Prostate Cancer Support Group

CaptRon,

Three weeks is early to expect control, in my experience. For me, it was several weeks, and then it happened fairly quickly. I've read that 60% of men get "good" control by 3 months; most of the rest by 6 months. So you have a ways to go. Meantime, kegel till the cows come home. I've heard they're good for erectile problems, too, so you can't go wrong.

I live in SoFla as well, by the way. Where did you have your surgery and who did it?

I've also noticed that I have less control when I am tired. I overdid it yesterday, worked too much, and I was leaking all evening.

Hey CaptRon, something just occurred to me: are you drinking any beer, coffee or tea? I recently read that these things should be avoided at this stage, because they are bladder irritants.

srciaran

Hollywoodmark, to a fellow Floridian I would say I live in Southwest Fl but that distinction probably means little to the rest of the world. At any rate surgery done by Dr. Figlesthaler at Naples Community Hospital. Thankyou so much for your incite. I must be trusting too much in the best case scenario's. My thoughts have been consumed with this incontinence issue while the cancer issue never attacked my thoughts other then to get it taken care of (like getting a tooth pulled). Today I can relax and not worry about living with incontinence forever (perhaps tomorrow I will have to reread your note but will wait and see), thanks again.

srciaran, I understand coffee, beer, soft drinks and some other items containing caffeine serve as an irritant. Have avoided these items with the exception of coffee. Discontinued coffee and did not notice any change so I went back to drinking coffee in the morning. Have not noticed any leakage change with activity level, I can't wait to get to that point.

Yes, SW Fla is a totally different world from SE, where I am. But you're right; no one outside Fla would appreciate that. What a difference an Alley makes, eh?

Anyway, I think it's funny how we cope with these things. First all I wanted was to get rid of the cancer--incontinence and erections be damned. Then, after the surgery was over, I worried about the incontinence. Once that was gone, I moved on to worrying about the erections. You'd think I be happy to be cancer-free and dry. But the human condition seems to be one of constant dissatisfaction, eh?

Not sure I would use the word dissatisfaction rather, I think humans seek achievement for a variety of reasons. Whatever the source perhaps I have been looking at a gift horse and not seeing it. Retired very early 11 years ago and widowed five years ago. Have been going through the motions of living without any goals for at least five years. This crap I'm going through is not crap, its an opportunity to achieve. Next is incontinence then an erection and after that who knows. As we get older something will come along. Ah, the opportunities seem endless.

I too had a DaVinci radical prostatectomy on May 4, 2009. All went well, however, I too continue to have stress incontinence, however, it's exasperated by continued gas, especially after I drink fluids. i also have a sore area just below my rectum and it really aches when I stand for a long time. I'm doing my Kegels (10 reps, 10 times a day) and the leakage doesn't seem like it's ever going to stop. Anyone else have these problems?

TomP, I have the same soreness, standing or sitting on a hard surface. It has become less in just the last few days. I think structured walking (as in, around the block vs. shuffling around Wal Mart) helps a lot. Analgesics too, as I think inflammation is involved. I'm 3 weeks out and healing fairly well, but I'm only 51 so I have that in my favor. I don't have the gas problem, although it took me 3 days to get rid of all the stuff they pumped into me. That was one welcome milestone. I emailed my doc today with my stats (still leakage and stress incontinence, etc.) and he said I'm on track.

Ten reps ten times a day? Now that's dedication! I'm lucky if I do 4 sets a day. I found a technique talked about online that supposedly has gotten some guys continent in a few days. It's really simple: get naked and walk around your house or garage with a styrofoam cup under your penis for a couple of hours each day (you can break the time up). The idea is to know when you are leaking and stop it, kind of like potty training -- let's face it, that's really what we are doing here, right? I don't know if this would really work, but some guys swear by it. I have to admit, wearing the pads, I sometimes don't know when I am dribbling, so maybe there is something to it. All I know is, my wife would never see me the same way.

thanks srciaran, that was very helpful. You're right the analgesics help a lot. I will try the styrofoam cup trick. Perhaps we could pattern a gizmo to strap around our waist. Nah. It does make sense. I too use very thick pads, so I never know the amount of dribble I get. It seems to be nothing more than stress incontinence and I'll keep Kegling. I usually do it when I'm driving or just waiting for someone. thanks again.

TomP