Incontinence…how long does this go on for?

Hi Debbie. Everyone is different - some are dry immediately others take time and may never get dry. I’m nearly 11 months post op. First few weeks were awful - I could not as they say hold water and went through 9/10 pads a day often soaking through them. However after about 3/4 weeks things improved in steps. I’m now on 1 pad a day and just moved to level 2. Much improved but still need one as some days I’m quite dry others a bit wetter with no pattern. It doesn’t ruin my life and the only change I have made is I no longer use the communal changing rooms at the gym. Good luck and remember keep squeezing. 

Hi DJC44,

As you have acknowledged, experiences of incontinence vary widely.  Some people are dry almost immediately.

I had really bad incontinence immediately after catheter was removed - used about 8 pads a day for the first 3-4 months.  I'm now 20 months post surgery and use 2-3 pads per day on average.  However, I was pretty dry lying down at night from the beginning.  My Urologist told me that this was a good sign, as it implied that the problem was 'mechanical' and should improve with the Kegel exercises.  He also referred me to the Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist to check that I was doing the exercises correctly.  (I was, but they reported that my muscles were weak).  It might be worth your while to ask for such a referral if the Urologist hasn't already done so.  (Like everything else, there is a waiting list).

I have been doing Kegel exercises throughout and added in Pilates and Yoga, which I attribute to the improvement as much as the Kegels.  I also go for walks about 3-4 times per week.  It is very difficult to figure out what makes it worse.  I can have a few good days when I think I'm improving, followed by a couple of bad days, when I seem to be standing still.  I've cut out all the obvious things - e.g., caffeine, carbonated drinks, citrus drinks, long drinks (e.g. pints of anything!).  

I try to get on with life. I always have a spare pad with me whenever I'm out and about, and it doesn't stop me doing most things (except swimming and using shared changing rooms).

Hopefully, you will improve with time. 

Good luck.

Hi DJC44

I am 28 months post op. After 3 months I was seriously depressed and wondering if I would ever stop peeing myself. It was only at 5/6 months that I started to notice serious improvement. It had been creeping up on me slowly. After 12 months I was using just one Tena level 1 pad daily. Now, I am perhaps 99% dry. I don't normally wear a pad at home unless I am doing strenuous activity and when I go out I wear a level 0 or perhaps a level 1 pad. (I find them more comfortable as I don't need to worry so much about positioning. Level 0 pads are very small). But this is mainly  for confidence. Strangely, I don't think I drip at all when wearing a pad. Perhaps that is because the Old Chap is nice and snug. Like some others, I have been dry at night from the start. Gravity? 

For those of us who were not lucky enough to be dry from the start, pelvic floor exercises and patience are the order of the day. 

Ref. drinks. I enjoy my morning cup of coffee, a pint of real ale or a glass of red wine (perhaps two) when I go out with no ill effects. But white wine and spirits are definitely off limits. 

Good luck on your journey, 

Peter