Dietary modification

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I understand that this is forum for incontinence in general, but seeing as many of the participant have spoken about the main issue in the context of prostate cancer, I wanted to ask a question relating to this subset of the membership.

Have you been given or found your way through the many recommendations of dietary modifications post treatment? I have been warned away from dairy products, alcohol, gluten, beef (if not all meat) and am having a really difficult time how to carve out a diet that I might live with. How radical does one have to go with any of these suggestions? Never?; once a week?, once a month?

I would be grateful for anything that has helped you make these kinds of decisions and life adjustments?

Health and peace, Naftali

 

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@hjh,

After my RP surgery, which was about 2 months ago now, my surgeon said I had NO dietary restrictions, so I was eating and drinking everything and anything I wanted. It wasn't until after the catheter was out and I had uncontrollable leakage that I was running scared!

I researched on internet sites and also found good information on THIS forum about avoiding most of the things you mentioned above. Since I was running scared & desperate to gain control, I went to strictly ONLY drinking water to cut out all caffeine, soda, alcohol, etc... I avoided spicy foods, tomatoes, fruit, etc...(I didn't know meat was a problem, thank goodness!)

I began to see improvement pretty quickly - oh, I still had plenty of leakage, but night and day better. Time also helps, so probably wasn't diet alone. As my symptoms got better and SLOWLY, but only because I read it somewhere, I started to ease back into eating and drinking things I had forbidden. The theory was to do so slowly and one at a time so you could tell what irritated your bladder and what didn't!

I don't drink as much coffee as I used to...only 1 to 2 cups a day. I don't drink much, but I will occasionally have a drink or two. I do have a soft drink every once in a while, if I really want one. I still mostly drink water, though and always plenty of water AFTER any of the above.

I have gone back to a regular food diet, for the most part. I still try not to overdo it on foods that may be an issue, but have not seen significant issues.

I continue to see improvements in my condition, but I attribute most of my positive recovery to time and kegels! Mainly time!

While I think diet if something to consider strongly, I think it is most important in the early weeks while your body and bladder are healing and readjusting. Of course, I am not a Dr. and just sharing my experiences...

Good Luck & +God+bless+

 

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I have found that tea and diet soda cause me more issues than anything.

 

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Thanks for those answers. It seems i wasn't clear enough in my question. I was wondering about dietary changes from the perspective of prostate cancer rather than as an aide in overcoming incontinence.

 

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@hjh,

Sorry - totally misunderstood.

I had prostate cancer, but mine is gone now, so I hope I don't have it anymore! Future PSA test will tell the tale!

Sorry, I can't be of much help there, but I am sure someone can!

 

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Are you asking about dietary restrictions to decrease the chance of a reoccurrence? Wow, that’s a new one on me. I was only given advice about foods that can irritate the bladder (caffeine, alcohol, spicy and acidic foods etc). Are others in the dark about this as well?

 

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Yes, that was my question.

 

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I’m 2.5 years since my prostate removal and I love my beer and never really gave it up. I cut back and have about 4-5 cans between 6 and 8 pm. I’ve never had any issues.

 

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