Radical removal of prostate surgery- urinary incontinence problems
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Archives1
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@Damp - you and only you are the arbiter of what quality of life means to you.
You have considered the surgical and chemical options available to you, and you have come to the conclusion that containment is the best way of achieving quality of life for yourself in the situation in which you have to live.
This is not "giving up", it is a genuine holistic assessment of what is best for you, taken by the best and only person able to make such an assessment - yourself.
Different people may make different choices when faced with incontinence, but every one of us is trying to take decisions that will give the best quality of life for ourselves in our own unique circumstances.
No decision is "right" or "wrong" or "better" or "worse". The decisions we make are just "our own".
We should feel free to make the best decision we can for ourselves without judgement from anyone else, and we should feel supported to do so; both on this forum (which we usually are) and by the medical profession who advise us (usually - not so much).
You have considered the surgical and chemical options available to you, and you have come to the conclusion that containment is the best way of achieving quality of life for yourself in the situation in which you have to live.
This is not "giving up", it is a genuine holistic assessment of what is best for you, taken by the best and only person able to make such an assessment - yourself.
Different people may make different choices when faced with incontinence, but every one of us is trying to take decisions that will give the best quality of life for ourselves in our own unique circumstances.
No decision is "right" or "wrong" or "better" or "worse". The decisions we make are just "our own".
We should feel free to make the best decision we can for ourselves without judgement from anyone else, and we should feel supported to do so; both on this forum (which we usually are) and by the medical profession who advise us (usually - not so much).
Archives1
Staff member
Yes it's always good to do the research and people on forums often say that. However, there is only so much that can be gained because there are always risks with any procedure and the medical profession will always point those out. For example, I had a vitrectomy for my right eye caused by a haemorrhage. It is a standard enough procedure and involves needles into the eye to remove the gel and blood which is causing the loss of vision. My operation was a total success and my vision was completely restored. However, when you "do your research" there is a very small chance of being left blind in that eye. Wait and see if the body clears the eye itself was an option but would have meant had there been another retinal tear it could not have been detected. The result would be a detached retina. So you make the best judgement you can with no guarantees. The point of the story is "Yes look into all the options and weigh up the risk" but researching all the possible outcomes is no guarantee of anything. Indeed for me doing so tends to " fry my head"
Archives1
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Hbrownlow, have had a retinal cyst/wrinkle for 10 years causing me consternation about treatment. One retina specialist said operate, while his in-house colleague/ophthalmologist said downsides were overweighting, i.e., blindness, worsening, no progress, but maybe arrest progression. 3rd opinion retina guy said again downsides were overwhelming, and said he would not tell his father or brother to do it. So after this research and reading decided to be less aggressive and monitor further deterioration of eye before operating. So watch out for false prophets and study issue for yourself. Then no regrets or people to blame.
Archives1
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Tylersway818. Sorry it took a while to respond. AUS is easy to use once activated. Nurse showed me how to use it as part of the activation. Still early days but I've had no issues at this point and expect that will be the case until it needs replacement (5-8 years is the estimate). For me it has been the best solution.
Archives1
Staff member
@All above, These are all good comments, each contributing and defending a position. I had a radical prostatectomy 14 years ago and still have a "dependable urinal flow." "Graduate" of YouTube University and keep sifting the postings of The National Library of Medicine (the largest medical library in the world).)
I also read everything on this good website. You tell me what you did and whether it worked...and why you chose to do what you did.
I'm 88 and have spent most of my adult life as a pastor, visiting many people in hospitals. I always asked them "What's wrong?" and "What are the doctors telling you?" I was ordained at 19 and knew a lot. But, I soon got over it. I saw that I could learn more by listening than by talking. The most important questions are WHAT? WHY? and HOW? Thank you for writing your story and sharing your questions. I'm Interested and read your stuff.
I also read everything on this good website. You tell me what you did and whether it worked...and why you chose to do what you did.
I'm 88 and have spent most of my adult life as a pastor, visiting many people in hospitals. I always asked them "What's wrong?" and "What are the doctors telling you?" I was ordained at 19 and knew a lot. But, I soon got over it. I saw that I could learn more by listening than by talking. The most important questions are WHAT? WHY? and HOW? Thank you for writing your story and sharing your questions. I'm Interested and read your stuff.
