In the blues but getting better

I'm new to this site but it is something that I've been looking for.
I had the robotic surgery on May 13th of this year. It's almost two months. Surgery was easy on the system but the incontinency is something else. I can deal with a broken bone or other surgery recovery but this constant leakage thing has really changed my life style.
Up until two weeks ago I was probably going through 10 maybe even 15 guards a day. No control.
I've been doing Kegels religiously and have gone to two therapy sessions so far. In addition, I'm trying something for OAB called Myrbetriq. Since they all started at about the same time I don't know what is working but I've had some small changes.
I guess that I am really wondering about the time before I get back to normal. Will I ever?

redfreak - been there done that - changed my clothes - you are still in the healing mode ( we don't recover as quickly as we used to when we were children) - and it can take about 14 weeks for you to have the nerves and such start communicating with each other again.
I finally started to get some control over my bladder at week 16 - a week prior to that I was so fed up, I was shopping around for condom catheters - pincher things ( eek) , anything to control the uncontrollable flow - it was worse when I would stand up to get out of the car -it was like floodgates being released.... so I know your frustration and worries.
Right now I am at a pad a day ( no real leaks, but change it anyway to stay fresh) - and dealing with the "new normal" that is post-treatment PCa.

-try not to beat yourself up over not being totally continent - you are still in healing mode.
-do not overdue your kegels ( often it is recommended 100 a day - 5 sessions of 20 reps each)- that can tire out the muscles.
-avoid or reduce the diuretics - ie. wine / beer / cola/ carbonated drinks - they make you pee more .... but do stay hydrated with water - especially in this weather.

-take care,
relax
it will get better

hugs,
Bronson

Hi there,

As the others have noted, you are still well within the recovery period. It may take the longer route before you are fully recovered, but it should start improving as time goes on.

One caution on kegels -- and you should consult with your doctor on this because I don't want to contradict any medical instructions you may have been given.

Anyway, my urology team at Mayo Clinic has told me to just do ONE SET of kegels per day and no more than that (about 6-7 times). From what I understand, too many kegels can tire out a muscle that, by nature, is not extremely robust.

So it "might" be possible to overdo it and actually go backward if too many kegels are performed. They also told me to do the one set each day for the rest of my life. It's recommended that they be done sitting on a toilet and just prior to bedtime so that they can rest, etc.

Anyway, for whatever this may be worth, I hope it is helpful to you.

Chuck

Resident of Highland, Indiana just outside of Chicago, IL.
July 2011 local PSA lab reading 6.41 (from 4.1 in 2009). Mayo Clinic PSA Sept. 2011 was 5.7.
Local urologist DRE revealed significant BPH, but no lumps.
PCa Dx Aug. 2011 at age of 61.
Biopsy revealed adenocarcinoma in 3 of 20 cores (one 5%, two 20%). T2C.
Gleason score 3+3=6.
CT of abdomen, bone scan both negative.
DaVinci prostatectomy 11/1/11 at Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN), nerve sparing, age 62.
My surgeon was Dr. Matthew Tollefson, who I highly recommend.
Final pathology shows tumor confined to prostate.
5 lymph nodes, seminal vesicles, extraprostatic soft tissue all negative.
1.0 x 0.6 x 0.6 cm mass involving right posterior inferior,
right posterior apex & left mid posterior prostate.
Right posterior apex margin involved by tumor over a 0.2 cm length, doctor says this is insignificant.
Prostate 98.3 grams, tumor 2 grams. Prostate size 5.0 x 4.7 x 4.5 cm.
Abdominal drain removed the morning after surgery.
Catheter out in 7 days. No incontinence, occasional minor dripping.
Post-op exams 2/13/12, 9/10/12, PSA <0.1. PSA tests now annual.
Semi-firm erections now happening 14 months post-op & VERY slowly getting a bit stronger.

I too had the RP on May 16 and like you my control was zero for the first 4 weeks to 5 weeks and like you I finally was able to hold some to make the toilet.  at 8 weeks I am good at night and sitting I can hold it a while after getting up but eventally it starts leaking.  I think I am getting better but it is sooooooo sllllooooow.  If I walk I am usually leaking.  Dr. said because of the weak pelvic muscle and a strong bladder than had been pushing the urine out  for so many years it would just take time for the two to reverse. He is pretty confident I will be continent so I just go on and try to make the best of the situation. May we both heal soon.