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Posted 10/18/2010 8:40 PM (GMT 0)
 

 Prior to my Surgery I was a pretty active bicyclist.  I just bought a new bike 2 weeks before I was DX with Prostate Cancer.

Right now I am 6 weeks out from the DaVinic Operation and still fighting the incontinence issue (managable).

So I have no idea how long before I can start up again.  I have tried a bit on a stationary bike and when my right leg is at the apex of movement I produce a little squirt.

anyone been through this and have you conquered it and riding the bike?

Thanks in advance for any replies

Jim

Posted 10/18/2010 9:36 PM (GMT 0)
I ride a motorbike and they said no riding for 3 months, its the bumps in the road that disturb things. I was able to ride after 10 weeks, at 6 weeks I couldn't even sit on it. Take it easy and let things heal.
Posted 10/18/2010 9:45 PM (GMT 0)

I didn't start cycling until after recovery... However I love it and have no problems with any issues from cycling.  Actually I was an active runner prior to surgery...post surgery for a varity of reasons the bike has become my primary activity for cardio training.   Good luck with your issues.

Hero

Posted 10/18/2010 10:31 PM (GMT 0)
Jim,

Six weeks out is still early so hopefully this will take care of itself with time. I began running at about that point in recovery, although it was more like a jog. Would think you would have to take it easy for awhile and not push yourself too hard as cycling might be more of a strain on the inside of the body than runnning. Listen to your body and you will be fine.

Michael

Posted 10/19/2010 12:17 AM (GMT 0)
I have not returned to my bike but have been walking. I am 100% incontinent and here is what I do with the water. I wear and external catheter and a leg bag that fits into a mesh bag holder that I wear on my thigh. I plug the cath right into the bag and this catches the dripping, also this set up does not rub you and give you a hash. Anyway, good luck getting back into biking and maybe that will help strenghten your plevic floor as well.
Posted 10/19/2010 3:20 AM (GMT 0)
After my surgery I started walking then jogging then joined the gym when it just got too hot here in Louisiana. Sence then I have moved to riding a road bike and attending spin class. There is not problem with the biking except the seat is still as uncomfortable as it was before I ever had the surgery..:)

I actually moved to the point that I love riding and look for an excuse to ride almost every day.

Cajun Jeff
Posted 10/19/2010 7:40 AM (GMT 0)
I started riding after 8 weeks and did not have any problems.  I probably could have started sooner but try and  take it easy at first.
Posted 10/19/2010 11:50 AM (GMT 0)
I'll preface my reply by saying I live in The Netherlands so cycling is part of my life. It also means the docs, uros, nurses etc all cycle too.

Don't start cycling without getting okay from your uro. But somewhere between 6 and 10 weeks will most likely be okay.
I did a very little the first time, then about 1km the second day, then the next day I managed 4km.

You might need to try a different saddle, or try sitting in a slightly different position. I have to ease off the saddle going over bumps cobbles etc and put more of my weight on the pedals, if not all of my weight.

In the beginning I found I dribbled when I stopped and got off, but it was only a dribble. Enough to make me want to get indoors and to the bathroom, but no wet patches on my clothes or anything.

It was also worse trying to cycle when wearing pads as well as the lump of the pad pressed on things even more and caused more dribbles. Fortunately I returned to the bike at about the same time as I could give up pads

I can manage 15 to 20 km now without much bother at all so long as I know I can have a pee somewhere. I find cycling easier than walking too.

