Re: Impact of Incontinence after Surgery

[Guest guest]

Hi Dave,

As you read more here you will see that every ones experiences are very different. I started doing my Kegle exercises a couple of weeks before surgery and I continue to do them today. I do about 5 reps of 20 over the course of the day. I had robotic on May 16,2007 at age 52. I had my catheter in for nine days. When the doctor took it out I needed to wear one of those pull up type diapers for the ride home. Not because I needed it but because I didn't know what to expect. I did leak a little bit but a depends would have been enough. Over the next two weeks I would never leak a drop in the morning but around noon I would start to leak and I would need a depends to keep dry. As time went on the leaking started later and later in the afternoon and it became less and less. After about four weeks the leaking was so minimal that I would ware on of my

wife's minie pads and that would be enough. After about three months I would hardly loss a drop and I stopped wearing pads at all. Once in a while if I move funny or lift something in a weird way(or forget myself and push a fart out to hard) I will lose a drop or two. But for the most part I am totally dry. I can't hold it like I use to. When I have to go real bad it doesn't feel like it did before it hurts. I never pissed my pants or anything but I get to a bathroom quick because its real uncomfortable. I think that I am very lucky and I may not be your average story.

This is a great group and I wish I knew about it a year ago.

Good luck.

Rick

-- Original Message ----To: ProstateCancerSupport Sent: Friday, January 4, 2008 8:49:24 PMSubject: Impact of Incontinence after Surgery

Hello All,I was diagnosed with PCa in December and am leaning toward Robotic Surgery with a very experienced surgeon. I'm 46 years old, PSA 5.8, Gleason 6 and in pretty good shape. I have a question about incontinence during the recover period.... What is the impact on everyday activities of having to wear pads? I hear people say they need to wear 1, 2 or 3 pads but I don't have a good understanding of what means. Do you ever have leaks? Is the odor detectable? What are long car rides like? Can you get back to strenuous physical activity?My job requires a lot of driving around New England and I'm trying to understand the medium term impact (assuming I'm not one of the fortunate ones who regains full continence almost immediately) .Thanks in Advance,

Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage.

[Guest guest]

DITTO!!! My experieince exactly.

>

> Hi Dave,

> As you read more here you will see that every ones experiences are

very different. I started doing my Kegle exercises a couple of weeks

before surgery and I continue to do them today. I do about 5 reps of

20 over the course of the day. I had robotic on May 16,2007 at age

52. I had my catheter in for nine days. When the doctor took it out I

needed to wear one of those pull up type diapers for the ride home.

Not because I needed it but because I didn't know what to expect. I

did leak a little bit but a depends would have been enough. Over the

next two weeks I would never leak a drop in the morning but around

noon I would start to leak and I would need a depends to keep dry. As

time went on the leaking started later and later in the afternoon and

it became less and less. After about four weeks the leaking was so

minimal that I would ware on of my wife's minie pads and that would

be enough. After about three months I would hardly loss a drop and I

stopped

> wearing pads at all. Once in a while if I move funny or lift

something in a weird way(or forget myself and push a fart out to

hard) I will lose a drop or two. But for the most part I am totally

dry. I can't hold it like I use to. When I have to go real bad it

doesn't feel like it did before it hurts. I never pissed my pants or

anything but I get to a bathroom quick because its real

uncomfortable. I think that I am very lucky and I may not be your

average story.

> This is a great group and I wish I knew about it a year ago.

> Good luck.

> Rick

>

>

>

> -- Original Message ----

>

> To: ProstateCancerSupport

> Sent: Friday, January 4, 2008 8:49:24 PM

> Subject: Impact of Incontinence after

Surgery

>

>

> Hello All,

>

> I was diagnosed with PCa in December and am leaning toward Robotic

Surgery with a very

> experienced surgeon. I'm 46 years old, PSA 5.8, Gleason 6 and in

pretty good shape. I have a

> question about incontinence during the recover period....

>

> What is the impact on everyday activities of having to wear pads? I

hear people say they need

> to wear 1, 2 or 3 pads but I don't have a good understanding of

what means. Do you ever

> have leaks? Is the odor detectable? What are long car rides like?

Can you get back to

> strenuous physical activity?

>

> My job requires a lot of driving around New England and I'm trying

to understand the

> medium term impact (assuming I'm not one of the fortunate ones who

regains full

> continence almost immediately) .

