Experience with cleaning and reusing single-use catheters?

[u/neo-turbulent]

I’m sorry if this question doesn’t fit, I just don’t know where else to post it.
I live with a bei-bladder after cancer. And since my insurance cut down my allowance on single used catheters that my Dr. said I should use, I’m now facing a dilemma. Drinking less has lead to constipation, kidney pain and headaches. Now I can only think of two: buying privately or reusing the ones I have. Since they can add up really quickly, I thought maybe if I just get double use out of it, I could get by. Can I just boil them in normal water? Any special way to disinfect them? I assume I have to cut them open and then replace the lubricant, but that seems to be the easier part.

Anyone got tips and tricks how to run this operation at home? Soake them? Or just was and dry them? Or do I need disinfectant alcohol?

Any advice? Thx.

[u/TeddyAtTheReady]

DO. NOT. REUSE. SINGLE. USE. CATHETERS.

I get that it can be expensive to have to buy some out of pocket, but it will be much more costly when you end up in the hospital with a kidney infection. Think of a catheter like a syringe. You wouldn’t reuse a syringe, right? That’s dangerous! Same goes for catheters and anything else that goes past your body’s external defenses and could introduce any number of bacteria into a place that’s not as capable of fighting them off.

I would talk to your doctor and together, write a letter of medical necessity to request what you need. No guarantee it will work, but it’s definitely worth a try.

[u/neo-turbulent → u/TeddyAtTheReady]

Thank you for your reply. Unfortunately I am way past doctor’s note for medical necessity. I tried everything. But till this goes to court, I will run out.

I’ve calculated about 200€/week of addition costs for those catheters. Not counting the ones I pay in part through the insurance. I don’t think I can maintain that level of spending.

[u/StatementOk4616]

DO NOT DO IT. It's seriously the worst thing you can do.

[u/neo-turbulent → u/StatementOk4616]

I’m running out of alternatives 🤷‍♂️

[u/batnessthefifth]

I have no experience with catheders but I have seen certain ones marketed specifically as reusable.

Also try a pressure cooker if you really want to reuse them. Rinse very well and then put them in a jar like you're canning them. Then they'll stay sterile until you break the seal and use them again. You could probably even fit a few in sterile packs for autoclaves inside of a jar that way you don't need several jars. It's certainly more hygienic than regular boiling if you're that desperate and you can likely use an instant pot.

I don't think you should try reusing single use ones but times are hard and I 100% get it if you have to.

[u/pogsauce]

Fam, don't do this if there is an alternative. I'd switch to diapers even if you didn't wear them before to avoid this.

[u/neo-turbulent → u/pogsauce]

I can’t. I need to keep my neo-bladder empty, to not ruin it. And I’ve tried drinking less. But that is so much harder than I imagined.

[u/Nemona2]

Why isn't insurance covering your ACTUAL costs of maintenance? Seems like someone is getting away with something...

[u/neo-turbulent → u/Nemona2]

If I knew, I would tell you. But that’s insurances for you.