Incontinence Management Advice

Yorvik 

I was fortunate to be 99 percent dry a few days after catheter removal learning to tense those pelvic floor muscles when standing was the first thing I managed to master. Can you stop your flow mid stream, if yes it is a good indication that the mechanics are okay. 

Follow on treatment for me meant I lost and regained my continence numerous times. My surgeon was quite annoyed that I had started using the sheath system. The sheaths can improve your quality of life and used as an "aid" to recovery they are good, but I suspect your consultant would say it is way to early to be using them. They do have issues and can leak. 

I often hear advice that three sessions a day is about right. I used an app that is no longer available, I think the current app is call squeezy, sure someone will advise.

Are you getting free pads from the NHS.

I got myself padded up with a tena2 and stood in the bath to see how much the pad would hold. A sudden gush of 150 will probably finish up down your leg. If you can slow it down it may hold the 150ml.

Its very early days, you still need time to heal and there could be debris etc in the urethra. 

It is early days so stick with it.

Thanks Chris

On the afternoon of the first day of catheter removal I had a lie down and discovered that I could stay dry.

Whilst lying down, when I feel I've got some bladder content I'll slowly rise concentrating on holding it, then get to the loo to let go. I found this reassuring as it implied the sphincter situation was not hopeless.

On the first day I was gushing so much, and convinced this was how it was to be, so my partner took me to the local chemist and I bought a huge pack of Super size pads saying "I don't care about fashion or aesthetics just give me a super soaker". In hindsight this was really a panic buy.

Also, I normally wear boxer style briefs, which of course are useless holding pads in place. So my partner has kindly let me use some of her briefs as they're a more snug fit. Just hope I don't get in an accident and end up in A&E labelled as a transvestite.

As I said, gravity is the next step to overcome, but it's a case of small steps over time.

Hi Yorvik, 

I am 7 weeks post op and am still suffering. Saw my surgeon a few days ago and he thinks I am average and not to worry. Of course, some guys attain continence quickly and others sometimes after a long time, if at all. So many variables in play. I am definitely a little better than I was at weeks 2/3 and that gives me some hope. Even though I am practically dry at night, I still wear disposable pants in bed. Gives me the confidence I will not disgrace myself. I am only now thinking about pads instead. I have tried several brands of pads during the day and after initially thinking they were not worth the cost, I have settled on Tena. I like them because they have a wide shape at the front and are nice and thin for the capacity. I am still using Level 3 (700ml) and they last me about 4 hours on average but I don't wait until they are saturated. I have tried narrower shapes with so called leak protectors, but they didn't work for me. I found the Old Chap didn't like being constrained to the narrow shape and the leak protectors were not dependable. But I am sure it is horses for courses. Ref the PF exercises, be careful not to overdo it and strain the muscle. It will have the opposite effect of that intended. The specialist nurse warned me about that when I confessed to how many I was doing. One 'problem' I have is that I sometimes squirt when squeezing. I mentioned that to my surgeon and his response was that is a sign that I am definitely working the right muscle! Confuses me a bit because squeezing or tensing the muscle is meant to prevent leakage and I do find that sometimes during the day when I feel a leak coming, tensing the muscle forces a bit out.

It is very distressing but you are in good company and it's early days.

Peter

Edited by member 23 Dec 2021 at 20:07  | Reason: Not specified

Bruce just expand on the above please, surley you can't be passing 1950ml in 30 minutes ?

I can understand a pad not absorbing its full capacity. 

How much are you drinking per day and what are you drinking.

Thanks Chris

Many thanks for your response Chris. I may well be wrong but it seems to me that recovery from surgery, as so far as continence is concerned, is part pelvic floor but also neurological recovery from either bruising/trauma or potentially regrowth. It all seems a bit of a lottery and whilst waiting for nature to do her best, I guess I’ll just have to manage as best I can. Life still has to go on though and if I can find any means that enable me to get out and about without hindering the healing process, I’ll give it a go. 
Much appreciated Bruce

Bruce you could look at the Afex incontinence system. The same  thinking would apply to the Afex as the sheaths, they should be an aid not a substitute.

Thanks Chris

Thanks Chris - I’ll look at these tomorrow. 
many thanks Bruce

Most people re-use the single use night bags - it is a misnomer. When it gets full, empty it and reattach. On some brands, you can connect the night bag to the day bag to make use of both volumes. 

Edited by member 23 Dec 2021 at 23:24  | Reason: Not specified

My post op night bags were truly single use, to empty the bag you had to snap the spout or cut the corner off the bag. Apart from one occasion my current night bags have a reusable tap. Another post code lottery some areas issue 7 night bags per week our area issue I per week.  The advice from the NHS is generally once any item has been removed it should be discarded and a new item fitted, they then add the get out clause, with the exception of the night bag that can be reused for 7 days in the home environment.

Thanks Chris

Unfortunately the night bags supplied had a single use valve to empty which prevented re-use. The day bags were reusable but of too small a capacity for nighttime use.