>

> Thanks in Advance,

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

______________________________________________________________________

______________

> Be a better friend, newshound, and

> know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.

http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ

>

[Guest guest]

At your young age and with the surgeon's experience I'd think you'd

have very few problems with control after the catheter is out. I had

conventional open surgery and had at least 95% cont. after removal,

and ten years older. I suppose all cases are different though. Good

luck with your surgery and hoping for a full cure.

[Guest guest]

I had the robotic surgery in August 2005 and unfortunately for me I

suffer from both side effects, stress incontinence and sexual

impotency. The catheter was in for 7 days. After that I used the

full diaper for a few weeks and then went to a wide thick pad (5 " x

10 " more or less) I stayed on that for a long time. Since then I

have worked my way down the pad size to use mostly the thin pads for

those occassional small leaks, except when I walk a lot (e.g. at the

mall) or play golf. I just had a " Male Sling " installed on December

19 (small mesh screwed to the pelvic bone that supports and applies

pressure to the urethra requiring extra pressure to urinate). It

seems to work, but I am still recovering so I can not say how it will

really turn out.

Living with pads is actually very easy. Just know how often you need

to change them as you recover and always carry extras in your car,

briefcase and even one in your pocket if needed. The bigger pad is

bulky, but you get used to it very quickly. The smaller pads are

even easier to wear. I found that for the smaller pads that I needed

to use a tighter fitting brief to keep it from moving around. During

my 2 plus years prior to the male sling surgery I only had a handful

of " embarrassing moments " to deal with. Godd luck with your decision

and results.

>

> Hello All,

>

> I was diagnosed with PCa in December and am leaning toward Robotic

Surgery with a very

> experienced surgeon. I'm 46 years old, PSA 5.8, Gleason 6 and in

pretty good shape. I have a

> question about incontinence during the recover period....

>

> What is the impact on everyday activities of having to wear pads? I

hear people say they need

> to wear 1, 2 or 3 pads but I don't have a good understanding of

what means. Do you ever

> have leaks? Is the odor detectable? What are long car rides like?

Can you get back to

> strenuous physical activity?

>

> My job requires a lot of driving around New England and I'm trying

to understand the

> medium term impact (assuming I'm not one of the fortunate ones who

regains full

> continence almost immediately).

>

> Thanks in Advance,

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Dave,

I had robotic laproscopic removal in December 2006. My experience was

very similar to Rick's. I wore a diaper home from the catheter

removal. By the next day I was on the 3 pad plan. Within a week I was

at 1 pad a day. After a month I only wore pads during strenuous

activities. By 3 months I was completely pad free. Today I still have

the occasional drop or two incident - sneeze while squatting & not

paying attention. At most I get a quarter sized wet spot on my

underwear. My work requires I wear dress clothes (light colored slacks

are very good at revealing moisture). I've never had a problem with

outside wet spots - with or without a pad.

During recovery, stay away from alchohol. Beer seems to be very good

at promoting urinary control loss.

I did a lot of walking during my 6 weeks post surgery - 3-5 miles per

day. I feel like it helped with regaining urinary control. During that

time I did Kegels when I remembered. I can't claim it was anything

near regular.

You should be able to drive extended periods. The pads are their to

catch/adsorb the leaks. You change the pads once they are saturated. I

did not have odor problems. I have the same urge and sensation changes

Rick described. During long car rides, you may need more frequent pit

stops.

I believe my doctor released me for strenuous activity after 6 weeks.

At that point I resumed lifting weight. Of course I started slow.

Other than a loss of muscle tone, I had no problems.

Best Wishes,

>

> Hi Dave,

> As you read more here you will see that every ones experiences are

very different. I started doing my Kegle exercises a couple of weeks

before surgery and I continue to do them today. I do about 5 reps of

20 over the course of the day. I had robotic on May 16,2007 at age 52.

I had my catheter in for nine days. When the doctor took it out I

needed to wear one of those pull up type diapers for the ride home.

