Yes ~ I do. All by myself :)
In the very beginning, I was so afraid about these that even when the doctor was doing them, I would take a vicodin about a half hour before the appointment! Then after the very first treatment, my bladder responded so quickly and was so much soothed that it is worth the effort!

If you have any specific questions, please feel free to message me. One of the most helpful things is having my doctor prescribe a tube of lidocaine gel -- so that I can dip the cath into it -- it both helps numb the area as well as helps the cath glide in more easily. The second helpful thing is a little free standing mirror.

As you know, bladder flares are one of the most painful things next to childbirth (at times)!! and so learning to do this, having a doctor willing to prescribe all the medicines and tools you need, gives you the capability of applying the medicine as quickly as you need to and ending the suffering on your own -- I am so incredibly thankful to have these tools at home to take care of myself and not have to make an appointment or go to an ER -- my doctor is teaching me how to care for myself...and really has taught me a lot.

But again - signal me if you have any specific questions. I used to have an article that was very specific and helpful. If I can find that again, I will also post that here for you!

Here is the link to an ic chat that is pretty detailed in its instructions for home instills. It is also several years old -- but some things have not changed :) I have never saved and re-used catheters...and I don't really think that is a good idea. Sounds like an easy way to get an infection...that's what I would worry about.

Hope this is helpful: http://www.ic-network.com/forum/showthread.php?36637-Helpful-Hints-For-Home-Instillations

OH I thank you soo much sisterkathy for your reply!!! I have been so scared and nervous about learning this. I am going this week to be shown how to do it. I am really looking forward to it now thanks to you. I will get a mirror on the way...haha.
I have been in one of the worst and most painful flare ups that I've ever had.....and yes you are so right it is as bad as child birth it just last so much longer!! I read on IC network and Wikipedia that is comparable to bladder or kidney cancer pain and I believe it. anyway didn't mean to go off on a rant.
so again thank you very much and I will definitely watch the link you left me!!

Hi Sheri - I do my own bladder instillations 1-2 times a month. I use a catheter tray, a special skinny catheter, a huge syringe, Uracyst and Lidocaine 1%. For sterile reasons, I do require an assistant to do them but all the person needs to do is open the packages and hand them to me once the catheter is in, and pour the medications into the open syringe that I'm holding. I was terrified first of all to get an instillation from my surgeon and doing them seemed impossible to me but now I'm so happy that I can because I can do it whenever I need to and it's very empowering. Also, I can tell what hurts and what doesn't, which also helps. Before you do your first one, I'd like to suggest using Lidocaine 2% gel on your urethra about 15 min before you sterilize with iodine and get the procedure started because it will numb the area and make it less painful. Good luck!

Just checking back in......hope this is still going well?
And great to have Katster here too. My insurance company recently made some changes and made it harder for me to get coverage unless I went to the doctor's office again and had them do the instillations for me. That was so hard - I felt like it was such a waste of time and effort.....when I need the instillation, I need to be able to take care ofit at home for more prompt relief and ability to lie down and let the medicine start working right away. Eventually my doctor contacted the insurance company on my behalf to explain the reasons it really is wiser to let me do this myself again - which they surprisingly agreed to do!! Soooooo incredibly thankful for a great doctor who was also my advocate ~ she's just the best!!