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Posted 1/24/2010 9:18 PM (GMT 0)
This is my first post here.  I am a little over 13 months since RP and the doctor and I are discussing an artificial sphincter implant.  I have control when I am sitting or laying down, but little to no control when standing, running, or any other form of exercise.  I would like to hear others experience or knowledge of the artificial sphincter process. 
Posted 1/24/2010 9:38 PM (GMT 0)
Can't answer your question. Others will be along with info. Just wanted to welcome you.

Sorry you have to be here, but we are all in this together.

Neal

Posted 1/25/2010 3:31 PM (GMT 0)
I have the aus... See my profile below for stats.  I've had it now for 18 months and am so very pleased.  Make sure your surgeon does enough of these to know what he's doing.  Someone who does 100 pr year or more or a little less would most likely do fine.

Gene214

Posted 1/26/2010 12:30 AM (GMT 0)
have you considerd the sling or would that not help you level of incontinence? I am 16 months out with some leakage. Just did a hard workout and filled a pad. First time that happened, usually a half pad. What is your pad useage if you don't mind me asking. I am doing reaearch on sling at this time. AS seems like a pretty big step?
Posted 1/26/2010 8:54 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the feedback Jersey City, 

When I talked with the doctor he felt like that with my age and activity level that the sling might not be affective.  While using the clamp I need a minimum of 3 pads per day and if I were to go with out the clamp I would need many more.  With my job I am on my feet and talking loudly to large groups of students for about 3-4 hours per day.  That is when the biggest problems occur along with when I am running.  Thanks for the feedback.  If you have any other thoughts please continue to offer.

Posted 1/26/2010 9:13 PM (GMT 0)
jerseycity brough up a good point, and so did you tjc:

Jerseycity asked about pads & you responed... but you must consider what size pads you're talking about.  I now wear a "pad", even after AUS, but it's a tiny panti liner.  Sometimes I fill it up in an 18 hour day and somtimes it just put a spot of urine on it.  Before my radical, I went thgough 8-10 big-as-they-come pads.  As long as I was standing up or walking around, absolutely nothing stayed in my bladder. 

 tjc, from your original post, I gathered you were like me.  Just make sure you are really that bad off.  And if everything else fails, consider "going for it" (AUS).  A sling would never work ...if I understand your situation.

You also mentioned wearing a penis clamp.  I did that too and was able to stay more dry... a very good improvement, but as you know, clamps are not the best solution...l at least not for me.  One problem I had was occasionally my clamp would slip off and the whole load would come flooding out at once (I am uncircumcised).

AUS is a big step, but...

Gene214

 

Posted 1/27/2010 3:45 AM (GMT 0)
    Jersey,  I also had the AUS installed by the same Doctor that Gene used.  You can read my links in my signature.  I was a heavy leaker.  I tried the AdVance Sling by AMS and had no luck with it.  The AUS is not as bad as it sounds  I also wear a light panty liner for drips and dribbles.  I do wear a regular Depends Guard for Men when I play golf.  But one last all day.  I agree with Gene.  Find a Doctor that does the AUS almost daily.  I drove from OKC to Dallas to get the right doctor for me.

    Good Luck

    KW 

Posted 1/28/2010 12:40 AM (GMT 0)
You are getting good advice from the others but I will add a couple more things I learned here. I am a constant leaker when standing or moving around. If I am setting or laying down I can get to the can in time...usually. If you have not done ask your doctor about FUDS/urodynamics testing. This will determine if you are a candidate for a sling or not. Also, if you have not done it go to the topic AdVance Male sling and read the posts. You will see that if you do a sling and it does not work you can still have the AUS. If you do the AUS first the sling is not an option. Also, I have read that the the AUS may need to be replaced after 8-10 years so consider that as well given your age. Seems like those with the AUS like KW are very satisfied with the sling and you are pretty well guaranteed that this will fix the leakage.

Based on the FUDS/urodynamics testing and my pad weights of about 200 grams my doctor feels I am a good candidate for a fix with a sling. I will have mine done at NYU next Wednesday and will post the results on this forum as I go throught the process.

Tallman

Posted 1/28/2010 2:21 PM (GMT 0)

For what its worth I thoroughly support the AUS for heavy leakers.  I had the same surgeon as Gene and KW (Dr Morey of Dallas.)  It has been almost a year now since my activation and I am very satisfied.  I have, however, found that I feel more comfortable wearing a ladies panti-liner tucked in my shorts to catch the drips and dribbles of a coughing or sneezing episode.  The panti-liner is not a necessity...but lets me go about my normal day activities without thinking about any continence problem.  I change once per day at shower time and this allows me to feel completely normal in anything that I wish to do during the following 24 hours.  I guess what I am trying to say is that now I feel normal after the harrowing experience of PCa and subsequent after-affects.  I think the deciding factor as to selection of AUS or sling is merely the amount of leakage.  If you consider yourself a severe or heavy leaker then get the AUS...and I was a severe leaker so it wasn't a hard decision for me.

Good Luck to you

Salty

Posted 1/28/2010 7:07 PM (GMT 0)
Salty,

Didn't you report to me that your AUS was not working?  Maybe it was somone else, but I thought it was you?  If it was, I'm glad it's working for you.  If I've got the wrong, guy... well, pardon me.

Gene214

 

Posted 1/29/2010 12:52 AM (GMT 0)

Gene...Don't know where you got the idea that my AUS wasn't working.  Like everyone else that gets an AUS, there is the period of time between the surgery and the activation when one experiences the same heavy leakage.  But, as usual, once the activation takes place the flow has been controlled by the AUS button.  "Ain't it wonderful being dry after the monsoon following the RP."

Best Wishes

Salty

Posted 2/6/2010 11:57 PM (GMT 0)
Dear TJC

I'm sure you know InVance, AUS and AdVance are options. But have you heard of "Virtue" by Coloplast? Check it out before you go with Advance. It's similar to Advance except that it works by elevation (Advance) as well as slight compression, with 2 extra "arms."

I didn't want all that "hardware" with AUS and decided on Virtue. It's relatively new, but I opted for it and am completely continent after almost 4 years of about 3 pads a day. 

 

rapids

Posted 2/7/2010 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
TJC,

Your condition sounds similar to mine before last week. I had the Coloplast Virtue Sling surgery last Wednesday. I am now pretty much totally dry and have much the same experience as rapids. We used the same doctor. If you want to read more about my experience go to the thread, tallmans journey to coloplast male sling.
Based on what I have learned the AdVance may not be enough for you. AUS would be if you can accept that surgery and how it works. Virtue could be an option but you would need to use a doctor with experience and using proper technique.
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