Gaining Continence after Surgery

Les, I hope that is a big turn for you on the continence issue, and best of luck on your upcoming PSA test. In less then a month, I am suppose to have my first post surgery psa, and hoping to make it in the zero club tool.

David in SC

LV-TX

I hope that you are doing Kegals!  I started them prior to surgery and still occasionally do them now.  I was fortunate to not have a lot of incontinence.  Still, to this day, if I suddenly make a strange move, I'll get a "drop dribble".  Annoying, but I'll live with it.  I referee high school sports, actually doing three basketball games in a high school tournament today.  I find that when I'm exercising strongly and concentrating on the game, I have no problem.  Perhaps this is like your work today.  My suggestion is to do the Kegals and all the exercise you can.  Good luck.

Kegals are the key to continence, IMO. I practiced them before surgery, and after.

You'll see my progress in my signature below. The first breakthrough was an all-night sleep without a pad, but I had to physically hold myself when running to the bathroom the next morning. I gradually was able to control myself and walk normally to the bathroom when I got up.

The next step was using one pad all day.

At 7 1/2 months, I finally went pad free. I do occasionally have a drop dribble, too, but I'm very happy to be off pads now.

I just have to remember to relieve myself before I do any heavy lifting.

I am exactly 7 months post op. The key phrase is - everybody is different. But there are many stories on this board of guys making no progress, and then sometime between about 3 and 6 months they have a burst of overnight improvement - sometimes all the way to dry.

Mine hit around 15 weeks. I went from 7 soggy pads a day to 5 light pads a day in about one weekend, and then down to 1 pad a day in the next few weeks. I have plateaued there. I've tried no pads from time to time, but I squirt at random times - for no distinct reason - once or twice a day and I hate the feel of damp underwear. I NEED to increase my general exercise, as I think that could be a real key. But obviously if it bothered me more I would work harder at it.

The thing that might finally drive me to make the final push is, due to the pad and the heat I seem to generate, I think I sweat a lot down there, and I am constantly damp and sticky - but not from leaking.

Steve n Dallas - Yeah, my doctor ordered me to get off pads by Feb - my 9 month check up. But if I am still squirting once or twice a day, screw that. I prefer comfort and safety (even if it is warm & sticky) to uncomfortable, cold dampness.

Life is good,
kcragman

Well I got a little over zealous this weekend and tried going without at pad in public...big mistake. I stayed dry for nearly the entire day, and then it hit...I bent over to pick up something and wound up with a soggy pant leg. A moment of embarrassment for sure. Oh well...still overall it is better than before. I think I will wear a liner for the time being to be on the safe side. But in comparison from what it was, I can live with that.

For those that will soon face this issue, I can't say that I did the Kegals often, but I am physically active and I think that is the main key. Give it time and stay active in whatever you do, be it golf, bowling or as Tony mentioned the Wii Fitness. I think getting back to your normal routine in life after surgery as quickly as the doctor will allow you to, is the best advice I can offer. Then let time and nature heal and take the minor setbacks in stride...it will get better.

Stay positive and remember...you are beating back cancer, so hold your head up with dignity...even with a soggy pant leg.

My update concerning PSA, IC and ED.  Tomorrow will be 8 weeks since my surgery.  I had that darn catheter in for 8 very, very long days and it finally was removed on 19 November.  I immediately was using 5 to 7 very soggy pads a day.  I am currently down to 2 or 3 depending on how active I am.  I would have to say that I am have more symptoms of stress IC than any other form.  I did Kegals religiously months before surgery and made an honest effort afterwards, but performing kegals hurt and still do, so I simply don't do them.  I, however, spend 30 plus minutes on one of my treadmills every evening and I think that is what is doing the trick for me.  As long as I am horizontal, no leakage at all.  I hit the rack with a new pad and wake up completely dry.  But once vertical, I had best be in front of the toilet asap, no delaying that or else.  My first PSA, two weeks ago, was "non-detectable".  I have had a lot of activity in terms of ED but not 100% in that area either.  I would trade no erections for total continence any day but hope to be 100% in both categories at some point this year.  I just consider myself blessed that at this point I am free of cancer, am back at work where I belong, again riding my new Harley Ultra Classic, and have a wonder supporting family. 

May God bless all you guy (and gals) and stay safe and confident things will work out.

MasterGuns

Yes, that is how it happened to me, and my urologist said it is common.