Not because I needed it but because I didn't know what to expect. I

did leak a little bit but a depends would have been enough. Over the

next two weeks I would never leak a drop in the morning but around

noon I would start to leak and I would need a depends to keep dry. As

time went on the leaking started later and later in the afternoon and

it became less and less. After about four weeks the leaking was so

minimal that I would ware on of my wife's minie pads and that would be

enough. After about three months I would hardly loss a drop and I stopped

> wearing pads at all. Once in a while if I move funny or lift

something in a weird way(or forget myself and push a fart out to hard)

I will lose a drop or two. But for the most part I am totally dry. I

can't hold it like I use to. When I have to go real bad it doesn't

feel like it did before it hurts. I never pissed my pants or anything

but I get to a bathroom quick because its real uncomfortable. I think

that I am very lucky and I may not be your average story.

> This is a great group and I wish I knew about it a year ago.

> Good luck.

> Rick

>

>

>

> -- Original Message ----

>

> To: ProstateCancerSupport

> Sent: Friday, January 4, 2008 8:49:24 PM

> Subject: Impact of Incontinence after Surgery

>

>

> Hello All,

>

> I was diagnosed with PCa in December and am leaning toward Robotic

Surgery with a very

> experienced surgeon. I'm 46 years old, PSA 5.8, Gleason 6 and in

pretty good shape. I have a

> question about incontinence during the recover period....

>

> What is the impact on everyday activities of having to wear pads? I

hear people say they need

> to wear 1, 2 or 3 pads but I don't have a good understanding of what

means. Do you ever

> have leaks? Is the odor detectable? What are long car rides like?

Can you get back to

> strenuous physical activity?

>

> My job requires a lot of driving around New England and I'm trying

to understand the

> medium term impact (assuming I'm not one of the fortunate ones who

regains full

> continence almost immediately) .

>

> Thanks in Advance,

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

> Be a better friend, newshound, and

> know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.

http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ

>

[Guest guest]

I have a question. I had my prostectomy done on the dec20/07. My incontinence is not bad so far. Do u remember when and how u tried first time after the surgery your potency. Doc. has put me on 10mg cialis twiece a week. thanksbetoarg1 wrote: I had the robotic surgery in August 2005 and unfortunately for me I suffer from both side effects, stress incontinence and sexual impotency. The catheter was in for 7 days. After that I used the full diaper for a few weeks and then went to a wide thick pad (5" x 10" more or less) I stayed on that for a long time. Since then I have worked my way down the pad size to use mostly the thin pads for those occassional small leaks, except when I walk a lot (e.g. at the mall) or play golf. I just had a "Male Sling" installed on December 19 (small mesh screwed to the pelvic bone that supports and applies pressure to the urethra requiring extra pressure to urinate). It seems to work, but I am still recovering so I can not say how it will really turn out. Living with pads is actually very easy. Just know how often you need to change them as you recover and always carry extras in your car, briefcase and even one in your pocket if needed. The bigger pad is bulky, but you get used to it very quickly. The smaller pads are even easier to wear. I found that for the smaller pads that I needed to use a tighter fitting brief to keep it from moving around. During my 2 plus years prior to the male sling surgery I only had a handful of "embarrassing moments" to deal with. Godd luck with your decision and results. > > Hello All, > > I was diagnosed with PCa in December and am leaning toward Robotic Surgery with a very > experienced surgeon. I'm 46 years old, PSA 5.8, Gleason 6 and in pretty good shape. I have a > question about incontinence during the recover period.... > > What is the impact on everyday activities of having to wear pads? I hear people say they need > to wear 1, 2 or 3 pads but I don't have a good understanding of what means. Do you ever > have leaks? Is the odor detectable? What are long car rides like?

Can you get back to > strenuous physical activity? > > My job requires a lot of driving around New England and I'm trying to understand the > medium term impact (assuming I'm not one of the fortunate ones who regains full > continence almost immediately). > > Thanks in Advance, > > >

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[Guest guest]

Dave,

I had Robotic Laproscopic Surgery on 11//28 and had the catheter in

for a week. I am 52, PSA was 4.6 with a gleason 6.

I am experiencing incontinence, but I can tell you that improvement

for me has been gradual. There is no smell with the undergarments. I

use about 1 or 2 a day. I make sure I take daily showers (no soap

around incisions).

I seem to notice I leak more after driving in the car for an extended

period, or sitting down for an extended period. It is good to move

around a lot. Also, don't " force " extra trips to the bathroom. I've

found that trying too much seems to make me leak more.

