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incontinence after laparoscopic prostatectomy

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Posted 8/5/2008 1:27 AM (GMT 0)
I am a surgeon but not a urologist and had a laparoscopic prostectomy about a month ago. I am dry at night but have to go quickly to the bathroom 5 times or so nightly. I have almost no bladder control after sitting or walking more than 15-20 minutes. I heard about the Afex system here on this forum. My urologist didn't mention it to me. I had been going through about 8 depens per day and didn't like the chafing. I ordered the Afex starter pack and everything is much better: no daytime wetness. It isn't totally comfortable but is a lot better than wet depens. I don't work for the company (didn't even know it existed until about two weeks ago). But for others like myself, you can order it by phone (no internet ordering) from http://www.arcusmedical.com/afex_catalog.htm. The telephone number is on their site. I hope this helps someone else. I'm looking forward to eventual continence, but realize that can take months.
Posted 8/5/2008 2:27 AM (GMT 0)
Your family must be proud of you. Is this the second coming of Rapids.?
www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=239259&g=621885#m621885
Posted 8/5/2008 3:01 AM (GMT 0)
I wish you luck.

KW
Posted 8/6/2008 2:51 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you. Except for the incontinence, I am lucky. At age 53, I went in to see my doctor for a routine PE. He initially was not going to do a rectal exam, but I reminded him that this is normally done annually after the age of 50. He found a nodule. An ultrasound bx x 12 showed cancer in 1 mm of one sample only (missed by initial pathologists but picked up by reviewer). My path was T2c, so I am lucky.

Posted 8/6/2008 2:59 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Doc. Your only a month out. I would not worry about the leaking quite yet. Be glad you persisted and got the exam you needed.

KW
Posted 8/6/2008 2:51 PM (GMT 0)
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Posted 8/6/2008 8:14 PM (GMT 0)
IlseofGough:

I had mine in February, and initial incontinence seemed much like yours (now non-existent). An outfit called Timm Medical makes a product called an "acticuff" to helps a lot with the urgency issues, but is not really very comfortable to wear for long periods. However, it really helped me on exericise periods, etc for a time. Website is www.timmmedical.com. Check it out.
Posted 8/6/2008 8:29 PM (GMT 0)
Kw: yours is a horror story. Good luck with your surgery. Alex1: thank you for the information. I see you were fully continent by one month. I'm not continent at all during the day. How long is reasonable to expect "mostly" continent (except for sneezes, overfilled bladder, etc.)?
Posted 9/15/2008 12:35 AM (GMT 0)
Two days shy of two months post op I suddently went from eight pads per day to two to three. For the past five days it has been two pads per day. I post this for those who are depressed seeing no progress.
Posted 9/15/2008 1:45 AM (GMT 0)

Surgery 10 months ago yesterday.

Down to a pad in March.....then fraction of a pad since then......SLOWLY but SURELY a little better as time passes.

Now very slightly....and I mean slightly....incontinent.  Wear a very thin pad just to be cautious...but unless I am exerting myself a lot or coughing I do NOT leak now.  Have to shake it real well when I urinate, just like before surgery, but progress sometimes DOES happen many months down the road.

DanMan

Posted 9/15/2008 4:15 PM (GMT 0)
19 weeks (almost 4 1/2 months) post op now. I had monster butt pain for 6 weeks, so I just figure I lost the first 6 weeks as far as fighting incontinence.

10 weeks after the first 6 weeks (or at the 2 1/2 month mark if you "normalize" my timeline) I suddenly shifted from 7 heavy pads a day to 5 thin pads a day - and sometimes less. That's where I am now. Still battling stress incontinence. I coach my daughter's soccer team and I am just a soggy mess after practice, but - I feel like I am making progress and I really feel like there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

kcragman
Posted 12/29/2008 8:39 PM (GMT 0)
I had my surgery on 11/21/08 and according to the posts that I have been reading I am just about where everyone else was at my time frame. I go to bed with a clean pad at about 9 PM and I am able to use that same pad throughout the night until I wake up at around 7 AM (a few drips on the pad during the night). When I get up during the night (2 or 3 times) I can start and stop. Once I get up in the morning I can control it by going to the bathroom about every hour (the pad just has a few drops on it). Once lunch time comes or I start getting active then it just has a mind of its own. Once the afternoon comes it just drips-I do not know if the muscle gets tired or somethings else is causing it. I also notice that if I take a trip in the car to the store-once i get out to a standing position it just runs.

So about it-HOW I AM I DOING?
Posted 12/31/2008 6:22 AM (GMT 0)
RT, Just hang in there and keep doing your Kegeals. I'm sure your body will adjust soon.
Good Luck,
KW
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