Incontinence after surgery
My surgeon said "You may experience some leakage after surgery for about 90 days." I guess in my case "Some Leakage" is equal to no bladder control at all. My first 30 days were devastating. I get through the night and wake up with a dry pull up. I get up now only one time a night and pee. I am still going through about 6 pair per day, sometimes up to 8 pair. Any exertion and I pee, cought, laugh, stand up, get out of the car all create a small stream. If I have to walk more than 50 feet to a toilet there's nothing left to do once I get there. If I do any work, clean house, work in my shop (on my feet moving around) I find that the next day the incontinence is worse. I've given up caffeine and was a huge coffee drinker. Down to 3 cups of decaf per day now. No alcohol at all, that made matters worse, 1 beer = 2 days of increased incontinence. November 16 marked 90 days post surgery, my PSA this week was .64 so I'm encouraged with that but the incontinence is making me nuts. A friend had a sling put in, lost a lot of weight and the sling was then ineffective and he was told there was nothing to do about it. IF I have to do something to end this incontinence I believe the "Artificial Sphincter" is my choice. I'm doing the Kegel Exercises a lot but it doesn't seem to help. I think I'm going to accept this situation for a year then see about surgically correcting it. Thoughts? Experiences?
Hi
. Sorry you are having these continence issues. I know there are other men here who understand what you are going through. I wish doctors were better at explaining the possible time for incontinence. This page from the National Association for Continence notes that after prostate surgery "Most men who experience a loss of bladder control have symptoms for 6 months to 1 year post prostate surgery. However, a small percentage of men may continue to experience problems past the one year mark:" https://www.nafc.org/bhealth-blog/urinary-incontinence-after-prostate-surgery-everything-you-need-to-know. Hope this gives you some hope that there is still time for things to improve. In addition, I want to share with you this article from our editorial team on different potential treatments for incontinence (realizing, of course that you may be familiar with much of this information): https://prostatecancer.net/living-coping/incontinence. Also, if you haven't already, I know some men here have benefited from speaking with a pelvic floor therapist. Hoping you get some relief and please feel free to keep us posted on how you are doing. best, Richard (ProstateCancer.net Team) 
I am one of those rare people that still go through the largest pad every day. While you are in early stages, have yuo thought about a penile clamp. Just temporary fix. They are quite comfortable to wear. I can look up the one I got after trying maybe three.
We appreciate your thoughts,
. Was this penile clamp a recommendation from your doctor? -Samuel, Team Member
I don't know your situation, however I lost 40 lbs and that really helped me.
2 Weeks ago I had my 90 day follow up. My PSA was .006 at that time, what a relief! My doctor asked how many pullups I was going through a day and I told him anywhere from 6 to 8. He said, "Oh MY! You shouldn't be going through more than 2 at this stage!" After my surgery I gave up all caffeine (Major sacrifice) and alcohol, which was no big deal and I stopped taking my Lasix. I'm still going through 6 to 8 but the saturation level is at least 60% less. I'm 5'10" tall and weigh 220#, most I've EVER Weighed. Dr. told me that excess weight plays a roll in the incontinence recovery so I am not waiting for my appointments for my referrals to Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy and Weight Loss Clinic.
Here's my most recent frustration. I've just turned 70 years old which I announce as a reference point possibly. I was never all that well endowed and my father and I used to refer to it as the "Curse of the Angry Irish Inch" I was probably an average guy of 6 inches. After my surgery I would say that the "Angry Irish Inch" is more of a reality now. Sex is not and has never been a priority in my life and the ritual of taking care of my intimacy issues on my own is probably less than the average fellow. I was directed to an ED Specialist the day my Catheter was removed and was prescribed Sildilifil (generic Viagra) I probably had the prescription filled for a week before I took any. I was told to take a half pill each day for 6 days and on the 7th day take a whole pill and create an erection. The theory is to rebuild muscle tissue and muscle memory. I get into the bathroom and my penis can't remember why it is there any more than the rest of me can. This is not my primary frustration. What is frustrating is being short enough that when I sit on the toilet to urinate I end up urinating on my scrotum. In addition, my penis position has dropped some and I have an indentation or cavity at the base against my abdomen. Now wearing the pullups when I leak, it is mostly collecting below my scrotum. I haven't yet invested in a penis pump, not sure that I will but if it would build up muscle and improve or restore the original length I would go buy one today. I think if it gets any shorter I'll be making my future appointments with an OBGYN. Has anyone else experienced these issues?Same thing as you my friend. 2013 I had my prostate removed. Worst thing I have ever done in my life. 73 now….6 pads a day. I work out, play a lot of pickleball, work in the yard and enjoy all activities but just like a credit card, “Don’t leave home without it!” (Extra Pads). Personally, I feel once you’re poked for the biopsy numerous times the cancerous cells can spread from that invasion. It is a real money maker for urologists. When we were younger did we ever see DEPENDS? What did the previous generation do?
