Hi there, my name’s Wayne, and I’m here to chat about something that’s a big part of my life – catheters.
Now, you might not know much about catheters, but stick with me – it’s a story of how the right type of urinary catheter product can totally change someone’s life, and why feedback from people who use catheters, like me (the user!) is important for making things better for everyone.
Preventing infection when providing catheter care
Let me tell you a bit about my journey. I’ve been using catheters for over 25 years. When I was younger, I realised I couldn’t fully empty my bladder. This meant I was running to the toilet a lot more than other people my age and even wetting the bed when I started high school.
It wasn’t much fun I can tell you!
At first, the GP gave me tablets – which didn’t work. Then, I was shown how to do something called intermittent self-catheterisation (ISC). It’s a fancy way of saying that I had to use a catheter to empty my bladder every so often.
The nurse told me to do it once a day before bed, but that didn’t work out well for me at all. I ended up with many catheter-associated infections, including a nasty one that stuck around in my kidney and was hard to treat because it became resistant to antibiotics.
Eventually, I had to self-catheterise up to 6 times a day, and I even had an operation to make my bladder bigger. That’s when I realised – having the right type of catheter makes all the difference.
The Big Switch – finding the right type of catheter for me
Back in 2019, I noticed the catheters I was using had become uncomfortable because the design had changed. I wasn’t having that! So, I went on the hunt, contacted loads of companies, and that’s when I found Hollister. Their male urinary catheters were a game-changer for me. They’re pre-lubricated, meaning they come ready to use, and they have this thing called a ‘no-touch’ system, which makes it easier and cleaner to use.
After switching to these new catheters, I haven’t had any new urinary tract infections (UTIs) and no longer need to take antibiotics to stop them from happening. It was such a huge relief – imagine being able to go on a road trip in Australia without having to worry about constantly finding a disabled toilet. Before I made the switch, I wouldn’t have even dreamed of getting on a plane!
New pre-lubricated catheter designs bring new hope
Recently, Hollister made some updates to their catheters, and I’ve been lucky enough to try them out.
I’ll be honest, I was a little worried at first because sometimes when things change, they don’t always improve, right?
But they didn’t let me down.
The new packaging is so much sleeker and lighter. If you’ve got to carry around a bunch of catheters like I do, this really helps – especially when I’m packing for big trips like the World Transplant Games. They’re also more discreet, which is great if you don’t want to announce to the world what’s in your bag.
Then there’s the catheter itself – the catheter tip is smaller, which makes it easier and more comfortable to insert. That’s something important, because if the catheter isn’t comfortable, it can cause irritation, and trust me, that’s not what you want when you’re doing this up to six times a day!
With my new catheters, I feel confident and comfortable – it’s like everything just glides into place. No awkwardness, no discomfort, just smooth sailing.
Why feedback from people who self-catheterise matters
Here’s the thing – companies that make specialist continence care products rely on feedback from people like me to make their products even better. That’s why it’s so important for catheter users to speak up and for companies to listen. Every little change can have a big impact on our daily lives.
Take the new design I’ve been talking about: the smaller catheter tip, the better lubrication, and the improved packaging aren’t just random changes – they’re based on what users have been asking for. And when a company listens to the people who rely on their products, it leads to innovations that make life easier and more comfortable.
That’s why I think it’s a great idea for nurses and healthcare professionals to hear directly from catheter users like me. It helps them understand how the products work in real life and gives them the confidence to recommend the best options for their patients.
The right type of catheter enables me to lead a fulfilling life
Thanks to these improvements, I’m able to live a full life without feeling restricted by my catheter.
I can travel, compete in sports, and enjoy life without constantly worrying about finding a toilet or dealing with catheter-related infections. The combination of the new catheter tip and lubrication has made such a difference – it’s the little things that make the biggest impact, you know?
So, if you’re a nurse, doctor, or anyone who works with catheter users, please keep listening to our feedback. It’s how products improve and its how people like me can keep living our best lives!
And if anyone’s got any questions, I’m always happy to chat – because sharing these experiences helps everyone. Cheers!
Follow Wayne on Instagram: @wayne_transplantathlete