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Posted 12/25/2011 1:37 AM (GMT 0)
 

  I had a radical prostatectomy on the 15 of November. I was released from the hospital 4 days later. My catheter was removed 14 days later and since then Ive been incontinent. I would like to know from anyone whose had a similar exper-

ience. Im wearing protective underware and will be going back to work in January. Im also doing kegels, but so far no

success. How long does it usually take for the incontinence to subside?

Posted 12/25/2011 3:04 AM (GMT 0)
schnauzter-
- it all varies with what the doctor has to work with -when putting everything back together - your pre-op situation, etc
- some are dry immediately, others take a while ( it took me 15 weeks to finally get control), and others have problems that don't really improved to their liking and can choose a sling or other devices.. and so on...
-you are still in major healing mode - go with the flow ( pun intended), don't beat yourself up about it - keep up the kegels ( 20 reps x 5 times a day) - don't tire the muscles out -
-reduce coffee /caffeine intake, carbonated beverages - they can act as diuretic -
-take care - walk - drink water - change your pad regularly ( don't want a wet willie) -

holiday hugs,
Bronson
Posted 12/25/2011 3:30 AM (GMT 0)
I had complications with my surgery which took over 6 hours. After the catheter was removed I was totally incontinent except when sitting or lying down. It took about 13 months to become pad free but I rarely have any problems now.

Hang in there, happy holidays, and I wish you and your family well,

Bob
Posted 12/25/2011 3:30 AM (GMT 0)

The incontenance thing about drove me crazy too.  You are a little over one month out.  I didn't see much improvement for at least 2 months and still have problems when I sleep.  However it will get better.  Probably should reconcile yourself to wearing at least a small pad for any physical activity after you are healed.  Coughing, sneezing, can really bring on the waterworks.  Suggest tightly crossing your legs if you are going to sneeze, it helps.  I'm a weight lifter and find it important to drain the ole bladder before exercising (I'm 9 months post op. and still leak when straining).  Bronson (as always) is right on the money with advice. 

Interesting thing, after the operation it seemed my bladder capacity was affected.  I needed to go about every hour.  That has improved with time.  You will never be the same as you once were.  All things considered, if you are cancer free it was worth it.

Posted 12/25/2011 4:55 AM (GMT 0)
My surgery was just one day before yours.As some of the members here can tell you , ive started a thread about the same thing (incontinence). I guess we're not one of the lucky members who became dry the day the cath was removed.I dont know about you,but for me ,some days are better then others.I noticed a big inprovement in the last few days when i started execise and walking.This may not be advised but it seem to be working for me.Im down from four pads a day to wearing one to two pads.My job requires a lot of physical labor and i really didnt want to return to work wearing diapers and pads. All we can do is hang in there and take it one day at a time and let the healing take its coarse. Im just happy that i was one of the lucky ones when it comes to ed.Not there yet but almost where i started from the before surgery.As it was told to myself. Give it some time,it'll happen.
Posted 12/25/2011 5:22 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome to HW. Pity the path required to get here, but we've been there.

At three months I was still using a diaper and multiple booster pads a day. It was two months before I saw any improvement at all. Christmas Day two years ago (two months out from DaVinci), it took four pads to get through the presents under the tree, and that was only the morning.

By February, I was down to a diaper and five pads a day, and in March/April, finally down to one pad a day. Then I did IGRT, and that screwed the curve, but from a post-surgery point of view, you'll realize you are getting better after if happens.

The rest of the crew has said already what I would say for suggestions, so I'll close with a "Welcome".

Posted 12/25/2011 11:14 AM (GMT 0)
6 Weeks out and this incontinence thing is really starting to piss me off. ( pun intended)... So Im in the same boat as you... Patience.
Posted 12/25/2011 11:15 AM (GMT 0)
6 Weeks out and this incontinence thing is really starting to piss me off. ( pun intended)... So Im in the same boat as you... Patience.
Posted 12/25/2011 1:02 PM (GMT 0)
Seems most of us had or are having about the same results on the incontinence thing.  If you think about it too much, that little trickle that can't be controled, will work on you mentally.  Trust me, it gets better with time.  I have a friend that went over two years (which is uncommon) with horrible incontinence.  He finally had a bladder sling operation and is under complete control of incontinence.  This fellow also had severe ED issues and I talked him into Trimix.  After a couple of failed tries he is now happy with Trimix and the ED results.  I may go that direction myself after my one year post op if things don't improve on the ED front. 

It's like my URO said, "A Prostecomy is not for P  U  S  S  Y 's". 

