Dad's getting ot the point where his contractures are so bad it's difficult to change his underwear. More than anything I am afraid I will break a bone one time when I am trying to get his legs apart. I can't use the "diaper-type" with the tabs because of the plastic on his skin.

So... I think I need to move on to a condom catheter. There are so many on the market and most seem to be the same product with a different label to me. I know some of you have had experience with this type of device at home and was looking for some guidance. How do you pick? In your experience, have you found one that is particularly better than others? I hate the thought of the two-sided tape kind, but it may be the only real choice. Also, I know at the hospital he enjoyed the "freedom" of no underwear, but I noticed that the catheter left some open sores at times. How do you deal with that and still use the catheter?

*UGH!*

bumping this back to the top.

Anyone?

Hi there..no experience personally but my friend's son with CP used them. She used disposable silicone and used an adhesive cream used for ostomy bags. Before applying light dabs of the adhesive she would apply a barrier cream and let it dry for a minute first. She didn't see the need of an airtight seal because her son dribbled more than a strong stream of urine. Disposable are more expensive but helped her eliminate cleaning the re-usable type condoms and she really felt the disposable helped control contamination.

This was a few years ago and I can't help but think there must be a disposable available that has a pre-applied adhesive by now. I know you're a whiz at research and don't mean to insult you..but have you tried The National Association for Continence?

She used silicone instead of latex..adhesive cream instead of two sided tape or inflatable ring..disposable instead of re-usable.

Sorry..wish I had more practical information for now but know that I too will probably be faced with this search in the future. Good luck!

Thanks Kirsten!

I didn't know that "The National Association for Continence" even existed!! I'll take a look there, but you have offered a lot of answers to things I was wondering about or didn't know I was yet. I saw the two sided tape and it just seemed to me that it would be so uncomfortable... not to mention just another thing to get wrapped around the gloves and not be able to get untangled. :/

I have been using Mentor Freedom Cath. for my husband for several years. They are self adhesive and work great. Just make sure he is dry before putting condom on or it will slip off during the night! Amazing what we have learn by trial and error!! I buy a box of 100 at a time on line at: www.bestbuyhealthcare.com
They cost $1.30 each. Also purchase a couple of Bard night drain bags at the same time. Rinse them out with water and vinegar each morning and they last a long time. I went to a local pharmacy that carries medical supplies and tried 2 different sizes of condoms to see which fit the best before I bought on line. They are much cheaper on line.

Also, need to keep hair clipped back so it does not get caught under the condom. I have not had any problems with sores.

NDuke..I took my own advice and went to The National Association for Continence and they were a lot of help...NOT...sorry.

I'm so glad dimy answered this post with her experience.

I've been doing a little research on this because like I said, I too will probably have this issue soon. The one site that actually explained the procedure of putting on a condom catheter was www.biorelief.com in their catheter section of F.A.Q.'s.

Sorry..well at least they now do have condom catheters with pre-applied adhesive..that's something...right?

dimy is sooooo right..trial by error is my main search engine too!

Ha ha ha! Thanks again Kirsten. You got this back on top with some answers for me!

dimi, thank you for the info! Did a search and got them ordered! I guess this is where one wishes that every male who makes it to old age was circumcised... duh!

I love this forum!!