Gamedoll,
You aren't alone...I wasn't given much in the way of instructions either when it came to catheters and what to do...I learned more from Pat and this website than I did from the doctors & nurses at the hospital. Later on I realized that most of the RC's they do at UW Medical Center where I went involve the outside bag...if I had realized that earlier on, I may have chosen a different hospital.
My insurance will only pay for 10 a month for me and was told that Medicare allows only 5 a month. I too, use the red rubber ones as those were the only ones the hospital would give me..was given 5 and told to reuse them, although the package on mine does say, "do not reuse". When I asked the nurse about that she replied that the bladder isn't all that sterile an environment and it is OK to reuse as long as they are washed in some mild dishwashing or hand soap and dried. I never saw iodine either and was told to just use baby wipes but without alcohol...I keep a container at home and then when I'm away I use the small packets "Wet Ones" that you can flush...you can buy 20 in a box.
As for creatin levels...I've never heard the doctors talk about that so I'm not sure where I am in regard to that...my surgery was 7/25...I did have a nuclear scan with lasix done on my kidneys and was told that one does 75% of the work while the other is lazy and works at 25%....the doctors didn't seem to be concerned.
Anyway, it's good to hear from another Indiana pouch owner. Take care, Melodie
Melodie, Indy Pouch, U.W.Medical Center, Seattle, Dr. Paul H. Lange & Jonathan L. Wright