RP urinary rehab
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Archives1
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I agree with Stryder - start Kegels - but also go back and read old posts in this forum. No matter how determined you are, you will need to be patient and have realistic expectations. If you are like most people you may get impatient when there is little improvement after 4-6 weeks——- but hang in there, it gets better! Most of us are dramatically improved after 8 months or so- some earlier and some later.
(Oh yes,… and make sure your surgeon is highly experienced with this procedure.)
(Oh yes,… and make sure your surgeon is highly experienced with this procedure.)
Archives1
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Thank you. I will look back. Im new to this all. I was told id likely not be a candidate for rp since my original psa n gleason wwre so high.
Ive been on adt for 7 monthes n all scans including psma have come in clear. So blessed by this n uro thought rp would be the best for me now leaving all other options down the line if there is a bioxhemical residual down the line.
Prayers to all pc men n our fight.
Ive been on adt for 7 monthes n all scans including psma have come in clear. So blessed by this n uro thought rp would be the best for me now leaving all other options down the line if there is a bioxhemical residual down the line.
Prayers to all pc men n our fight.
Archives1
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Yes, take the kegels seriously and start doing them now. Make a note to yourself what it feels like before so you can try and figure the difference after. Change will happen slowly and spasmodically. What works today may not help tomorrow.
Record your inconsistent pads weights every day and follow the changes, this is how my physio was able to track my progress.
Get support in your community, someone who has been there to explain the things you get frustrated with. Be honest with your medical folk and most importantly yourself.
It’s going to be hard work and you need to be kind to yourself. You will succeed at moving to being back to normal..
Mike
Record your inconsistent pads weights every day and follow the changes, this is how my physio was able to track my progress.
Get support in your community, someone who has been there to explain the things you get frustrated with. Be honest with your medical folk and most importantly yourself.
It’s going to be hard work and you need to be kind to yourself. You will succeed at moving to being back to normal..
Mike
Archives1
Staff member
Some surgeons send their prostatectomy patients to a pelvic floor therapist before the procedure so they can begin pelvic floor exercises before surgery and continue them afterwards. I believe a good pelvic floor therapist can provide a lot of help.
Also some surgeons begin ED treatment fairly early and some wait until later. I believe earlier is better because non use can lead to shrinkage and loss of size which can’t be regained.
However; each patient and each situation is different. You need to learn as much as you can and be your own advocate. Discuss all your concerns with your doctor or others who are knowledgeable. The PT that I saw was very knowledgeable and was a wealth of knowledge and had much more time to work with me than the dr did. Wishing you the best.
Also some surgeons begin ED treatment fairly early and some wait until later. I believe earlier is better because non use can lead to shrinkage and loss of size which can’t be regained.
However; each patient and each situation is different. You need to learn as much as you can and be your own advocate. Discuss all your concerns with your doctor or others who are knowledgeable. The PT that I saw was very knowledgeable and was a wealth of knowledge and had much more time to work with me than the dr did. Wishing you the best.
Archives1
Staff member
I agree with @harrisjmh about the pelvic floor specialist. Two weeks before my RALP I met with her and had a unique experience. I dropped my drawers, she put a probe in my rectum and had me sit on a pad on a chair. She added two electrodes to my lower abdomen and one on each upper thigh. She then showed me a TV with a split screen video game which would react to my muscle twinges. The goal was to make one screen react by doing kegels around the rectal probe, while not using my abdomen or upper thigh muscles on the other screen. It really taught me how to focus and learn how to do kegels properly. My friends thought I was joking when I told them this story, but it was really helpful. The specialist proceeded to give me an exercise regimen for pre- and post-surgery.
Archives1
Staff member
I agree with Kegels BEFORE surgery and after + treat ED ASAP - if you don't use it, you LOSE it!
I was told if you could stop the flow of urine mid-stream, then you are doing it right! I used to think this was impossible, but now can do it at will!
I started on generic Cialis immediately after and also with a pump. That wasn't enough, so now I am on Tri-mix injections, which work really well. I was told that I shouldn't need any of that long term, but need to keep the vascular system working until the nerves catch up!
Hope this was helpful!
+God+bless+
I was told if you could stop the flow of urine mid-stream, then you are doing it right! I used to think this was impossible, but now can do it at will!
I started on generic Cialis immediately after and also with a pump. That wasn't enough, so now I am on Tri-mix injections, which work really well. I was told that I shouldn't need any of that long term, but need to keep the vascular system working until the nerves catch up!
Hope this was helpful!
+God+bless+
Archives1
Staff member
I had my RP a month ago (new here). Cath pulled 3 weeks ago, today. Incontinence is new to me following my surgery. My wife is a PT, though male incontinence is not her specialty. She did allow me access to her healthcare system's video training library. There I found a very helpful hour+ long video of an Australian PT whose doctorate was focused on male incontinence, specifically Kegels. Her findings found that men who performed 6 sets of 10 Kegel reps (hold for 10 secs, relax for 10 secs) followed by 10 - 1 second fast (HIIT) reps had SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED RESULTS over the control group who only did the "usually recommended" 3X @ day, 10 second Kegel / 10 second rest. The control group only did on/off Kegels for 10 minutes a day while the test group did Kegel exercises a total of 21 minutes a day. Participants were asked to begin their Kegel exercises at least a month before surgery and continuing after surgery. Her findings were a significantly shortened period of incontinence in those who performed Kegel exercises 6 times a day with the addition of 10 fast pulsing Kegels. ALSO, all her test subjects were asked to perform their exercises while STANDING. The traditional Kegel routine suggested 1 set standing, 1 set sitting and 1 set lying down. Standing exercises make sense since it is in the standing position that men mostly experience incontinence and loss of any control. I find this true for myself. Also, think about it, you are working the muscles in the most advantageous way, against gravity. The slow (hold) reps and rapid 10 pulses also make sense in that you will be activating both your slow and fast twitch muscle fibers.
I wish I had had this information before my surgery but fortunately I have it now. I am continuing this regimen for the foreseeable future with all confidence that I'll take back control of my bladder eventually. Bladder control may not be days or weeks from now but I'm in it for the long haul and suspect that my rehab is more likely to take months to see any significant gains.
I hope this is helpful information. Good luck to you with your upcoming surgery. I'd trade cancer for incontinence any day of the week!
I wish I had had this information before my surgery but fortunately I have it now. I am continuing this regimen for the foreseeable future with all confidence that I'll take back control of my bladder eventually. Bladder control may not be days or weeks from now but I'm in it for the long haul and suspect that my rehab is more likely to take months to see any significant gains.
I hope this is helpful information. Good luck to you with your upcoming surgery. I'd trade cancer for incontinence any day of the week!
Archives1
Staff member
@MPer this is very similar to what my therapist suggested. She said to set my phone for an alarm every hour while I'm awake, and when the alarm sounds to do 5 sets of 10 kegels (holding for ten seconds, resting for ten seconds), with the same 10 -one second fast reps to follow. Of course, it isn't always convenient, but she thought if I could get 10 sets in each day, I'd be doing well. She suggested doing them sitting though.
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