Post op 4 weeks

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User

Posted 23 Sep 2022 at 15:41

Good afternoon to you all, I recently had my prostate removed, on 25th August after a very quick diagnosis, MRI, and biopsy and after just two weeks I was on the operating table for 7 hours.

well I’m home now, but suffering the incontinance which I was informed of but had no idea of how it would be in reality. I had a caffita in for 3 weeks, and suffered the leaks which I was not prepared for.

I am suffering from incontinance at night, no control, getting through 4 large pads which my wife obtained from AgeUK. I can get about 2 hours sleep before getting up and placing a new pad on. During the day however I seem to be able sort of control myself. While sat all is ok, but as soon as I stand it starts, just a small amount into a pad before I climb the stairs to the toilet where I seem to be able to control the flow and pee as normal.

so really just need some folks to let me know, roughly how long before I may be dry at night?

User

Posted 23 Sep 2022 at 20:38

Peter,

Incontinence issues vary greatly for those recovering from surgery. 7 hours is a long op. Pelvic floor exercises are going to be crucial in regaining control. Search this forum on the topic. If you have a smartphone, check out the "squeezy" app. Perhaps ask to see / get some sessions with a physio who specialises in continence issues.

Consider too, limiting alcohol and caffeine drinks at this stage, as they are known triggers. Sipping fluids thru the day. Some on this forum limited fluid intake after early evening.

User

Posted 23 Sep 2022 at 20:53

Good luck Peter! It sounds as if you have only had your catheter out for a week, so it is early days.

From what I have read here people vary, so I can only speak for myself. I only had problems at night for the first week or so, after that just minor dribbles. However during the day I did seem to be getting through a lot of pads, like you I was fine sitting but walking around generated leaks at quite a fast rate.

There wasn't a breakthrough moment in terms of incontinence, it just slowly got better. As I have mentioned on other threads, the psychological breakthrough for me was around six weeks when I found I could just about do the activities I enjoyed (with planning for pad changes) and life looked up.

User

Posted 01 Oct 2022 at 15:29

Just to inform you all, it’s now been 5 weeks 3 days and I can see and feel progress. Last night I only used 3 pads which were only slightly wet rather than previously being full of urine and soaked, so I really feel progress is on the way.

Also this allows me to feel happy about myself gives me a bit more self esteem.

So all going well.

User

Posted 01 Oct 2022 at 16:33

That is good to hear, Peter, and may it continue to improvre.

User

Posted 07 Oct 2022 at 21:59

Hi Peter, It seems you have it the other way around. I hear a lot of people are ok at night and worse during the day.
You are kind of early in your recovery but I do feel your frustration. I am 5 weeks post RARP and 3 weeks post catheter removed. Everything has been textbok and like clockwork but I still get down and frustrated with this incontinence business. To some degree I think we are expecting far too much far too early. My wife keeps reminding me you only had the catheter removed 3 weeks ago. If I think back and compare to 3 weeks ago the progress is huge.
I am mostly dry already and mostly have control. I even survived an unexpected sneeze the other day. I am doing the PF exercises which I do believe are key. Yesterday I had a completely dry day and I thought yay I have beaten this and back to normal. Today I dribbled all the way around Tesco. Kind of left me feeling down about it all. I should't as I don't even fill 1 Tena pad in one day. Level 2 which is too much during the day and a Tena liner during the night which I am thinking about not even using anymore.
Also after I do PF exercises it can make the tip of my penis ache and also can make it difficult to pee. I guess this is the point. I have done some experiments where I have not done PF squeezing and have freely peed but had dribbles. Doing the PF squeeze and found it more restrictive to pee but no dribbles. Maybe I am over doing it and crushing my uretha lol.
Whats everyones experience on this?

User

Posted 08 Oct 2022 at 11:51

YorkiePaul,

It's possible you may be overdoing your PF exercises and tiring the muscle. My physio told me she had several patients who lost control (temporarily) or had pain after the exercises. So it was with me.

She told me the only time the muscle is completely relaxed is when you are lying flat on your back. I am now 11 months post op.,99% continent and doing PF exercises once daily. Since seeing the physio in early days I have laid flat on the floor for 10-15 minutes after exercising and I have never again had a problem. Of course, I realise that time itself is a great healer but why stop a good thing? To be frank, I quite enjoy the relaxation.

Peter

Edited by member 08 Oct 2022 at 11:51 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 09 Oct 2022 at 08:07

ChrisV

Hi Guys

I'm commenting from Sydney, OZ. Thought I'd check in to see if you Brits are doing anything cleverer than us with these rotten side effects. Had a robotic prostatectomy July 28th so well over the medical side of things, I've had a pretty rough two months leaking. I started using about 7 x Tena lvl 4 pads over 24hours, but the number of pads isn't indicative as I put a new one on every time I step outside the door. I weigh the total pads over each 24hr period so I can track the volume changes. I can happily say that this last week is showing a clear trend of lowering the volume, although it seems like forever, doing the PF muscle exercises etc. Everyone keeps telling me its early days, but not a lot of help as I squirt constantly into a pad.

We also have a PC foundation site and blokes talk very openly and share our stories to help each other get our heads around this major change to life as we knew it.

I have just opened up a commentary there regarding our mental stress to encourage folks to open up and talk about the strain and stress of dealing with ED, incontinence. As blokes we all talk about the mechanics and make jokes but don't or won't talk about our mental health issues and the current topic for us is .. 'where did my best friend go to?' The penis has gone from our pride and joy to a stubby little mound with an over long foreskin!

Best regards

Chris

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