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Must we forsake Coffee & Beer to fight incontinence?

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Posted 7/1/2017 2:05 PM (GMT 0)
Preparing for surgery in a couple of weeks. I drink 4 cups of coffee at a 75% decaf ratio and stop at noon. Maybe a beer or two in the evening. Have you guys who went through surgery, and had done your Kegel excercises, found that you had to give up these diuretics?

Thanks,

Nick
Posted 7/1/2017 2:52 PM (GMT 0)
Nick,

You're likely to get responses from all over the map. There is no consistent rule. In my case, I didn't have major issues, others have significant ones. My only suggestions for you, for the next few weeks, is to do you kegals now to strengthen things, and make sure you empty your prostate as often as possible between now and then.
Posted 7/1/2017 2:53 PM (GMT 0)
No, no!
On the contrary, before surgery, I went to the toilet 1-2 times a night. Now I'm sleeping all night. turn
Posted 7/1/2017 3:37 PM (GMT 0)
You will want to cut back on those after the catheter is out. As your body adjusts and responds to the absence of your prostate it is best to take it easy on your urinary system. You could be lucky and have good continence right away, or else it will take a while. Either way, proceed with caution. Eventually, you will probably be able to go back to your normal routine.

Good luck.
Posted 7/1/2017 4:36 PM (GMT 0)
I think urologists recommend avoiding coffee and beer to their incontinent post-surgical patients knowing that, since coffee and beer are things that most of their patients like, and to which some are addicted, it is advice they can give with little danger that it will be followed.
Posted 7/1/2017 5:22 PM (GMT 0)
OP here:

So, if I have strong enough Kegel muscles that I can stop urinating in mid-stream, that's good strength, correct? Do I need to keep strengthening them or am I already there?

Nick
Posted 7/1/2017 9:35 PM (GMT 0)
The real problem is that you have no idea what will happen post surgery. Some are continent from day 1 and others never return to it.

Strength now is good, but who knows where you'll be after the surgeon gets through with you.

Andrew
Posted 7/1/2017 10:48 PM (GMT 0)
My surgery was Oct 2013. I could easily stop the stream before. I finally got to the point where I only used a Tena 0 pad days and had few drips. I finally discovered physical therapy is available for this a few weeks ago. The result has been incredible in a short time. At this point I'm almost 100% normal even when doing strenuous activities. Actually the muscle is strong enough now but I need to work on relaxing it some more. So if you have trouble ask your doc for a prescription for PT with someone who specializes in this.
Posted 7/1/2017 10:56 PM (GMT 0)

Nick2017 said...
OP here:

So, if I have strong enough Kegel muscles that I can stop urinating in mid-stream, that's good strength, correct? Do I need to keep strengthening them or am I already there?

Nick

kegels aren't going to be the difference between whether you have a serious problem or not.

take a break....
Posted 7/1/2017 11:15 PM (GMT 0)

Rigby said...
My surgery was Oct 2013. I could easily stop the stream before. I finally got to the point where I only used a Tena 0 pad days and had few drips. I finally discovered physical therapy is available for this a few weeks ago. The result has been incredible in a short time. At this point I'm almost 100% normal even when doing strenuous activities. Actually the muscle is strong enough now but I need to work on relaxing it some more. So if you have trouble ask your doc for a prescription for PT with someone who specializes in this.

jives with what Dr. Alan W. Partin, M.D., Ph.D. Chairman, Urologist-in-Chief, Chairman, Department of Urology at John's Hopkins told me....

"It's not strength.....it's how. It comes more naturally to some than to others". In *other* words....kegels are over-rated. You won't know till after....

...you'll more than likely be just fine....

I also have reason to believe a part of it has to do with anatomy and surgical technique (and a combination of the two?). That part might have slipped Parton's mind....

