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The Edge of Continence

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Posted 12/15/2011 9:55 PM (GMT 0)
8 months post RP, and 95% continent.  It was a long and draining battle to get here.  Now, no pads during the day, and can go 24 hours without - IF I don't do anything physical.  May have a few small leaks, always standard stress IC, but never anything that caused a problem.  The problem is evenings, and work-outs.  As many HW folks do, I'm trying to improve the remaining body parts.  Specifically 30-45 minute "power" walks.  I don't think my bladder holds anything during the walks.  TT before I start, and no TT at the end.  It's all drained.  Two questions:  Will I continue to improve?  and, should I stop the walking for a while, and see if I get better.  Or just walk and leak!

And a PS to prior posts - sneezing while sitting is no problem.  A sneeze while standing, or god forbid while walking, results in a squirt.

Posted 12/15/2011 10:22 PM (GMT 0)
Curious George,

I don't think the walking hurts your progress at all. So, my opinion, keep walking if you like. However, 8 months is getting to be a long time to have as much leaking as you describe when walking. Have you followed with your uro on your progress?

Posted 12/15/2011 10:25 PM (GMT 0)
George It seems like you have had a long battle with incont and being 95% is alot better then being zero %. Im just starting the battle but i know exactly how you feel. (IF i dont do anything physical) Is not the path i want to take as i heal.Ive always been a gym rat and i will continue to workout Leaking or not.I was told that walking was a good thing just don't over do it.
Posted 12/15/2011 10:39 PM (GMT 0)
Yes - complained to uro/surgeon and regular uro at 1 month, 4 months, and 7 months.  Both say:  don't worry, be happy.  Of course, it's not their panties getting wet!  Both say "you'll be fine!".

Posted 12/15/2011 11:19 PM (GMT 0)
I got into the habit of shorter walks, but several of them. After each one, I did a set of Kegels. I noticed a balance there - done that way, I improved faster than by doing either walking or Kegels for the day all in one block. I would have done anything to get down from eight + pads a day.

But, at 26 months post-DaVinci, I still leak enough for one or more pads a day.

Posted 12/16/2011 1:05 AM (GMT 0)
George,

I don't know the answer to your question about continuing to improve, but it's probably too early to know. I think you have to give it a full year.

If it's any consolation, you're way ahead of where I was at eight months. I'd be optimistic if I were you. Good luck, and hang in there.

Jonathan
Posted 12/17/2011 1:07 PM (GMT 0)
George, I am one who had to go the artificial sphincter - more due to strictures problems.
When I was first post op, I walked and did kegels at the same time.
He seemed to help and I reduced my leakage considerably.
Another step was Bio Feedback with Obgyn anal stimulator, it also helped.
Some Urologist have therapist on staff who can help with leakage using biofeedback etc.
Good Luck
Posted 12/17/2011 5:14 PM (GMT 0)
OK, I'm only at 4 months post robotic surgery but recently my urologist put me on Levitra therapy. Very soon after I noticed my continence had improved greatly. I'll have to ask if there is a connection there.

Secondly I quit doing kegels. I am hitting the weight room and treadmill 5 days a week and I believe the same muscles that help bladder control are being exercised in the gym. Yes there is a little squirt on some of my initial lifts but it's of little significance.

A helpful aid for us exercisers has been Under Armor compression underwear. If there is a little dampness the material of the underwear helps keep me dry. Sometimes the pad or my weenie shifts during physical work and the underwear helps absorb the wet much better than standard underwear.

I am not promoting Under Armor as there are other quality brands availabl., Nike is one that I know of.

Posted 12/17/2011 6:19 PM (GMT 0)
George,

I wish there was a pat answer. Took me 8 months as well. I went without pads for a year, until doctor put me on a beta-blocker.

I am where you are. I obviously try to minimize those situations that I know I will leak when doing. Kind of hard to avoid a sneeze, or the necessity to lift a heavy object tho.

So, I have gone to a panty shield. It is enough to handle the occasional squirt, and keep my pants dry, especially at social occasions.

