Incontinence day 1
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Very typical from my experience and understanding. You may find you have little leaking when seated but when you stand the floodgates open. This will likely be the case for weeks, and you’ll see improvement over the course of months. That was a heck of a surgery you just had. Recovery takes time. You'll want to read various threads here on recovery from a Prostatectomy. I wish you the best…God bless.
Archives1
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As Chuck said, that's just the way it is for a while. I had the same surgery on 11/2/21 & I am still leaking. Granted it is 1000% better than that first 30 days but it's still a problem in my mind. Just wait until you cough or have a big sneeze - SURPRISE ! In reading some of the posts here, I expect this to continue for the next 6 to 8 months. Wear the Depends/diaper & check on the men's Depends Pads. I placed those inside the diaper & only had to change the pad every couple of hours. Once my leakage slowed a little (hundreds of kegels) I purchased 6 pair of boxer briefs that are a size smaller than I would normally wear & place the pad only in them. As my spouse said "It's a marathon - not a sprint" Good Luck.
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It's all a bit overwhelming I must say. I am 49 years old and never did I see this coming. I'm not one to cry over spilled milk... However I don't understand why I wasn't informed that I would not have any control whatsoever.
Considering my urologist was a God send. He saved both nerves and my pathology report says all cancer was contained in the prostate.
But this complete incontinence thing is almost mind blowing.
Considering my urologist was a God send. He saved both nerves and my pathology report says all cancer was contained in the prostate.
But this complete incontinence thing is almost mind blowing.
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Hey @wowjustwow and @ewerfitter!
Welcome to the NAFC guys. In regards to post prostectomy, I unfortunately don't have any experiences- other than glancing and taking in what people in this support forum are going through.
However, incontinence does not discriminate. With that being said; don't get discouraged by your inabilities at this current time because the Good News is that from what I've read here - these surgers have a high success and recovery rate.
My name is Honeeecombs, and I suffer from OAB Syndrome - which causes Urge Incontinence Issues. From what I gather on your end; alot of it is the non feeling and leaking and having episodes regardless are not fun at all. For myself, I constantly have the urge plus the leakage. But what I overall mean to say - is that you are not alone.
You will find alot of great men and women on this support forum - and there are many people on here like myself who have shared there experiences of dealing with Urinary Incontinence and know how hard it is to handle emotionally.
Greetings from the Welcome Wagon,
HC
Welcome to the NAFC guys. In regards to post prostectomy, I unfortunately don't have any experiences- other than glancing and taking in what people in this support forum are going through.
However, incontinence does not discriminate. With that being said; don't get discouraged by your inabilities at this current time because the Good News is that from what I've read here - these surgers have a high success and recovery rate.
My name is Honeeecombs, and I suffer from OAB Syndrome - which causes Urge Incontinence Issues. From what I gather on your end; alot of it is the non feeling and leaking and having episodes regardless are not fun at all. For myself, I constantly have the urge plus the leakage. But what I overall mean to say - is that you are not alone.
You will find alot of great men and women on this support forum - and there are many people on here like myself who have shared there experiences of dealing with Urinary Incontinence and know how hard it is to handle emotionally.
Greetings from the Welcome Wagon,
HC
Archives1
Staff member
When my Doc removed my cath. I leaked all over the office floor and they had to give me a pad to go home with. Whenever I stood up, I leaked heavy for the first 4 months, then slowly got better. I'm now almost 15 months post surgery and don't use a pad anymore. Just once in awhile a stress leak with a sneeze.
Be patient.
Be patient.
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To Wow, just wow. I started feeling the urge to urinate about 3-4 weeks post surgery. Then it was every 10 minutes or so and you need to do it to retrain the bladder and the connecting nerves. It’s a long road back, don’t let anyone tell you different. Do the Kegels religiously!
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I was told to expect stress incontinence too lololol. For the first 3 months I leaked constantly unless I was setting down or laying down. At 3 months I took a turn for the better, now it actually is stress incontinence - cough, sneeze, strain, etc. So it does get better, but rarely before 3 months from what I’ve seen and heard. 2/3 pads a day now, Feb 6 will be 4 months for me. Depends for men worked fine for me, no leaks. Good luck.
