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Posted 6/14/2015 6:27 PM (GMT 0)
I'm post surgery Davinci robotic Prostatetomy at 2 weeks. PSA 6.7, Gleason 9 (8 of 12 biopy positive)Been following Dr's order exactly! Will have first blood work in 2 1/2 months. Other than no heavy lifting, I've got basically a green light to live as normal. Doing my 10 X10 Kegels per day and walking.
Does anyone recall when they where at this point of having a couple beers or whiskey/water? Just to be clear, I'm talking 2 beers maybe 3 in an entire evening or 2 - 3 drinks over an evening on maybe one night per week!
If I did "partake" ... has anything changed since before surgery? Does the beer flow straight through? Extra leakage? Any comments would be greatly appreciated.
Posted 6/14/2015 6:34 PM (GMT 0)
HD, welcome to the other side, hope your recovery goes smoothly, and glad to see you already have an interest in BEER!!!

Alcohol is an irritant to the bladder, just as caffiene is. I do have an occasional beer or martini now and then, but limit myself to one or two, and even at that, i go to the bathroom "pre-emptively" to avoid an unexpected leak (i am 5 months out and fully continent.)

FWIW, i stayed completley away from alcohol for about 2 months and Caffiene for about a month. Now i drink Half-calf coffee in the morning, and i handle it fine.
Posted 6/14/2015 6:40 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the feedback ... as Sgt Schultz from Hogans Heros use to say "I know nothing"!!! (If you get this your old like me...I'm 60) :) We use to go out for "date nights on Friday nights". I want as much feedback as I can get, "as this is all new to me"! I'd rather ask those who have been there, done that...before diving in! Apparently my wife has a designated drive for along time!

Please keep the feedback coming! Thanks for sharing
Posted 6/14/2015 6:45 PM (GMT 0)
Yup, i still watch Hogans Heroes on occasion. You think you are hold at age 60? I would give my left nut to be 60 (I'm 64).

Your as old as you let yourself think you are. (as i try to take my own advice right now)
Posted 6/14/2015 6:48 PM (GMT 0)
I waited about a five weeks before having any alcohol.

The first beer I had was a happy hour 22oz and before I got hallway through it I had soaked my pad and started running down my leg. I had no indication it was running right through me until my leg felt wet.

It continued this way for about another month or so. I found frequent trips to the urinal, about every 15 minutes, whether I felt the urge or not, helped to contain any escape to the pad I was wearing.

Just make sure you have a change of clothes, extra pads, a good sense of humor and enjoy that first beer when you are ready.


Jon
Posted 6/14/2015 6:54 PM (GMT 0)
HD, I'd suggest you start easy. Like one beer at home, where no one except you will care if you leak a little. I'd ask first, how are you doing on the continence front? Is it still a faucet, or are you mostly dry?

You're asking good questions. I understand wanting your life back. It will come back in time. I do know this: everytime I tried rushing into something, it bit me back. You'll get there.
Posted 6/14/2015 7:01 PM (GMT 0)
I had my first beer the day the catheter came out and haven't looked back! I pee more but in the toilet not my pants, I've been lucky in the continence department at least. If I were you I would take it slowly like the boys said and experiment at home first.

Cheers! Doug
Posted 6/14/2015 7:23 PM (GMT 0)
As an avid home brewer for over 22 years this and OJ are the two things that I hated to do without, well ok canine through Diet Pepsi too!

So after a time I did and continue to have a few...I have had more than a few accidents due to drinks, and had to change clothes more than once. But that hadn't stopped me.

I am very excited to have ,y new device activated in 5 weeks and 5 days, as I can then enjoy a few more craft beers.

I also have a plan of actually starting my own brewery...completed my BP, actually officially formed the LLC, and gave a small grant yo jump start things, just need to find how me where the rest of the money is going to one from! Cheers enjoy your beer!
Posted 6/14/2015 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
Dear HDHOG,

Harry Callahan once said " a man's got to know his limitations."

Any restrictions on beverages would negatively impact my QOL. So, I decided to start training my bladder by knowing my TTP, Time To Pee based on the drink and to NOT avoid bladder irritants. My top two irritants are Diet Pepsi and Espresso Coffee and I enjoy each of them every day, sometimes more than once. I just know my TTP will be a shorter duration. Beer is a little better and water is just like it was prior to RP. I've spent two years using this theory and while YMMV, this works for me. Oh, once when I was on the road and couldn't get Diet Pepsi I drank water before bed and when I get up the next morning I was worried that I didn't need to pee and thought I might need an emergency catheter! Nope, just didn't irritate the bladder and all was good. Reminded me of when I was young,

You've gotten good advice to start training on home turf. Drink, Pee and Enjoy!

Luther

Ps, Harry Callahan, aka Dirty Harry
Posted 6/14/2015 10:07 PM (GMT 0)
Well put Luther!!

Cheers, Doug
Posted 6/14/2015 10:35 PM (GMT 0)
I will suggest; try to avoid it if still incontinence, definitely irritated the bladder.
If really must have it...limit the intake..1/2 pint...lol
Posted 6/15/2015 12:06 AM (GMT 0)
Great suggestions from all!
Posted 6/15/2015 2:30 AM (GMT 0)
Beer and liquor both contain the alcohol that bothers the bladder, but beer adds the carbonation factor.

