How long before you start showing improvement with incontinence

[darbas]

Hi guys I have been following some of these posts and what progress you are making after Prostrate removal and incontinence. I am 68 and now 6 weeks since my surgery and 5 weeks since my catheter was removed. My question is how long before you have any sign of incontinence improvement don't matter how small. Since the catheter was removed, I can sleep all night and stay dry. I can also lay down and sit with minimal leakage. My biggest problem is as soon as I stand that's when it leaks and squirts. Sometimes just want stop until I pee.I have no trouble with peeing normally and able to hold my bladder don't matter how full my bladder is. I can walk up to 6ks without any major leakage but soon as I am standing, I leak. Coughing and sneezing even yarning is like Russian roulette. This is how it has been with no change and at times it feels even worse.I though by now I would show some improvement. I do all my pelvic floor exercises and go to pysio which seem a waste of time and money. My big challenge is my doctor has only given me until April 3 before I go back to work which is not an office job but Maintenace technician on workshop floor and drive to various places around town for repairs and breakdowns. So if I am the way I am at the moment I will need alot of incontinence pads for the day . Not looking Forward for that.

 

[joe64]

Hi guys I have been following some of these posts and what progress you are making after Prostrate removal and incontinence. I am 68 and now 6 weeks since my surgery and 5 weeks since my catheter was removed. My question is how long before you have any sign of incontinence improvement don't matter how small. Since the catheter was removed, I can sleep all night and stay dry. I can also lay down and sit with minimal leakage. My biggest problem is as soon as I stand that's when it leaks and squirts. Sometimes just want stop until I pee.I have no trouble with peeing normally and able to hold my bladder don't matter how full my bladder is. I can walk up to 6ks without any major leakage but soon as I am standing, I leak. Coughing and sneezing even yarning is like Russian roulette. This is how it has been with no change and at times it feels even worse.I though by now I would show some improvement. I do all my pelvic floor exercises and go to pysio which seem a waste of time and money. My big challenge is my doctor has only given me until April 3 before I go back to work which is not an office job but Maintenace technician on workshop floor and drive to various places around town for repairs and breakdowns. So if I am the way I am at the moment I will need alot of incontinence pads for the day . Not looking Forward for that.

Hi darbas,


I'm at 17 weeks post-surgery. The continence continues to improve. I walk with very little leakage; it is standing for all day that takes its toll.



Here are the caveats: in the afternoon and evening, after a workout of bridge, inner thigh, squats and leg presses exercises, I have a bit more leakage. This usually lasts until the next, but I see improvements the days after. It's the old two steps forward, one step back. I do get these odd, little bladder spasms, that happen spontaneously, but only after exercises that target the pelvic floor muscles, And they dissipate after a day or so.



Now I'm using Washable Men’s Incontinence Boxer Briefs. They're very comfortable and are working great. They only hold 2.3 oz. (68 ml), but is more than enough for an active door. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DGTFN78C?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1



I know it is tough, but it does get better. The healing process is slow.

 

[Dewimac]

Hi guys I have been following some of these posts and what progress you are making after Prostrate removal and incontinence. I am 68 and now 6 weeks since my surgery and 5 weeks since my catheter was removed. My question is how long before you have any sign of incontinence improvement don't matter how small. Since the catheter was removed, I can sleep all night and stay dry. I can also lay down and sit with minimal leakage. My biggest problem is as soon as I stand that's when it leaks and squirts. Sometimes just want stop until I pee.I have no trouble with peeing normally and able to hold my bladder don't matter how full my bladder is. I can walk up to 6ks without any major leakage but soon as I am standing, I leak. Coughing and sneezing even yarning is like Russian roulette. This is how it has been with no change and at times it feels even worse.I though by now I would show some improvement. I do all my pelvic floor exercises and go to pysio which seem a waste of time and money. My big challenge is my doctor has only given me until April 3 before I go back to work which is not an office job but Maintenace technician on workshop floor and drive to various places around town for repairs and breakdowns. So if I am the way I am at the moment I will need alot of incontinence pads for the day . Not looking Forward for that.

 

[Dewimac]

It sounds like you are doing really well. Given your current progress I would say that by about week 12 to 16 you should be virtually dry and will probably get by with a single lightweight pad per day. Coughing and sneezing will be a problem for a long time yet, particularly with a full bladder. Keep going with the pelvic floor exercises, how well you work at those will dictate how quickly you improve.
Good luck

 

[darbas]

Thank for your replies. It does play with you mentally especially when you read someone had stated he the same surgery and never lost bladder control, through to a friend who was completely dry after 2 months. Could be worse I only just found out an old work friend just died on Friday 8 years after his prostrate removed and was given all clear for 5 years only to have prostrate cancer reappear in his lungs and take him out. I will continue with my exercise but just dreading going back to work like this. Once again thank you for the replies I guess I am inpatient.

 

[joe64]

You are doing well—better than I was at 6 weeks. I know it's difficult to imagine at this point, but between the 10 and 14th week your pace of recovery will improve. It takes that long for the nerves and muscles to recover.


While I hope, for all of us, that we stay clear of prostate cancer, we must be realistic that we had this poison, this disease, living within us. Even if everything suggests it's gone, we must keep testing and watching for its minions. If it does come back, hopefully we have all bought time while better and more effective treatments are developed and arrive.