Hi guys.
2weeks tomorrow since my LRP &looking forward to having my catheter removed. It's been a challenging 2weeks. I think I was in denial after discharge for a few days & thought I could walk a few miles a day & continue housework & chores.
I was wrong, it hit me mid first week & I've been taking things very easily since. I've had a few blockages in the catheter which have been challenging & many bladder spasms which are eye watering & messy. Lots of leakage.
It's been a tougher challenge than I'd dared to envisage.
Anyway, the light at the end of the tunnel grows brighter. I'm planning a quiet week next week, hopefully in my caravan with dog walks along the canal paths. The week after, I'm hoping to step up slightly again by joining the gym and some classes to gently start getting back into shape. My abs are still sore, so I'm going to start very gently indeed.
Anyone any advice on which activities to go for and which not. Obviously the spinning is out, unless they've got the bikes with a full seat & I will limit any free weights.
I really need to start running again, xcountry season looms, I'm missing the endorphins but thought I'd leave that for another week again and start tentatively the week after.
Thus, post LRP recovery to fitness plan is:-
Week 1 - pottering round the house & rest
Week 2 - pottering round the house & rest
Week 3 - start at 90 mins per day walk & build up to 180 minutes per day over the week.
Week 4 - gentle gym work, total body & yoga classes. Walk 120 minutes per day.
Week 5 - continue gym & classes, walk / run 120 minutes per day.
Obviously bladder control is still an unknown & will affect things. I'm worried about starting back to work as it's 2hours each way drive to the office. Will see.
Experience from others gratefully received.
Thank you
Carlos
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Life's a Marathon. Run in peace. |
User
Think you should postpone gym visits. Your muscles have been cut to remove prostate and this is SURGERY even tho laporascopic. I am a gym enthusiast but still think not advisable. At least ask nurse on ward for advice,please.
User
Hi Carlos,
We all recover at different rates so no one else's regime will fit you.
FWIW my experience was that running made me wet myself, I put this down the pounding and the associated increase in pressure on my bladder muscle. Taken ages to get some control back, and although I no, longer wear a pad for the gym, I still do dribble a bit when running on the treadmill. I can control this if I go for a wee before I train and during my training.
I id set out with a regime aim to meet, but after a few short attempts decided to just go with what my body would cope with, which was less than I hoped.
Good luck.
Dave
User
I left it 6 weeks before I started playing golf. 18 weeks post catheter removal, I am still leaking, especially when doing any kind of exercise, including gardening and housework. It is improving slowly, but take it easy. Rushing back too quickly will not help in the long run.
Stay Calm And Carry On. |
User
Cheers guys.
I've been up all night, bladder spasms are knocking me about & very painful. Only a few hours unilt the catheter is out. Gave up the bed at 3am and sat with the dog on 'cat watch' through the patio window.
You're all right. I think I've set my expectations too high. I've been googling the subject most of the night & the answers are all the same. We've got to let our body's heal.
Having watched an LRP on YouTube in the early hours, the internal plumbing mods are huge & the risk of hernia or undoing the surgeons good work are very high if we over do it.
I think I'll have to forget distance running for a few more weeks & concentrate on eating the right things & walking sensible distances. Heck, it's painful in my abdomin even if I sneeze. Reality check time I believe.
It's just, after being a former 21st couch potato, 4yrs on running is such a huge part of my life. I owe it everything for bringing me back from the brink of morbidly obese related doom & depression. Not just the training & health side, the competitive races, my league position, the social aspect, having the crack with my mates. The buzz that being in the thick of a community gives.
Guessing I can start from basic running principles at about 6 weeks post op & start a running plan that will see me in good shape for the 2015 season.
Time for the marathon of life to take centre stage.
Carlos.
Life's a Marathon. Run in peace. |
User
I have told him that many times, thanks for reinforcing!
User
Carlos, perhaps instead of dwelling on what you have currently lost (which will return once your body has healed enough to cope), think of what situation would now be in had you remained a "21st stone couch potato" who now has cancer and is being treated for it. Just think of the nursing staff alone trying to shift you around in a bed!! You did it before - you'll do it again, because this time you KNOW what the end result can look and feel like, instead of just wishing and hoping and dreaming of being a fit young man. Best Wishes Sandra
We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails |
User
Thanks Sandra & yes, Hilary. You've been telling me for weeks. I'm a naughty patient indeed 😜x
Life's a Marathon. Run in peace. |
User
I think that a return to fitness in a few weeks is unrealistic for any of us who have undergone a prostatectomy. I'm swimming and watching what I eat and thinking of a year. I'm pleased to report that my bike leathers fit me again though.
Steve
User
Hi Carlos,
I hope things go smoothly for you when your catheter is removed..
As others have already advised you, take things slowly for a good few weeks....
Everyone's recovery rate is different I know, but looking at your planned regime I think it's a little ambitious? http://community.prostatecanceruk.org/editors/tiny_mce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-smile.gif
My clinical nurse told me " All you men are too impatient " and I think she is right! http://community.prostatecanceruk.org/editors/tiny_mce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-smile.gif
I'm still not back to where I was before my RP in fitness terms yet ( 11 weeks post op ) but I'm getting there.....
I still get the odd twinge, and when I do I ease off a little....
When I need reminding I read 'The Tortoise and the Hare' and that keeps me in line! http://community.prostatecanceruk.org/editors/tiny_mce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-smile.gif
Best Wishes
Luther
User
Carlos,
a lot of people will not be able to understand or empathise with what is driving you in your desire to return to the fitness regime you enjoyed, they might say "endured", in a previous life. The feeling after a good workout or a run has to be experienced to be appreciated. You are at a very early stage in your post op recovery, and so the bodily functions that you took for granted are also at an early stage of recovery.
But, you may find that planning as such, is a thing of the past and you will find out what you can do gradually by trial and error.
Running will probably cause you to leak profusely, especially early on, and even wearing a level 2 pad may not be able to deal with it. However you can still exercise aerobically without high impact, stepping on a machine and brisk walking on a treadmill will allow exercise with less leaking, worked for me anyway. Those skimpy little running shorts don't hold much or support much, so I now wear sports shorts and briefs beneath, and I go as soon as I get to the gym and after my weights session before I go to the treadmill, where I can now run again if I empty before I start. Sit ups, can do those if I tense as I do them. It is all trial and error, seeing what works for you and you will be surprised sat how soon you make improvements.
Black shorts will hide any small patches of leakage that briefs or a pad can not hold in. I remember early on needing to walk out with a towel placed to cover a large damp patch, but hey at least you are alive and you will get back to it in your body's own good time.
On the positive side if you were a fit lad before the op then any weight increase now will not be as bad for you if you were a large lad to begin with, and getting back to it will be easier.
ATB
Dave
16 months ahead of you, gym'ing 4 x a week, weights and running. There is hope.
User
Thanks all.
I'm learning it's tiny steps up recovery.
Life's a Marathon. Run in peace. |
User
Carlos
When you no longer have wound pain and feel well enough, is possible to use a Conveen Active Leg Bag and Conveen Optima Sheath (both are available on NHS prescription). The former is designed for sports activities such as jogging. I haven't tried jogging yet but have used a leg bag in the gym and swimming pool and when hillwalking. There are diffent sizes of bag available.
I can now manage in the gym using sports briefs and a pad and no longer need to use a leg bag in the swimming pool.
Robert