New to the forum

Hi guys (this is one of the few places you can say that and be completely correct) I had a robotic prostatectomy
on 8/21/2013. 3 weeks out from surgery. Other than putting up with drips, its been ok. Everything was contained and lymph nodes were negative. I'll do my first PSA in about 10 days. Glad to be here as I need some comforting words sometimes cause you all know this is hard no matter what we say.
PSA
2011 1.8
2012 2.2
2013 4.9
GL 3/4
Biopsy 12 cores-4 positive

I thought that was really great-low psa and 4 positives. Turned out to be 60% of the prostate involved.
I thought I would hate catheters and I did and still do! Perhaps someone can shed some light on this situation for me.

For 2 days after the catheter was removed, I had no drips, leakage and very good control. Tomorrow will be 2 weeks since catheter removal and it has continually progressed to very annoying leakage . My urologist is on vacation and hasn't answered my email yet--either that or their computer crashed. Anyway, my deduction that things healed and
internal swelling goes down, there is less pressure on the urethra. Without that pressure, incontinence starts to present it's ugly head.

Has anyone else had a similar situation? It's frustrating to feel it's getting worse instead of better.

Thanks

Watcher58,

Welcome, you have found a good place filled with many experienced men and women, some with cancer, some the loved one of someone with cancer, and all committed to supporting those in need.

Lots of folks here can give you advice as to what may come next. My suggestion is to ask many questions, take in all the answers, then discuss with your loved ones and your Dr. As you make your decisions.

My personal experience with continence was slow improvement after catheter removal to the point where I was down to one large pad a day at 3 mos, the progressing to one small pad a day (leaking protection for sneezing, etc) at about 4 mos.

I was suggested to avoid caffeine, minimize drinking later in the evening, and do my kegle exercises. I lost a significant amount of bladder control muscle in my surgery, so these suggestions were important to help me make the progress I have.

Sounds like your surgery may have successfully removed your cancer (negative margins as you said). That's great. Your PSA test coming up soon may not be as low as it would be at 3 mo after surgery.

Take care, be positive, and keep asking.

Pat

Thanks guys!

David,

Welcome to the forum, and welcome to the other side!

Carbonation, caffeine and alcohol can irritate the bladder and cause leaking. Also, during sexual situations your pelvic floor relaxes which can cause leaking.

Congrats on the great pathology report, and remember that patience and healing are key at this stage.

Mind if we ask your age?

-Gedman

Thank all for the good advice. I don't drink alcohol and under threat of death from my wife would I go anywhere near a soda. HOWEVER, I had been drinking more Ice Tea than I realized when I started checking quantities.
I cut that down and am doing much much better. Back to 1 pad per day as long as I don't go on a tea frenzy. Good advice for any 55 yo. We had some spicy chili last night and water alone would not extinguish the fire..so I had a few hours of increased leakage which thanks to you guys I knew was coming. That we last night. Today back to normal (whatever that means)Thanks for the support!