chris120

i am planning to visit my daughter in Barcelona, i have long term catheter fitted which occasionally gives trouble (blockage, falling out etc) can anyone give me the address of an A&E or private clinic with urology expertise that i could go too in Barcelona should i have problems?

spainrico

I live in Alicante but as no one else has posted - I would say this (based on recent experience) do not worry any health centre or clinic here in Spain will be able to deal with catheters and I assume your daughter is registered and will be aware of the local health facilities locations.

Ensure you have an EHIC/GHIC and/or insurance to cover any treatments.

There are differences ie the UK type uses a tap - the Spanish type uses a bung (I used one without a bag) but it still should not be a problem for a competent trained nurse.

chris120

THANKS Spainrico, yes my daughter is fully registered and yes i have a tap (known as a flip/flow valve in NHS)

spainrico

Ah didn't know that! You live and learn - had an emergency need for a catheter whilst on holiday in Scotland last year (Thanks Kirkcaldy hospital, excellent NHS service) after a while back in Spain urologist suggested I tried without (after a time on the magic pills) but I needed another inserted and so had a Spanish version for a while - must say I preferred the UK flip/flow as a couple of times I forgot to reinsert the bung!

Been to Spanish Urologist today by coincidence.

BTW here it is often referred to as 'una sonda'

Good luck.

chris120

i once forgot to close the flip flow, have you ever had a balloon failure? ie punctures and deflates letting the whole damn thing fall out?
i've failed the TWOC several times so I'm wondering what my long term options are.

spainrico

Sorry cannot advise - my problem was enlarged prostate which the pills resolved enough to mean no catheter -

DUODART contains the active ingredients dutasteride and tamsulosin hydrochloride. Dutasteride belongs to a group of medicines called 5-alpha reductase enzyme inhibitors. Tamsulosin hydrochloride belongs to a group of medicines called alpha-blockers. DUODART is used for men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Be guided by your urologist/doctor.