Continence after Prostatectomy

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Hello everyone , I had a radical prostatectomy on April 11 and am early on in my recovery . I have found it extremely helpful to read this forum . I’m trying to give up diapers during the day( definitely not ready overnight) and switch over to pads but finding that I just always seem to be leaking a bit . I’m doing kegels and walking everyday. Am I expecting too much too soon?

 

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Give it another month or so.
Sounds like your right on schedule

 

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everyone has a unique recovery depending on how early it was caught and the extent of the surgery but generally speaking for everyone, it takes time, more often measured in months not days or weeks. I actually saw some continued improvement for up to 2 years but the first 9-12 months were the most dramatic. That may seem like a long time but if you try to measure progress daily or weekly you can drive yourself crazy. Good luck and hang in there.

 

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I had robotic prostatectomy March 7. I’ve been in pads for about 6 weeks. Mostly dry at night although I wear a diaper to be safe. Right now most of my incontinence is stress related. Working out, coughing, sneezing etc. if I’m still, either sitting or standing, I’m basically dry.

One thing I’ve noticed so far (2.5 months) is drinking alcohol is very difficult. If I have more than a drink or two I leak like crazy. Hope that improves. Doing Kegals daily.

 

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Welcome to the forum-- you are definitely expecting a lot for 6 weeks post-surgery!! In fact, you are doing better than most people. I've written before about my own experience (everyone is different) but it seems to me that most folks show essentially no progress for the first month. You can expect things to be a lot different (and a lot dryer) after 4 months or so, and possibly almost normal after 8 months. It gets better!

 

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Hi
I am 2.5 years post surgery and have no control of bladder. I use an external catheter (men’s liberty)and don’t think it will ever change. Good luck

 

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I am like Bustersday. I am 1.5 years in dry at night but leak through the day if standing or walking. I wear a pad and a diaper so that I can change easily. I am down to 0.1 PSA so nearly cancer free. I do every thing I want to and I do not let the Incontinence define me. Happy to be alive and cancer free (nearly)

 

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I'm 7months out, and just now down to a minimal guard pad. Yes just be patient your doing everything right. It just takes time.

 

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Agree with everyone else that posted and everyone is different for the most part. I am 3.5 months out from my robotic prostatectomy. Just had my first blood work and Doc visit and I’m -.1 so all is good now and hope it stays that way. I caught it early so Doc says I’m good. I’m 54 and impatient about getting incontinence under control. I’m good all night and any time I’m at rest. I also have stress incontinence and I’m now refocused on kegel exercises. I would do them here and there but most likely not like I should. Doc told me to make sure I do them. He was surprised that I’m still leaking but says pretty normal at this point being only 3.5 months. It’s annoying though ! I wear a pull-up / depend and wear a pad inside that during the day because it does make it easier to change them instead. It’s slow improvement and I’m never completely soaked…..sometimes just has more than others. I like changing the pads because I don’t want to feel uncomfy. If I’m very active at work, I’ll change 3 per day. On another note , Cialis makes me feel kinda crappy some days since I’m taking it daily but it’s doing it’s thing I guess. So weird having an orgasm (in the shower) and nothing comes out Haha. If that’s TMI, sorry all.

 

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15 months post op. First 6 months were a nightmare. 20 min of walking = need to change my heavy duty pad. Nightmare. 6-7 heavy duty pads daily depending on walking / exercise.

Now I'm around 80% cured, partially due to a medication. Urologist prescribed 20mg of imipramine every evening; helps quite a bit. I got down from 3-4 heavy duty pads daily at 9 months to 1 or 2, depending on how much walking and/or exercise I do. It feels manageable now.

 

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I guess progress comes gradually, like finding I had a completely dry night or working for hours without having to change my brief when I would have had to a couple weeks ago or changing my briefs with no dripping in between when a couple weeks ago I would have been dripping.

 

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I am 5 weeks since rsdical prostatectomy. I know i need to be more patient, but I am struggling with severe dripping and leaking when standing or walking. I have minor leakage sitting and practically no leakage lying down or sleeping. I am doing my Kegels 3 to 6 times a day. Thankyou for everyone that writes their experiences and encouragement.

 

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My RRP was on April 15.