HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Total Urinary Incontinence and Foley catheter removal

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 4/14/2009 6:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,
I had surgery to remove my prostate gland on March 23, 2009. The Foley catheter was removed last Friday on April 23rd. As of now I am totally incontinent. My gleason score at the time of surgery was 6 and PSA of 26. Cancer was found on 50% of the prostate. Has anyone else gone through this? Does anyone know how long it will be before the total incontinence improves?
Thanks
Posted 4/14/2009 7:43 PM (GMT 0)
Softhackle,

Yes, I think shortly you will see many replies from folks who had the same experience. There is a complete range, from some guys who were fine right away (lucky!), to those who needed followup surgery like AUS. Hopefully you will fall somewhere in between. Some fellows took 3 to 6 months. As I recall, many times there was a plateau of no improvement for months, following by an almost overnight improvement. Anyway, I'm sure you'll hear this shortly from those who can describe it firsthand.

Good luck. And oh yes, welcome to the club that no one wants to belong to.

DJ
Posted 4/14/2009 9:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Softhackle,

I had my surgery in December, 2008 and the catheter was removed about 3 weeks later. Like you I was totally incontinent. I was using 10 and sometimes more pads a day.

In less than a week I could hold it if I was lying or sitting down. When I go up during the night the gush was more than the pad could handle, so I resorted to using a bottle as I got up. It worked very well for me.

about 2 months after surgery I could make it to the bathroom and still hold it as long as I was quick about it. Now I can hold it for a fair amount of time before I need to relieve myself.

For me it's been a gradual improvement and I'm happy with that. I still look forward to the day I'll be completely dry.

Good luck and God bless,
Bob
Posted 4/14/2009 11:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hi softhackle,

You are very early in the healing process. According to what I have read, the average time for continence is somewhere between 2 and 6 month. Some men are lucky and heal a bit faster; some take a bit more time. Unfortunately, a few men have to wrestle with this problem for much longer. Patience is an absolute MUST for this dreadful disease. I did a lot of walking (still do) and regular kegel exercises and was dry about 2 month after my open RRP.
All the best to you.

Magaboo
Posted 4/15/2009 3:06 PM (GMT 0)

Hi

I was totally dry in two months but was one of the lucky ones, I guess. I did walk extensively, doing kegels while I was walking. I averaged 3 to 5 miles a day. I also cut down on coffee and soda's until I was dry.

The first week after the catheter was out, was pretty heavy on the use of the pads. Good luck

Posted 4/15/2009 3:57 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the helpful replies everybody. Stress incontinence I can live with. I just can't wait to past the total incontinence stage. I've been walking at least a mile each day and doing my kegels at least 4 times a day. Thanks again for the support.
Posted 4/15/2009 4:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi softhackle. I am also freshly post-op and I feel that life is one big Kegel right now. I am seeing improvement day by day. Keep up the good work with the Kegel excercises and activity and I am sure you will also see improvement over time.
Your brother in pads,
Bob.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply