Originally Posted by
vliegle
Skip the visit to the doc - a condom catheter has no more risks than voiding into Depends - in fact, it's likely much better for your husband's skin. This way he'll be dry the whole time. They are dead simple to use and empty. Your husband may even be able to empty it himself depending on his hand function. Pop down to your local mobility/ medical supply store and you can pick up a set of 'gear' for probably $30. Problem solved!
Might just be me (and also realizing the fast difference between our Dutch and the US health system/coverage), but one of the main reasons we always advice people to go through the official mills is to get proper info. A one time simple visit to a specialized urology-nurse can be highly beneficial in making the difference between being a not really happy (or flat out grumpy) user of incontinence material to being a happy camper. Sure, there are general guidelines for each type of aid but that's just one factor into the total. The other half is all those personal things ranging from medical and fysical (dis)abilities right upto preference and all in between. Even "just" not knowing what can be expected and what not from a certain type of aid can result in a lesser experience. Combine that with a fast knowledge of hands on experience that these incontinence-specialized nurses have. Seen it happen too often where proper providing of information, support and tips and tricks easily makes the difference between doing well or not.
Heck, even just the ability to try any and all possible aids through them is enough for me to love 'm.
No costs, no manufacturer that have their own business as nr1 instead of you, no suppliers that only tend to know about stuff within their own supply etc.
But as said; I know I'm coming from a financial easy spot to say this as it comes with no costs to us and am aware that this is not the case for most around the world.