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Growing older without prostate

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Posted 12/17/2014 8:34 PM (GMT -8)
I am 45 and just had a RP. I hear so many men talk about BPH and getting up at night to go the bathroom. Now that my prostate is gone will I be spared this or do I have an alternate issue with incontinence when I am older? Just curious of later in life side effects maybe 20 or 30 years down the road.
Posted 12/17/2014 8:45 PM (GMT -8)
I'm interested in what folks have to say about this. I'd expect that there would only be incontinence issues, since the prostate isn't there to gum up the works, but I'm interested to hear what some of the veterans out there have to say.
Posted 12/17/2014 9:10 PM (GMT -8)
I’ve only been a year post op, and I still carry a spare pad in my back pocket -- just in case! After some frivolity and rancorous laughter the other day, I did spot a bit. Laughter brings it on in my case ... not that I mind ...laughter is good for the soul.

The other difference is "when I gotta go, I gotta go" ...

Its Christmas time and lots of parties and beer and cider, which cause some spotting (droplet) ... happened last year during the festive season ...
Posted 12/18/2014 12:41 AM (GMT -8)
"Mindfulness" -> Live in the present.

I'd be much more concerned about getting hit by a driver talking on a cell phone this week than I would what may or may not happen 20 to 30 years from now.
Posted 12/18/2014 4:09 AM (GMT -8)
You won't have BPH since there's no prostate,, so in that respect you don't have to deal with that specifically. Interesting. I never really thought about that. Sort of like taking your catalytic convertor out. But after 30 years you might still have some muffler issues and need a tuneup.

Sorry you had to deal with this so young, but I'm assuming your pathology was good seeing that you are wondering about things 30 years from now....for me l, the last time I planned for things that far down the road is before surgery...but good for you...

Jerry
Posted 12/18/2014 4:27 AM (GMT -8)
Not to worry, kid. There are plenty of ways that growing old kinda sucks. You won't miss out just because you don't have a prostate.
Posted 12/18/2014 4:31 AM (GMT -8)
"Growing Older" is the key.
Posted 12/18/2014 4:34 AM (GMT -8)
I think I'd be more worried about other things growing older. Next step to keep my heart healthy.
Posted 12/18/2014 4:35 AM (GMT -8)
MK,

I am not at the 30 year mark post surgery; however, it will be 6 years this coming April. I was a guy who had to go often. Maybe three times a night. From the stand point of urinary problems, the surgery corrected my issues .... an unexpected bonus.

Since the DaVinci, I've not had to get up during the night ... I sleep straight thru until about 5 am.

No leakage. This has been true since they took out the catheter. At age 68 and a little less than 6 years since the surgery, I have had no onset of leakage problems.

Good luck and best wishes as you move forward.
Posted 12/18/2014 5:00 AM (GMT -8)
On a positive note, if you get your Prostate out now, and still find yourself with an undetectable PSA in 20 years, you can continue to grow old without worrying about getting Prostate cancer, like all your friends who still have a Prostate :-)
Posted 12/18/2014 5:49 AM (GMT -8)
Look at the bright side. Not having a prostate means that you have one less thing to give you problems as you get older. But don't worry, you still have lots of other things to give you problems as you get older. smhair
Posted 12/18/2014 9:51 AM (GMT -8)
Great replies. I'm looking at this from a glass half full perspective. "What good can come of this?" Getting old is inevitable but not having to pee 3 times a night is a "good" side effect.
Posted 12/18/2014 4:13 PM (GMT -8)
I feel sort lef out and disappointed LOL. So many people talka bout a benefit of surgery being the ability to sleep through the night without getting up to pee. I sleep now, 6-8 hours with no getting up to pee

I need to find another benefit to no prostate to look forward to on an every day basis.
Posted 12/18/2014 4:23 PM (GMT -8)
From a personal perspective, for the last eight years, I've rarely had to get up in the middle of the night to make my bladder gladder. I still get stress incontinence now and then.
Posted 12/18/2014 5:04 PM (GMT -8)
DRE's aren't as uncomfortable!

Cheers, Doug
Posted 12/18/2014 5:59 PM (GMT -8)

Pratoman said...
I feel sort lef out and disappointed LOL. So many people talka bout a benefit of surgery being the ability to sleep through the night without getting up to pee. I sleep now, 6-8 hours with no getting up to pee

I need to find another benefit to no prostate to look forward to on an every day basis.

When playing geezer table tennis at the local senior center, I find that my side-to-side leg movements are quicker than those of a man still weighted down with a prostate.
Posted 12/18/2014 6:06 PM (GMT -8)
A good and bad thing i guess --- no more fluid that the prostate was designed for...
Posted 12/18/2014 6:34 PM (GMT -8)
mostly, I am just happy that in 30 years I'll be here to share my results on the experiment...

Andrew
Posted 12/18/2014 6:42 PM (GMT -8)
79 is a long shot for me...but I did get my AARP card application...
Posted 12/18/2014 6:49 PM (GMT -8)
I had surgery at age 65. I was dealing with terrible urinary urgency and frequent urination. I had memorized the location of every men's room here in northeastern Illinois, because when I got out of the car, I had to go....IMMEDIATELY!

After surgery, I used pads for a very short time, and now, even though I'm 69 years old, I have no issues with either incontinence or urgency. I think there are more guys like me than might be represented here on HW, for whom prostate cancer treatment brought improvement and relief in terms of continence.

Post Edited (clocknut) : 12/19/2014 1:15:28 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/19/2014 12:03 PM (GMT -8)

MK2.0 said...
I am 45 and just had a RP. I hear so many men talk about BPH and getting up at night to go the bathroom. Now that my prostate is gone will I be spared this or do I have an alternate issue with incontinence when I am older? Just curious of later in life side effects maybe 20 or 30 years down the road.

I have been able to see one bright spot from this RP- other than the possible cure of cancer(time will tell about that for sure no guarantees): My 65 year old self will never have either BPH or prostatitis(on and off trouble for 30+ years) again. Most nights I sleep all night without getting up. I never have any of that prostatitis ache in my balls or pelvis.

I definitely could go on and on about a list of negatives, but trouble with the prostate is not on that list. That 107 gm(normal 25?) rascal is gone!
Bill
Posted 12/19/2014 7:10 PM (GMT -8)
Hey MK,

I am 80 now and had RP when I was 72. I was a lucky one and never had leaks. (Except during chemo years later) Strong stream, I tell folks I can pee like a 65 year old.

Jim
Posted 12/19/2014 7:12 PM (GMT -8)
Why would u get a DRE if u have no prostate? I am about to get my first primary care physical as last couple years were a bit... off.

But i was thinking if they want to do it should i say i got nada there and stop him? Why get if no need right?
Posted 12/19/2014 8:05 PM (GMT -8)
Depending on pathology they still do DREs to check for growths or mets...
Posted 12/19/2014 11:01 PM (GMT -8)
Gothicarch - I had my first DRE 18 months after diagnosis and months after surgery and other treatments. RO wanted to get a baseline to check for rigidity or scar tissue for his notes. I'm not so sure they left anything in there to feel though.👆
MK2.0 - I like your optimism. There has to be other "good" side effects other than just having misbehaving cells removed. I'll make a list and let you know in 10 years.🚽
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