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Posted 3/15/2014 2:00 PM (GMT 0)
I haven't been on my road bike since 2009, and having my RRP that year. Then a year later I had the artificial urinary sphincter implanted. I had just put together a decent road bike then all this started and was thinking I need to either figure something out or give up and get rid of it. After the AUS implant my doc. told me that even a skinny bike seat, which I have, will not hurt the AUS or me, but pressure on the cuff from the seat deflates it somewhat causing it to be ineffective in stopping the flow. The other day I started looking at ways I could use a trusty old condom catheter and leg bag. Now I'm not too shy about people seeing my bag but we've all seen the "Walmart People" pictures. So there are some devices to suspend the bag at your thigh so that it can be under your riding shorts but the "garter" style with suspension straps from a waist band didn't look like they were made for active sports. There was a leg or thigh "sock" that holds a bag but I tried that, it quickly wanted to slide down my leg, no good for cycling. Now I started thinking that some type of garment like compression shorts or a women's girdle. Had bought myself a women's girdle back during recovery from dual implants (AUS and IPP) as nothing I tried including compression shorts could add support pressure under my crotch and at the same time hold the pad, the girdle worked great and kept that aching pain that being on your feet caused in the crotch area.
So I tried the girdle again, this time to solve several problems with leg bag biking. It holds my penis pointing up and holds the extension tube and it holds the bag firmly on the outside of my thigh. Everything was held in place and no leaks, the bag migrated a little but some buttons sew in to hold the bag better will fix that. Some people may not want to wear a women's girdle but hey, it works and they are cheap. If anyone wants to try, I think a long leg high waist is best as the top part is holding the tube. And also about condom catheters, I tried them all back when they were part of my daily routine, the Hollister Extended Wear works good for a person who is active. Those clear ones kink and after a bit of activity become uncomfortable, a lot of the external catheters seem to be made for bed or chair bound people.
Well, anyway this saved my road bike from the dust bin and don't need one of those stupid seats that did not work for me. The down side of all this is I discovered that my legs are totally out of shape for biking, it will take awhile. I had put one of those "hornless" seats on my mountain bike and no matter how I adjusted it, I couldn't make it comfortable enough to want to ride.
Posted 3/15/2014 4:24 PM (GMT 0)
Knotreel,
Since I am having an AUS implanted next month, were there restrictions given for the first 6 months? I read where you are not suppose to straddle on anything like a horse, bike, etc.. I surf, when I can,and I would have to straddle on my board for periods of time. Would that put a strain on the incision while healing?
Anything else you can think of would be helpful.

Thanks in advance,

Bill from Florida cool
Posted 3/15/2014 5:11 PM (GMT 0)
I think that your healing will be pretty much done at 6 weeks or when you back for the doctor to activate the AUS. At that time the doctor should tell you his instructions but probably you will be released to do anything that isn't crazy. It's mainly a hernia risk at the point where the tubes go up into your abdomen. My reservoir was implanted through an abdominal incision just above the pubic bone and the tube incision into the scrotal was small. Some doctors insert the reservoir into the abdomen from the scrotal incision and I guess that would take longer, possibly a lot, for that to be strong.
I had significant pain from standing but since I got the twofer, I think the most of it was from the IPP, not the AUS, but then I can't really say. However, I would be prepared with some different underwear. Underwear is a big topic of discussion for IPP recovery, some people wear jock straps, some compression shorts, some jockey pouch briefs (the "H" front closure). I could not find the jockey's without embarking on a shopping quest so I ordered them online from jockey. I didn't find the compression or briefs to help much at first as I mentioned more support was needed, but since you aren't getting the IPP too, I think the jockey briefs would be a good thing to have, just in case.
Sitting in a chair was not painful and I did not need any type of donut cushion. You should be able to be fairly active as soon as you get home except for picking up stuff or straining.
I remember the day I activated, just a quick pump squeeze the doc said OK, it's done, then said to drink water and walk around awhile and come back in 30 minutes and pee for him. As I was walking around I was sure I could feel urine coming out and finally when into a restroom, and to my amazement, dry! That was nice. I hope you will get the result you want, but while some other procedures have varied results, the AUS pretty much always works.
Posted 3/15/2014 6:52 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, one other question. Do you now have the sense of urge that you need to pee? Does you bladder feel full calling you to the bathroom?
A lot of my incontinence is just dribbling out all the time.

