Problem with catheter

Dave 

I have a flipflo and bag on an suprapubic catheter, the tap is now normally open. When I open after being closed it still drains straight away. I belong to a Catheter site and often see the issue you describe. Some of our engineer members came up with some interesting theories. 

I suspect it is to do the position of the balloon and outlets. On free drainage the urine will just seep through the outlets. With the flipflo closed the pressure may cause the balloon and outlets to be squashed against the bladder wall. As the pressure builds it will go out through the penis. I can bypass and drain at the same time. 

Thanks Chris

I think I am understanding what you are saying but let's clarify it. 

You have a catheter in place. If you attach a bag and have the flip flow either detached or open then there is no leakage. 

If you attach a flip flow and close it then you get leakage from the penis. 

If I am correct in my assumptions then, yes I am not too surprised. I also had a catheter and a flipflow valve and I got leakage if the tap was closed for a long time. Quite simply it is normal pressure in the bladder. The bladder sphincter would normally stop this, but now that muscle is having to close around a plastic pipe and there will be a little leakage, indeed a lot of leakage if your bladder is full and you squeeze hard.

I still think flipflow is a good idea, but just go to the toilet as frequently as you normally would. 

Thanks for all your input. It seems that I will have to put up with the bypassing whilst training my bladder to operate normally . I would add that this the first time that I’ve contributed to any forum, and I am encouraged to find that my experience is shared and understood by so many.