I had to give up anything carbonated, including sparkling waters, sparkling wines, soda pop, and of course beer. Any of those is a guaranteed massive leak a couple of hours later, so no beer after 5pm for me.
Posted 6/15/2015 3:07 AM (GMT 0)
I've started to drink beer in the bathroom. Saves a lot time and worry later...
Posted 6/15/2015 4:12 AM (GMT 0)
I'm not much help as I am yet to have the surgery. Seeing another uroligist tommorrow.

I was not aware that you needed to restrict certain drinks. As a coffee addict Im not looking forward to that. How does this impact on your daily life, especially if I am still working? I guess it may depend on each person how this effects them.

Post Edited (damparker) : 6/15/2015 7:46:25 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/15/2015 10:15 AM (GMT 0)
Damparker, your last statement is accurate, everyone is different. I was fortunate enough to be dry from basically day one and have not given up anything. The only thing I avoid is artificial sweeteners as they make me urinate frequently at night, never liked them anyway! You will need to find your own limits and triggers, experiment at home. Worked for me!

Cheers, Doug
Posted 6/15/2015 1:15 PM (GMT 0)
Damparker:
Today is day 15 post surgery RP (Davinci)...per surgery I was a 3 20oz mug guy in morning and probably 1 mid day... post surgery I'm at (no more no less, my choice) 2 - 12oz cups, then done. I really can't say I feel anything irritated?? but once the "tap is open, its a go often". What still seems weird to me is, I have a stream, but there's no pressure of power to it. I do start and stop it (kegels) without any issue. But its just not the same. Another way to put it, I won't be writing my name in the snow anytime soon.
God speed to you
Posted 6/16/2015 12:43 AM (GMT 0)
I'm 18 months post RALP. For most of the first year, I avoided beer, especially in public because of the need to urinate quickly and often. I mostly drank bourbon on the rocks to avoid that. Now, I can drink both but I've acquired a tasted for mixed drinks.
Posted 6/16/2015 3:44 AM (GMT 0)
HDHOG, I am 5 months post op. In the beginning, when I had my catheter taken out, my stream wasn't that strong either. Over a relatively short time, maybe a month, it got stronger and I got to a point where I was like a water canon. Once I actually had to step back from the urinal because it was splashing back at me.

But still sometimes, especially if I don't have to go that badly, it comes out weak.
I think it's the new normal, that it can vary
Posted 6/16/2015 4:43 AM (GMT 0)
HDHOG,

I drank heaps of Ciders during those first few months. I also drank lots of Coffee (say 3-4 cups a day) and my incontinence did not last too long. ( see my story below).

I still do bladder training; I drink a few beers or Guiness and hold for as long as I can. I'd sometimes drink 3 glasses of water just to see if I could hold it. So far so good! My incontinence nurse told me to hold back a bit in those first few months and not to rush to the loo every time the urge comes along. When the urge comes breath and relax. Sometimes the urge subsides and all is well again.
.
Posted 6/16/2015 4:13 PM (GMT 0)
PSADOT7, thanks for giving me link to your story! I also am a G9'er...your the first I've visited chatted with. "MAN, that's many months down the road...I'm at 2 weeks(this is soooooo mental). I'm 60 and they saved both Nerves!
Pratoman: good info on the stream! appreciate you sharing your "month"s and stream detail.

I just need to get my head around "don't expect to much this year" I guess.
Posted 6/16/2015 10:32 PM (GMT 0)
HDHOG, you're just getting used to the idea of it all. It's a lot to absorb. And a G9 to boot.

We all have a 'new normal' to adjust to. It's different for all of us. Here's where I was 2 weeks post op:

Catheter out on day 7, which would have been February 24. It was about 5 below zero and snow on the ground. I was freaking stir crazy and couldn't do anything about it. Daytime TV sucks. I went back to work on day 20, just to get out of the house. By then I was doing 30 minutes a day on the treadmill, followed by an hour nap.

Alcohol was not even a consideration for a bit longer. I was wearing pads 24/7 until week 4, then went to the depends 'shields'. Then, one day about week 7 or 8, I decided to go without just to see how it worked.

You'll make it, it takes time. And, you'll discover that the new normal isn't all that bad. Different, yes. (Naps are a wonderful thing), but not bad at all. Then the day will come where PC isn't even something you think about all day. Then it's 2 days. Then a week. It really does happen.
Posted 6/16/2015 11:03 PM (GMT 0)
I keep looking at the title of this thread, "Beer or Alcohol," and my mind keeps asking:

"Why not both?"
Posted 6/16/2015 11:54 PM (GMT 0)
IntheShop =you make me laugh! :)

Halbert - great data from someone who's been down this road...super helpful. I've also been documenting in total detail every step of the way, from decisions, to Dr's, to what I ate each day. Once I get down the road aways, hopefully it will help the next guy.

Here's my thought from today - went to work for a couple hours. In todays world...meaning equal rights for both men/women...why isn't there a "napkin dispenser" in the mens restroom! :) Women have one!!
(Only meant to lighten things up!)
Posted 6/17/2015 1:13 AM (GMT 0)
I go backpacking, river floating, camping,and sporting events with a group of friends that have been known to get a few sheets in the wind. Nothing I drink currently makes any difference.
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