Dave
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In 2005 Dave had a severe spinal cord injury. He was aged 25. He had a urethral catheter for about three months. This was then changed to a suprapubic catheter, which Dave finds quite easy to manage. He changes it himself at home with the help of a carer.
Dave is a financial consultant. He is married. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.
More about me...
Dave describes what happened before he was catheterised in hospital. He’s been paralysed from the...
Dave describes what happened before he was catheterised in hospital. He’s been paralysed from the...
Dave realised he had a blockage when his urine wasn’t draining properly. Another time he had...
Dave realised he had a blockage when his urine wasn’t draining properly. Another time he had...
No, that was done at the bedside. After the insertion of the suprapubic catheter, I didn’t go back to a theatre for any changes or anything beyond that. It was always done at the bedside.
Dave describes how he looks after his catheter and catheter site. He occasionally uses a bladder...
Dave describes how he looks after his catheter and catheter site. He occasionally uses a bladder...
Dave washes around the catheter site every day with saline solution. He takes care not to pull...
Dave washes around the catheter site every day with saline solution. He takes care not to pull...
Yes, I have two straps that are round the leg bag itself and one that I put higher on my thigh to grip on to it.
Dave described what it was like to have a suprapubic catheter changed in hospital. He found it...
Dave described what it was like to have a suprapubic catheter changed in hospital. He found it...
Yes, it is uncomfortable when it’s changed. It’s not too bad. I find that helping the situation is to use a mildly anaesthetic based lubricant. Instillagel is what I use. You just use it round the site. It makes sure that it comes out a bit easier. When the new one goes in, it numbs around the area. So I certainly think that that helps and that’s what I do.
After Dave left hospital, the district nurse changed his catheter a couple of times. He then...
After Dave left hospital, the district nurse changed his catheter a couple of times. He then...
Yes. And I’m pretty particular about, you know, changing a catheter and what has to happen. I know exactly what I’m doing.
Dave says that having a disability can strain a relationship but that a difficult situation can...
Dave says that having a disability can strain a relationship but that a difficult situation can...
Dave describes the various benefits he gets and talks about the Direct Payments scheme. He also...
Dave describes the various benefits he gets and talks about the Direct Payments scheme. He also...
Yes. Which is why I approached Aspire, the charity which helped with some of the purchase of a wheelchair.
Initially Dave shared experiences with other patients. He was also greatly supported by his...
Initially Dave shared experiences with other patients. He was also greatly supported by his...
Obviously there were as well some of the medical professionals, the nursing team, who certainly helped. But I think the most help is from people that know you best probably. So that was for me what worked. I guess it’s different, different things for different people.