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Walking and incontinence

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Posted 10/15/2009 8:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hello all,

I've recently read quite a few posts on this forum that talk about walking being helpful in regaining continence. I've been an avid walker for a long time, and now that I have had my second catheter removed, I'm getting back to walking on a regular basis, about 1 1/2 miles a day. However, I fail to see how walking actually helps with urinary control. Maybe I need to give myself more time, or walk shorter distances more often.

Does anyone know what the thinking is behind the idea of walking to improve continence?

Thanks!

-Charlie

Posted 10/15/2009 9:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Charlie -- I can't tell you why folks here think it's a good idea, but I do think that excercise, and walking is a good one, just keeps all body functions from kidney to heart corking along efficiently, and that's a good thing. On the control side, I found when walking I was at my worst. One step, squirt, two steps squirt, three steps ... well, you get the picture. When I was walking I wasn't doing anything else except being upset by the squirts and so as I ambeled along I was working on one step, kegel, two steps kegel --- and after I'd done a mile things seemed to be working automatically. Of course, it may just be the tank was dry, but I'd say the walking was useful as it put me under some stress and it was expected stress, and repeated stress, and I was able to work on it way better than just sitting in a chair.

Good luck,

Sheldon AKA Sleepless
Posted 10/15/2009 9:53 PM (GMT 0)
Walking is recommended just after surgery to get the body active again, to stimulate the urinary and bowel functions, to eliminate the drugs and such from the body, leftovers from the surgery, etc. Walking after catheter removal- for me- helped build up endurance, provided toning to the legs, groin and the pelvic floor. Walking combined with kegals makes your body and, more importantly your brain, retrain itself to accept , adapt and use the new circumstances of your body. I don't know when walking isn't good for the body, even arthritics benefit from it. In summary, it specifically tones up the thighs and by extension the lower torso and the pelvic floor.
Posted 10/15/2009 11:47 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know (or I'm forgetting) the specific research or reasoning behind the recommendation of my surgeon that I walk a lot post-op, and afterwards, but I've always been a "walker" and I can say that I leak less when I'm walking than when I sit.  That's my "research," 13-months after surgery.
Posted 10/16/2009 12:01 AM (GMT 0)
My catheter came out about 2-1/2 wks ago, and unlike Mavica, about the only time I DON'T leak is when I am sitting or lying down. I find that I can build up a good volume of urine while sitting, and then can walk around a bit without leaking too badly as long as my bladder is full. As soon as I void, though, the same walking around or the usual up-and-down office activities just lead to continuous dribble. Not sure why walking would have this effect, and not sure if Sheldon's approach is right for me or not, as I think that part of my recovery has to be to stretch out the bladder and I can only do that now after sitting for awhile. Who knows? I'd be very interested in what others have to say on this subject.

Doc
Posted 10/16/2009 2:04 AM (GMT 0)
When I first started walking I had the tendency to attempt to hold my kegel nonstop the entire time.  Did it stop me from leaking?  Nope.  Did it strengthen the area?  Absolutely.  I got on the elliptical for 30 minutes this morning and didn't use a pad.  Didn't drip at all.  Later in the day I might have after being stuck in meetings all day.  But so slight it wasn't an issue.  Walk, walk some more, then keep walking.  It will make a difference in my opinion.
Posted 10/16/2009 2:30 AM (GMT 0)
You know, one of our members here had a really good trick for curing his incontinence. He walked around the house naked and holding a dixie cup to catch the urine. Especially upstairs and back down. He claimed this allowed him to concentrate and also forced him to visually recognize what he was doing. I swear he claimed it worked for him... You can look it up! smilewinkgrin
Posted 10/16/2009 2:48 AM (GMT 0)
Walking serves several purposes ( aside from cardio benefits) It increases blood flow , especially to the groin area which helps in healing

I was told that the walking along with Keigels would be teh best way to a speedy dryness state and they were correct
Posted 10/16/2009 12:42 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for your replies. As I said, I've always been a walker, and will continue to do so. I just wanted to know what some of the theory was behind the idea of walking helping the continence process.