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@Wowjustwow Wow, I had the same thought about my surgeon those first few weeks post-surgery in Aug. I'm almost 6 months out from surgery, and my incontinence is waaay better than it was in those first couple of months, but I too was never made aware of how much of a challenge urinary incontinence would be for me. Like you, my cancer had not metastasized, and my latest psa level suggests I am cancer-free. Hooray! At the same time, I wish I had had some counseling about what to expect about my life post-surgery. Perhaps, the surgeon could do the counseling, but likely not; surgeons think about cutting bodies and extracting whatever is harming the body. No, not the surgeon - as wonderful as my surgeon is. However, my surgeon has a team, consisting of other urologists, NPs, and PAs. The NP and PA on the urology team are both quite wonderful, and I feel very comfortable with them. Certainly, a pre-op appointment could have been made in which one of them could have walked me through the complications I would likely meet after surgery, which naturally would have involved an in-depth discussion about urinary incontinence, something I had never had trouble with before and had no clear understanding of what was in store for me after surgery.
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Hey guys...I am 1 1/2 years post-RP and I have yet to see on this site or any other where a Surgeon educated anyone on the incontinent side effects to speak of. They are 100% concerned with getting cancer out. Like 90% of almost every post I read here, we all were very surprised with the total lack of control after the Foley was removed. Time, Kegal's, PT, and prayer brought me back to normalcy 8 months ago. You will know you are getting better when you can fart without peeing your pants! At that point, if your squint you will be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Be grateful your Cancer is gone and that your life has been spared...keep on keepin on! Besos, Rayl in Arizona.
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I had surgery Nov 2021. The entire week following removal of the catheter was the WORST for me for two reasons. I was leaking a lot of urine without feeling the urge using 6 diapers a day. I also had continuous leaking of fluid from one wound that opened up. After a week or so the urge to urinate started. Then for weeks I had the urge to go every hour. I am reasonably continent at ten weeks out and use one shield/day. I still need to train my bladder to increase its capacity because I feel the urge to go every two hours. My bladder currently holds about half the capacity of pre-surgery before I need to find a toilet otherwise I will start to leak. It takes time for the body to heal. But that period right after the catheter is removed is time to hunker and rest. But get some exercise as soon as you can comfortably do so.
Michelle Kenway on YouTube is a wonderful resource for Kegel guidance.
Michelle Kenway on YouTube is a wonderful resource for Kegel guidance.
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@jcdunn101
I literally just finished watching her video on kegels for beginners just now. I'm definitely going to have to be active in doing all the different forms of kegels. I don't want to feel this... Borderline depression from lack of incontinence longer than I have to.
I literally just finished watching her video on kegels for beginners just now. I'm definitely going to have to be active in doing all the different forms of kegels. I don't want to feel this... Borderline depression from lack of incontinence longer than I have to.
Archives1
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It is just over 13 months since I had my catheter removed. Pretty much the same story for me. Although I never had to use depends or pull-ups. A pad always sufficed. However, I talked the surgeon into letting me go back to work earlier than he really recommended. I got stuck in a long meeting and my pad failed. Lucky I had on black pants.
Anyway, it takes time. Do your kegels. Drink water judiciously yet try to stay hydrated. It gets better. For some it is faster than others but it takes time for everyone I have talked with about it. I am friends with at least five people that have experienced this so a couple had good advice to give before I went for surgery. If there is anyone you know personally he may be willing to share.
Best wishes.
Anyway, it takes time. Do your kegels. Drink water judiciously yet try to stay hydrated. It gets better. For some it is faster than others but it takes time for everyone I have talked with about it. I am friends with at least five people that have experienced this so a couple had good advice to give before I went for surgery. If there is anyone you know personally he may be willing to share.
Best wishes.
Archives1
Staff member
After they removed my catheter, I called literally called them and asked if they would put it back in.
I am a year and 3 months post and I could tell when my nerves were coming back into repair. I hope you do too. I found taking Prostigenix a HUGE help to me. I stopped waking up soaked, still had to move quick to make the head, but it got better and better. I originally said I would rather be dead than wear a GD pad or diaper, but I am cancer free, and some of my friends aren't here anymore. Stay tough, we are with you, and here to help!
I am a year and 3 months post and I could tell when my nerves were coming back into repair. I hope you do too. I found taking Prostigenix a HUGE help to me. I stopped waking up soaked, still had to move quick to make the head, but it got better and better. I originally said I would rather be dead than wear a GD pad or diaper, but I am cancer free, and some of my friends aren't here anymore. Stay tough, we are with you, and here to help!
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