How long

Ken Hall · New User Joined: 03 Nov 2007 Posts: 1

I'm 64 and just had my prostate removed on 10/10 at Duke (DaVinci Robotic). My biggest worry is incontinence. I'm OK when I'm sitting or lying down, but when I stand up gravity takes over. I'm working on my Kegels (a couple of minutes several times/day).
My questions are: Am I doing it enough? How long before I start seeing results? I know I've got more questions, but can't get all my thoughts together right now. Thanks

brainman · Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 2:41 pm Post subject: Re: How long

Hi Ken, I am very sorry about your health concerns and your Cancer specifically. Duke is a fantastic hospital!

Unfortunately, I know very little about Prostate Cancer. I do not even know what a "Kegel" is Embarassed

Hopefully, some one who knows more about this cancer will reply to your question soon. Unfortunately, since most of us are dealing with cancer, most of us do not have the energy to reply and those of us that do have the energy do not know everything about every cancer. We very much depend on members of this community to contribute their experiences and advice. On most of our forums, we have someone who I could say is our primary go-to person. However, right now we do not have anyone for the Prostate Cancer Forum Sad

.

You are in my thoughts and prayers.
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ksplat · Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 5:57 pm Post subject: Re: How long

Dear Ken

I'm sorry I cannot offer any insight on PC. I pray you will have a response soon to your questions from another member of this forum.

Welcome to this forum too! It's a great spot for support, care & concern, understanding & information.

You are in my thoughts & prayers.

Cheers, Aussie Angie.
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"Without Faith We Have Nothing"

sequoiaranger · Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 1:22 pm Post subject: Too Soon to Worry

After my prostatectomy I had a catheter for some six weeks. Boy was it a tremendous relief to get that thing out (both the catheter and the tumor)!! My whole excretory system was confused and unreliable for maybe a month or two more afterward. The signals to my brain, either the "Hey, I need to go" signals or the "Ah, that is better" signals were all screwed up, but I gained control slowly and have had no problems since about three months from surgery. I did not do "Kegels" (Brainman, etc--"Kegels" are tightening of the pelvic floor muscles, like trying to shut one's sphincter, or "lifting" an erection), but I healed fairly completely. I wore some pads for about two months after getting the catheter out, but only had one accident, so stopped wearing them. Once in a long while I will have a small accidental squirt (a teaspoon?) when I didn't want it, but that is all. I deliberately urinate frequently to keep the pressure down, but have had no problems or flow blockage.

Of course I have heard about incontinence problems resulting from a prostatectomy, and was duly worried, but I think that a return of control is the most likely outcome. BELIEVE it will happen.

Best of luck to you.

sequoiaranger · Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 11:17 pm Post subject: Oops! Make that THREE weeks

Sorry, I erred when I said I had my catheter in for six weeks--it was a little over three (24 days). That was plenty long enough!! On the last two days before it got removed, I was having powerful "spasms" of the bladder in which urine was being forcibly ejected around the catheter and causing me quite a bit of discomfort. The doc said that was normal--the bladder was telling me that it was time to get the catheter OUT NOW! I suppose the docs have the timing down when they put it in and know about when it should come out.

The younger and in-better-shape one is, the better the chances of a complete recovery of the urinary system. The main source of urinary trouble seems to be scar tissue build-up at the cut site that inhibits flow. As far as I know that has not been a problem in my case. I have had no inflammation or any distress.

kzimm · Regular Joined: 16 May 2007 Posts: 14

Hi. I had a radical prostatectomy in the beginning of June. In my case, I had the catheter removed before even going home (surgery on a Tuesday, home on a Friday).

My understanding is that this depends very much upon your unique situation. My urologist said I had a very good "stump" on the bladder, so the primary sphincter was left intact. Still, I had "gravity" incontinence, like you described, for quite a few weeks.

My kegel exercises were described for me in the papers I was sent home with. They involved a gradually-increasing regimen of exercises. These seemed to be printed for all prostatectomy patients, so I don't think that it was unique to my situation.

For what it's worth, I'm up to 36 quick repetitions, 5 minutes of long, sustained contractions and another 36 quick repititions. I do 'em on the drive to work, so it's become a habit.

My continence has returned nicely. Alcohol and coffee tend to increase the likelihood of a leak, but otherwise it's back to normal.

Patience required, here.

Good luck!
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chas036 · Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 9:32 am Post subject: Re: How long

Hi, my name is Charlie and I am 57 years old and I pee may pants. That is what I tell people now when they ask me about my surgery results. I had my prostate out by robotic surgery on 9/25 and my catheter out 10/5 and I continue to pee my pants when ever I stand up. It's that simple.

I am in excellent physical condition and have been lifting weights since I was 18. I did my kegels as recommended starting 3 months before surgery and continued after surgery, and I have seen no results in my continence as a result of the kegels, so now, I just stopped doing them.

Currently 6 weeks post catheter, I have no continence when walking, standing, laughing, lifting, or doing any type of work. It just leaks out as fast as I drink it. When sitting or sleeping, I stay pretty dry unless I move in a certain way or do some lifting, then I will drip, but in general, when I sit, I am dry. Thank god for that.

On a normal day I will go through 4 pads. On a day I drink alot of water and I am on my feet, I can go through 7 - 8 pads.

Yesterday I went shopping with my wife and I went through 3 pads in 5 hrs of being on my feet. Is it frustrating? Sure it is, but I live with it since it is better than the alternative which is CANCER.

From what I have been reading, it seems that it is the luck of the draw to who is dry after surgery and who is wet. I talked with people who do no kegels at all, and they are dry after a few weeks. Then there are people like me who are in great shape and kegel to death and see no improvement. It is all about how well your surgeon did his job I guess.

The really funny part of all this that I am one of the blessed ones when it comes to ED, becuase i have no problem getting a hard erection without drugs. The only drawback to all this is because I drip all over the dam place, my wife wants nothing to do with me. What is even more comical is that when I have an orgasm, I ejectulate urine like a firehose. Isn't protate surgery fun!!!!

In conclusion, don't worry about your incontinence and if you become dry, then GREAT,,,if not, then just look at as being a small price to pay for not having cancer.
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sequoiaranger · Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 12:20 pm Post subject: Dripping?

Yeah, I guess every prostatectomy is "unique". I'm sorry to hear you have had such bad results with incontinence. Your situation is almost opposite of mine (total ED but continence). Kinda wish we could trade off once in a while!

Has you doctor told you that the incontinence is "forever" and there is nothing you can do, or is it just a gradual (TOO gradual for you, I'm sure) improvement waiting to happen?
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