Post Edited (island time) : 7/1/2017 5:50:22 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/1/2017 11:55 PM (GMT 0)
My Dr. had me doing 100 kelgel a day 10 sets of 10. Starting before surgery and again after cath out. I was completely dry after 8 weeks. I never gave up my coffee or my tea.
Posted 7/2/2017 12:58 AM (GMT 0)
Hi yes had to go almost cold turkey on the coffee drinking probably drank 10 cups a day now maybe a half cup. I'll just say for me walking and lots of it was my solution to getting control of my bladder completely dry except in a extreme position where I turn around backwards and bend at the same time. I think a lot of your ability to control your bladder after RP depends on your surgeon I had a very good one at the mayo.
Posted 7/2/2017 1:20 AM (GMT 0)
incarcerated umbilical hernia repair...a bullet dodged...big time...bridge just far enough...unlike Jennifer...just enough flairs... no burning hairs nono smhair ps...inguinal repair...back in gym...push me pull you...Puyallup Washington County Fair... scool oops forgot the basel scar...inda water soon... don't need no stinken scar hide..." its only rock and roll...and I like it...I like it..." gives me flair...nes c'est pas?
Posted 7/2/2017 1:39 AM (GMT 0)

Gemlin said...
No, no!
On the contrary, before surgery, I went to the toilet 1-2 times a night. Now I'm sleeping all night. turn

Yes, truly, one of the very few stone cold advantages to surgery, IMO, at least for those plagued with either prostatitis or enlarged prostate problems before cancer diagnosis: a total cure for all of those issues. I personally would rather have my prostate problems back and have a functioning prostate to go with t. But if it truly had to go ( a debatable subject), the relief from about 40 years of various prostate problems is glorious.

Just like Gemlin, I normally sleep all night without getting up. I still have some very minor problems(seemingly related to bladder spasms) when upright, especially if I get up suddenly from sitting. I have to be alert and quickly Kegel/clamp things closed for a few seconds until that passes, to avoid more than a drop that never shows through. I very rarely wear any pads at all(occasionally just for reassurance) It took me quite a few months to get to that stage, maybe close to a year or more. And it was bad during the 1st few months, although I was always dry if laying down or sitting from the day the catheter came out.

However, I don't think I ever limited what I drink. Always 2 or 3 cups of coffee, several daily glasses of iced tea, and the occasional beer, wine or gin and tonics, all with no apparent increased trouble. I even went on a beer tasting tour in Belgium about 6 weeks out(not that it was not challenging!) Now maybe I would have done a bit better if I avoided all of this, but to heck with that. But probably it would be best to limit all of that stuff until you feel you have pretty good control, whether that be 1 week or several months. I did not, but maybe it would have gone better if I did. Maybe even now I would not have my minor spasm problems if I left that stuff off, but fahgettaboutit.
Posted 7/2/2017 1:57 AM (GMT 0)

logoslidat said...
incarcerated umbilical hernia repair...a bullet dodged...big time...bridge just far enough...unlike Jennifer...just enough flairs... no burning hairs nono smhair ps...inguinal repair...back in gym...push me pull you...Puyallup Washington County Fair... scool oops forgot the basel scar...inda water soon... don't need no stinken scar hide..." its only rock and roll...and I like it...I like it..." gives me flair...nes c'est pas?

Logo, could you translate that for those of us that only speak one language, please? turn yeah Were you continent after going through all of that? yeah

Post Edited (BillyBob@388) : 7/1/2017 8:00:14 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/2/2017 6:53 AM (GMT 0)
incarcerated umbilical repair was in reference to skypilot signature they are very dangerous...fatal even.The inquinal repair was in reference to my own hernia repair about 5 weeks ago...which I mention in a earlier post. The rest is anti-pablum...riddles that dribbles...so to speak...If a reward of 10000 bucks were offered to anyone to figger it...{it won't be...just if} someone would do so...I maintain there may one reader out there that could figger it out ...at least 80%...for you it would most likely be a figgetabout it moment...and most likely most...It may twitch some ones ears for a moment or so...give em a chuckle...its all written in english...with no reference dis and dat paragraph forever...just good fun for me and maybe someone else...BTW I don't think so called hi jacks are specifically against the wrriten rules...Im sure there will be a race to correct me if Im wrong...most who post add there touch of dis and dat and a tangential stream is always possible in " this best of all possible worlds"...I see no harm...and sense the mods don't either...