It has made me content. If it never gets any better and the PC stays away, I am fine.
Posted 12/17/2011 6:50 PM (GMT 0)
i had my surgery on feb. 14 so i have several months on you. i do not have any issue as long as i do the following; urinate before physical activity and most importantly push in and upward on the area just under the scrotum. that will relieve an additional table spoon or two of urine. i continue to do kegels and have no issue with sneezing/coughing etc.













Age 55
open Surgery Cleveland Clinic on Feb 14, 2010
PSA 3.04
Continent and erect
3 of 12 biopsies 5% 10% 15%
Gleason 3+4
Member of 0 club
Posted 12/18/2011 7:51 PM (GMT 0)
sorry make that Feb 14, 2011!
Posted 12/20/2011 10:54 PM (GMT 0)
Walking was highly recommended by my Urol. Also do Kegels,but do not overdo them. I did 50-100 per day Pre-Surg and Post I reduced the frequency to 25, seemed to help. Also did bladder training to be able to hold off urinating, but progressed slowly 5-10 minutes every 5 days and eventually things got better. Most important STAY POSITIVE, it will happen-Hang Tough.
Posted 12/21/2011 2:09 AM (GMT 0)
george I started speed walking and workingout to the maxxx since you first posted this. Its paid off for me. Im not 95% as you are but Ive notice lots of improvement.thx for your post .It has helped me in a positive way.Im alittle concerned about blood in my urine but my uro said not to worry unless its bright red or dark brownes.With that being said ill just keep on keeping on
Posted 12/21/2011 3:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, new here, followed some folks at another site over here, seems a bit more active.

I got the walking talk (knees too shot to run) at the first meeting with my surgeon, who pointed me at something claiming that brisk walking actually slowed progression of PCa, (helping too-fat cardio an added benefit) - he asked me to do an hour, I did, got no progress on weight, went to an hour and a half or two hours most nights fairly consistently. 2 months of Kegeling pre-surgery as well. Got up and walked a few laps (very slowly) around the hospital floor 18 hours after surgery, 4 days after surgery crept half a mile up the road and back in 90 minutes, wincing every time the catheter moved (every step) and made a lot more progress after the darn thing was out (1 week post.) 3-6 miles most nights, aiming to stay below 20 minutes/mile. Leakage was pretty "good" from week 2 to week 5 (1 pad a day or less, usually not really soaked) and has depressingly gotten worse at week 6/7 (I guess I'm just starting week 8 today) with most days having 1 pad, but it's really soaked, and the leakage while walking has gotten considerably worse. Dr. is all "be better in 6 months" and I can see that I have it a lot better than some folks have, but still frustrating to be travelling backwards; Especially since the walking is key to making any progress on my pesky weight.
Posted 12/21/2011 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
I was almost 10 months before I got off the pad, I thought I was done then I leaked a little then I tried again and I was good. I still worry when I sneeze, cough, or blow my nose. I did have a problem here a while back I had to have an upper GI and they give you that forget meds. I pissed when they did, I didn't notice till I was leaving the hospital.
Posted 12/22/2011 12:03 PM (GMT 0)
I am an avid weight lifter at age 58.  My surgery was March 2011 and continence has improved.  Somedays I leak but usually its down to a dribble.  It is somewhat a no brainer, drain Jr. prior to lifting however you should wear a small or medium size pad.  The amount of effort and leakage are related.  Some exercises produce leakage worse than others.  I would continue the cardio.  Your health is all about keeping your heart healthly and there are so many other benefits to a nice paced walk. 

 It helps almost 100% to cross your legs very tight when coughing or sneezing.  This incontinence thing drives me crazy.   I used to look in the mirror and actually curse at myself for peeing in my pants.  It's so humiliating.  Don't give up, incontinence improves over time.  I'm 9 months post surgery and it has improved 85%.  Night time leakage is still an issue.  If I could only improve the ED issue, for now its the most frustrating.     

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