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Incontenance, How long does it last?

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Posted 10/13/2009 2:47 PM (GMT 0)

I was operated on for PC robotically on September 10th the cath was removed 9/23 (3 weeks tomorrow). While I can hold my water a little longer than day one, I still void almost every time I stand up. My nights are pretty good and for some reason I can make it to the bathroom without voiding when I get out of bed.  I constantly dribble and squirt when I stand after sitting awhile.  I started Kigle exercises last Thursday and I don't know if they are helping yet. Am I just being impatient.

Len confused

Posted 10/13/2009 2:51 PM (GMT 0)

Yep...You have to give it some time...We're all different so no one can tell you for certain when you'll get 100% dry.

Hang in there yeah

Posted 10/13/2009 3:50 PM (GMT 0)
Len,

You will need to give it some time

Walking helps a lot as well, do it at your own pace, do not push it

One thing that they had me do which I think also helped in the beginning, while going, stop mid stream then restart, do that a couple times when you go

As time passes you will see you hold more and more often. Standing, bending and lifting all are things that will take the longest to overcome

Avoid Coffee, carbonated beverages and alcohol, all make it harder to hold
Posted 10/13/2009 4:41 PM (GMT 0)
Len,

The logical answer is that there's not been enough time, but as we all know here, the time to getting 100% dry varies so very much.
Walk, but not too much. Kegal, but not too much. From your own desription, sounds like you are on a pretty normal path back to continence.

Hope you continue to heal and recovery well in all areas.

David in SC
Posted 10/13/2009 7:54 PM (GMT 0)
David,

Thanks. As you know it sometimes feels like no one understands you and that you are alone. This site has been agreat help. As for the healing process, the cancer was contained in the prostate with no cells in the lymph nodes of vessels leading to the nodes. My doctor said it is a "surgical cure".  I am thankful for that but impatient, I guess.  As for ED, I am not even thinking about that until the incontenance is done with.

I really appreciate your response and the response of others  to my post.

Len

Posted 10/13/2009 7:59 PM (GMT 0)
"How long does it last?" Well... it seems like forever. I am at three months and still use 3 pads per day. I can go all night and can make it to the bathroom no problem now. But when I sit and then stand up out it comes.
At 2 months I started to limit my fluids - that is bad. (But it did cut down on the pads.)
I tried Vesicare 10 mg for 3 days but it did nothing. I tried zapping my perineum with a TENS unit to make my pelvic floor contract for about an hour total for a couple of days but it completely exhausted me. Once I stopped I was back to 3 ppd.
I'll say what everyone else says:

Patience my friend... patience...
Jeff
Posted 10/13/2009 10:07 PM (GMT 0)
First, let me say that we know and share your frustration.. You are about three weeks post catheter and seem pretty normal. If you are using five pads or fewer per day, I would say that you are ahead of the game. I know that this is hard news because I remember what it was like, being at work and needing a pad change every 1 ½ hours.

Good nights is a positive sign – be encouraged because that it first.

Change can be erratic, sometimes it is slow and regular, but for others there may be weeks without change and then an overnight shift. Be sure to keep in mind that you are on the road to recovery and positive things will happen
Posted 10/14/2009 1:23 AM (GMT 0)
October 19th will be two months for me and at this point I am down to 1 pad a day.  I am using the 2nd to lightest pad only because I still have some left.  I will go to the lightest possible starting this Sunday when I run out.  Kegels has helped me alot but walking by far is the best for me.  The only time I leak at this point is at the end of a 3 to 4 mile walk or if I get on the eliptical for 30 to 45 minutes.  I was in meetings all day today and I don't think I leaked much at all.  Last weekend I played 54 holes of golf in 2 days and while I know I probably leaked some you couldn't tell as the pad was bone dry.

I don't limit my intake at all.  I tried that one day and it made it worse.  I find on the weekends it pays to drink as much as possible and to go often to practice at holding it a bit.  Hope you much success.  T

Posted 10/14/2009 3:17 AM (GMT 0)
Patient and kegals. You will need 4 to 6 weeks of kegals to train your new holding valve. It also seems to go in stair steps. You will see no change for a while, and then you use a pad less.

Remember, patience and kegals !
Posted 10/14/2009 2:38 PM (GMT 0)
Geezer:

Thanks. Your response to my post was very incouraging (6 weeks 1 pad day/1 pad night). I think I have been my own worst enemy by using the wrong pads. IMy wife bough me a Depends light pad. Today I got CVS max pads and they seem much better. I was changing the light pads almost every time I stood up.

DX; July 7, 2009
DiVinci Surgery: 9/10/09
Gleason: 7
No spread to seminal vessels or to lymph nodes.
CAT and Bone Scans negative.
1st PSA scheduled for next week.
Posted 10/14/2009 3:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Len,

I think you're doing well after only 3 weeks. Personally, I'm at about the same point you are, and it's going on 4 months for me. My surgery, however, resulted in a non-cancer complication that delayed my recovery, and kept me catheterized for about two months. Happily, I'm now off the tube (for now).

I was wondering though about walking. How does walking help? I've been a walker for fitness for a long time, and am just getting back to walking about a mile and a half per day. While I enjoy the exercise, I don't see what the benefit is to my urinary function.

Anyone care to weigh in on this?

-Charlie

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