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Posted 2/6/2016 7:43 PM (GMT -7)
I am one day without cath and obviously having some leaking issues. I was wondering what most of my brothers on here used pads or depends. I am using the depends or diapers as I call them and honestly not very comfortable. I was told about super absorbent pads. Any thoughts?
Posted 2/6/2016 7:56 PM (GMT -7)
Krg, I never used the depends briefs. I used a generic version of the depends pads for the first couple of weeks, then moved to the depends shields, which are a lot thinner. Take a good walk through the aisle at your local cvs or walgreens...or walmart.

Good luck
Age at Diagnosis: 56
Biopsy: 3 of 12, G3+3, all on LT side, 20%, 5%, 3%
Clinical Stage T2C
Bone Scan, CT scan negative for spread
RALP on 2/17/15, BJC St. Louis, Dr. Figenshau
58.5g, G3+4, 20%, 4 quadrants involved
PSA 3/10/15: 0.10
5/18/15: <.04
8/24/15: <.04
11/30/15: <.04
My Story: www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=3300024
Posted 2/6/2016 8:26 PM (GMT -7)
I didn't leak. I flooded.

I started with Depends pants, with a Walgreens pad inside. Changed the pad when it was wet enough to feel (you don't want a UTI).

At night I used a Tena heavy women's pad to avoid wet sheets.

Eventually down to a Depends pant & Guard, then regular briefs with Depends guard, then briefs with a Tena Guard. Then things went off the rails, and after 6 years I am back to Depends pants and the Depends guard.

The "absorbency" scale, as I found it, least to most:
Depends Shield
Tena Guard
Depends Guard
Walgreens Guard (the same item is sold as the Kroger, Safeway, and Affirm labels).

Look up Depends and Tena on-line, they will send samples.
Moderator - Prostate Cancer
(Not a medical professional)

DaVinci 10/2009
My adjuvant IGRT journey (2010) -
www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=1756808
HT (Lupron) 6-mo injection 9/12, 6/14, 12/14 (no more vacations), 7/15, 1/16
Prolia 6-mo inj 12/12, 06/13, 12/13, 6/14, 12/14, 6/15, 12/15
Casodex started 12/14, end 3/15/15 after psa 30% rise
Zytiga 04-07/1
Posted 2/6/2016 8:27 PM (GMT -7)
Krg, I used the depends briefs for about 3-4 weeks, then went to the shields.
Dx Age 64 Nov 2014, 4.3
BX 3 of 12 cores positive original pathologyG6, G6, G8 (3+5)
downgraded to 3+3=6 by Dr Epstein, JH
RALP with Dr Ash Tewari Jan 6, 2015
Post surgical pathology – G7 (3+4), ECE, Margins, LN, SV all negative
PSA @ 6 weeks 2/15, .<02, 4/15 <.02 7/15 <.02, 10/15 0.00 (new lab) , 1/16, 0.00
My Story: tinyurl.com/oo9x4aq
Posted 2/6/2016 9:31 PM (GMT -7)
Hi Krg.

I'm 4 weeks post catheter and 7 weeks post-op. Until I learned how my bladder was going to function, I used a depends pad inside the depends brief and slept on a CVS equivalent of a chux absorbent underpad for the first two weeks. As my control improved, I started using depends pads inside my briefs, but continued to sleep on the chux until a few days ago. I'm going through two pads a day, replacing them when I can feel the moisture from them. I'm not saturating pads... just the occasional squirt. I was waking up every hour to pee... now it's every three hours or so.

I hope this helps.

Tony
Age at detection 57, Oct-15
PSA 6.2, Jul-15; Repeat PSA 8.4, Jul-15
BX Oct-15, 11 of 12 cores pos, initial G: 4+5=9, with PNI; 2nd opinion G read by Epstein, 4+3=7; highest pti=95
Bone scan neg; CT scan neg for lymph node enlargement; MRI positive
DaVinci RP, 17-Dec-Pathology: 35 g; extensive PNI; No seminal vesicle or vast deferens involvement
1/15 lymph nodes pos, surgical margins neg; Gleason 4+3, Bilateral EPE
TNM Stage:  pT3a, pN1, pMX

Post Edited (TSGlassman) : 2/6/2016 9:35:18 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/6/2016 9:45 PM (GMT -7)
Thanks guys. I just find the depends briefs incredibly uncomfortable when I am up and walking around and when I am trying to sleep it's like a oven is on in my shorts. I have been able to make it to the bathroom to pee but I am having drips and squirts.
Age 40
1st PSA 3.7
PCP felt bump during exam 11/6/15
2nd PSA 2.61
BX 11/29/15 5of 17 ca. G7 3+4 Ta2
RALP performed 1/29/16 by Dr Bruce Barrows
Path reported no spread Gleason stayed the same (3+4).
Cath out 2-5-16
Posted 2/7/2016 2:45 AM (GMT -7)
I just find the depends briefs incredibly uncomfortable when I am up and walking around and when I am trying to sleep it's like a oven is on in my shorts.

