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Posted 7/26/2012 2:57 PM (GMT 0)
I had my rectum and prostate removed on 9/6/2011 and I still have bladder control problems. Sure take a long time to get that full control back. I have no problem with peeing but leakage while sleeping as a small problem. No question hear; just an observation.
Posted 7/26/2012 7:47 PM (GMT 0)
Ray,

Welcome to HW. Glad you posted.

Sounds like you had more than just the average prostatectomy. Not many guys here have the rectum removed.

Average time here seems to be 3 to 4 months for continence to return, if it is going to. Took me 8 months, but I still squirt a little here and there. I wear a small pad just so I don't have tell everyone I spilled my drink in my lap every day.

I would assume you are doing kegals. A lot of guys here do not leak at night, but occasionally leak during the day. Hopefully you will tighten up a little at night in the next few months.

Good luck, be thankful you got the cancer out. I figure I can trade a few drops in the pants for a few more years on this side of the grass.
Posted 7/26/2012 8:36 PM (GMT 0)
Ray,

Welcome.

My surgeon told me before my RRP that there might be a chance of a colostomy. Permanent or temporary. This was due to repeated bouts of painful prostatitis. The surgeon said that there could be significant scar tissue due to the prostatitis that could make a colostomy necessary. If there was too much scar tissue, part of my rectum could have been removed...meaning a permanent colostomy and no reversal.

I did have a quick look at your info and saw that you had rectal cancer.

Good luck with the leaking and hope it corrects...and hope you're cancer free.

Mike
Posted 7/26/2012 9:36 PM (GMT 0)
ray, welcome to our corner of the net, glad you found us, sorry you had the need.

yes, any type of incontinence, small or big, is an aggervating problem to deal with. have you been working directly with your doctor(s) on this subject? Have they given you any suggestions or help? there are many men here experienced with long term incontinence, perhaps you will pick up some good tips, other than the standard answer of keagels. i never did them, except for one day, as i had the opposite problem, i had so many stricture problems, i couldn't go most times on my own, so dripping or leaking was never an issue. to make a long story short, ended up having to have my bladder bypassed and have an urostomy (stoma) and will forever pee into a bag that is part of a 2 piece device. without the device, from a technical point of view, i would be considered 100% incontinent forever, such is the life of someone with an ostomy.

hope you "dry up" soon, and can put this part behind you. good luck with the rest of your recovery, and please keep us well posted of your journey.

david in s.c.
Posted 7/27/2012 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
Great info and thoughts y'all. Yup, I have rectal cancer and it was spreading to my prostate so both had to come out. I'll be pooping in a bag for the rest of my life but feel fortunate it was caught early. My 16 hour surgery was on 9/6/2011 and I still wet myself a little sometimes. Usually when sleeping or lifting something heavy. Also had 13 lymph nodes removed so I had a CT done and node showed up. While on my first six months of chemo the nodes did not grow. move, multiply... nothing. After 3 months off chemo had another CT and the lung nodes were growing so while on chemo it must have made them dormant but I have now started yet another round of chemo. I don't have "lung cancer" I have rectal cancer that spread to my lungs so basically the chemo is the same drugs. I'm also on a double blind clinical trial. Might be getting another, might not. Nobody knows but the drug company. I feel good, get around good (except for this cast on my broken foot, but that's another story) and being positive that me, my oncologist, and the Lord are going to heal me. I have cancer, but cancer doesn't have me! Cheers to you all my friends. Stay close.
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