re: Post Brachytherapy Problem

[Guest guest]

,

Thanks a lot for taking the time for that reply.  I had a feeling that there might be some exercise regimen that would help.

Sy

Re: Question re: Post Brachytherapy problem

Posted by: " C " cpcohen1945@...   cpcohen1945

Fri Aug 6, 2010 8:03 pm (PDT)

Sy --Ah, that sounds much better! A turd in the ass is better than one in the urethra!<g>I have a suggestion that might sound weird:. . . Practice isolating your urinary sphincter from your anal sphincter.

When doing " pelvic-floor exercises " , we usually think of the pelvic floor as one structure. But it's not. I suspect that when you urinate, your brain is saying:. . . " Urinary sphincter, relax! "

and _all_ the pelvic floor, including some of the anal sphincter, is relaxing.So you might try isolating one sphincter from the other. Practice tightening your urinary sphincter _without_ tightening your anal sphincter. And tightening your anal sphincter _without_ tightening your urinary sphincter. Maybe ten second " pulls " , ten seconds apart, repeated 10 or 20 times.

That's the action you'll have to master, in order to pee, and not poop at the same time. If you can find a physiotherapist who specializes in pelvic-floor training (maybe with biofeedback devices), that might help.

If the brachy radiation has damaged nerves in your rectum, you may have reduced capability in the controlling nerves, and/or reduced sensation. If that's the case, I would surely try and find a physiotherapist with biofeedback devices; you may need a machine to help you " feel " when you're doing things right.

PS -- I had some continence problems after surgery, but not that one. My physiotherapist was very helpful.

>> Hi ,> > I appreciate your feedback and didn't express myself clearly enough.> > What I meant to say is that sometimes when urinating I get a rectal urge at> the same time. There is thankfully no leakage from one structure to

> another. That's called a " fistula " and can be very serious trouble.> > > Any advice will be appreciated.> > > Thanks,> > > Sy>