I have my checkup this coming week (6 weeks post op), and expect to

resumme physical activity. Right now, I'm limited to lifting 5 pounds

(so my wife gets the kitty litter ).

Whatever method you choose - surgery, seeds, proton beam - just make

sure you pick an experienced doctor... This I feel is more important

than the type of treatment.

>

> Hello All,

>

> I was diagnosed with PCa in December and am leaning toward Robotic

Surgery with a very

> experienced surgeon. I'm 46 years old, PSA 5.8, Gleason 6 and in

pretty good shape. I have a

> question about incontinence during the recover period....

>

> What is the impact on everyday activities of having to wear pads? I

hear people say they need

> to wear 1, 2 or 3 pads but I don't have a good understanding of what

means. Do you ever

> have leaks? Is the odor detectable? What are long car rides like?

Can you get back to

> strenuous physical activity?

>

> My job requires a lot of driving around New England and I'm trying

to understand the

> medium term impact (assuming I'm not one of the fortunate ones who

regains full

> continence almost immediately).

>

> Thanks in Advance,

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Dave its Rick again,

is right. Don't force more trips to the bathroom. I find I have more leaks when my bladder is empty rather than full.

Just an after thought.

Rick

Re: Impact of Incontinence after Surgery

Dave,I had Robotic Laproscopic Surgery on 11//28 and had the catheter infor a week. I am 52, PSA was 4.6 with a gleason 6. I am experiencing incontinence, but I can tell you that improvementfor me has been gradual. There is no smell with the undergarments. Iuse about 1 or 2 a day. I make sure I take daily showers (no soaparound incisions). I seem to notice I leak more after driving in the car for an extendedperiod, or sitting down for an extended period. It is good to movearound a lot. Also, don't "force" extra trips to the bathroom. I'vefound that trying too much seems to make me leak more. I have my checkup this coming week (6 weeks post op), and expect toresumme physical activity. Right now, I'm limited to lifting 5 pounds(so my wife gets the kitty litter ). Whatever method you choose - surgery, seeds, proton beam - just makesure you pick an experienced doctor...

This I feel is more importantthan the type of treatment. >> Hello All,> > I was diagnosed with PCa in December and am leaning toward RoboticSurgery with a very > experienced surgeon. I'm 46 years old, PSA 5.8, Gleason 6 and inpretty good shape. I have a > question about incontinence during the recover period.... > > What is the impact on everyday activities of having to wear pads? Ihear people say they need > to wear 1, 2 or 3 pads but I don't have a good understanding of whatmeans. Do you ever > have leaks? Is the odor detectable? What are long car rides like?Can you get back to > strenuous physical

activity?> > My job requires a lot of driving around New England and I'm tryingto understand the > medium term impact (assuming I'm not one of the fortunate ones whoregains full > continence almost immediately) .> > Thanks in Advance,> > >

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[Guest guest]

Hello Fuller,I've been researching all of the options and have spoken to radiation specialists (seeds, IMRT, protons) and surgeons. I've also read just about everything that's available, including patient experiences, books, original research, etc. Lastly I've been speaking directly to people who already been through treatment.I have a a background in Physics research and have a lot of data analysis experience... and therefore a lot of skepticism about any one study or the experiences of any one individual. I have found this group and the YANA site very helpful in dealing with the diagnosis and understanding the various options.I definitely want to believe that seeds or protons have the same long term success rates as surgery but I haven't reached that point yet. I'm fortunate that my urologist is very open to radiation and hasn't pushed surgery as the only option. I've also considered WW but given my age (46) and the fact that they found cancer in 5/8 samples (40% in the 4 left samples and 5% in 1/4 right samples) I'm not comfortable with that

path. I haven't made my decision yet but I'm probably leaning 60/40 toward surgery.As for Robotic prostectamy being MAJOR surgery, I agree completely. I took a deep breath and then watched an operation on youtube. Between seeing the video and reading every experience on YANA I have a pretty clear picture. Of what's involved.Again, thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences.Regards, Re: Impact of Incontinence after Surgery

Dave, Have you really studied your options, or had a second opinion

from a specialist that does something other than surgery?