I was continent from the jump...great surgeon and years of working out with a specialty in cardio core training...went out the evening of the decath...had 3 pints of icy colds and a large meal with coffee...held the fort during a 20 mile drive{spouse drove} calmly walked to the Head{navy...oops there's a riddle again} and it all left the gate quicker than Seattle Slew...with the requisite intensity...
Ok...thats not the best I could do...I'm in a continuous state of becoming...gots to save the best for last...doncha know...oh nes cest pas may be french...but most need not understand french{ specially one of your verbal knowledge} to understand it...kinda like...not needing to understand Hawaiian to understand...Aloha BillyBob.... I know annoying...nes cest pas...oui!...non?
Posted 7/2/2017 12:51 PM (GMT 0)
i was also continent from day one. I did 2 or 3 kegals. Saw I could stop the stream, did no more. There's no way for me to know whether those 2 or 3 times were true kegels or not.

When the cath was first pulled...i got up every 45 min through the night to pee. Now....like Gremlin....I sleep all night long. That part is better than before my surgery. I drink alot of diet coke and water. And it's time for a cup 'o Joe as we speak.....
Posted 7/2/2017 1:09 PM (GMT 0)
I drank half calf for a couple of months after surgery, then went to half calf with an occasional regular.

As far as drinking, I do leak just a drop, not enough to show through, and sometimes it's just an imaginary leak, when I drink. Even 1 or 2 drinks. Just part of the game. After 2 1/2 years out of surgery and a lot of kegels, daily. Enough to annoy me, not enough to really bother me. And def not enough to need to wear a pad
Posted 7/2/2017 7:07 PM (GMT 0)
Beer- I only drink occasionally, but every time I do it seems to help.
Coffee - I never gave it up, I start my day with about 32 oz.

I am stress incontinent, and I still dribble otherwise.
Posted 7/2/2017 8:50 PM (GMT 0)
Drinking 6-8 cups of caffeinated coffee a day with no issues whatsoever...
Posted 7/8/2017 2:14 AM (GMT 0)

Nick2017 said...
OP here:

So, if I have strong enough Kegel muscles that I can stop urinating in mid-stream, that's good strength, correct? Do I need to keep strengthening them or am I already there?

Nick

Nick, I was thinking about a response to this but went to my iMac, as I am a much better typer on a keyboard than on an iPhone!!!

As some have mentioned, your continence after RALP is an unknown, with quite a few variables, not the least of which being the competence of your surgeon.

Pre-surgery, under the advce of my surgeon, I started a routine that I kept up until the day of my surgery, and resumed at catheter removal. Pre-surgery, and skip a paragraph for people who are bothered by TMI...i...

...found tremendous increased forced in ejaculations. And let me tell you, my wife was not pleased, or at least didn't seem to mind too much turn

Diuretics, by their nature, cause you to pee more. For someone who has recently had their prostate removed, and thus two thirds of the muscles controlling their continence, you can understand why this might be an issue. Consider, with a prostate, you will pee more after drinking more coffee and more beer.

What was stressed to me, by Uro, Uro surgeon, GP and PT, was, post-surgery, drinking lots of water, staying well hydrated, is good for the recovery of your urinary tract. After Foley is removed, the elasticity of your bladder is greatly affected. Hydration helps with bladder elasticity, and, it is my understanding, helps the whole system to get back to 'normal,' despite the increase in leakage and increased frequency of urinations.

For many, and myself included, progress is slow...there were certainly periods of depression and anxiety....never leaving the house without a back pack with a change of drawers, underwear, several pads and a Depends, to....maybe or maybe not....taking an extra pad on a day out.

Furthermore, regarding Kegels, PT was/is an integral part of understanding how to retrain existing muscles to optimize continence. After a few sessions, some of it seemed intrinsic, common sense really, and quite logical regarding the progression from simple, and over time, complex Kegels (i.e. laying on back, knees raised, kegels, to using a resistance band, to performing keels doing squats while twisting torso, this last one I incorporated after realizing that performing this action while sitting at my desk was causing leaking).

However, despite increased urination from drinking diuretics, my surgeon reassured me, on several occasions, that, while temporarily increasing leakage due to diuretic consumption, it has no effect on long term healing. This includes temporary dehydration due to excessive diuretic consumption.
Posted 7/8/2017 4:36 AM (GMT 0)
My husband was continent from the time that the catheter was taken out. He drinks 1-2 coffees a day and has a beer or two a day.

Although he did not have any urinary issues presurgery, he found it amazing that after surgery to start the stream was super easy and the stream was much stronger. All in all peeing is much better than it was.

An
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