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Hello all,

I had robotic removal of my prostate performed 9 days ago. My follow up was yesterday and the catheter was removed - a relief of course but now I'm dealing with incontinence of course. I must say I'm surprised by the amount of leakage I am seeing - every time I sit or stand up I get quite a bit and walking also causes a large squirt. I am using Depends pull ups which are stopping any leakage outside of them but they get wet pretty quickly. My first night of sleep wasn't bad and one Depends sufficed for the night. I have started Kegels and plan to religiously keep those up.

Questions:

1. How long should I wear a wet Depends? Again, this is my first full day without a catheter but it doesn't take long to get wet as all I have to do is sit down for leakage to occur. I am being careful about trying to urinate before I feel an urge and I clean myself afterwards but then the wet diaper goes back on. Is that OK!

2. My path report showed that one of my seminal vesicles was involved so in 6 weeks I will have a PSA and if it's elevated I will then have radiation therapy. Will that that make any strides I have made with incontinence go away?

Any other suggestions are greatly appreciated? Guess I should mention I'm 66 and have never had any problems with urination or leakage before this.

 

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I would not reuse your pull-up, unless it was only slightly damp, not soaked. Diaper rash could set in which can be painful and uncomfortable. Keep in touch with your doctor for your follow up. They will have the best answer for you. Good luck.

 

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Will say more later when time allows, but buy depends max pads to place in front of your diaper, then change as needed. When laying down you are fine, just be prepared to head to bathroom asap when you rise. It will get better soon, but then progress slows down. I am at 6 mo out today. Change out pads as urine scalds can itch, create oder and lead to bladder infection

 

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It’s been 8 weeks since my robotic procedure and I too leaked quite a bit a for a few days after the catheter was removed. Then I saw improvement. After a week I was going through four pads a day (inserted in depends for extra caution) they’d be pretty soaked when removed. I’m down to two pads without depends and they get mildly wet unless I’m doing physical work like heavy yard work. Hang in there it goes improve but like I’m learning once you start getting more control it’s kinda slow.

One other thing, my physical therapist told me not to go as soon or before you get an urge but to hold it and try to wait. The reason is you need your bladder to grow back to normal size. When you urinate you want to urinate about 12 or more constant seconds otherwise your bladder will take longer to return to its normal size.

Best of luck.

 

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I'm 73,just had my one year check up. Everything is going well. When I read your post it took me back to that day. I have been going to therapy for my incontinence and is helping. My suggestion to you is to get pads and use them inside your depends.that way you can change the pad instead of always changing your depends. That keeps you clean and pads cost less than the depends. It will get better for you, just keep doing your kegals, and dont get impatient if you dont notice a change for awhile, but they will help your leakage in the future. Good luck!!!

 

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I can certainly sympathize with your concerns. I'm 74 and 6 months out from my robotic prostatectomy. My incontinence has improved somewhat, but it's still a problem. At first I was having the same problems you describe - going through 5 or 6 baby diapers per day inside my depends. My VA doctor suggested that I use Poise #5 pads - furnished free for veterans. They have been a major improvement in containing the leaks. I now use only 1 of these pads per day inside my pull-up. I have no more trouble with soaked diapers and the constant worry that I'll be caught out in the world in a situation which could be very embarrassing. There is a #6 Poise pad available which is even more absorbent. I highly recommend this product. They have made my recovery much less stressful. If you need to use 2 per day, just don't use the sticky strip on the Poise pad. If you need to change it, it will rip the lining out of the pull-up and you'll have to start over. It will get better, but it takes time. My doctor told me to expect a year for full control. Good Luck!

 

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Welcome to the forum and hope you recover quickly.

 

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I really appreciate all the help! The biggest issue is that I seem to gush every time I sit down or stand up. So if I put a new pad in and go sit down it's wet right away. And of course when I stand back up it does it again. I seem to be ok once I'm sitting in a chair or in a recliner. Also was not bad last night in bed laying on my back. I have been trying to pee in the toilet as much as I can before I put a new pad in but I'm still gushing. Oh well hope it gets better soon.

