Long term self-catheterization is okay

I have noticed some comments on self-catheterization and I wanted to share some information that might ease some fears.  Although it is inconvenient and perhaps a little scary long term self-cauterization is okay. I have done it 6 times a day since 2000 when it was discovered that due to some nerve damage (disk disease) I had a bladder retention issue. Three years later I went along with having a TURP which didn’t resolve the problem.  Also there are other techniques for dealing with bladder retention they all have very low success rates and often cause permanent incontinence. I have not been willing to risk any of these procedures outside of my urologist gently stretching the neck of your bladder using metal dilators. I also have an annual cystosposy.  So using an intermittent catheter is part of my life. I clean them with water and use an alcohol wipe before and after use. I always wash my hands well. I travel with them. I will keep one with the wipe and small lube in a Ziploc sandwich bag that I will put in my pocket after my bags have been searched. It really comes in handy on long flights.    At first I was only using the catheter once and throwing them away as is recommended on the package. This is of course something the durable medical equipment industry would like everyone to do as there is a lot of money to be made.  However, there have been many studies that found there is little difference in the infection rate for users who reuse and those who throw them away after a single use.  In fact, I have not had infections since early on when I first started using them.  The problem at that time was I wasn’t washing my hands correctly.