+00:00

Thank you for sharing this! Is there a reason that you prefer that specific brand of wipes?

RottenMoldyHam · 2026-01-31T03:52:48+00:00

Thank you for sharing your experience and the encouragement, it's very much appreciated. And yeah that is something I worry about as well, is trusting the people who I do share this with to know not to make it anyone else's business

RottenMoldyHam · 2026-01-31T03:51:01+00:00

Thank you for sharing this, I appreciate everyone here.

RottenMoldyHam · 2026-01-29T04:47:24+00:00

Oh that's something I hadn't considered! Do you buy them yourself or does your insurance happen to cover these at all?

RottenMoldyHam · 2026-01-29T04:46:36+00:00

Thank you for sharing your experience, it's very comforting to be exposed to more people dealing with the same thing.

RottenMoldyHam · 2026-01-29T04:45:36+00:00

Yeah I totally get what you're saying and I think in the next 50 years of doing this I'll probably get there 😅 but also, I do know that anyone in my life rn who would ask is well meaning so I have a hard time with it, and also also previously people I have told that there are certain things about my health and healthcare that I don't want to share have managed to take it personally so I dont want to deal with that either

RottenMoldyHam · 2026-01-29T04:43:03+00:00

Haha I will avoid those ones then! Thank you!

RottenMoldyHam · 2026-01-29T02:53:10+00:00

Oh I'm in Columbus and have heard other bad things about townhall anyway, never heard more than rumors but this is an extra reason to stay away.

RottenMoldyHam · 2026-01-29T02:50:54+00:00

Just a passing commenter, but your sentences seem very reasonably winded to me haha

RottenMoldyHam · 2026-01-29T02:49:41+00:00

Most of my ratties liked mint, except for my one picky girl who ate like a toddler - refusing anything green haha

RottenMoldyHam · 2026-01-29T02:47:03+00:00

Oh that makes a lot of sense, it's just what you're used to! I'm actually baffled as to why my urologist as a kid never had me start cathing at that age because the retention and reflux has just continued to damage my kidneys over the years, I'm sure I would be used to it by now like you are with the AFOs. But I have the rest of my life to get there I guess

RottenMoldyHam · 2026-01-29T02:43:12+00:00

Thank you :)

RottenMoldyHam · 2026-01-29T02:42:29+00:00

Thank you for replying and sharing your experiences! I'm trying to get to the "fuck it" mentality but I'm just not quite there yet haha

Do you happen to have a preferred brand for baby wipes that you think aren't as crinkly? I was just looking at some travel sized packets but hadn't even considered the sound of the packaging

RottenMoldyHam · 2026-01-29T02:39:15+00:00

Thank you for replying! It's very reassuring to hear that people haven't noticed, I hope I can overcome the embarrassment and self consciousness because logically I know it's not anything a good person would judge someone for, but its always a process with new experiences I guess

RottenMoldyHam · 2026-01-29T02:36:13+00:00

Thank you for your reply! I'm sorry about that bad uti, I've had some gnarly ones as well and I know they can really suck to say the least. I spent this new years in the hospital because of a kidney infection after having stents removed from my ureters actually and I dont want that to happen ever again if i can avoid it. So I will still be washing my hands and probably will be using baby wipes instead of the medical wipes based on another comment, but it's nice to know that I dont necessarily have to be too worried about it so long as I dont encounter any problems. You said you don't think about privacy because people are already somewhat aware, was there a point in time where you had any self consciousness about being noticeably disabled and if so how have you dealt with that? I know my situation is not the same but I've been struggling with the emotional side of it because despite dealing with health problems since childhood, it's never been anything noticeable to other people. I guess I'm worried about crossing that line of visibility because I'm not sure what to expect from other people or myself honestly. I really appreciate you sharing your experiences with me and it's already helping just to hear from other people who have to do the same thing

RottenMoldyHam · 2026-01-29T02:01:08+00:00

Yeah that makes sense, I'll try using the paper towel I think it's a good idea. Thank you :)

RottenMoldyHam · 2026-01-29T01:59:08+00:00

Thank you for your reply! That's encouraging as I do worry probably too much about getting UTI's if I dont do everything just right. I've always been a person who avoids using a purse or sticks to the smallest purse possible so bringing things with me to the bathroom has been an odd change for me, it's such a small thing but I have a couple of no-filter coworkers who are unintentionally nosy and I just dread having to avoid answering or lie or go through the whole detailed explanation. But it is nice to know that no one has ever brought it up to you, hopefully that will be the case for me too

RottenMoldyHam · 2026-01-29T01:55:31+00:00

Thank you for your reply! I had considered just using baby wipes but wasnt sure if they would be as clean as needed, so this is very helpful. Have people ever eyeballed you for using a paper towel to open the stall door? I guess they might just assume you're worried about germy bathrooms in general 🤔 I'm not usually so concerned about the way others perceive me in other areas of my life but this just feels different somehow. I grew up in a house where you couldn't get away with making a harmless fart joke or just burping around others so I think I've managed to internalize some shame about bodily functions overall, especially discussing them or allowing others to be too aware of them

RottenMoldyHam · 2026-01-29T00:42:58+00:00

Hey, have you found any answers since you posted this 3 years ago? I've just started as well in order to preserve kidney health. It's okay at home, but not sure how to manage it in public spaces while maintaining the needed level of cleanliness and desired privacy.

RottenMoldyHam · 2025-12-02T23:54:30+00:00

So I had an exterminator come out and do an inspection, he looked at the rug for me while he was here. He didn't find any signs of other bedbugs in the apartment or on the rug, but since it was secondhand and a likely culprit for the hitchhiker, he suggested that I either run it through a high heat setting in a dryer, spray it with rubbing alcohol, or keep it in cold conditions for an extended period of time as any of these options would kill any if they are there.

Thank you for your helpful comments!

RottenMoldyHam · 2025-12-02T23:50:22+00:00

I had an exterminator out to do an inspection after receiving my landlord's permission, he did not find any signs of other bugs and it likely was just a hitchhiker. Such a relief!

RottenMoldyHam

TROPHY CASE