Bill from Florida cool
Posted 3/15/2014 7:04 PM (GMT 0)
Ron,
I can't help being an engineer. Did you consider running the condom catheter tube to an old water bottle mounted to the bike frame like in this picture?
That way you would not have to attach it to yourself, and you would have a consistent bladder to collection bottle height.

It is great that you are back in the saddle. I recently tried running again. I'm ashamed to say that I embarrassed myself.

Jeff
Posted 3/15/2014 7:28 PM (GMT 0)
Jeff, I never thought of that, but that still has tinges of the "walmart people" image I wanted to avoid. Besides what if I grabbed the wrong bottle to drink. Yeah, I know people do drink it, but mostly only because they have to. I did think of just letting the tube dangle and drip out of the road. But that could get messing spoiling the brakes and such. However, about the height, I did check out my system and satisfies the plumbing code easily.
Bill, Yes you will have the exact same bladder urge sensation, only difference is you can't pee, that is till you squeeze the pump. It takes about three pump squeezes to empty the cuff completely returning all the fluid to your reservoir but to pee just one squeeze is all that is needed. The fluid automatically refills the cuff from the pre-set pressure of your reservoir at a given flow rate, hence it takes several minutes to re-inflate the cuff after three squeezes and about a minute or so from just one squeeze.
Posted 3/20/2014 2:59 PM (GMT 0)
I have yet to buy one but want to, there are bicycle seats that have the core of the seat rimmed out so as not to put pressure on that part of the anatomy. I have seen guys ride bikes with large foam seat cores also.. (not for me as that would attract attention!!:)...)

I would go consult with your local bike pro. There was some conversation a few years back that men who rode bikes a lot had sexual issues and they came out with redesigned seats.

I run almost daily with my AUS, and all is good.

To Big Mac, I do not have a sense to pee, but can feel some pressure on the cuff if it gets some what full. I also can leak at that stage..

The moment I press the pump, I start to drain...

NEO
Posted 3/20/2014 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Neo, I was wondering how you would know to pee if you didn't have that old familiar urge. Looks like yours has been working well for you after your earlier problem. My man said he has done over 400 of them. I still feel apprehension about it but I am done going through these pads daily.

Bill from Florida cool
Posted 3/22/2014 2:25 AM (GMT 0)
My urge to pee with the AUS is normal. If anything I get a slight urge well before the bladder has full content. One issue I have had although a minor one is that that slight urge is enough to wake me up 2-3 times each night. I get up, pee and go right back to bed/sleep. I refuse to miss my 1-2 cocktails each night so that probably aggrevates this a bit. If I take one or two Advil PM I might get up only once. My Uro said no problem with taking these on a regular basis.

Question to your other AUS guys. I occasionally get a stinging and numbness in the groin area lately. It's on my left side and only occurs when standing for extended time. If I sit down it goes away. It's in the spot where one might get a hernia but I don't think that is the problem. I am wondering if it might have something to do with the AUS. Also I use a penis pump occasionally and notice that it will occasionally "pull some nternal parts" a bit if I pump it too hard.

Anyone else ever experienced this?

Posted 3/22/2014 1:38 PM (GMT 0)
about that stinging. I don't have any numbness but after my unit was activated I would have some pretty good stinging from the urethra area , not on the side, or at least feels that way, this happensfrom standing and particularly when twisting by body around. The doc. said that it is not normal to have this pain. I still have this occasionally but it always goes away after a few minutes. It never happens while seated. I asked him to see if there was some sort of scar tissue or adhesion when he did the revision, but I forgot to ask afterwards and he didn't mention it. So, I guess for me it is one of those things is going to bother me from time to time. I hope yours isn't a hernia.
Posted 3/22/2014 4:55 PM (GMT 0)
I really missed riding. Along with my prostate recovery, I also now have back and neurapathy problems. One solution is a recumbent trike. A good one is rather expensive and I have never been able to feel real comfortable with the low profile, but they can be a lot of fun...

