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4 month update after RALP

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Posted 9/6/2017 1:43 PM (GMT 0)
Mainly this four month update for those curious about recovery after surgery. Of course your mileage may (and probably will) vary. I consider myself lucky given the range of recoveries I've read about.

Incontinence has virtually disappeared. I may get a bit of stress leakage from lifting something heavy or twisting suddenly but that's it. Not even wearing pads now except jogging at the gym where - I still get a bit of blood in the urine. Not a lot but it happens most of the time. Dr. Han says if I have no problems voiding not to worry. Though if it keeps happening for much longer I'm going to wonder if there isn't a staple or something in there aggravating things.

ED: slower improvement. I'd say at best it might be 2/3 of what it was. And that takes a lot of work to achieve. Lots of manual manipulation and it dies quickly. Research indicates this may still improve. This is free of drugs - I'm not allowed to take Viagra et al due to a heart valve condition. Orgasms are weird and I'd consider a little less satisfying. No ejaculation of course. I don't know if it is because of that but there is no real 'climax' to an orgasm anymore - more of a generalized feeling - some of which is familiar from before. Less of a problem now with urine at orgasm.

Size: the penis seems a little smaller most of the time - I didn't have much to begin with - but I think a bit sucked in due to empty space where prostate was.

Surgery area: Some slightly darker areas on the abdomen and not particulary remarkable. No pain. No pulling.

Peeing: haven't peed this good since I was a kid - wishing there was a competition in this area.

Bowel: seems pretty much normal.

Regrets: Some second guessing due to side effects. Radiation might have been as effective with less permanent side effects. Overall though I am glad to know exactly where I stand and there is a decent chance that cancer has been completely eradicated. I think an individual's age should be an important consideration when weighing treatment options. I'm 55 and of course can't have kids anymore. But fine with me.
Posted 9/6/2017 2:03 PM (GMT 0)
Your after-action report is very, very similar to my experience except I was mostly continent when the cath came out. Good luck with recovery.
Posted 9/6/2017 2:10 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds good!

Bobby Mac
Posted 9/6/2017 2:36 PM (GMT 0)
That's a great report. Looks like you are on the road to recovery.
Posted 9/6/2017 3:17 PM (GMT 0)
You are doing well!
Ask your Dr. for low dosage drugs for ED if you are not on them to be sure you are getting adequate blood flow to those nerves.
Posted 9/6/2017 3:48 PM (GMT 0)
You're doing well.

Things just get better from here,
Andrew
Posted 9/6/2017 4:03 PM (GMT 0)
Glad to hear you feel that you are doing well, gene62.

Here's a little feedback on your categories:
-Incontinence -- Will likely improve even more with time.
-ED -- Orgasm are different for all who have RP; most agree that it is less satisfying (but not all-together bad)
-Size -- Shrinkage is a thing, but not because it got "sucked up" into the void space hahaha (you were probably kidding)
-Surgery area -- Will continue to improve. 8-yrs post-RP and I still have a little tenderness due to the way some pants hang over the scar
-Peeing -- thumbs up; call this a "favorable outcome"
-Bowel -- This is typically the leading issue for radiation patients over long term, but not an issue for RP patients
-Regrets -- Regarding you comment about age considerations, I think you're right...if you were 10 years older and less prone to late-term effects, you might have weighed radiation more heavily when deciding on treatment

Overall, your recovery sounds about as good as it gets!
Posted 9/9/2017 6:51 AM (GMT 0)
I was only a Gleason 7, 2 out of 12 biopsy Opted for rp because I was subjected to large doses of radiation being a crew chief on early icbms. Had to hug the war head for several hours attaching it to the missile. Anyway back to today. Only a gleason 7. During RP the surgeon found the cancer had spread outside the prostate and did a wide margin. Never really know till they are in there. At first I was angry as my nerves were not spared. % weeks later am thankful that I opted for the RP.
Posted 9/10/2017 12:52 AM (GMT 0)
Great news!!!

Congratulations!!!

Andrew
Posted 9/10/2017 10:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

SOunds like you are doing well. I am almost 4 years post RALP. I still have minor stress incontinence that is brought on by lifting things are if I just get stressed. I have been using 5mg of Cialis several times a week for most of this time. I wa able to get a usable erection about 9 months post op with Cialis and after 3 and 1/2 years i can get an erection without Cialis. I did experience noticeable penile shortening after surgery which after all of this time, I assume, is permanent.

As long as my PSA remains undetectable, this is all fine with me. The most important thing my Uro told me was a very important piece of advise and has helped. He told me that my recovery would not be linear. That some days would be better than others. He was right.
Posted 9/21/2017 3:32 PM (GMT 0)
I am sorry for the late reply but wanted to thank everyone for their comments, suggestions and shared experiences. The point about non-linear recovery is a good one. Sometimes it's a bit up and down.

One other thing I wondered...do any of you that had a prostatectomy experience a little pain when having an orgasm? Anyone know what causes it?
Posted 9/21/2017 5:27 PM (GMT 0)
No pain here. Probably it is a "ejaculation" pain and is caused by some nerves being damaged by the surgeon. The situation should improve over time, as the nerve heals. Have you asked your doctor about it?
Posted 9/22/2017 1:26 AM (GMT 0)
Gene62,
Your recovery is very encouraging and it is heading in right direction.
At 4 months having 2/3 of erecion quality what you had a prior to RP is one big WOW!
I am always concerned about young guys choosing RP with all possible SE that are part of the deal. In your case looks it was not too bad.
For me it did not work that well.
MK
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