Archives1
Staff member
Thanks for the advice,the nurse told me to pull on them downward very lightly so I been as far as the pump itself nah not even trying ...but keep in touch and let me know how you make out ...appreciate it ,we are all in this together and this forum just gives us a outlet and know that we are not aloneCay said:
Archives1
Staff member
@all -
After a radical prostatectomy (14 years ago) the search was on for solution(s)to incontinence. Pads and pull-ups seem to be ahead presently.
I found the external catheter with a drain tube and leg bag (calf of leg). I get tired of it after a while and return to pads and pull-ups. I get tired of that and switch back to the external catheter. Also, MEDICARE will not pay for pads and pull-ups.
The disadvantage of the external catheter and bag is that the catheter may decide to break its seal and begin to slide off and then it's full-stream incontinence. It helps to have a safety net of pad and pull-up. But, breaking loose is not a sure thing. On dry days, it's worth the extra work. I feel secure with the external catheter and bag. Some men like them and some do not. (I think a lot of men have never heard of an external catheter.)
After a radical prostatectomy (14 years ago) the search was on for solution(s)to incontinence. Pads and pull-ups seem to be ahead presently.
I found the external catheter with a drain tube and leg bag (calf of leg). I get tired of it after a while and return to pads and pull-ups. I get tired of that and switch back to the external catheter. Also, MEDICARE will not pay for pads and pull-ups.
The disadvantage of the external catheter and bag is that the catheter may decide to break its seal and begin to slide off and then it's full-stream incontinence. It helps to have a safety net of pad and pull-up. But, breaking loose is not a sure thing. On dry days, it's worth the extra work. I feel secure with the external catheter and bag. Some men like them and some do not. (I think a lot of men have never heard of an external catheter.)
Archives1
Staff member
@Snow
Snow has reminded us that anything done to the urethra will cause scar tissue. The other half of that is: "Until scar tissue occurs, it's just words on a page." Penile pumps are supposed to help relieve scar tissue and built-up plaque in the very small penile arteries.
But, I've never read any claims that a penile pump will remove scar tissue in the urethra. We may encounter the need to cut into the urethra, but should we bring that on ourselves to prevent wearing pads and external catheters?
As for myself, I don't think so. I say that after wearing pads and external catheters for 14 years. That was the last conversation I had with my good friend and urologist. (He had removed a big kidney stone for me.) Arterial PLAQUE appears easier to remove than SCAR TISSUE. Another surgery to cut out the SCAR TISSUE?
Snow has reminded us that anything done to the urethra will cause scar tissue. The other half of that is: "Until scar tissue occurs, it's just words on a page." Penile pumps are supposed to help relieve scar tissue and built-up plaque in the very small penile arteries.
But, I've never read any claims that a penile pump will remove scar tissue in the urethra. We may encounter the need to cut into the urethra, but should we bring that on ourselves to prevent wearing pads and external catheters?
As for myself, I don't think so. I say that after wearing pads and external catheters for 14 years. That was the last conversation I had with my good friend and urologist. (He had removed a big kidney stone for me.) Arterial PLAQUE appears easier to remove than SCAR TISSUE. Another surgery to cut out the SCAR TISSUE?
Archives1
Staff member
Hello everyone I tried to send an update yesterday but somehow it didn’t get out.
My AUS was activated 3 days ago at 9am at 9.01 I stopped leaking and 3 days later I’m still dry. Praise God. For 2 years I did not have a dry day. Wearing depends with pads was a chore. Since the activation I’ve been wearing a light pad in my briefs but I really don’t need to.
I want to encourage everyone on this forum to never give up and be always positive, you just never know when the right treatment will come along. I’m so grateful for all the encouragement, advice and positive vibes I received from all members on this forum, weather or not you know it, everyone here has helped me and each other in some way. I will continue to be a member and offer my support whenever I can. My God continue to bless us all.
My AUS was activated 3 days ago at 9am at 9.01 I stopped leaking and 3 days later I’m still dry. Praise God. For 2 years I did not have a dry day. Wearing depends with pads was a chore. Since the activation I’ve been wearing a light pad in my briefs but I really don’t need to.
I want to encourage everyone on this forum to never give up and be always positive, you just never know when the right treatment will come along. I’m so grateful for all the encouragement, advice and positive vibes I received from all members on this forum, weather or not you know it, everyone here has helped me and each other in some way. I will continue to be a member and offer my support whenever I can. My God continue to bless us all.
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