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Yey I'm continent!

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Posted 8/29/2013 4:31 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all

I'm 48 hours post catheter removal and I'm continent, yahoo!!!, my biggest fear about this whole saga was being incontinent for some huge amount of time.

Some issues though, I haven't sleep well the last 2 nights, need to get up 4-5 times a night, prior to RP I was once a night 2pm on the dot. After I was diagnosed I started using sleeping pills for the first time in my life, just couldn't get the brain out of gear thinking about how all of this may end, being G9 etc.
I would like to take a sleeping pill now, but are concerned that I would not wake with the bladder urge, anyone had experience with this??
I get grumpy when I don't get enough sleep and I'm not old enough to be that.
I also feel like I'm peeing when I'm not, how long does this last??

I know this is early days and everyone is telling me to be patient, but.....

On the side, I remember reading a sign in a loo when I was a kid, "stand closer, it's shorter than you think" this now applies to me!
Posted 8/29/2013 4:48 AM (GMT 0)
absolutely wonderful news.

I was getting up to pee multiple times a night at that stage also, each time it verified my ability to control it. A compromise I gladly accepted.

Looks like you've had plenty of pleasant surprises after the tough news you got on your biopsy. Not sure things could have gone better for you, well done.
Posted 8/29/2013 11:20 AM (GMT 0)
I personally would wait with the sleeping pills. Maybe after a week or so your sleep will adjust.

Also, ask your internist about a minimal dose of the sleeping pill. May as well start as low as possible and maybe it will strike a balance between sleep and getting up. And clear it with your urologist.

My urologist is very conservative and didn't even want me to start on multivitamins until the six weeks were up.
Posted 8/29/2013 11:21 AM (GMT 0)
Hey jet -

I was continent right away as well, but was also getting up multiple times each night with a strong urge to urinate. At 8 1/2 weeks post, I now get up once at the most - some nights I sleep right through.

And yes, I know what you mean about feeling like you're peeing when you're not - I had that same feeling, and wore a light pad because of it - but the pad was always dry. Eventually, the feeling lessened, and I stopped wearing the pads - it happened gradually - couldn't tell you when exactly!

Up until last week, I also occasionally had the feeling that urine had "dropped" into the urethra, and would sprint to the restroom - often it was when I was sitting or partially reclining, like on the couch watching TV. Hasn't happened in the last week or so, tho - maybe I'm past that as well.

In terms of the sleeping pill...definitely check with your doc about it - but if you decide to go that route, maybe wear a heavier pad that night just in case - and then, don't worry about it. I took an Ambien for similar reasons a few weeks back, and was fine.

I hope you continue to do well - it is always nice when things go better than you expect they will!

Doug
Posted 8/29/2013 1:30 PM (GMT 0)
jet -
That's great news. After I had the cath removed on day #8, the doc had me stay in his waiting room for an hour and drink a lot of water (wanted to make sure I could pass urine). Amazingly, I had full control and could start/stop flow in the bathroom when I felt the urge to urinate, just like before the surgery. I had a tiny bit of leaking that stopped after a few days, and then donated an almost full package of pads to a homeless shelter.

Today, very very rarely I'll leak a few drips - usually if I laugh hard with a bladder full of carbonated soda. I also use the bathroom before intimacy to avoid leaking a few drips during orgasm. Doc says both of those cases are very common, and resuming kegels would resolve those too.

Doug -
I used to also get a "trickle" sensation that felt like a bit of urine dropped from the bladder into the urethra, and ran to the bathroom to find that I hadn't leaked at all and there did not appear to be any urine present when I gave willy a shake/squeeze. That sensation stopped occurring a month or two after the cath was removed.

-Gedman
Posted 8/29/2013 1:40 PM (GMT 0)
Great news Jet -- especially on the down staging and clear margins / nodes!

It was very gutsy for you to chose surgery with those stats, but that has really paid off.

I am jealous of your and the others' continence. While mine has not really been bad, I am just finally nearly completely dry at 3mo...
Posted 8/29/2013 1:49 PM (GMT 0)
NJS - Dry at 3 months is excellent. Sure, 3 more months of anguish than some of us, but a bright future ahead.
Posted 8/29/2013 1:51 PM (GMT 0)
great news, jet. really good news

on the sleeping pills, short term use is not going to hurt you. I have been on ambien for over 13 years, and back when I still urinated in the normal way, it never kept me from going to the bathroom if needed.

proper sleep during your recovery stage is an important as proper pain control in my opinion. your choice, but it may help you if you can get several good nights sleep in a row.

david
Posted 8/29/2013 2:07 PM (GMT 0)
Jet, I just wanted to say congratulations on the great news!

Jim
Posted 8/29/2013 2:10 PM (GMT 0)

davidg said...
NJS - Dry at 3 months is excellent. Sure, 3 more months of anguish than some of us, but a bright future ahead.

Thanks david. I recognize that and am grateful for where I am. And it's never really risen to "anguish" with the exception possibly of first week post-cath. But I am still jealous :-)
Posted 8/29/2013 2:11 PM (GMT 0)
Jet - I'd avoid the sleeping pills. Your bladder is dense, but it will re-adapt quicker than you think. You'll see progress in what it can retain on a weekly basis.

I'm very weary of any pills and sleeping pills have been known to cause problems in some people.
Posted 8/29/2013 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks to all for the words of wisdom and encouragement, and that the feeling/bladder issues are not just me!
I did sleep better last night, had to get up 3 times, but did sleep from 2-6am in one hit and feel much better today, so I think I will pass on the sleeping pills until the new normal arrives.

I guess things are going well, walking 4km per day, continent, and there are signs of life "down there"
not useable, but it does get 3 times bigger than it's new shortened resting state LOL
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