New Member with incontience

Hi everyone, I was Dx on 6-5-13 and had an Da Vanci on 8-26-13 and I am 4 days post catheter removal. and Have some questions for you veterans here. I am doing fairly well but have some issues. I stay dry all night as I pee just about every 2 hours, during the day it seems like I have an urge to pee every 15 minutes and no matter how long I wait I only pee a little. Did any of you have this and how long did it take for it to get better? I want to take a long car ride but I'm afraid I'll have to stop at every gas station.

Thanks for any reply's
Krugzz

Krugzz,

It is a process and you need to be patient. Good news is there will likely be some significant progress in the first week or two (after which the progress may slow down).

If you are having urgency this could be bladder spasms. After being continually drained by the cath for a week or two the bladder gets lazy and it takes a while for it to get used to holding fluid again. Try to resit the urge and not go every 15 minutes. Remain sitting or laying down if that helps keep it in (you are still supposed to be in recoup period after all). Walking / moving around can cause spasms. Also, while you will not want to drink too much at the same time it is important to drink enough (preferably just water) so that your urine does not become concentrated as this is a bladder irritant and will cause spasms. Ibuprofen can also help to stop spasms.

Dry at night first night post cath. Got up to go about every 2 hours, so you're on track. It took a little longer to train my bladder to hold more urine, but it got there.

3 months out, I'm just about back to normal. Measure your progress in weeks, not days, and it will weigh better on your mind.

Patience grasshopper, you are doing great, I had my op 8/13, so I know the feeling, the urge to go is getting longer between visits to the loo, just about drove me nuts the first couple of days.
What sets off the urge for me is the sound of running water, I have asked my wife not to flush the loo in the middle of the night lol, I have been dry at nights since the catheter came out and with no accidents and I don't want any. I still get the feeling that I am peeing myself sometimes, but actually aren't, this is disconcerting and makes confidence in public places a worry, this is becoming less and less as time goes by.
My nurse told me to try and hold on past the urge phase, "you don't need to pee every 15mins, try and retrain your bladder" easier said than done!
Ps. don't go past any running fountains when in town, I was on my way to the public loo when I came across one, talk about putting some urgency into a situation lol, finally get to the loo to find the b.... bladder was only 25% full...all part of it I guess.
I have also cut down on foods/drinks which have a diuretic effect to try help things along.
I am most greatfull to be contient at this stage of recovery.

Thank you all for your replys you give me confidence that I will improve and return to my hobbies soon. I added my signature for personal info

Thanks Krugzz