I'll now probably try to multitask and consciously combine walking and Kegeling at the same time.

Dribblingly,

Charlie
Posted 10/16/2009 1:27 PM (GMT 0)
Charlie,

Over doing your Keigel exercises can have a negative effect. More is not always better, follow your Dr's instructions on frequency
Posted 10/16/2009 1:32 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, MrGimpy.

I'm getting mixed messages from my uro and his associates. When I asked the doc about Kegels, he said for me the things was to focus on the healing right now and not to get too concerned about Kegels. However, his PA, a very nice fellow but maybe a tad misinformed, recommends the 5-5-5 plan. That is, to do five sets of five Kegels each, five times a day. That's overkill, IMO.

Your advice makes more sense.

-Charlie
Posted 10/16/2009 4:32 PM (GMT 0)
My uro believes in moderate kegels pre-op but thinks that post-op walking is best. He said that if walking did not do the trick, then he would have me in for a training program where they attach electrodes and monitor your contractions to be sure they are doing them right (I didn't need this)

Others have suggested, and I agree that it is easier to completely empty your bladder if you urinate sitting down. For me, starting empty makes holding it easier especially when I am tired
Posted 10/16/2009 4:55 PM (GMT 0)

James C. said...
Walking is recommended just after surgery to get the body active again, to stimulate the urinary and bowel functions, to eliminate the drugs and such from the body, leftovers from the surgery, etc. Walking after catheter removal- for me- helped build up endurance, provided toning to the legs, groin and the pelvic floor. Walking combined with kegals makes your body and, more importantly your brain, retrain itself to accept , adapt and use the new circumstances of your body. I don't know when walking isn't good for the body, even arthritics benefit from it. In summary, it specifically tones up the thighs and by extension the lower torso and the pelvic floor.

My doc also said it helpes the body to adjust to the rearrangement in parts especially those who had a very large prostate.

p.s. I remember the dixie cup guy. He swore by it.

Posted 10/16/2009 4:59 PM (GMT 0)
The thing that I would add, is to avoid coffee, soda, beer, etc for an hour or so before walking. I was always doing moderate kegels while walking and was dry in 6 weeks after surgery.

I also found that the walking would tend me to make me remember the stress points, such as stepping off a curb and so my body would be ready and not leak at that point. I was walking 3+ miles a day at six weeks but I heal very fast.
Posted 10/16/2009 5:37 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone! I might try a modified Dixie Cup method, that is, commando but with my bathrobe on, strictly for a little modesty. Either way, my wife will certainly get a laugh, and she could use one.

-Charlie
Posted 10/16/2009 9:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hey I *AM* that dixie cup guy! Actually one of his descendants. But I picked up the idea and 'ran' with it. I used a plastic cup (smooth edge at top) and recycled the old rubber leg bag strap to mostly hold it in place against my left leg and willy just flopped over into the cup. Not perfect but fine if you are on treadmill or jogging in place or walking about the house. (Can even do under a bathrobe if you have kids still about). (Maybe put a tissue in to prevent slosh).

I was doing 10,000+ steps a day for years before surgery and really never stopped doing them after surgery (although a lot less in the days just after -- taking it easy -- but still some).

I also just do jogging in place if not on a treadmill or something -- that might be even better than plain walking (after some recovery time -- don't push it too much) since you get jounced about more causing pelvic muscles to activate on each 'jog'.

One thing about the CUP method was you are not getting all soaked with the pads. Another is you get to see how much you are leaking and when. And another is it is fun to collect your urine in bottles all around the house -- no need to head for the john -- ever, except to empty your containers when they get full. My wife loved that part -- not!

One final thing about the CUP method is you save tons of pads -- and I think it makes you feel better when you are not wasting pads left and right. I know I felt that way.

With fond memories of My Cup ...
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