Incontinence! Will i ever be dry?

Hang in there dribbles,
it's early days, can take a while to get control back, make sure you are doing excercises properly, I never needed or tried meds but got very down about it. It's frustrating but there's been a whole lot of cutting and stitching going on near nerves so it all has to heal. try and note if there is any improvement week on week. I think it took me 4 weeks or so to get some control back and was pad free at 7 to 8 weeks and I think I was faster than a lot of others, so be patient, as horrible as it is. My Doc put it like this at about 3-4 weeks post op you kind of crash a bit it's like running a marathon the diagnosis the choices, decisions, the lead up to surgery, then, it's all over and you fall in bit of a heap, hang in there it will get better, don't beat yourself up.
good luck

dribble -
- you are still in healing mode - you body has to get used to the new configuration for the plumbing and then let the body parts start talking to each other again
- it can take 14-16 weeks before nerve endings and such start responding
-keep up with the kegels but don't overdo it and get tired out - my doc had me do 20 reps 5 X a day
- I finally started getting control again after 16 weeks
- wishing you drier time
hugs,
Bronson

Dribbles: I feel your pain because I'm right behind you on this journey. I had RRP on Jan 3rd 2012 and cath out on Jan 9th in the am. On Jan 9th I had zero control. Jan 10th I was dry while sitting and sleeping but leaked every time I got out of bed or the chair. I was weighing my depends but found that fluctuated with water intake. I've had one short period of time where I could retain some urine. One evening the wife and I were watching the movie "Water for Elephants". While watching this movie, my bladder filled more than normal. When I got up I didn't leak a drop. Next morning we went for our morning walk and I was able to piss 275 cc of urine upon return. The next morning I was able to pee 225 cc. I did leak these two mornings but it sure gave me encouragement being able to hold back some urine. I haven't been able to do that since. I'm semi retired and had to shut down the auto repair business I ran out of my house. Based upon how much I leak while walking, I would have to change my depends at least once every hour if not more while working. With customers just dropping by unannounced, it can be difficult to get away for the 10-15 minutes to clean up. I find it frustrating with stats like 92% of men are continent after 1 year because we just don't know when our how long or journey will be. I also wish to start working on penile rehab but attempting sex will be limited with a dribbling willy. I build up stress working at a desk all day, and I know this because I've had to do this several times in my life. With that said I may go looking for a desk job in the crappiest job market since the 1930s. I cannot do the things I love right now because of my constant dribble even if I could afford the expensive gas so why not look for something to make money. The stats listed above sound about right from what I've read so it is still early to tell. Good luck to you. BTW that was a great movie

Gee Dribbles I am in the same boat. Surgery dec 16, 2011 and catheter out Dec 28th. Can hold some urine in my bladder while sitting and laying but upright I am a fountain.

Plus, I suffer from a dull ache in the penis and constant urge to go when standing. Is it the same with anyone? Bad enough the leakage but that dull pain is annoying... like a slow pull of the urethra I think. Hope its just the stitches from surgery.

Thanks to all. hang in there Dribbles, you are not alone.

Dribbles -glad you feel better about this - whereabouts are you from? - you sound like another Englishman - always more comforting in numbers - are your stats good and stable or still in flux?
-keep us posted on your progress - all the best,
Bronson

Hi Guys
I feel so much better for reading your messages that i have decided to write a diary covering peaks and troughs, highs and lows.
24/1. Good night sleep - up twice -made it to the loo once and nearly once.
Decided to take last Regurin Xl tablet - dont want bladder to get lazy
Kegel exercises in bed followed by
Breakfast - cereal with fruit + cup of tea
9am- good brisk walk for one hour - trickling all the way but doesnt appear to be as heavy.
10am - get rid of pad, shower and back to bed for a rest with hot cordal drink (told to minimise caffeein, alcohol, carbonated drinks and cranberry juice - surprised abiut the juice especially since ive been drinking gallons since my op in december. Apparently its ideal in preventing infections otherwise in cases like hours ie post op it can agitate further the over active bladder so water it is from now on.
Feel quite tired as i write this so having a nap
Which will be followed by kegel exercise before i get up at about lunchtime.
People from work coming to see me later so a little nervous especially on arrival and having to meet them at the door and againg when i get up from the chair to see them off.
Dribbles

Hi jeff and thanks for the link to english alf's diary - impressive. I didnt log the loo visits because im continually peeing when stood and continuing visiting he loo in the hope that i can actually do a few drips but as soon as i get there- guess what i stop peeing. Until i witness a few drops being poured down the loo theres no point in recording this. Hopefully in future entries i may record such wonderment.
Dribbles

Welcome,

I'll be at week 7 in a few days and am still leaking.  I started a "Health Log" on my PC and update it almost daily.  That way I can see the progress week over week.  Dry at night and while sitting, but now I can hold it dryly until I get to the bathroom.  Still leaking during the day but am holding a bit also.  Step changes over time. I started with 6 to 8 pads a day and am now at 2 - 3. My mental condition needs constant refreshing.  Woe is me and all that stuff.  Stay positive and keep doing all the good things to make you better. You found the forum for information and group support.

Ouch, Billy!

Distributing pharmaceuticals without a license!

Oh Kev, you are such a

Hi Steve,

If you could post your stats in your signature panel, that would be most helpful
for guys trying to assist with your question.

Kev

Dribbles-- I noted you mentioned you had a couple bouts of UTIs. I started a decline in my early continence (1-2 pads/day up to 8 pads/day) when I got a UTI. I've had a history of UTIs prior, so I was very familiar with the symptoms and could tell when it was coming on. Since then, I had a brief decrease in pads, followed by another increase that I THINK was related to overzealous use of the VED. (See thread).

I also noticed that during my UTI, I could feel a particularly sharp pain right were the external urinary sphincter is. While peeing, if you shut off the flow with a kegel, you should be able to locate the position of that muscle. While "pee-kegeling" during the UTI, I could feel that pain at that location. My guess is that the UTI impacts this muscle, as it does other tissues and that's why the incontinence increases.

Several mentioned using ointment (Desitin, zinc oxide) to help create a moisture barrier during this time. I would suggest using polysporin or another antibiotic cream on the penis instead, due to your history of infections. Per my doc's instructions, I was using this around the tip of the penis while the cath was in. When I get a UTI, my urethra tingles/itches from just inside the tip of the penis to about 2-3 inches inward. If you get those symptoms too, you might kill two birds with one stone by using the polysporin. Of course, so this isn't confused with medical advice, you should consult your physician re: this suggestion.