Alternative to pads / nappies ? I tried a urinary sheath and advice ?

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User

Posted 03 Oct 2023 at 11:36

2 weeks since catheter out but still leaking quite a bit when walking so tried this item in link below. I have had it on for 3 days as advised by them is ok. It’s great!! In that I don’t feel ‘ashamed’ or uncomfortable in wet pads/ Tena pants but…. Wonder does anyone think this might be unwise in terms of recovery ? Otherwise I was able to go out for the first time in 3 weeks… pub and meal (non alcoholic still) but I felt pretty normal for first time since Twoc.. anyone else tried ? Hopefully if not because you didn’t need !! https://www.incontinencechoice.co.uk/urinary-sheath-condom-catheter-kit-40mm.html

User

Posted 03 Oct 2023 at 12:24

Slimjim, there are different schools of thought on the sheaths. Some say they are a life changer and some say they make you lazy. Despite being 99 per cent dry a few days after catheter removal , I lost and regained my continence numerous times following treatment to a stricture. About a year after RARP I blackmailed my continence nurse into prescribing some sheaths. A few days later I saw my surgeon who was more than displeased ( he went ballistic) with me and the nurse for getting the sheaths. His view was that you will recover control a lot quicker by not using them.

They are a life changer but they should be an aid not a substitute. My thoughts are ,by all means use them for a special occasion but don't use the all the time. When I used them, I would hold the urine as much as possible and then stand up and go through the normal "having a pee " routine. A few weeks sacrifice now "may" have long term benefits. We are all adults on here and make our own decisions. Perhaps ring the nurse specialist on this site and ask her opinion , would be interested to hear her views.

User

Posted 03 Oct 2023 at 16:48

Ah a nurse specialist on site !! Just what I want. Thansks

User

Posted 03 Oct 2023 at 18:38

Slimslim, you may have already found out removal of the sheath can sometimes be difficult. There is a medical grade spray for dissolving the adhesive, too much pulling can stretch the foreskin and it can take a long time to go back to normal, that is an assumption the penis has not been circumcised.

Thanks Chris

User

Posted 03 Oct 2023 at 20:18

Everyone is different of course but at two weeks I was like a leaky tap and my CNS did mention about the catheter idea, but only as a fall back for really difficult occasions (I was due to go to my daughters graduation and was getting through pads like no-ones business). In the end, I stuck it with pads (mainly because i ran out of time to get things organised at the hospital) and am now down to 1 or 2 pads per day.

Good luck 👍

User

Posted 04 Oct 2023 at 11:41

I find that I leak so much when walking about. Not so when asleep or sitting down. When I stand up it leaks. How kind did it take to get down to 1 or 2 pads ?

User

Posted 04 Oct 2023 at 19:01

So I spoke to the nurse. She said they are ok to use instead of pads and that the risk of infection is much lower than in internal catheter. However when I mentioned about the possible delay to improvement she did suggest I take it off when I feel the urge to pee. But they are not take off / put back on design. Also I never feel an urge to pee for the last 3 weeks since the catheter out as I constantly leak so not ‘storing’ in bladder. I know it is only 3 weeks since Twoc but I am starting to worry that this is the new normal.

User

Posted 04 Oct 2023 at 22:53

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

I find that I leak so much when walking about. Not so when asleep or sitting down. When I stand up it leaks. How kind did it take to get down to 1 or 2 pads ?

Yes, I think that's fairly typical, sitting or lying down puts far less strain on the bladder muscle than standing up. Certainly was my experience. I was dry at night from day one.

Last few months post-op have been a bit of a blur and improvements have been gradual but I think about 6 weeks after catheter removal I was at 3 pads, down to 2 pads about a fortnight later. I have good days, then sometimes a bit of a wobble another day, particularly if I'm busy, distracted or tired (or perhaps all three? 😴 )

I think you're about a month post operation so try not to let it get you down. You will get there. Sounds like the catheter idea might work for you, particularly if it buys you a bit of freedom.

I may have mentioned before, keep doing the pelvic floor exercises as they really do seem to help.

Hope this helps

John

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