Positional Incontinence!! Huh, Say What?

Okay so here's the deal.

I have been bone dry and LFPF since the day my catheter was removed, 6 days after surgery, back in September.

Today I completed IMRT treatment #33 (only 2 more to go) YeeHaw! For the last week or so I have seen a definite uptick in urgency and trips to the john. Doc prescribed Flomax last Thursday and I have been taking it dutifully twice a day since then.

During the day I drink normally, which for me is not a lot and has never been. It seems like I have the urgency and go about 3 - 4 times per hour. When I do there isn't much, but the urgency is there and I know I can't hold it for long.

During the night I sleep 6-7 hours and only get up once per night. I still have my habit of milk and cookies just before bed, so I know I am drinking fluids right before laying down. It doesn't seem to have any effect on urgency at night.

It would appear that when I am upright and active everything kicks in, but being horizontal solves the problem.

I feel like I am real close to having to wear pads for the first time and this is freaking nuts.

I have never heard of Positional Incontinence, but this sure seems like the case to me.

Any thoughts or experience with this?

Sonny

Sonny,
Yes. I'm at 6 months. The only time I am totally continent is when I am in bed or on the couch. When I stand up, I leak. When I walk, I leak. I am also continent when I sit, but if I get up quickly - out it comes.
I had not heard of the term "Positional incontinence" before, but it sure sound like me - and a lot of other guys.
Jeff

Steve, I amma tryin, but the urge is strong.

Jeff, does sound like it ought to be a medical term, doesn't it. I must admit though that it is my own creation to describe the scenario.

David, the doc said it would get better after surgery. Then again the docs say good positive stuff all the time, don't they? Yep, I can make the last two treatments standing on my head. Hey, maybe that's an idea, I could try walking on my hands and see it that help the Positional Incontinence issue.

Sonny

Sonny,

Only 2 more Tx, my long distance friend !! WhooPee.. (sorry about the Pee in that celebration). How interesting that you have started this incontenance thing. I told Jeannie yesterday, that all of a sudden I started dribbling when walking, getting up suddenly, etc. And I have not wore a pad in a couple of months, and only then at work were I was concerned about wet spots showing through on my surg. scrubs, in front of patients and staff. Not sure what is going on here. But, obviously, something to do with your rad. treatments is changing your bladder control, and after what David (Purgatory) has gone through with the burns, it would not surprise me that your issues have has to do with that.

I agree with Steve n Dallas, you might have to fight hard against the urgency to retrain the bladder

Finish off those last two Treatments, and then get to healing up ! You are in our thoughts.
Dallas

Update on PI.

After my last post my dog came to tell me it was time to go out. I thought I might take him for a little walk instead of just the front yard.

When I got up from the computer desk I told the dog he had to wait because the urgency hit me right away. So I got to go first. "It's good to be the king."

Then we went for the walk. It's just a short 1/4-1/2 walk for his normal trek. Now admittedly it's a little chilly this morning, 41. But we barley got a 1/4 of the way into the walk when the urgency hit again. Barely made it back to the house and I have to tell you I envyed the darned dog a whole bunch. He had me looking for a desolate tree too. He looked at me a few times as if to say, "Now who's the king".

I have only had one cup of coffee this morning and by my count I have gone 9 times. There has got to be a shortage of fluid in my system by this time. Where the heck is it coming from?

Since I am going to sit here at the computer for a while I am indulging in another cup of coffee. Then we'll be off to the races again for a few hours. Maybe I can use this to convince my wife I need to go back to bed for the rest of the day. Think it will fly?

Sonny

Jeff,

It's true that the dog rules in the house, but I won't declare him the King. However, if he keeps giving me those "Take That" looks on the walks, his walks may get shorter and shorter.

Keep smiling guys, all of this stuff sure beats the alternatives. Every day is a bonus.

Sonny

Ed,

Just don't get into a situation where you have to call a stroke penalty on your self. Golf has enough handicaps on it's own with out having to add GI to the mix.

Sonny

Sonny, you might want to remind "Trooper" that in China, that might eat him, if he keeps being a smart axx to you, lol. I guess one blessing of the catheter throughout IMRT, I peed in my bags anytime my bladder wanted to, and never experienced the sense of urgency you have described, or the burning that other men talk about. Still rather not have it, but could have been a blessing in disguise.

Good luck, hope that abates after you finish your last treatment, and fades for you. Despite that, please don't dehydrate yourself by depriving yourself of liquid, especially water. That would be counterproductive for your health.

David in SC