Hi everyone, I ended up in hospital in the early hours with suspected water infection, and now I have a catheter bag for urine... My OCD is through the roof... I can't cope with this... I'm frightened of leaks and suchlike, how do I bathe? What do I do now? I'm very very scared, even though it is only urine... I'm scared, more scared than I have been for months... I'm still taking my fluoxetine, but I'm real scared...
Wannabe
I'm so sorry that you've ended up with a suspected urinary tract infection resulting in needing a catheter.
You can bathe with a catheter just carefully hang it over the side and dry the bag thoroughly afterwards drying the tube with gentle downward strokes being careful not to pull it or your eyes will definitely water big time 
Did they not give you any instructions before you left the hospital?
If not I've found an NHS information sheet that should help explain the dos and don'ts Catheter information sheet Obviously don't use the contact details on the information sheet instead if you have any problems contact your GP immediately, but if you follow the instructions you shouldn't have any problems but I can fully appreciate your concerns because of your OCD.
A leg bag isn't big enough for night time use but you can attach another bag to the bottom of the leg bag for extra capacity.
I'm here if you need to talk just drop me a PM.
BTW when you're not wearing a leg bag but a night bag don't forget to take it with you when you get up from bed or the chair 
Hi Trudy, thank you so much your support and for that link, it has put my mind at rest a bit, which is good, It answers the questions, and that is the main thing.
I'm relying on distant memories of having one before many years ago. It is good that I'm not absolutely busting to go loo now, so that is a good thing too... I worry about my hands being clean enough to touch the computer, despite washing them after emptying the leg bag. I'm so frightened of this though, my OCD has really latched onto this one...
Wannabe
Breath, calm down Wannabe. Calm right down, I know it's easier said than done. I would trade with you in an instant my friend. I've had a huge cry today and felt better for it. It can't hurt you.. It can't.. It won't..
Think of something to centre your self.
This is another challenge OCD has put upon you. You will show it who's in charge one day I promise.
Hi Citaloman, thank you for your support... I need all the inspiration I can get right now... This has really scared me very deep, but I now know I can have a bath with the catheter in, so that's good. I'm not doing anything until tomorrow... I'm scared witless of anything leaking out... I guess that is natural, but so far it hasn't been too bad... I'm at least passing fluids now, so that again is good... I'm supposed to be being contacted by local nurse in the next couple of days... Thanks again,
Wannabe
I've also realised that this IS a support question, I've typed it wrong when I started this thread...
The support logo is to ensure that people know that you need support and so need a reply asap and as you've had replies I wouldn't worry.
I could only reply briefly because had to once again get the washing out of the machine and into the drier.
A couple of points to note:
- Follow those instructions and you shouldn't have a problem, but you should always consult your doctor or nurse if you have a problem.
- You shouldn't drink cranberry juice if you're on certain medication especially warfarin.
Hi Trudy, thank you... Yes I read something about cranberry juice on the fact sheet... I've also PM'd you, thanks ever so much for PM'ing me too... I really appreciate your help at this time...
Wannabe
I worry about my hands being clean enough to touch the computer, despite washing them after emptying the leg bag.Just wash your hands the same as you would if you'd just used the loo and you'll be fine. What comes out of the catheter is no different to what comes out without a catheter and you have no problem with that do you? They emphasise washing your hands prior to touching the catheter this is to prevent infection getting into the catheter.
My mother had one for years and when we kept to the guidelines we had no problems.
Hi Trudy, you're right, I don't normally have a problem with the computer keyboard... At least, not until I think about it... I think it is just heightened fear with everything. I didn't get much sleep at all last night, so I'm tired too, that always makes things difficult for me... I'll try and trust the bags, knowing that this time they're gonna investigate the problem, so it shouldn't happen again... But For now I'll try and relax. I think once I've been through one night with it I should trust it a bit more... Thank you ever so much for your support at this time...
Wannabe
Hi Trudy, thank you, I'll try...
Wannabe
Hello Wannabe,
Remember what is and what isn't OCD. Also remember that a catheter here is a temporary thing. After you've bathed treat yourself and really relax. You don't need any other stresses. Be good to yourself. It's what you always tell me 
.
