5 Tips for Going Out as a Catheter User

Whether it’s going out to a holiday party or coffee with friends, leaving the house as a catheter user might feel daunting. However, with a little planning and preparation, you can work up to going out with confidence. Here are five top tips from our friends at Coloplast Canada:

1. Plan your activity

It may be tempting to skip catheterization when you aren’t at home, traveling, or if you are with people that don’t know about your condition. However, skipping catheterization might result in leaks and can also be harmful to your bladder in the long term.

Plan your activities ahead of time instead so you can enjoy them without interruptions. Set aside time for catheterization during your activities. Catheterize as close to the time you leave your home as possible, and find out where the nearest bathrooms are in advance at a time that is convenient for you.

If you go somewhere to have fun, it is easy to get preoccupied – and that’s perfectly okay! Setting an alarm on your phone or watch can help put your mind at ease if you are concerned about remembering when to catheterize.

• Know where the bathrooms are

It may be handy to check out available bathrooms at an event in advance. This may be especially important if you use a wheelchair. Use the internet or call to learn about how the location or venue you are visiting is equipped with accessible bathrooms.

• Pack extra supplies

When away from the security of your home, it is good to know that you have all your intermittent catheterization supplies with you. Public restrooms are not as clean and might not be equipped in a convenient way. If you worry about leaks, it may also be important that you can clean yourself or change your clothes. Some people use a different type of catheter when they are away from home. You might want to have a more compact catheter, or one with a urine bag attached. Pack extra supplies – just in case!

• Choose the right catheter for you

Choosing a catheter that fits your lifestyle may help with your overall confidence and comfort. SpeediCath® compact catheters are designed to be discreet, so your self-catheterization routine doesn’t have to get in the way of your social life. These catheters come pre-lubricated and ready to use right out of the packaging! SpeediCath® compact catheters are available in both male and female.

• Consider what to wear

Wearing dark colours may help make small leaks less noticeable. Have a blazer, sweater or cardigan that you can quickly wrap around your waist if necessary. You might also consider using a pad or incontinence briefs to feel safe from leakage until you feel comfortable in your routine and being out and about.

Get more useful tips in Coloplast’s free downloadable eBook, 20 Tips for Self-Catheterization (visit.coloplast.ca/20-tips-self-cath). These are general guidelines meant to help you with typical questions. You should follow the specific instructions provided by your healthcare provider and the intermittent catheterization solution you are using.