 

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Move as little as possible....bendinf to sit or rise put pressure on the bladder. Mine got better in 10-14 as far as the gushes, but leaks continue. You eventually learn to move differently

 

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Are the pads you guys refer to the pads that are like a women’s maxi pad for menstruation, with a plastic, sticky backing? They do sell incontinence pads for women but they’re never enough for me, don’t stick well in panties. I’m mostly asking because I don’t see how the plastic-backed pads can spill out into Depends? Does it really work? If so, I’ll be trying it.

 

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Hi Shell.
Welcome to the site. I did not have that type of procedure, however I did have a catheter for almost 3 weeks while waiting for my lacerated bladder to heal after colon resection surgery. I can agree that it was a blessing when it was taken out! I agree with Jayemcee on the holding as long as possible. This I found for myself better exercise than Kegel exercises. I’m in my early 50’s so this was not something I was planning for but we all find a way to work through itand the support you’ll receive from these members is awesome.
For your question on how long to wear a wet diaper, in the summer, I would certainly change more often. There are so many different products out there and you’ll find what works best for you. You have already received good responses
I would recommend some of the online sites that will send you free samples so you can take them for a “test drive” or a nominal fee for a bunch of samples.
Northshore and HDIS are some that will send out samples. Just visit their website and find their contact info. Alyneforyou.com also send me some free samples to try out and I found them to be very lightweight and comfortable. Suggest that you search online and you’ll be surprised how many companies will send you samples to try out.
Also I found using protective creams like Calmoseptine Ointment and Dr Smiths Ointment worked at keeping my skin well protected and comfortable. These you can find at a local pharmacy or on amazon. DR smiths also have a spray on powder product that helps if your changing on the road.
All my best and hope you have a fast recovery

 

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@ShellKnobCat Welcome to our forum! I’m confident you’ll find lots of support and advice here. I’m glad you felt comfortable to introduce yourself and ask for some help.

Some folks, like those who are paralyzed, don’t have a choice about living in a wet diaper because they constantly leak. So there must be a good ointment/lotion/powder regimen for preventing/treating diaper rash if you do get it. I would like to know this solution myself because I get a rash where the Depends elastic sits.

As for sitting in a wet diaper, it’s a sensation I can’t stand, so I do change mine every time I leak. Sometimes it’s very expensive. I go through several of the max absorbency Depends every night. Last night was one of my worst nights ever, ugh. I only consumed 24 oz. of fluid all day, and early in the day. I don’t know what happened, but I had severe spasms, OAB, and urges through the day and the night. I woke up with my nightgown so soaking wet, it was dripping. My sheets and comforters above and below me were soaked. I had just laundered all of the above a couple of days ago. My comforters are in tatters because of how often I have to wash them. Doing big loads of laundry like that, and making the entire bed up, supremely aggravates my scoliosis from L1-S1. Sucky. I should probably switch to Northshore MegaMax but my nighttime problem isn’t just wet diapers; it’s that bladder spasms and urges wake me up every 20-60 minutes.

Oh well, I survived last night, and all the nights for the past five years since my injury.

I guess that’s the moral of my story; try to keep in mind that while incontinence is embarrassing and a total drag (especially initially!), it’s not really life-threatening like some other things.

I can also recommend investing the time in learning to do Kegel exercises. Before I did the physical therapy, I had lots of leaks while running to the bathroom. Now I have my pelvic muscles trained to flex and hold it in just long enough to make it to the toilet (about 10-15 seconds from the initial urge/spasm), at least during the day. I’ve found that after the initial urge, I have to pause all movement for several seconds to get the flexing in place, then I can hold the pee to make it to the toilet. But I can’t flex the muscles and move at the same time. I have no control if I’m horizontal.

Well, I wish you the best in the various aspects of your recovery; stay in touch with us!

