Suggestions for keeping urine collection bag from slipping down leg

[Lyubov]

My 78-yo husband has to return to using Foley external catheter & bag, likely permanently, and is asking those with experience for suggestions to keep the leg bag from slipping. His previous experience has been unsuccessful with the slippage so bad that he carries the leg bag around in a bag or bucket! (His urethra & is so damaged from radiation therapy 6 years ago & he hasn't been able to regain continence.) Grateful for any information you might have to share.

[Darryl Partner]

There are many tricks of the trade. A pair of suspenders cliped to a cloth belt that holds a "pocket" for the urine bag, down by the thigh. Imagine your own contraption to "suspend" the urine capture bag in a comfortable way without requiring adhesives or elastic. Also, "cargo shorts," or cargo pants, where you have a large utility pocket by the knee. Poke a hole through the inside of the pants to the top of the inside of the pocket for the catheter to thread through to the bag in the pocket.

[Lyubov in reply to Darryl]

Thanks for this suggestion, Darryl. I'll pass it along to my hubs.

[Lyubov in reply to Darryl]

Hubby just read your suggestion & thought it very promising! Thanks again.

[Hidden]

I had those! I got a much thicker elastic straps that held it tighter to my legs then the ones provided me . 🙏💔

[Lyubov in reply to Hidden]

Another good tip for my guy! Thank you so much.

[Hidden in reply to Lyubov]

Anything to make him feel comfortable . It is such a grind ! ✌️😎

[garyjp9 in reply to Lyubov]

I did the same with larger straps. You would think that by now the clinics would have figured out that men need bigger and stronger straps to hold the bag securely in place, but no such luck. Had I known about it, I would have tried Darryl's suggestion above with the cargo pants.

[Lyubov]

Thank you so much. I remember you mentioned the suprapubic some time ago. Your husband? I will check out the group on bladder cancer you suggest. Hope all's well.

[marnieg46]

Yes all good thank you Irene.

While I think, unfortunately, you thought your husband might not be a good candidate for an ileal conduit urinary diversion, for us it's been one of the few things since prostate removal that has not only been very successful but also seriously improved QOL.

Prior to this procedure we had various problems, including the one you mention, during various extended times when my husband needed a catheter. At that time I don't recall any of the medical specialist being very helpful with practical advice and that's when I discovered the Inspire group. If you can research the various aids available, especially those discussed and evaluated as well by users on the site, it can make life much easier.

You're very resourceful and have managed very well to date so I'll know you'll get on top of this...and my best wishes for a Happy Easter...

[Lyubov]

As you see, I'd gotten mixed up regarding your husband's solution. I'm so happy for you both that it continues to be so effective. QOL has gone down greatly for my guy. Now you've pointed me to what sounds like the ideal group for additional info & insight. Hope you're Easter has been beautiful!

[sgrama]

Here's a couple of things that might help you out.

amazon.com/Carer-Drainage-C...

amazon.com/Incontinence-Tro...

[Chask]

I have already responded to your query about SPC’s, but even with a foley in the urethra, if your husband has a fully functioning bladder, then there is no need for a leg bag. Instead connect a flip/flo valve to the end of the catheter. When the bladder gets full, you just open the valve and empty the bladder. So much better than an ugly and cumbersome leg bag. The valve can just be tucked into his jocks, or for a bit more security it can be strapped to his thigh.

[Lyubov in reply to Chask]

Thanks. Will look into this method. Appreciate your response!

[deano58 in reply to Chask]

Hey Chask where could I source some of those flip/flow valves please?

[Chask in reply to deano58]

Well I am in Australia and I buy them on-line from this company - independenceaustralia.com.au. They are a Social Enterprise company with a strong Australian focus and I don’t believe that they ship overseas.

This is the valve - store.independenceaustralia.... It is manufactured by an Australian company called Coloplast, and I have just checked and they do not ship overseas either.

I am sure there must be a US version via a company which specialises in continence products.

[Lyubov in reply to Chask]

Yes, we're familiar with Coloplast -- they make the catheters my husband uses for self-cathing. . . He's still at that stage. Don't know what he'll want to try when he sees uro later this month. . . Thank you very much for sharing this information.

[deano58 in reply to Chask]

Thanks mate I'm also in Oz I'll chase them up cheers

[Rogersw]

I would also recommend a flip flo valve rather than a bag much more manageable

[Lyubov in reply to Rogersw]

Not sure what you mean by a "flip-flow valve." Is it at bottom of catheter tube, instead of connected to a collection bag?

