Hi, I have not been in a public pool for years. I now use an external catheter with leg bag. It seem clumsy gear to swim with and I don't know if it will be allowed in a public pool. I would love to hear how you guys manage. Deo
I have a supra pubic catheter and rarely swim. However when I do go in a pool I wear my jeans (to keep everything undercover & so I don't scrape my knees) and my socks (so I don't scrape my feet). I'm not big on actually swimming. I just hold onto the side and try not to drown. The few times I have swum I wore a life jacket and did the backstroke.
Registered: 11/16/01
Posts: 15944
Loc: a nice place
Originally Posted By: Deo
Hi, I have not been in a public pool for years. I now use an external catheter with leg bag. It seem clumsy gear to swim with and I don't know if it will be allowed in a public pool. I would love to hear how you guys manage. Deo
I think I might be sticking to the sea. You can pee freely and no gear to wear. Nice beaches here in Trinidad. I think I did some serious damage to my wheelchair with the sand and salt though. Deo
I use freedom external catheters which is like a condom. I put it on before I leave home and remove when I am back. Any sudden movement causes my bladder to spasm. It will try to empty the tiniest amount of urine, so I never have a completely empty bladder. Has anyone tried that smooth muscle relaxant gel. I hear it has little side effects compared to the tablet? Deo
Its Oxybutynin gel which has less side effects than the tabs and was approved by the FDA. Its not available in Trinidad yet but I would love to try it. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/587662 Deo
Remove the extension tube and attach the bag fitting directly to the catheter itself and strap the bag to your thigh instead of your calf. Then a pair of board shorts should be long enough to cover it.
You can also get a one way valve for the cath tube so that you can void but the pool water won't enter the cath tube. I'm not sure if it's Hollister or Mentor - but they do exist.
And ignore the COMPLETELY WRONG and ILLEGAL advice/comment from s2medicalsupply. You do NOT have to ask permission and you certainly do not have to tell anyone about your catheter - and no one can tell you to stay away if it's a public pool. Little kids (and lots of other people) pee in the water ALL the time.
