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kegels: too many too soon?

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Posted 7/27/2010 11:47 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, I'm about 3 weeks post RP now and seems I had a setback in urine control. For the first week after cath removal I was only about 2 pads per day and had urges throughtout the day to go that I would hold fairly well. Last weekend I noticed the urges all but went away and my pad use went up to 4-5/day. Pretty much during the day seems the bladder just doesn't fill because it is constantly draining. Just before this change I did increase my level of kegel exercises according to the schedule the doctors office gave me. I spoke with a PT that specializes in pelvic floor muscles and she said that I probably just overdid it with them and they are tired. I fact, she said some doctors recommend patients not even start kegels for the first month after surgery. Has anyone else had this experience? I am heading in to see the nurse today for a bladder ultrasound to make sure things are draining ok. In the meantime I am considering suspending kegels to see if things get better, then slowly resume them at the original level.
Posted 7/27/2010 12:37 PM (GMT 0)
freinds
- you can easily tire out the muscles using in kegel exercises and overdo it as in any type of exercise
- your body is still in healing mode as things continue to shift around and find their permanent home
- please do keep up a regular kegel routine - muscles do forget what they are supposed to do if they are left alone
- my doc had me do 20 kegels -5 times a day ( 100 a day) - standing version - like repressing a fart ( ie, breaking wind) - or easier yet, doing the Time Warp dance from Rocky Horror Picture Show
- it was about week 15 when I was actually able to feel I could be in control again - it does take time for nerve endings to grow again and connect - prior to that I was at 4 pads a day - one at night
- now, at almost 9 months - 1 pad for the day, and one for safety sake, at night.
-remember, all men and all operations are unique
-recovery from prostate cancer surgery, let alone any surgery, is not linear - it is full of ups and downs - great leaps forward and a few steps back ....
- take time and let yourself recover - keep up the exercises - and try not to be too harsh on yourself.

hugs
BRONSON
Posted 7/27/2010 4:03 PM (GMT 0)
Good advice tatt2man. My cath is scheduled to be removed Aug 6 and my Dr. said not to perform Kegels prior to that as it may tire the muscle. But, once I am free of my bag, it is back to the exercises.
Posted 7/27/2010 4:18 PM (GMT 0)
I was told NO Kegels with the cath in.
Once the cath was out, I started that day with sets of 10 - 10 reps of hold for 10 seconds, release for 10 seconds. I do those 3 times during the day. The doc suggested 5 sets, but it causes very significant lower back pain (other issues from the past), so I either limit it to 3 sets or take pain pills.

The other help was to break up the day's walk into three parts, done in tandem with the Kegel sets, so that the whole area is getting balanced exercise.

It took me almost three months to get down from 7 pads a day to 5. By six months I was down to one. Then came radiation, and I'm back to three - that may never change, but I'm still hopeful.
Posted 7/27/2010 5:54 PM (GMT 0)
Freinds,

My surgery was scheduled six weeks out and my Doctor, liking to be pro-active, suggested I begin the Kegels immediatly.
I did, thinking that it would pay off but noticed a week before surgery that it urine control was becoming difficult and I experienced some leakage problems. ???? I had thought that maybe th PC had advanced or ???

Cath out yesterday, 07/26/2010, and it's like the cath is still in, without the bag to catch it! ugh! Slept pretty dry last night as long as I stayed on my back. Pinch and head for the bathroom three times.

You bring up a good point and I've seen a number of different instructions on doing the Kegel exercises, maybe too much is not good too.
I was up to sets of ten at a 30 count each before surgery, alternating with 10 at a ten count, figured more was better, ...... not sure now

I'll go back to the recommended - Squeeze for 5 seconds, relax for 5 seconds, 10 in a row, 3-4 times a day after enptying your bladder.



Meryle
Loveland, Co.

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Age: 50 in good health other than PC
weight 170
height 5' 10''
No symptoms to speak of
PSA 10.4
Prostate not enlarged

Samples taken mid-April
6 out of 12 samples cancer
1) gleason score 3+4 involving 30% Right Base
2) gleason score 3+4 involving 40% Right _
3) gleason score 4+4 involving 50% Right Apex

Bone scan clean except a 1 mm spot on left scapula
CT scan clean

Biopcy of Scapula was negative, Doctor says good/bad news, we want to watch it.

07/16/2010 - Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy (LRP) @ MCR, Loveland, CO
07/18/2010 - Home
07/20/2010 - JP Drain removed
07/26/2010 - X-Ray/Catheter removal
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Posted 7/28/2010 1:45 AM (GMT 0)
I was also told by a physical therapist who specializes in pelvic floor conditioning that one of the most common mistakes guys make is not resting long enough between the contractions, makes sence to me.

I hope your post cathetor week goes well, dont get to upset there is a lot of stabelizing to do yet.

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