18 months post operation

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I am now 18 months post operation and have just had the all clear with my super sensitive PSA which I’m so pleased. I do however have the slightest leakage needing one pad per day and a total non start as far as errections are
Concerned. I am reconciled in my head that this now may never change. And great ful for being cancer free. I have had Bells Palsy recently which has been more challenging than the cancer, didn’t think I would here myself say that. Good luck all and thanks for the support over the last 18 months

 

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I understand. I'll be 18mo post op next month. Same 1 pad a day unless there's strenuous activity. Or drink to much beer. The erections are getting better with 20mg Cialis daily. And the use of restriction rings and a pump. Requires a little work but he'll she's worth it.

 

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That's really interesting Steveg. I can manage with one pad per day or a couple of light shields instead. A lot depends what I'm doing. If I do more strenuous work in the morning I'm reasonably good. Trying the same things after 4.00 pm is a different ball game so I find myself trying to manage my days and activities. I'm sure you were hoping to be in the 80percent who have no issues. I know I am disappointed. I am just one year on and hoping there might a bit more improvement in the next year. I did have a very stressful period recently and have decided to go to counselling. Can I ask did you see any improvement over the 12 to 18 month period?

 

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Yes I have seen improvement since the 1yr mark. I should add that I'm taking Myrbetriq generic. And that has really helped. And the being better in the morning is normal.

 

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Congrats Steve. I would think your lingering problems are nothing compared to the benefit of having the privilege of being alive and hopefully growing to a ripe old age.

 

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Can I also ask when you guys mention one pad per day does that mean a Tena 3, 2 or 1? I often find measurements by pad use a bit confusing as there are huge differences in pad capacity. Thanks

 

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I have tried so many different pads trying to find one that is cheap and good. I came to the conclusion that price is not everything and that you get what you pay for. I found Tena to be the best for absorbsion, retaining urine and preventing bypass. They are however the most expensive I believe. When things were very bad I found No 3 was really essential. Now I go for No. 2 when I am indoors and No. 3 when I go out for safety. I also wear Tena washable incontinence boxer shorts as well at all times for belts and braces, although really I have not found them to be necessary in practice. From next month I am going to try just wearing the boxers when in bed. I am also going to try drinking caffienated coffee and tea and alcohol in moderation. Prices for Tena pads vary considerably. Some good prices, if you can call it that, on the internet; not a vast difference between 3, 2 and 1 though.

 

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Static. I was referred by my pelvic floor physio to the continence service. Given you are from the UK I am able to get Tena 2 and Coloplast Conveen on the NHS. I don't really use the Teaa 2 much and have to but Tena 1 that I mostly use myself. I can also use Attends 1 or 2. They are lighter and are more of a conical shape. I occasionally use the conveen still if I am away for an entire day and would find it difficult to find a place to change. Also one peculiar thing with me is my hobby of playing the bagpipes. In a normal day which is not normally too strenuous I can get away with the light pads and maybe only a few millitres in single figures. Playing the bagpipes for a hour at the evening band practice means reverting to the conveen and in that time I'm back to maybe 50 mls

 

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Oh you are lucky being able to get them on the NHS. Depends on the health authority I believe. I was told by the incontinence nurse and also my GP that I cannot get them in East Sussex. Not that I have ever played bagpipes but I can imagine it puts quite a pressure on your insides.

 

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I am in Northern Ireland. I don't think it's typical for all prostatectomy patients but I was so incontinent for three months and changing 8-10 times a day that I got the referral

 

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Thank you for your response, I have seen gradual but slow improvement on the incontinence side and to be honest I only wear one just in case. My ED was already bad as I had something called transverse myelitis which screwed me over, so I was never hopeful in that area. So in short yes

401Hbrownlow private msg quote post Address this user plus 1plus 1plus 13That's really interesting Steveg. I can manage with one pad per day or a couple of light shields instead. A lot depends what I'm doing. If I do more strenuous work in the morning I'm reasonably good. Trying the same things after 4.00 pm is a different ball game so I find myself trying to manage my days and activities. I'm sure you were hoping to be in the 80percent who have no issues. I know I am disappointed. I am just one year on and hoping there might a bit more improvement in the next year. I did have a very stressful period recently and have decided to go to counselling. Can I ask did you see any improvement over the 12 to 18 month period?15 hours ago Post 3 • IP flag post

 

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Just a follow up to this discussion and my erratic incontinence. Yesterday two light shields and only 6 mls total. Was shopping and planting a few seeds in trays. Today one light shield in the morning, painting a shed. After lunch cutting lawns and a lot more walking. 25 mls and the light pad hardly held it. Days like yesterday I feel lots of optimism but a day like to day feel down hearted. I generally find outdoor active work needs to stop at about 3.30/4 pm. I have decided to go for some counselling as constantly ruminating on this problem is damaging my mental health

 

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The study I read on incontinence after RP surgery giving the percentages considered people who used one or less pads per day you are continent. So if you are at one pad per day you’re in the group of Continent. I hope I can get there. Wishing everyone happiness Tim

 

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Yes Tim I have read that some consider one pad a day continent. However, that does not reflect reality when comparing pre and post operation. There are other medical practices who only consider a person continent if they are dry or wear a pad that is dry.

 

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I agree with you completely and feel the percentages they give are very biased. On the Mayo Clinic forum a 70 old asked the Mayo Clinic Dr the chances of him being continent after RP and he said 50-50. He went to a second Dr there and he said 50-50 but if he get an AUS. The person did not want to have to get an AUS so he did radiation.

 

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I use Tesco own bran which I find adequate and they are level 3

407Hbrownlow private msg quote post Address this user plus 1plus 1plus 13Can I also ask when you guys mention one pad per day does that mean a Tena 3, 2 or 1? I often find measurements by pad use a bit confusing as there are huge differences in pad capacity. Thanks

 

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I use the depends pads that stick to my underware. I usually get by on one of those a day.
I spend a lot of the day on my computer, training my team and engineering the systems upgrades so it isn't strenuous. On the weekends, at home, I do a lot more physical work buy I can run into the shop behind the race car on the lift and use the pee bottle. Sometimes I might use two or even three pads on the weekend. Lifting heavy items is probably the worst for me. I try to Kegel when I lift but usually not too successful. As long as try to control it, I figure I am doing what I can to make it better. Pads are cheap when it comes to having a life after RP.