Posted 12/25/2011 2:08 PM (GMT 0)
:-)  Having my prostate removed four years ago and with no further problems with an increaced psa I remained incontinant..Everything I tried pumps pills injections nothing worked...I gather a combination of nerve damage or blood flow prevented any erection...My self esteem was shot..when it came to the memories of having sex or seeing a nice looking woman...This past May upon my yearly visit with my doctor I made the decision to go for a prostetic device implanted in me..For those interested in such endeavors there are two types available, research that, depending on how your procedure was ..I was pointed to the pump in place of one of my testicles..and the implant was acquired for the size I was (penis) prior to the procedure...Long story short..the pain treshold was intense to say the least, no sex for 6 weeks or longer depending on age etc..but in the long run I am very happy...Being 65 years old and blessed with good health...Go for it...Most insurance companys pay for this ,,medicare,etc...My bill came to 26 thousand...amazing ....Happy holidays...
Posted 12/25/2011 4:32 PM (GMT 0)

bogerman50 said...
I noticed a big inprovement in the last few days when i started execise and walking.This may not be advised but it seem to be working for me.

I don't know who would not be advising walking. Other than the first two weeks after surgery (when it was much less, and about all I could manage), I've been doing 3-6 miles of walking daily since two months before surgery. I leak more when walking, but I was discharged from the hospital with orders to walk at least 3 times per day. That was a total bear (and sloooow) with the catheter in, much better with the catheter out, and while I'm frustrated as heck that progress turned into regress at 6 weeks or so, (now 8-1/2 weeks) I might be back to where I was at the end of week 5 or so again, which is basically 1 pad per day. And I suppose part of getting worse at week six was likely the removal of my "don't pick up more than 15 lbs" restriction at the same point in time.

Part of it is also that I seem to have more trouble getting "empty" (since I did not have BPH, this is new territory for me.) Stream starts out good and strong, but when I think I'm done, I'm not. Repeatedly. Can't really be too much volume, but it sure is frustrating.
Posted 12/25/2011 5:26 PM (GMT 0)
RPN,

Walking suggestions depend on the patient and the type of surgery, so although we all encourage it, the surgeon's suggestions should get top billing. I've heard of some (in my support groups) who had sugestion for little but often because of surgery issues.

I'm surprised you were allowed 15 pounds - my surgeon's standard limit is 5 (FIVE) pounds for 60 days, then 10 for another 30. I was at 5 for three months, then ten for another two.

Everybody is different.

I saw that incontinence progess was not apparent. I wouldn't realize I had hit a level of improvement for a week or so. There were no "landmark" days. I would look back over a week or two, and could see a gradual trend. The biggest indicator was when the mega-packs of pads began lasting weeks instead of days.

Posted 12/26/2011 2:15 AM (GMT 0)
As you can see from the responses here, incontinence after RP surgery is very common. Being totally dry afterwards sometimes happens, but it's unusual.

Brace yourself for a 2-6 month bout of incontinence. Some guys go a year or more, but that appears to be rare too. Hang in there; this almost always clears up.

I'm sorry to hear you're surprised by this. If your urologist didn't tell you to expect it, shame on him!
Posted 12/26/2011 3:45 AM (GMT 0)
As I said earlier in this thread I was incontinent for about 13 months. Continence returned rather quickly after that time. I don't need to wear pads for any activity except running. Sneezing, heavy lifting, etc. is not a problem. Only when I run there is enough leakage that it would present a problem.

Best wishes,
Bob
Posted 12/26/2011 4:39 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks to all for the advice and imput. Now I know Im not the only one with this problem. You all are right, I just need to be patient, and after just 6 weeks out, I have a ways to go! I am trying to reduce my coffee intake. That's a problem in the mornings, but it I'll have to
get used to it. I go for my first PSA test since the procedure in a few days.

Schnauzter
Posted 12/26/2011 11:45 PM (GMT 0)
Here's my story:  5.2 PSA then biopsy.  Gleason 3+4.  robitic radical prostatectomy at St. Elizabeth's in Boston on 12/15/2011.  Out on the 16th and cathater removed on the 22nd.  I'm 69, 6'1" and 170# and great health.  Using 4 to 6 pads a day and getting really weary being soaked in urine all day.  OK when I sit but when getting up the flow starts.  I know it's only 4 days and I also know it will get better.  I'm on my way to my Florida home so will have plenty of time to walk and do the minor weight lifting (10# max) to get better. I'm a road and mountain biker but that will stop for a few months.  I appreciate all the other folks responding and telling their stories.  I must be patient. It will get better.  I keep a log on pad use (when and condition) as well any other information to track my condition.  Hopefully it will begin to show a positive trend.  Best to all this holiday season.
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