2 yrs Incontinent - options?

Hello Paul,

Welcome to the forum. Sorry you need to be here but glad you found us.

We have quite a few guys here with an AUS and, for the most part they are happy with them. Here is a long-runnng recent thread that talks about one guy's experiences with lots of comments from other members with similar histories:

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=3048370 -- Artficial Urinary Sphincter installed Friday 4/11 Activated, now dry!!!!

I myself am somewhat more than two years out from having my prostate removed and I still leak, although not as badly as you appear to do. I am currently talking to my urologist about a sling. I am sort of on the borderline between a sling and an AUS, in terms of my leaking, but I thought I would try the sling first because it is an easier surgery and gives a more natural result if it works. But I will cheerfully move on to an AUS if need be -- they are very successful devices, from what people tell me.

Thanks for the info. I had my surgery at the University of Chicago by Dr. Gary Steinberg.

I consulted with Dr. Gregory Bales, also U of C hospital, about the ASU.

Before moving forward I want to exhaust other possibilities.

Also, the info I have on ASU suggest problems with erosion, infection & mechanical issues. I have not heard from anyone with issues. The few people that have responded seem to be relatively new to ASU.

Anyone out there with other experiences and that have had it more than 2 years?

Welcome aboard Paul!

Peter gave you the link to my thread I started so others could follow me thru the installation of my AUS.

I was incontinent for 22 months with no sign of improvement when I had mine installed. It was nice to know that after 6 weeks healing, I was finally going to be dry.

I have had it 8 weeks now and it is the best thing I have ever done. It is like turning the faucet OFF! I do have a few dribbles when I cough or sneeze hard. I usually use a thin pad all day to avoid any accidents like that. But I don't use those thick pads any more.

Members like Knotreel and Neoman have helped me a lot.

Going thru 6-8 pads a day, the AUS will give you a new quality of life.

My doctor does the slings but he said it takes him the same time to install an AUS as a sling and the success rate is in the 90% range compared to 70% for slings. He called it the Gold Standard for incontinence as does the maker of the AUS American Medical.

If you are going to take it to the next step, why not use something like an AUS that has been around for 30 years and has been proven and tested to work better than anything else available.

Believe me, none of us are crazy about having a controller inserted in our scrotum but like anything, once you use it for awhile, it becomes second nature. Hell, I can wake up in the middle of the night to pee and reach right for it in the dark without thinking twice.

I am sure Neoman will be along soon and he can give you some personal advice.

Good luck with your decision. Read my thread that Peter provided the link for and see what the other members said during my journey. I had a hiccup near the end but all is good now.

My email is available by clicking on my name "Big Mac" to the left or clicking on the little envelope below my name if you would like any other input from me personally.

Bill from Florida

I was going to say a little more but I had to leave. As I said I have had it 3+ years and although the revision did not work as I hoped, the end result was very good, just not perfect like I first had. Perfect to me is 100% dry, no leaks, no pads. Now just using 1 shield per day and that is only fractionally wetted. The shield is the lightest of pads. Only problem with shields is that they are too small and don't "cup". For one brand that I use sometimes, I use two shields side by side for greater area coverage.
So, I think my result is about what you should expect more or less. The operation wasn't bad I thought and pain was minimal, but that varies. Considering what you have been though, this shouldn't be anything like that. It sounds like you went to the right place. Neoman, hasn't commented so far, but I think he is happy with his AUS except a surgeon messed up his first try. If your doctor is saying you should get the AUS, then maybe you should go with that. The urodynamics testing usually gives the doctors some insight for that recommendation.
6-8 pads/ guards per day is a lot to put up with, I think you will get some of your old life back.

I blog at BCAN www.inspire.com (Bladder Cancer Advocacy Net) also. I read from other Bladder Cancer guys about incontinency and refer them here because there are so many more guys with the AUS on this site. More PC surgeries than BC surgeries by far.

There are a few differences. With a Neo-bladder, we do not have a sense of urination. I kept a Timex timer alarm set @ 4 hours and voided usually before then. Sometimes @ 2 hours. If you wait to long, the pressure will force the urine to leak out.

With a Neo-bladder, we create mucus. From my experience, it is heavier than urine and tends to collect at the bottom of the Neo. Sometimes, it will force its way out, (very slippery) and you will find a blob in your Pad.

I just take that as a notice to go and void. Keep the bladder empty.

Sleeping on my belly or on my back also puts pressure in the Neo at nighttime. However that's the only differences that I can tell.

There is a possibility of erosion. There is also a possibility of anything that we do could cause something.

I wear one Depends men's pad. I do line the pad with a triple folded paper towel to catch leaks as I am very active everyday. When I void, I slip it out and put in a new one. Keeps the pad dry for the big one if I get it.

I run daily, lift heavy furniture (I own a furniture store in North Houston), wear shorts, can run around in the house naked and not leak on the floor where ever I go. Do not visualize that last statement!! ha ha

I am 4 years on the device.. Very happy. The failure rate is between 5-15 years. I am hoping for 15!!

NEO

Just do it. I have had my AUS since 2010. I was totally dry at first and now nwwe one pad per day. It will give you your life,back.i I also have some threads posted on my journey.