I'm interested in conversations about and I want to talk about
Know exactly what you want?
Show search

Notification

Error

Just had catheter removed

Email this conversation Print this conversation
User
Posted 26 Sep 2024 at 16:20

Hi All

I'm new to the group so apologies if I'm posting this in the wrong place.

Im 59 years old reasonably fit and healthy and had my prostate removed on 10/09/2024

I have today had my catheter removed and I'm finding a lot of leak when i relax, I can a bit hold it back but its exhausting tbh. Should I constantly be holding it up and tensing up ? This is even after not drinking which is probably bad but I'm worried it'll just flood out.

Should I just relax, put up with it whilst doing pelvic floor exercises

Surely others have had this issue, so hopefully some much needed advice please

Thanks all 

User
Posted 26 Sep 2024 at 17:03

Hi RP 2 years ago.

Day 1 it's not going to be the best tbh. But you are doing your pelvic floor so doing the right thing. Hopefully you can see some improvement over the coming days. I found it was not a straight line improvement, some days you think you have cracked it only to find the next day you regress a little.

User
Posted 26 Sep 2024 at 19:17

Hi Neal, the first couple of days are terrible and feels like it's never going to get better. I was on about 8 pads a day for the first few days. Stick with it, it will improve over the next week. It's impossible to tense all the time but make sure to do so when standing, coughing etc. Keep up the pelvic floor exercises, I found standing in the bath doing them useful as it didn't matter about leakage, and found it easier with a mirror to check that I'm doing them right. Bit like having a mirror in the gym. Also found it useful to pee then stop, pee then stop to make sure you are controlling the right muscles.

It's a journey, stick at it and celebrate little wins along the way. Things will improve. 

User
Posted 26 Sep 2024 at 19:31

Welcome to the group Neal, and reading the forum posts will very quickly highlight that everybody is different. What  everybody will say is doing the Kegels consistently is essential, and that progress will be seen. My experience was similar in that I instinctively held on for the first few days and weeks as I ventured outside but over time the need disappeared as things improved. The urology nurse also recommended bladder training to improve bladder capacity after catheter removal. This made a difference. 

I'm 7 months post RP and pretty much pad free. Usage dropped away significantly in around month 3/4 but as others have found it wasn't linear and some bad days came as unwelcome surprises. I do still use a Level 0 pad for exercise.

Good luck.. 

Show Most Thanked Posts
User
Posted 26 Sep 2024 at 16:44

Hi Neal,

Welcome to the Club nobody wants to join, but you’ll find lots of men on here that can answer your question. I didn’t have the Op so I’m not best placed to do so, but I do know from the guys in Maggies who had the Op that you need to be patient with your recovery…and they say the leaking can be quite alarming at first, but it tends to improve steadily. I assume you’ve got pads?

All the best,

Derek

User
Posted 26 Sep 2024 at 17:03

Hi RP 2 years ago.

Day 1 it's not going to be the best tbh. But you are doing your pelvic floor so doing the right thing. Hopefully you can see some improvement over the coming days. I found it was not a straight line improvement, some days you think you have cracked it only to find the next day you regress a little.

User
Posted 26 Sep 2024 at 19:17

Hi Neal, the first couple of days are terrible and feels like it's never going to get better. I was on about 8 pads a day for the first few days. Stick with it, it will improve over the next week. It's impossible to tense all the time but make sure to do so when standing, coughing etc. Keep up the pelvic floor exercises, I found standing in the bath doing them useful as it didn't matter about leakage, and found it easier with a mirror to check that I'm doing them right. Bit like having a mirror in the gym. Also found it useful to pee then stop, pee then stop to make sure you are controlling the right muscles.

It's a journey, stick at it and celebrate little wins along the way. Things will improve. 

User
Posted 26 Sep 2024 at 19:27
Thanks Guys much appreciated.. some positive feedback
User
Posted 26 Sep 2024 at 19:31

Welcome to the group Neal, and reading the forum posts will very quickly highlight that everybody is different. What  everybody will say is doing the Kegels consistently is essential, and that progress will be seen. My experience was similar in that I instinctively held on for the first few days and weeks as I ventured outside but over time the need disappeared as things improved. The urology nurse also recommended bladder training to improve bladder capacity after catheter removal. This made a difference. 

I'm 7 months post RP and pretty much pad free. Usage dropped away significantly in around month 3/4 but as others have found it wasn't linear and some bad days came as unwelcome surprises. I do still use a Level 0 pad for exercise.

Good luck.. 

 
Forum Jump  
Email this conversation Print this conversation

Join the online community now.

Click through to become a member and gain access to support, information and real time replies.




MenuTop ▲
©2024 Prostate Cancer UK