[Rogersw in reply to Lyubov]

Yes instead of a se it to empty bladder every few hours much more comfortable than a bag

[Papa1]

As to leg bag, I’ve found the Hollister 900ml bag to be the most convenient. It uses broad straps that are easily detached and easily adjusted. It have a pretty easy to use valve. I use the flip flow most often and connect it to a 2000ml bed bag at night. The bed bag plugs right into the valve. I use the leg bag when traveling attached with one strap just below the knee. The calf seems to hold it in place neatly. This allows longer times between pit stops. This configuration requires an extension tube cut long enough to reach and allow for knee bending while sitting. Of course it requires long pants. I also recommend the Statlock device for securing the catheter opening. Secure it to upper thigh. This whole process takes some trial and error to see what works for you, but it eventually becomes seamless. You just have to hang in there.

[Lyubov in reply to Papa1]

Thanks, Papa1! Will share your method with hubby.

[RonnyBaby]

There is a device called a 'PLUG' that eliminates the need to carry a bag.

This can come in as a real gift under the right circumstances - when you can feel somewhat 'free' again.

I had a catheter for about 4 months and learned about the 'PLUG' in a urology clinic.

Be sure to keep an EXTRA plug with you - just in case you lose it for whatever reason.

I recall being in Walmart one day when I accidently 'popped' the cork - needless to say, I left a puddle on the floor- then I KICKED the PLUG under a display unit - so I couldn't retrieve it !

Luckily, I had a 'spare' in the car - so I went and plugged in again and resumed shopping.

It was a hilarious situation, looking back - but I will always a request a PLUG if I ever need to go that route again ....

[j-o-h-n in reply to RonnyBaby]

Walmart greeter:

Welcome shoppers through our door,

it's okay if you piss on our floor.....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Tuesday 04/19/2022 10:47 AM DST

[RonnyBaby in reply to j-o-h-n]

Where's the wet mop or should we Swiffer thru this one ?

[j-o-h-n in reply to RonnyBaby]

They actually freeze it and at night add it to the town's community swimming pool....(ker-splash).....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Tuesday 04/19/2022 12:30 PM DST

[RonnyBaby in reply to j-o-h-n]

POOL our resources !

Sounds like a plan 2 me !

[j-o-h-n in reply to RonnyBaby]

The dog ate plan 2 too......he's an Irish Water Spaniel.

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Tuesday 04/19/2022 1:12 PM DST

[Lyubov in reply to RonnyBaby]

Will explore this approach with hubs. Thank you. Glad you could laugh at the sudden pop-out of your plug in a store! My hubby would have had a fit -- just the way he is!!!

[FourString]

I also wear a Foley catheter full time. If I had followed the advice of my urologist, I’d not be the happy catheter cowboy I am today.

I only use a bag at night so I don’t have to get up. During the day, I put a plug on the end of my catheter. Since I can walk and get about pretty ok, I get up to take a whiz. Yes, I can tell when I have to “go.”

If I was mobility-challenged, I sure wouldn’t wear one of the f’d up leg bags. Belly bags are better than those. And yes, you can pee “up hill.” (Where the bag is higher than the tip of your penis.

In urology med school they should force the students to wear a catheter for a month. Then they’d know from whence they speak.

Just my opinion.

[Lyubov in reply to FourString]

Well, you sure found interesting work-arounds for yourself. How do you "plug" the cath?

[FourString in reply to Lyubov]

Urologists have them and you can buy them online. Very cheap. You can also get a valve thingie to put on the end, but they get hard to open/close due to residue left by exiting urine. Also sold online.

[Farmhand]

I have used “Cath Wear”….They are very thin and comfortable Lycra style shorts that have a pocket to hold 600ml Urinary leg bag on each side can use with nephrostomy tube and also with Foley catheter. Made my life infinitely better! No slipping down the leg, no elastic straps to fight with no edema caused by tight elastic straps, no sores caused by straps etc.

“Cath Wear”

[Lyubov in reply to Farmhand]

These look really neat! I guess I'll be able to find online if we go this route? Thanks so much!

[Farmhand in reply to Lyubov]

Yes, You can find them on Amazon for $39 I think. They work very well and go underneath pants or underneath shorts….Can even ride bicycles with them easily and they are very discreet And comfortable. Hi suffered with the straps for months, until we found these on Amazon. Could not believe that no one had pointed us in this direction… No one at the hospital had ever heard of them and no oncologist or urologist had ever heard of Cath Wear

[Lyubov in reply to Farmhand]

Hubby is very interested in these! Thanks again!

[diamondrn]

I used a plug day and night; for the last 3 or 4 months that I used a Foley catheter; until I was finally able to get a TURP in October 2021.

Once I started using a plug, instead of a bag, I quit having having to be hospitalized with serious blood infections every couple of months; possibly because It is a lot easier to keep a plug clean than it is a bag.

I have been without the Foley for almost 7 months, Lyubov.

[Lyubov in reply to diamondrn]

Thanks & wonderful that you're back to normal. We'll explore the plug too.