 

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I originally started with Amazon Brand -Solimo maximum guard incontenance for men. I wore along with depends, they were fine but a bit bulky and uncomfortable with warm weather. As leaking slowed at about 4 week I stared using Tena incontenance guards for men moderate absorbency (also got them through Amazon) along with depends. After an additional two weeks I stopped using the depends and currently only using the Tena guards But I found that I needed new tight hugging underwear that goes down to the thigh a bit, (I bought Champion brand at Costco) otherwise if the underwear is a bit loose like around the leg, I’d leak through the sides of the pad. So at eight weeks I’m still using two sometimes three Tenas with underwear. This week I started landscaping a bit in my backyard using shovels and pickax and yes I leak but still good with three pads a day. Btw I’m 59 so that’s helps.
Best to you! Hang in there don’t get discouraged as it’s easy to do.

 

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I had my robotic prostatectomy on March 11, 2020. After the catheter was removed, I was depressed and frustrated by lack of bladder control. I posted on this forum, like you have done, and was amazed at the encouragement and suggestions that were offered. I was wearing Tena protective underwear, then added Prevail male guards(4 pads per day) both purchased from Amazon. I also religiously did my Kegels.

One thing that really helped me, was the use of a plastic urinal, like you used in the hospital. I kept one at my chair and one beside the bed. I would lean forward in chair or on the side of the bed, pull my underwear and pad to the side and pee in the urinal at a timed interval or when I felt the need. This kept my pad and diaper from having the a massive amount of pee and remained mostly dry for a longer period of time. After a couple of days of using the urinal, I switched to cotton briefs and added a pad. It was much more comfortable. It took me about 12 weeks before I has more control over my bladder. I still have dribble when I stand for a longer period of time, but one pad lasts for 24 hours. After about 10 weeks after surgery, I was encouraged to get a Bard-Cunningham clamp for when I am walking outside a lot or shopping. This clamps stops all dribble and I can keep it on for up to 3 hours. I have had no discomfort using it.

Hope you get better soon. Incontinence is very bothersome, try and joke about it with family and friends.

 

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Welcome to the group. You find some good stuff and ideas to, lik e what are good diapers and bad ones. We are here for you and don't judge each other eather. I know some of you said you use depends pull ups or diapers, I found that depends are ok for small leakage. There are better diapers out there and some companies will work with you

 

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Second night after the cath was taken out and got through both with just one pullup Depends. Each night I woke up twice and went to the bathroom though I am not yet feeling any urges to go. Was able to go ok but pretty weak stream. We will see how today goes - wearing a pull-up with a pad because every time I sit down or stand up Old Faithful spews lol. Weird how sleeping is not bad but just moving around during the day isn't. Guess I'm learning.

Thanks all for listening!

 

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Welcome! Hope all goes well

 

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Hi @ShellKnobCat, glad to have you here on the forum with us! It's a fine group and is completely non-judgmental so you can completely be yourself! I hope your recovery is continuing along well and that things get better by the day. Of course recovering from any kind of surgery does take its own sweet time and my thought is to just do a little bit more each day than the day before. You may have to push yourself a bit but it'll pay off in the long run.
As far as the incontinence issues go, it sounds like you're taking good care of yourself and staying clean, going before you get the urge, etc. Keep it up! As for the wet Depends, definitely change before they get too wet and uncomfortable. It takes trial and error but ultimately you're the judge of when to change! If things get too wet too quickly then I would consider "upgrading" from the Depends (easily bought in stores) and getting something more absorbent (companies found online). Pull-ons would be my first choice to try. In this particular column there have been several suggestions to contact some companies and ask for samples. North Shore and HDIS are two that are good and I also work with Carewell, which is out of Charlotte NC but they have warehouses all over so there's probably one close to you. I hope our suggestions have helped and please return whenever you have any more questions or just want to vent a bit. We're all cool with that!

 

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Thanks, I'll suck the wife on the free samples lol. Right now I'm using a Depends pull-up with a Depends pad that I change when it gets too wet fir me to stand. Think I used 4 yesterday.

 

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Another newbie question - what to use for discarded pads and pull-ups? Right now I'm putting them in a medium size trash bag in the bathroom and taking it out to the trash bin when it's full. Odor is a problem.