Penile Clamps

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I just joined this forum. I’m 7 weeks post RP and 6 weeks post catheter removal. I’m 69 years old. I leak during the day when walking standing. Wear pull ups daily. Not too much leakage when sitting or lying down. Quiet dry at night but need to “hold on” to get to toilet. I do use a clamp a few hours a day and when playing golf. Anyone have comments on clamps AND I’m trying to find out if this helps with incontinence. Meeting with my surgeon for first time next week post surgery which went well. PSA 0 but working through the leaking issues.

 

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THN
Sounds pretty typical for this early in recovery but time will tell. Most see improvement by a year post op. I’m a year out but had a complicated surgery so I elected to get an AUS implant two weeks ago. Will see how it works out.
Good luck
Boomer59

 

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Like boomer says, it sounds like you are pretty typical post RP surgery. Do your kegels 3-4 times a day and do as much walking as possible. Things will get better with time.

 

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Penile clamps are great but not a 24/7 solution. I use them for shorter periods when I want to have complete assurance of no leaks, such as at social gatherings, restaurants, etc. For longer periods where I needed fail safe protection (such as long drives or flights) I have used condom catheters. Early in my incontinence experience I used pull ups and maxi pads. Now at almost 12 months following prostatectomy I am pretty dry using regular underwear and a light pad for occasional drip protection. I am 66 years young and continue to do Kegel and other PT exercises regularly.

Good luck!

 

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I will echo bcarr on the duration aspect of a clamp. Mine works well for getting dried off after a shower or going out to get the morning paper. I rarely use it longer than 20 minutes at a time because I think it's partly cutting off blood circulation. I am 6 1/2 months out from my RALP and am vastly improved over where I was at your stage of recovery. I was very upset that my incontinence went beyond 6 weeks, then beyond 3 months so finally I came to terms with the fact that I wasn't one of the fast healers. I have worked out reasonable solutions to my various needs. Just hanging round the house, one or two thin pads will take me through a day now. Pickleball for two hours requires its own thick pad in a jockstrap. Golf for 4 hours fares best when I use a condom catheter. I have absolutely no idea when I will be able to do these sports without help, but I leak far less playing them now than I used to. Nighttime I sleep naked and I don't leak at all. I do go to the bathroom twice a night though so I don't tempt fate too much. My wife insists I sleep on an extra sheet folded up under me just in case, but I haven't had any accidents yet. I do Kegels whenever I think of it, but now that I'm completely active again, I don't set a timer to do them like I used to. I am 70 and hoping, like you, to be completely dry one day soon.

 

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Sounds like you are in good shape in terms of your progress so far, which is great! It's a long road...
I've been using clamps on and off for about 1 yr now (I'm 15 months post RP) usually for a couple hours or more (even throughout a whole day) depending on where I am and what I'm doing. I do not use the clamp at night because I do not have leakage while sitting or sleeping which as you know is a real blessing. I do take time to release the clamp every hour or 2 to urinate but sometimes will go longer with no ill effects so far. I'm 65, and scheduled for Sling surgery in October as the kegels (which I still do) have gotten me to the point of a 1 to 2 heavy pads daily (with no clamping) but no real improvements past that for the last 6 months. I have 2 clamps that I alternate daily and clean each one after each day with a rinse and mild soap and let dry overnight. They have made a huge difference in confidence when out of the house. SOmetimes uncomfortable if not set right but I do not clamp them super tight and have yet to have an accident that has made it through to my outer underwear since surgery. However, I double down (whether I'm clamping or not) with a heavy pad inside pull ups inside a thin stretch fabric (like nylon blend) boxer briefs when outside the house. I also carry an extra pad when out for the day. And I wear pretty baggy pants (like cargo style light weight fishing pants or comfort cut jeans) in most cases LOL. It's a PITA but it works- hoping the sling surgery takes it to the next level!