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Have you experienced this pain?

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Posted 12/23/2015 5:08 AM (GMT 0)
Hello all, I am new here and finding a lot of much needed info. This is a great place to learn.

A little about myself. I am 47 and 25 days past my Robotic Prostate removal. My father died at the age of 64 with prostate and colon cancer. My brother also had the misfortune of the same prostate cancer and had his removed 4 years ago, he is doing very well. I was found to have a high PSA and prostate symptoms at the age of 40. I have been monitoring ever since and with PSA jumping to near 10 this year. My Urologist had biopsies done finding cancer. After looking at the different options available and watching my father go thru his troubles decided upon the robotic removal. The surgery was a success and both nerves were left. The prostate was very large I was told at 121g.

So far no surprise I am having having bladder control problems, no erections, finding it hard to set upright and very itchy incisions that are still healing. It's very early on for me from the post that I have read so far and I have a good ways to go yet.

My question I find very difficult to explain what I am feeling. Possibly someone else can make sense of my explanation. In the past several days I have noticed when going to the restroom while setting I fell like my insides are really pushing down causing a different pain than I have felt to this point. It seems now when having a bowl movement which has not been to big of an issue to this point I am getting a eye opening pain after the movement when everything tightens kind of like doing a kegel exercise that radiates from my insides, in my penis and testicles. Stool is not hard or large and is not a problem itself when passing. It is a bit alarming to me. When calling my Dr's office I was given the advise to see my general practice doctor which seems a bit off with everything that I have been thru with this procedure with them. This symptom may be business as usual after this procedure but has me alarmed especially heading into the holidays. weekend.
Posted 12/23/2015 5:33 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the forum, Inthfam
Sorry you have to be here. It has been a long time since my RP, but I do recall that bowel movements were very uncomfortable for a few weeks. The colon is pretty close to the surgical site, and the colon wall is thinned during the procedure, and poop moves right by that region that has had all the attention. By all means follow your doc's advice, but if it goes like mine did, things will be much better in a week or so.
I wish you a speedy recovery.
Jeff
Posted 12/23/2015 5:35 AM (GMT 0)
Inthefam,
Welcome to the HW forum!
You are right. This is a good place to get very good advice and information. I'm just not the one to give it on this topic. I just wanted to welcome you and assure you that someone who can help you will be along shortly yeah
Posted 12/23/2015 6:47 AM (GMT 0)
Hello InTheFam,

Welcome to the forum. Sorry you needed to look for us but glad you found us. Hope we can help.

It is quite common for one's various parts to hurt when defecating during the several months after surgery and it usually doesn't mean anything. The sensory nerves tend to be irritated by the surgery and one feels the pain where the nerves end. This is called "referred pain" and a pain felt at the end of one's member is a classic after prostate surgery.

Stool softeners are your friend. That might be something to talk to your primary care doc about but feel free to complain to your surgeon* as well -- that's why he gets paid the big bucks.

*more likely you will talk to his nurse
Posted 12/23/2015 1:23 PM (GMT 0)
Inthefam, welcome to Healingwell.

I don't remember exactly the pain you refer to, but I do remember that for many many months I had pain and other odd sensations when having a bowel movement. I am almost at the one year mark post surgery, and don't experience that much anymore. It's only been a couple of months that the odd sensations and pain have subsided.

Your body is healing from a major trauma, and I suspected what you describe is part of the healing process. But I'm no Dr and neither are any of. Us here, so if it continues to bother you and weighs on your mind, talk to your PCP as suggested by the surgeon. Maybe before you do, ask that the surgical notes be sent to your PCP.
On a side note, I may be wrong, but I think your surgeon is a dick for not giving you a better response than "discuss it with your PCP. He did the surgery, it sounds like he wants to wash his hands of any issues that come up as a result.
Posted 12/23/2015 1:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hello: I had my RP surgery over 4 years and sometimes (every month or so still) get a very severe pain almost exactly as you describe.. It comes on fast; lasts for about 10 minutes, and then gradually leaves. The pain in is my rectal area along with my testicles. It is often so severe that I sweat and get sick to my stomach. I was worried so I just had a colonoscopy which came back fine. This pain started about 2 weeks after my prostatectomy. I assume that it is due to the trauma.

bill K. from NJ
Posted 12/23/2015 2:09 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to HW, sorry you need to be here.

call your surgeon and whine a little. As was mentioned, get some stool softeners. Likely the pain will resolve in time, but do ask the doc about it.