Please keep in mind that prostatectomy of any version is MAJOR surgery

and that there are potentially more serious side effects than with

some of the other methods of treatment. Please visit Terry's YANA site

and read through some of the examples.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

Fuller

>

> Hello All,

>

> I was diagnosed with PCa in December and am leaning toward Robotic

Surgery with a very

> experienced surgeon. I'm 46 years old, PSA 5.8, Gleason 6 and in

pretty good shape. I have a

> question about incontinence during the recover period....

>

> What is the impact on everyday activities of having to wear pads? I

hear people say they need

> to wear 1, 2 or 3 pads but I don't have a good understanding of what

means. Do you ever

> have leaks? Is the odor detectable? What are long car rides like?

Can you get back to

> strenuous physical activity?

>

> My job requires a lot of driving around New England and I'm trying

to understand the

> medium term impact (assuming I'm not one of the fortunate ones who

regains full

> continence almost immediately) .

>

> Thanks in Advance,

>

>

>

Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.

[Guest guest]

Dave --

One alternative to consider is using a condom catheter (and small leg

bag)when you _know_ you're going to leak.

The best write-up I've seen is at:

www.DiapersBeDamned.com

which is written by a dermatologist who had prostate surgery.

I had open surgery on 31 Oct 2007. I'm fine at home (essentially no

leakage), but leak some when I go out walking or at the gym. I'd

rather wear a condom catheter than worry about changing pads.

With pads, there's no smell if you change them. You'll have to break

up the long car rides with bathroom stops every hour or so (depending

on your bladder capacity).

With a condom catheter, you can drive as long as you want. The " peace

of mind " is very comforting.

>

> >

> > Hello All,

> >

> > I was diagnosed with PCa in December and am leaning toward Robotic

> Surgery with a very

> > experienced surgeon. I'm 46 years old, PSA 5.8, Gleason 6 and in

> pretty good shape. I have a

> > question about incontinence during the recover period....

> >

> > What is the impact on everyday activities of having to wear pads? I

> hear people say they need

> > to wear 1, 2 or 3 pads but I don't have a good understanding of what

> means. Do you ever

> > have leaks? Is the odor detectable? What are long car rides like?

> Can you get back to

> > strenuous physical activity?

> >

> > My job requires a lot of driving around New England and I'm trying

> to understand the

> > medium term impact (assuming I'm not one of the fortunate ones who

> regains full

> > continence almost immediately) .

> >

> > Thanks in Advance,

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

-I haven't followed this entire thread, but have you talked to a

urologist/surgeon about an implantable sphincter? If you have ongoing

incontinence, seems like life altering issue, and would at least

justify a look/see at this option!! The condom cath is not without

it's challenges, application, leakage, bag to drain and transport

around???

-- In ProstateCancerSupport , " cpcohen1945 "

wrote:

>

> Dave --

>

> One alternative to consider is using a condom catheter (and small leg

> bag)when you _know_ you're going to leak.

>

> The best write-up I've seen is at:

>

> www.DiapersBeDamned.com

>

> which is written by a dermatologist who had prostate surgery.

>

> I had open surgery on 31 Oct 2007. I'm fine at home (essentially no

> leakage), but leak some when I go out walking or at the gym. I'd

> rather wear a condom catheter than worry about changing pads.

>

> With pads, there's no smell if you change them. You'll have to break

> up the long car rides with bathroom stops every hour or so (depending

> on your bladder capacity).

>

> With a condom catheter, you can drive as long as you want. The " peace

> of mind " is very comforting.

>

>

>

>

> >

> > >

> > > Hello All,

> > >

> > > I was diagnosed with PCa in December and am leaning toward Robotic

> > Surgery with a very

> > > experienced surgeon. I'm 46 years old, PSA 5.8, Gleason 6 and in

> > pretty good shape. I have a

> > > question about incontinence during the recover period....

> > >

> > > What is the impact on everyday activities of having to wear pads? I

> > hear people say they need

> > > to wear 1, 2 or 3 pads but I don't have a good understanding of what

> > means. Do you ever

> > > have leaks? Is the odor detectable? What are long car rides like?

> > Can you get back to

> > > strenuous physical activity?

> > >

> > > My job requires a lot of driving around New England and I'm trying

> > to understand the

> > > medium term impact (assuming I'm not one of the fortunate ones who

> > regains full

> > > continence almost immediately) .

> > >

> > > Thanks in Advance,

> > >

> > >

>