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Moral/Ethical Dilemma with being green--WWYD?
This is pretty revealing information, but I've been struggling with this for awhile.
I have a spinal defect that I was born with. You would never know there was anything wrong with me (in that sense!) but it causes me to have a condition called a neurogenic bladder--which means the nerves in my spinal cord are damaged and don't allow the muscles in my bladder to work correctly. The only problem it causes me is that my bladder doesn't always empty appropriately (similar to after a woman gives birth and can't empty her bladder). So I was getting frequent UTIs and often not able to pee. I have been using an intermittent catheter since I was 21.
Currently, I reuse the same catheter many, many times---and clean with soap and water. I was still getting frequent UTIs, so I have been taking prophylactic antibiotics. Ideally, I would love to stop having to take antibiotics. The ones that I take have the potential to cause long-term lung damage and other complications--and they are not recommended for when you are pregnant.
More and more insurance companies (including mine), are approving single-use catheters for people with my condition. But needless to say, this is NOT environmentally friendly. We're talking about 150 catheters per month. Now, they are very small---about the size of a pencil, and come in recyclable packaging (a small sleeve) so the actual packaging/catheter waste are minimal. I spoke to the company rep who told me that I could recycle them if I wanted to (wash them off and then put the catheters/packaging in a bag).
What do you think of this? What would you do if you were me? I have a really difficult time making a decision that is not very environmentally friendly---but at the same time, I think my health comes first in this case.
**Note---I also work as a nurse practitioner at a children's hospital. It is very hard to be a 100% environmentalist and work in a hospital environment. The waste we generate is unbelievable!
Emily
7-10-04 
Re: Moral/Ethical Dilemma with being green--WWYD?
I think disposable is fine if it makes your life better in a considerable way, like this does. We all have things that it is better for us to go conventional on. I like to think that I live green with 80% of things so I can live 20% conventionally without guilt.
That said, is there an option of a home sterilizer?
I would choose the single use catheters.
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I am mostly a lurker, but I wanted to chime in...
Of course, if it is going to make an appreciable difference in your QOL, you should definitely use the disposable catheters! I think that everyone would agree with that...I can't see why they wouldn't?
And ITA with you about how hard it is to be green in a hospital environment. I work as a NICU nurse, and while our hospital is trying to be better all the time (we just recently got recycling cans for all of our plastic bottles, whereas before we could only recycle glass and aluminum), it is so hard because of the nature of healthcare!
Anyway, just wanted to give you another opinion...
Otto
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I would go with the disposable.
I'm sorry you're struggling with this medical issue. I had IC for a while and had to take daily antibiotics as well as Detrol LA. It sucked
I would switch to disposables.
There is an environmental impact to being on antibiotics as well- so I see it as being a push between the 2.
i agree......switching to disposables seems like the best move for you...hope you can get off the antibiotics soon, UTI's suck!
I would choose the diposable catheters because they are best for your health. As a pharmacist, I feel its better to try to eliminate the long-term antibiotics if possible. Especially working in a hospital (I do too) where you are exposed to resistant bugs everyday.
I also have significant conflicts with my work environment. Hospital pharmacies have so much waste, especially in peds where I also work and all those plastic syringes!! Ugh! Patient safety first...
I think this is such a great point. Maybe this isn't that big of a fear (i'm not sure if this is realistic or not) but working in a hospital, aren't you exposed to MERCA much more frequently? Maybe b/c your situation is internal it's not a risk..regardless, your QOL can be increased so much.
Who knows, in the future, the catheters might become more "green."
I wouldn't even question the decision to do a sterile cath each time. Infections, being on meds, time off work for appts, etc. Not worth it. You deserve to not live without worrying about your health or putting your health at risk by being on meds long term. No one who knows anything about catheters would ever question your decision.
My best friend from elementary through middle school was in a wheel chair and didn't cath for a long time (wore depends). Anyway, once she was able to cath it was so freeing for her. But then the infections started because insurance didn't cover a new cath each time. It was just terrible for her.
We'll miss you sweet Debbie Girl (4.21.12) and sweet Cindy Girl (8.9.12)
This exactly. You can focus on your environmental impact in other ways. Take a local vacation this year or bike more to the store when you're only getting a few things.
I am a pretty hardcore environmentalist, but health is even more important. Plus if you're not sick from a UTI you'll have the energy to do other things like take out the recycling etc...
Take care of yourself first then the planet.
What if you had a stash of 2-3 days' worth that could be re-sterilized? Then you'd have plenty of fresh ones for while you are out and wouldn't have to clean them every single day. You could put the used ones in some sort of wet-bag until you got home. (Really, I think disposable is fine, I am just trying to help you think outside the box. The closest thing in my life--which isn't close at all--is using cloth panty liners instead of disposable, so I'm thinking of how I handle those.)
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