Andrew
Posted 12/23/2015 3:47 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome
I had surgery in 2009 and SRT in 2010 and like Bill from NJ I too still get the occasional sudden ache down below. For a few minutes I am left with the same sensations as I had on the day after surgery. I am pretty certain it is always due to the passage of food or gas through my intesines past the site oftn he surgery.
I have a feeling that it occurs when I have spent too long in a sitting position, eg a busy time behind the computer or too much driving. I find that moving/walking can help and if it happens in bed then I lie on my back and gently massage my whole abdomen. Sometimes it is also a matter of needing to have a bowel movement more often than before or at a different time.

But as ever here, if in doubt I'd say check with a doc as I'm not qualified.

And at the start my docs said that you do not need to put up with pain. But the trouble with tackling pain is that if you take painkillers they can often have a negative effect on your digestion.

Hope it is soon resolved.

Alf
Posted 12/24/2015 12:55 AM (GMT 0)
Its all part of the healing process. For some folks, me, it can take a year or longer to feel "right". " the internal pain has to go somewhere" Dr Bruce Dalkin urological oncologist...nervesparing specialists{with stats} head of urological dept University of Washington...all around great guy...google a pic of him...its worth a thousand words... 25 days postop... the beginning of a roller coaster ride to wellness...steady as she goes...
Posted 12/24/2015 3:12 AM (GMT 0)
Wow, I did not expect so many responses. This is the place to be. Thanks to all for your information. Looks like its going to take a bit longer than I expected to feel better based on your experiences.

Its been a long day today. Woke up feeling better. Mid day went to the bathroom and after a movement the pain returned and everything was inflamed pain wise until I finally took a dose of Tramadol. I had only been using motrin for the normal pain prior to this latest stage. I try not to take the heavy pain meds so that I do not get backed up. Still taking Mira lax every other day to be sure everything stays manageable. Pain was still present once meds wore off.

I did go to my PCP today. They did a urine test and a blood test to check white cells, all was good. There best guess was that it was part of the process. I did have them look at one incision that was a bit red. They said it was starting to get infected so they gave me 10 days of Keflex. I will get with the surgeon again on Monday.
Posted 12/24/2015 3:18 AM (GMT 0)
Inthefam,

I'd also suggest that fiber supplements (metamucil and the like) are also your friend. And, especially if you're using them, you have to stay hydrated. Drink way more water during the day than you think you really need. The combination of low water intake and fiber supplements make for misery.

Also, I'm sure they told you this, do NOT strain when you're taking a dump. That thinned colon wall can cause problems if you strain. Bad things can happen.
Posted 12/27/2015 5:55 AM (GMT 0)
Update, after taking Keflex for two days it looks like I finally found a medicine that I am allergic to. Ended up in the ER on Xmas as was itching and had small bumps everywhere. Three of the four incisions are now clearly infected. Now taking clindamycin. I had been having some leakage while standing and coughing and such to this point. But once a little dribbled out I was doing fine getting to the restroom to finish. As of last night when I awoke as normal with the urge to go upon standing I was not able to stop the stream. This happened twice. Then today after doing kegel exercises the pain I was having after bowl movements in that area is now present in the kegel muscles and seems to be staying. I wonder if the infection and my pains are not related now. Cannot wait to speak with the surgeon.
Posted 12/27/2015 5:59 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry to hear you had to make an ER trip. Hell of a way to spend Christmas.

Good question for the surgeon. Weird things happen while healing and infection can do odd things.

Hang in there and hope the new med works better.
Andrew
Posted 1/6/2016 2:49 AM (GMT 0)
I'm almost 5 years out and still have some of the pain issues that you describe. As explained to me, the large prostate leaves more area for adhesions to grow as those tissues find new places to fill the void. I take a low dose pain med when needed. It was suggested that they go back in and cut the adhesions but I respectfully declined.
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