Good luck

Alf
Posted 10/19/2010 11:23 PM (GMT 0)
i have been a life long cyclist too. back in the early 1990's when i started to have a problem with my prostate i switched to recumbents and haven't looked back. besides the exterem comfort, they allowed me to keep on biking 27 miles round trip to work 3 x per week, plus joy rides. my wife rides a recumbent trike. i had my RRP in september this year, the day before my surgery i bought myself a recumbent trike. figured it would give me something to look forward to and to keep my mind off my troubles a little bit and well, hell i always wanted one and well i had cancer! so i got it. havent ridden it yet. doc. said not for 4 mos. and by that time it will be winter. so i got something to shoot for next spring. in the mean time i walk when i can and work out a half hour a day on my nordic track skier. its the only indoor work out equipment that i don't get bored with. recumbents don't put pressure on your prostate area, its like rideing in your lawn chair.
Posted 10/19/2010 11:31 PM (GMT 0)
I started bicycling for an hour a day six weeks after open prostatectomy. Wal Mart sells a Bell Bicycle Seat for about $25 which has an open slot in it, so there is no pressure on your perineum. It's well padded and comfortable.
Posted 10/20/2010 12:48 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for everyone's comments on your experiences.  Yeah winter is coming and I don't think I will make it back before then.  I just got off the stationary with wide bench seat so that will do for now.  I have always wanted to look into a recumbent now I have an excuse.  it's been a long time since I have done a century but I vow I will do it again.
Posted 11/22/2010 1:47 AM (GMT 0)
just took my new recumbent trike for its frist ride today. it was great! as you know i bought it the day before my surgery. so i fianlly got to try it before winter. and guess what i don't leak while  riding it. i was really scared of that. i took up a really steep hill to see what would happen when i really got into it. no leaking! can't wait for spring now. wink
Posted 11/22/2010 1:55 AM (GMT 0)
Be sure you give it plenty of time to heal and then I say go for it. Make sure you wear shorts that have heavy padding and you should not have a problem. Matter of fact you will feel much better with the exercise.
Let us know how it goes

peace to you
Dale
Posted 11/22/2010 12:27 PM (GMT 0)
I called my urologist last week (6 weeks post op) and asked the question about riding my stationary recumbent bike for some exercise he said 2-4 more weeks before I can start. I see him Dec 16 so I guess I'll just wait.
Posted 11/22/2010 5:22 PM (GMT 0)
I was doing gentle recreational rides at eight weeks post robotic surgery..I DID buy a $40 "Cruiser Seat" for my bike... Denver weather has kept me off it lately..
Posted 10/18/2016 11:42 AM (GMT 0)
I am 72 years old physically active man gone through RALP and adjuvant radiation therapy. They left me with moderate SUI. It turns out bad when I'm active in sports – only cycling is easy and almost leak free. Bike riding (at least stationary biking) may become very important to me because the painful osteoarthritis threatens my daily 10 km walking/jogging periods. They are necessary to keep the swellings off of my feet ( I've lost my pelvic lymph nodes in operation).My doctor thinks that A.M.I. ATOMS-sling is the solution which probably works but can (or will?) not give much advice about biking - only that "the saddle must be changed".

The leaflet of ATOMS gives a warning: : "It is advisable to refrain from doing sports such as horseback and bike riding…. (in some cases a special bike seat may help) ". My question is, what kind of problems may appear if I ride the bike. Are they pains, some sort of physical damage or risk of braking the sling/cushion - or what? Can you name any suitable saddle-types and/or give experiences about them.
Posted 10/18/2016 12:23 PM (GMT 0)
First, follow timeline that your surgeon recommends. For me I started riding a bike about eight weeks after surgery. I was leaking over 600 grams a day and had to change pads multiple times during the ride (rode on trails with outhouses). After about two weeks of riding my leakage all but stopped. I feel that sitting on a bike seat while wearing pads put additional pressure on my pelvic floor muscles which helped me regain control.

Please note that there is some evidence that riding to soon after surgery could hurt your ability to get an erection.
Posted 10/18/2016 2:12 PM (GMT 0)
Talk to your surgeon but I would stay off a bicycle or motorcycle for at least 3 months...
Posted 10/23/2016 1:39 PM (GMT 0)
My surgery is over two years old and so is the radiation after which the bad leaking really started. The best consistency I now have is when I sit on the normal bike saddle - no problems at all!

But to improve the incontinence other times (now 1-2 pads a day) my doctor thinks that the Austrian A.M.I. ATOMS-sling is the only working thing. It has a special adjustable cushion to support the bottom muscles of the pelvis which has been deteriorated by the radiation.

My question is the bicycle riding ability with the A.M.I. ATOMS-sling? Do anybody have experiances of the biking and the saddles with ATOMS?
Posted 10/23/2016 1:43 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry about the mistake in previous message - I wanted to say...."the best continence I now have...
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