http://www.bicycleman.com/recumbents/trikes/recumbent-trikes.htm

http://www.industrialbicycles.com/RecumbentTricycles.htm
Posted 3/22/2014 11:27 PM (GMT 0)
People have suggested a recumbent for me, while that probably wouldn't make my AUS leak as my std road bike would, I am not going to get one. You would think that a guy that has gone as far as a girdle to hold urinary equipment would be able to open his mind to the recumbent but, no. I really don't like the overall concept of them, never having tried one. But thanks, I am glad that you are enjoying yours but they are not for me.
Besides my prejudice, roads where I bike the low profile might be asking for trouble, it is bad enough with the upright profile bikes.
Posted 3/23/2014 1:09 AM (GMT 0)
Get a recumbent. It will solve all your problems and keep you riding. I've been biking all my life, started riding a recumbent in 96 because of EPS . would never think of going back to an upright road bike now.
Posted 8/13/2015 9:30 PM (GMT 0)
I'm new to this forum but felt I needed to say something to AUS patients who might be disheartened about their prospects for cycling.

I had prostate cancer & removal in 2003. I lived with the resulting moderate incontinence for about 7 or 8 years but eventually the unpredictability and "accidents" reached the point where something had to be done. I had my AUS implanted a year ago and I'm glad to say it works fine. What a welcome change – I highly recommend it!

However, I am a long-time road cyclist, not "serious" in that I don't do centuries and the like, but I pretty regularly do 10 to 30 mile rides averaging better than 15 mph. I believe this is essential for my health and was actually reluctant to get the AUS because I had heard I would have to give up cycling.

Shortly after the AUS surgery and activation, I tried riding again. To avoid leaks and damage to the device, I needed to get a special seat and the first one I found was the basic (cheap) "Easy Seat" by Hobson. It has 2 separate oval pads for "sit bones" and absolutely no horn in front. Call me stubborn but I struggled with that uncomfortable thing for most of a year. There was no way to hold a steady position. Every few seconds, I needed to shift or adjust myself, both side to side and front to back. Needless to say, it was very tiring. It slowed me down significantly and I could only ride about 10 or 15 miles before tiring out. It also caused erratic handling and was actually a bit dangerous until I learned to compensate for it (crashed 2nd day I rode with it). Worst of all, riding became a chore and was just not fun any more.

I wasn't willing to accept this and so I contacted Hobson (the Easy Seat maker). Figured out there was no way to fix the original seat and decided to try their Pro-Hub X2 model with the understanding that if it didn't improve things, I would return it. It is also 2 separate pads but with enough of a "horn" in front to stabilize the seating. My main concern was that this psuedo-horn would cause problems with the AUS (leakage or damage to the cuff).

Well, it has caused absolutely no problem and the seat/saddle has made all the difference in the world! Riding is fun again. Side to side positioning is no longer an issue. There is still a slight tendency for my butt to slide forward, requiring that I adjust occasionally but not so much that it creates a distraction. Speed is back to normal. Today, I rode 15 miles with 600 ft gain and averaged 16 mph. I think with practice and further seat adjustment, I will also be able to increase my range, though at age 71, I may be content to ride 15 or 20 miles - as long as it's enjoyable and it keeps me fit.

I want to make it clear that I have no affiliation with Hobson. They were just the first ones I tried. I know there are other seats available and perhaps some would be better than the one I've chosen. My point is there is hope for riders like me to continue enjoying our healthy past-time after AUS surgery.
Posted 8/10/2016 3:43 PM (GMT 0)
Won'tstopriding, I have some questions for you about the bike saddle you are using.
Posted 8/10/2016 9:56 PM (GMT 0)
Just saw your post. What is it you want to ask?
Posted 8/21/2016 3:17 PM (GMT 0)
I have been riding a recumbent prior to my bout with prostrate cancer and then having an artifical urinary sphincter installed and haven't had a bit of problems with riding. I still have an upright bike that I would like to get back on once in awhile. As I am sure you know there is no comfortable way to ride with a conventional seat, and was wondering if the Hobson Pro seat would work for longer rides, say 50 to 60 miles. I would like to do some multi-day touring with my upright bike.
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