I'm so sorry to see you're going through such stress. I don't know much about catheters but you can definetly wash fine with them. Perhaps you can cover it with something waterproof if it decreases your anxiety, like a few plastic bags.
Do let us know how you are feeling,
Slog
Also remember the contents in the catheter are not foreign, they are from you, naturally produced. It can't contaminate you as you've already had the fluid in your body. Remember that it can't hurt you. It's like Trudy said, going to the loo and washing your hands.
Chin up, you're more than capable of beating this,
Slog
Hi Max, Hi Slog, thank you for your kind words of support... I got through the night with quite a struggle, but made it through... I'm really scared, and I know I'm seeking reassurance all the time, I can't help it...
I'm waiting or a nurse to contact to check me out over the catheter, but as yet there is nothing, and i'm scared about that too... I don't know how long I can take this, but I know I have to, for my sake, and for the sake of everyone around me... 
Thank you BT That is really appreciated... It's been a really scary couple of days to be honest... I'm still not sure the catheter is working correctly, but then it is early days yet... I'll be glad when the care team for it have made contact, that will help to put my mind at rest. I'm really glad I got through the night without accident, but it is sending my OCD sky high with spikes at the mo... Thank you ever so much...
Wannabe
Hi Liz, Hi everyone... Thank you for your kind words... I'm a little better now I know my catheter is working now. I called in at casualty today to have my mind put at rest, cos I thought it wasn't working, but I'm gonna be okay now I think.
It isn't easy is it? I'm still a little scared of it, but I'm just beginning to get used to it now. What a game!
Thanks again everyone, I'll try and take part in the forums now...
Wannabe
It is very quiet on the forums tonight...
Chat again tomorrow, possibly in the morning if my night goes okay...
Night night everyone...
Wannabe
Hello Wannabe, I hope you're ok. It has been quiet these last few days, just was thinking about you and whether your horrors were continuing? I'm meant to limit my internet usage but if you PM me, it comes up on my hotmail and I can reply through my phone. Please message me if you're having a bad trot, you've done so much for me it'd be the least I could do. About time you had some support bearing all of our burdens on your shoulders,
Anyway, best wishes, hope you're ok and good night,
Slog
Hi Chloe, Hi Slog, thank you both for your kind words, it really is appreciated. I got through the night with no leaks, which was really good. I'm gonna sit down with the David Veale Rob Willson book today, get some reading in while I wait to hear from community nurse... I've had a massive relapse I guess... A catheter isn't easy to deal with anyway, never mind when trying to cope with OCD... II go from times of okay, to really quite distressed at times.... I want to cry but can't, want to give up, but can't, I'm in a right old state... I keep thinking I'm not worth it when surely I am, it is all things like that... My self esteem has hit rock bottom over the last few days, but I'm gonna do the reading, and chat again later. Thank you both ever so much, and to everyone else too on here. Chat again later,
Wannabe
Hi Mike, I've not been supported through a lot of exposure stuff... When on my last lot of CBT, I did the public toilet thing once, and virtually failed it... I now try to do it on my own, which isn't an ideal situation, in fact it scares me... I try to do the public toilets thing when I go to the supermarket, but even that is too much now... I'm frightened with the catheter thing, frightened it might leak... I can't face that at all... I think if my CBT was ongoing now, I'd be able to challenge all this, but it has really knocked me back. I've had to miss out on my day centre activity earlier this week because of it... This has taken me back a good six months... I know that I have to cope with it, but I find it all so difficult...
~Sorry to sound so negative with it all, but it has been a hell of a scare for me, I don't like hospitals anyway, and to have this happen now is really upsetting... I sort of feel I finished my CBT far too early last time, before I had fully got to the point where I could cope on my own... I would have thought I could, but I now know this isn't really the case... I'm waiting for the anxiety to go down, but for some things the anxiety has lasted weeks, and I can't cope with that at all...
Wannabe
And to add to it all, the computer my written work is done on has flooded with a cup of tea, and no longer works, so I can't even do my writing now...
Wannabe,
You should be proud of the fact that despite everything that the OCD is throwing at you you are coping. Many people even those without OCD find dealing with a catheter extremely difficult.
Hopefully you won't have it for long and then you can get back on track dealing with the OCD. Don't think of this as a set back rather a challenge that you are working your way through. Just think a few months ago you couldn't have coped with this at all.
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