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Posted 12/18/2013 3:17 PM (GMT 0)
I'm having an issue with my bladder six weeks since my surgery.  I have a great flow but it seems that I can't empty my bladder.  My flow is just incredible when I think back how it was before my surgery. But I seem to go constantly and just never seem to totally empty my bladder.  Maybe it a mind issue but I'm basically dry using one pad a day for dribbles..........Anyone have the same experience 6 weeks out of surgery?

Thanks for your help.......Getting my first PSA check in early January.........Praying for a low number.

Berk

Posted 12/18/2013 3:30 PM (GMT 0)
That's something your urologist could measure quite easily.

Are you drinking 8 glasses of water a day?

I've had that same sensation a few times in the last 3 years al;ways after eating asparagus. I can't tell you why. But when I eat (ate) asparagus I would feel the urge to go every 10 min. Perhaps something you're eating/drinking is irritating your bladder?

I remember it took a while for my bladder to get back to full capacity but think that by 6 weeks I was okay. I was driving into NYC in 2-3 hour traffic 4 weeks out but remember getting into the office with urge to go. Perhaps you're still working your way back to "normal"

Anyway, it's a simple test with your urologist to verify if you're not voiding completely. I'd go if it concerns you. Best of luck.
Posted 12/18/2013 3:34 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks David. I'm probably drinking too much coffee when I think about it.
Berk
Posted 12/18/2013 3:44 PM (GMT 0)
You don't need to drink as much fluids 6 weeks out as you did just after surgery. At least you are almost dry. I still wear pads 16 months out.

Bill from Florida cool
Posted 12/18/2013 3:57 PM (GMT 0)
Bill,
My surgeon said to cut back my fluid intake until I returned for my next office visit in January.
Berk
Posted 12/18/2013 4:07 PM (GMT 0)
Berk - on water?
Posted 12/18/2013 8:12 PM (GMT 0)
Berk

I am one week after catheter removal, and I feel like you. The urge comes quickly. I feel that I am going a lot more than before, and I think there should be more urine but then I consider that I am going about 10 times per day, so there will be less.

I get away with wearing one pad per day. The only time I leak is when I get the urge, I need to be in the bathroom in about 30-45 seconds, or I start to leak. I am drinking a lot of water, which makes me go more. I stop drinking 2 hours before bed, and I now get up only once in the night to go.

The nurse at my doctors office said my urine output should match my intake. So if you are peeing the same amount you are taking in, you should be fine.
Also coffee(caffeine) is a know diuretic, that will cause you to void twice what you take in....lay off the coffee and/soda
Posted 12/18/2013 8:38 PM (GMT 0)
GC,

Thanks for the information...I plan to stop drinking coffee until I get things under control. Way too many trips to the bathroom.

I'll just drink water for now to see if it helps.

Berk
Posted 12/18/2013 8:49 PM (GMT 0)
Guys, remember that it takes the bladder a little time to remember what its capable of after the trauma of surgery.
Posted 12/18/2013 10:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Berk,
I have more to pee if I took too many cups of coffee, I think coffee irritate my bladder. I m restricting to 1 or at most 2 cups a day.
I m ok with other potential irritators of the bladder.
Good trying to find the coz ...
Posted 12/19/2013 1:11 AM (GMT 0)
Don't forget that you are also barely 6 weeks from the surgery. So this will probably improve as time goes on. Sounds like you'll be doing just great somewhere down the road.

Good luck!
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.
Pathology showed Gleason 3 + 3, pT2c, N0, MX, R1
adenocarcinoma of the prostate.
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, 9/9/13 PSA <0.1. PSA tests now annual.
Semi-firm erections now happening 14 months post-op & VERY slowly getting a bit stronger.
Posted 12/19/2013 1:37 AM (GMT 0)
Berk,

My experience is very similar. I'm 8 weeks out and use one pad a day/dry at night. Like you, I sometimes can't seem to completely void my bladder and end up going to the bathroom numerous times to empty less than an ounce of urine at a time. If I'm not near a bathroom, I will leak into my pad. This usually occurs in the PM, so my sphincter may be tired. I drink only one cup of coffee a day in the AM and don't drink water excessively. I can say that my daily walks have improved, i.e, very little leakage. I do about 100 kegels a day (20 at a time for an 8 count). I guess I'm making progress, but it's slow going--physically and mentally.

Good luck with your PSA test.
Bob
Posted 12/19/2013 1:27 PM (GMT 0)
BobF,

Today, I'm a one cup of coffee guy......I'm going to see if it makes a difference.

Thanks for your thoughts.......I have identical symptoms like you.

Merry Christmas............Berk

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