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Welcome new guy glof1967

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Prostate Cancer
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Posted 4/19/2015 2:57 AM (GMT 0)
glof, how much are you leaking? I used the thick pads inside my underwear for the first week or so, then was able to move down to the depends "shields" after that. I never actually used the diapers.

Oh, a not uncommon side effect of RALP that is more of an inconvenience is hot flashes, particularly at night. I had them the first couple of weeks, and they gradually have faded away. No one is exactly sure why they happen...the prostate is not a hormone producer. One theory is that with it gone, there is no 'home' for the hormones that stimulate semen production to go...so the result is the hot flashes. Once your system figures out that it's gone, things readjust.
Posted 4/19/2015 3:13 AM (GMT 0)
Halbert, I am barely leaking. Even coughing or sneezing doesn't cause much of a leak. I just got the diapers as the doc said to. I only change it when I wake up in the middle of the night due to sweating. If I am still only leaking after a couple more days/nights, I will move to pads.

Hot flashes huh. Well that is par for the course. This just started on the night after my cath came out. Maybe the diaper is enhancing the hot flash issue with me.

Thanks for the info.
Posted 4/19/2015 11:44 AM (GMT 0)
Hang in there....I would definitely go to the shields...they come in 'light' and 'medium'. Lots of choices in that aisle at walmart.
Posted 4/20/2015 12:45 AM (GMT 0)
Well, waiting for a call back from the dr. My 2" cut above my belly button split open. The staples were removed last Thur. Sitting in my chair and reached down to the floor in front of me and it split wide open. This does not make me happy.

Anyone else have this issue?
Posted 4/20/2015 12:52 AM (GMT 0)
Not good, dude. When they pulled my staples on day 7, they laid on a batch of steri-strips over the long incision in that location, which may have prevented that very situation. One of my small incisions opened back up somewhat, and I painted on the 'liquid bandage', which sealed it up.
Posted 4/20/2015 1:24 AM (GMT 0)
Got the phone call. Off to the emergence room. Probably stitches or staples. Oh well...if this is the low point of my recovery, I am good with it.

Until later.
Posted 4/20/2015 12:18 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry to hear this = hang in there and please keep us posted.
Posted 4/20/2015 4:44 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry to hear about the incision opening up. They used glue on me and I had a small opening, about 1cm wide in my main incision open up about a week in. My URO had us pack it with a gauze-like material, so it would heal from the inside out. We did that for a few days and it was not a pleasant experience, but it finally closed up.

As for the incontinence: I wore those awful diapers at night at first too, but I quickly realized that I was almost completed dry at night and ditched them all together. I had a few dribbles, on occasion, but night time has not been an issue. I did use the larger depends pads up until about week 4, then went to shields, and was able to stop using the shields a couple of weeks ago. Every now and then, I'll have some dribbles, but it's been pretty minor and infrequent.
Posted 4/22/2015 6:51 PM (GMT 0)
The surgeon called me on Monday and wants to see the incision tomorrow afternoon. He is doing surgeries Tue and Wed so the earliest he could see me was Thur. It is more of a nuisance then anything else. Keeping the bandage dry requires a sponge bath. My wife helps so no big deal.

I switched to the pads yesterday and I am fine with them. I am still having night sweats like crazy though. I will mention that to the dr.

Until later my friends...
Posted 4/25/2015 2:42 AM (GMT 0)
Glof, after my surgery, for some reason I sweated at night too. Some nights I woke up and the pillow was soaked. It lasted about a month, but I only wore a Depends brief at night for about a week, as I recall. So it may just be your body adjusting from the surgery rather than the diaper.

After about 3-4 weeks, the sweating subsided, and stopped. I would just try to be patient.
Posted 4/26/2015 3:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hey everyone. The ER doc put those surgical strips on the incision last Sunday and they are still on. The surgeon told me to keep them on for another week. He said the incision looks good so just keep it dry. My wife wrapped me in plastic wrap for my shower and it worked like a charm.

The night sweats are diminishing which is great. As for incontinence, getting better everyday. Still walking and doing those exercises.

Now I am just waiting to take my first post-RALP blood test on May 7th.

Talk to you later my friends...
Posted 4/26/2015 3:58 PM (GMT 0)
Glof, your dx and path are almost identical to mine, and it sounds like you're on the same recovery track as well. Here's hoping for the trifecta for you!
Posted 5/8/2015 1:15 AM (GMT 0)
Hey everyone. Just got the results from my first PSA test since the RALP.

My result measured <0.10

Feeling great overall and pretty much dry now. A little squirt here and there but managing well.

Until later my friends.
Posted 5/8/2015 1:37 AM (GMT 0)
Great to hear. How's the view in the rear-view mirror? I'm guessing it's shrinking rapidly.
Posted 5/8/2015 1:52 AM (GMT 0)
Excellent news.
Keep,those "<<<'s" comin
Posted 5/18/2015 2:19 PM (GMT 0)
Hey everyone. I am doing great thus far. I have a question. I am pretty dry at night but I am waking up every 1.5 to 2 hours to pee. The urge to pee wakes me up which is good but I am not sleeping well with the interruptions. Anyone else have this issue. I am 6 weeks post RALP.
Posted 5/18/2015 2:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Glof,

I woke up like you every 2 hours a month or so after surgery. Now, almost 3 years later I wake up once or twice. Sometimes I take and Eleve PM or Advil PM when I go to bed when I have any pains and I tend to sleep straight thru without having to get up in the middle of the night.
That was a tip my surgeon gave me who installed my AUS for incontinence last year. I only do it when I am having any pains and at my age that is often.

Remember to not drink too much close to bedtime and try to empty your bladder before going to bed.

Congrats on your PSA and welcome to the Zero Club! yeah

Bill from Florida cool
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