Frustration

[Archives1]

Hi all, I am coming up to six months post prostate removal and although I have made great progress with my incontinence, I can’t seem to get to be totally dry. I exercise a lot, do my pelvic exercises religiously but can’t seem to get over the final hurdle. As for ED that’s no where near. Has anyone got to where I am and found a way to be totally dry. Thanks for you help

 

[Archives1]

Hi Steveg. Nick here from Perth in Australia. Your story sounds almost identical to mine. I am 68. My op was on 19 October 2021. Some days I am almost completely dry, but other days I leak a bit in the afternoons when walking, especially if I am tired. For this reason, I would not even consider going without pads altogether. The overall trend is towards improvement. Planning to go from Level 3 to Level 2 pads in the near future. My urologist has advised not to even think about sling or artificial sphincter surgery at this stage - especially while improvement in incontinence is still occurring. So, it seems that we just have to be patient and hope for full recovery in incontinence over the next 6 months. Most recent PSA still “undetectable”, so that is the main thing I guess. Still doing Kegels religiously. Still absolutely no signs of recovery from ED. Not interested in using injections or pumps but still taking Cialis to promote blood flow and hope that this side of things improves eventually. Good luck!

 

[Archives1]

I know 6 months feels like a long time, but you’re relatively early in your recovery. I’m betting you'll continue to progress in terms of your incontinence. In my case, progress was steady but slow. I saw continual progress, actually up until today, which is 20 months post surgery. Now, the single pad I use is typically dry all day. On occasion, there are a few drops, but that’s it. For the first time since my surgery, I'm able to walk a few miles with no leaking. These are all relatively new developments. Hang in there, and keep exercising. Feel good about the progress you’ve made. We're pulling for you!

 

[Archives1]

I am a couple months behind you in recovery but your post resonated with me. Although improving, I still leak if I walk for long distances or do any manual labor in the garage. My close friends know the story but a night out on the town has me in the bathroom every hour. Mentally, I’m where Nicks head is. 1. Cancer gone 2. Overcome the need for pads 3. Get past ED. Working on #2 while I wait the test results on #1. No signs of life on #3. At least it’s no longer acting like a turtle….. so I figure maybe one day it will be back out to play…. 48 years old and on the sidelines for now. Hang in there

 

[Archives1]

My husband is dealing with the same. He’s almost 7 months into recovery. He’s finally noticing some improvement if he gets up during the night and first thing in the morning. We’re hoping these will be encouraging signs. Good luck to you.

 

[Archives1]

I didn't see any improvement after 6 months. I'm 73 16 month post surgery, no pads for the last 4 months or so. Only leak drops with strung sneeze or a lot of yard work. I'll just where jockey underwear if I go gout just to catch a drop or to so it does not wet my pants. My psa started to rise a couple of months ago. Just had a special pet scan. Shows I'm clear, but the want to radiate the area. I'm told if you radiate, it will haul continued progress with control. So I'm going to wait 6 months, do another pet scan and the radiate if psa is still drifting up. First three psas were <.1, then .4 and 6 weeks later upto .6. Concerning.

 

[Archives1]

Thank you all for responding, I do get a lot of encouragement from this forum. I agree with you that cancer free is the most important and I can be grateful for that. I will continue To persevere and hope that I can get there. I am happy and it does not stop me doing anything. Thanks again you are all great! Steve

 

[Archives1]

Oct 6 here. Last weeks check PSA undetectable but still dribbling during the day. One light pad is good all day. Doc wanted me totally dry so sent me to a physical therapist. After she violated me, bottom line is 10 kegals, 10 seconds each, then rest 10 seconds in between. 4 sets a day, while sitting with good posture or standing. Then 5 minutes of slow breathing meditation to try and relax the pelvic floor.

To be honest my kegals have been hit and miss, so I guess I deserved the reinforcement and probing lol.

 

[Archives1]

Cajunfiaherman, I have been doing 6 sets a day of kegals slow for 10 secs and fast 10 of each. What I haven’t been doing is the breathing meditation. How have you been asked to do it and is it after every set of exercises? Thank you

 

[Archives1]

I saw the Australian pt video, my doc says don’t do the fast ones for some reason. They want to pelvic floor to relax completely between kegals, so 10 full seconds.

Breathing exercises once per day. Lay down, rest your hand on your stomach, breathe slowly with your diaphragm (stomach) for 5 minutes. PT says my pelvic floor muscles were tensed up, and this may help relax them.

 

[Archives1]

I'm months post-op incontinence is upto 80-90% controlled. Still wear a light shield always. For me it's heavy lifting that causes leaking. As for sexual function, with help of Tadalafil ,ED pump and retention rings I am able to perform. So keep up the exercise.