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Posted 10/31/2009 12:26 AM (GMT 0)
Have suffered with urinary incontinence every since my da Vinci on January 7th of the is year. Nothing seemed to help - exercises seem to just worsen the leakage. Dr finally diagnosed as severe stress incontinence. I was going through anywhere between 12-15 pads during the waking hours. Ironically I was able to stay dry during the nightime. Needless to say this led to depression and spending majority of my time in bed where at least I had some control. On August 18th surgery was performed and a sling was implanted. The first week I thought I may have just found the solution to my problem. However, 10 days out and everything broke loose and I was wetting more than prior to surgery. On September 25th I had the AMS 800 (artificial sphincter) implanted. Finally 6 weeks later, Oct. 27th, the appartus was turned on. Basically I can say I am 99% dry except for when I cough or sneeze. On either of those reflexes, urine squirts out with as much force as prior to the surgery. I had questioned the Dr the difference between the single or double cuff but he explained that the single was just as good and there was less risk for infections. I was a bit apprehensive only due to the extensiveness of my leakage. Now I have read on one of the posting that there have been instances when a second cuff has to be implanted. 3 surgeries in one year is way too much and now concerned that maybe my Dr should have implanted two cuffs. I go back to the Dr this coming week and will let him know and see what he has to say about the leakage. I would like to hear from other guys who have had the artifical implanted and the success or failures they have experienced.  Maybe what I am experiencing is the norm but I thought (and hoped) I would be 100% dry after the surgery. 
Posted 10/31/2009 2:34 AM (GMT 0)
Honest,  I am also a AMS AUS Guy.  I know we all wish we were 100% were we were before surgery.  But, you have to admit 99% is a whole lot better that were you were.  I was a 8 + pad a day before my AUS.  I am very pleased to just have to wear a light panty liner to catch the few drips and dribbles I still have.  My Doctor also said two cuffs were not the risk of complication.  He also made me fully aware that 100% could be possible......but not likely.  Other than that I am still very pleased I finally did the AUS after two years of wearing pads and trying everything else.  Mine has been activated 1 year and I have had no problems at all.

I just wanted to drop a line and say there are some of us that know exactly where you are. 

Wish you well

KW

 

Posted 10/31/2009 2:47 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Honest,
!2-15 pads per day?! How much do you drink and when? I found that if I only had small drinks during the day but drank a normal amount in the evening, I reduced my pad usage to 3-4 per day. If I stopped drinking completely - a bad idea I know- I got down to 1.5 pads.
Since a men's guard will hold 175ml that means at 12-15 pads you are peeing 2000ml if the pads are full. Did you try changing your drinking schedule?
I hope the new device works for you.
Jeff
Posted 10/31/2009 11:09 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Jeff

It wasn't so much that I was drinking a lot, I couldn't hold anything. It was like turning on a hose when I drank - in one side and out the other. I couldn't tolerate the wetness no matter how minimal so I am sure I changed more than needed. Also if I tried to hold off and change the pad less frequently I would end up having an accident and needed a complete change of clothing. My leakage was really strange cause I would find time periods where it seemed to let up and could reduce the number of pads daily and even thought I was on the road to dryness. Unfortunately after a couple of days the faucet would turn back on and I would be back to where I was after the surgery. I guess I am still hoping for 100% dryness but probably not going to be one of the lucky ones.
Thanks for your reply.
Posted 10/31/2009 11:14 AM (GMT 0)
Hi KW

Appreciate your input and yes I am pleased with the AUS at this point compared to where I was. My Dr just led me to believe that I would be 100% dry so I was taken back when some leakage did occur. Of course he also told me the sling would work which didn't. Switching over to a light day pad or panty liner just to handle those small drips. Have you found any that work better than others? I have been using Depends Guards for Men but I don't think I need something that heavy. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks
Posted 10/31/2009 12:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Honest
You are 7 months ahead of me. I'm still quite a leaker and sadly am becoming an expert in Personal Pee Protection Products.

Here are some real numbers, "in service and in location" measured on a Mettler Laboratory balance.
I ran these experiments with pads inside diapers so I could see when they leaked without messing my pants. You can't run experiments like these if you are wearing them just inside your regular underwear or you'll need to change your clothes, obviously.
These numbers are more useful than the unscientific labels stuck on the packages.

I'll give you two numbers. The first is the maximum safe value. The second is when leakage starts.
Your mileage may vary.
• Depend Underwear for Men Super Plus, Size S/M: 450 ml.....600 ml
• Depend Boost insert:... 200 ml (must be worn with above)
• Depend Men's Guard:.. 150 ml.... 175 ml
• Tena pads for men:..... 140 ml.... 150 ml
• CVS Protect. pad Max:. 160 ml.... 175 ml
• Poise Moderate ½ pad… 80 ml….. 100 ml
• Options by Assurance:... 90 ml..... x
• Carefree mini pads:...... 15 ml.... 20 ml

If you are under control I'd try the 1/2 of a Poise Pad. I have found that they work great up to the 80 ml mark and when cut in half give the best "cost per pee stored" than anything yet. They are also more comfortable to wear. And when you buy them people will think you are getting them for your wife. ;-)

You can try a few experiments yourself while wearing the Depend Underwear as protection.
I truly believe you need to take data or you don't know where you are or where you're headed.
Jeff
Posted 10/31/2009 8:26 PM (GMT 0)
Honestguy, I use the Always Ultrathin with wings, regular size for daily drips and dribbles. I still need a Depends Guard when playing golf. I don't know why some doctors out right lie to their patients. I bet they would change their tune if we asked them to sign a 100% DRY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE.
Sorry you were misled.
KW
Posted 11/1/2009 12:20 AM (GMT 0)
Honest - just saw your post about incontinence. Have you been doing the kegel exercises? That is one thing my doctor told me about....I did them religiously and I was told the incontinence should stop between 6 months and a year but thank God it stopped after 4 months. If I strain now I get a little leakage. BUT when I get the urge to go I had better make haste because I cannot hold it like I did before surgery. Hope it clears up soon for you. It almost drove me up the wall. Don't give up hope.
Posted 11/1/2009 1:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hisson - I started the kegel exercises 2 months prior to surgery and 7 months past with little success. In fact the more I did them the worst the leakage became. I really saw no benefit in continuing and advised my surgeon. He was very impartial as to whether I should continue with them or not so I stopped. Basically I am not sure I had the best Urological Group to work with. That is my gut feeling but of course there is no way to prove I would have been any different going elsewhere. The AUS has definitely been the best route for me.
Thanks for your response.
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