If it keeps you from standing in a puddle or having a soaked and putrid pair of pants, be happy. Been there, done that, trying to get by with only a pad with a few hundred folks around.
Moderator - Prostate Cancer
(Not a medical professional)

DaVinci 10/2009
My adjuvant IGRT journey (2010) -
www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=1756808
HT (Lupron) 6-mo injection 9/12, 6/14, 12/14 (no more vacations), 7/15, 1/16
Prolia 6-mo inj 12/12, 06/13, 12/13, 6/14, 12/14, 6/15, 12/15
Casodex started 12/14, end 3/15/15 after psa 30% rise
Zytiga 04-07/1
Posted 2/7/2016 10:41 AM (GMT -7)
I use the depends underwear with a depends pad (max. absorbency) when around my house. If I'm going out I like the Depends real fit underwear with the depends pad. When I am through with the pad I carefully remove it so I don't rip the diaper inner layer and use the diaper alone until that is finished (I used to try a second pad but while removing it the diaper layer would rip quite often).

I find them pretty comfortable overall. I could probably go with the pad in my underwear now but these diapers feel pretty good so I am in no rush. I also have the thin shields and could probably get away with them in the diaper now but I have no reason to rush it, on occasion I'll use the diapers alone. I always carry a plastic bag with my spare diaper and a couple of pads to keep in the car in case, but I have not had to use the spares in a while.
2007:PSA 1.84 6/2013:PSA 4.22 12/2014;PSA 5.28.
3/12/2015:AGE55 Biopsy:7/12 cores+,up to 65%;Gleason3+4.Diff. Lab, same sample:7/12,up to 55%;Gl. 3+3.
NIH lab,same samp:7/12,65%,3+4. 5/14/15:PSA6.07,3TMRI:Poss.ExCapExt&Poss.SVI. 6/2/15:TargetedBiopsySVI-,Gl.4+3. 6/12/15:Bone&CtscanNeg. 6/17/15:PSA7.65
6/23/15: Start NIH trial;Goserelin&Enzalutamide for 6 months, SurgeryDate 12/15/15: Pt2c
Posted 2/7/2016 10:51 AM (GMT -7)
I was lucky and just uses the pads. I tried the underwear for 1 night and determined I did not need them and they were very hot. However, I was getting up 3 or 4 time a night. I am now using the mini Depends pads and they are great. After 3 months, I think I am dry most of the time. I just don't have the guts not to ware them during the week at work. I find that Depends is the best brand for the price and looking back I would not try the generic brands.
51Year old male, January 2015
Routine physical , PSA 5.7
Biopsy January 2015, 12 core samples taken, Results were clear
August 2015, PSA 8.0 4k results 19% Cancer
12 additional core samples - 1 Cancer 4-3-7 Gleason
Father had no issues - Just found out grandfather died in 1965 from PC
Prostate removed Oct 2015 Clear margins but radiation recommended. No change to Gleason 4-3=7
Posted 2/7/2016 6:07 PM (GMT -7)
Man, I salute you guys on how tough it must be to manage this while returning to work. But I know we all are doing what we have to do.
Age: 59
Diagnosis: 1-29-16
Last recorded PSA: 8
Highest tested PSA over several years: 11
Gleason: 3 + 3 = 6
Enlarged prostate? Yes
Current strategy: Active surveillance.
Next steps in 90 days: Second opinion on the Gleason 6 score to confirm its accuracy, along with a PSA and MRI.

My race: African American, important only because I am AA and I want to raise awareness of higher risks for AA men.
Posted 2/7/2016 6:38 PM (GMT -7)
I started with the Depends underwear, then after a while transitioned to a maximum absorbency pad. Since then, I've been progressively transitioning to lighter and lighter pads. The difficulty I find with the lighter pads is not the absorbency, but the coverage area. The lighter ones all seem to be fairly narrow, so sometimes, as I move around, my penis ends up no longer in the pad, so any leak ends up in my pants instead. I spend most of my days on my feet, bending over at odd angles, getting up and down from the floor, half upside down, etc. No, I'm not just clumsy; it's the nature of doing mechanical work ;).
One trick I've had success with is using two thin pads, inserted side-by-side in my underwear, in a sort of V shape. So double-width at top, tapering down to single width (overlapping the two pads) at bottom. That seems to solve the problem.

If anyone knows of a pad brand/model that is thin but wide, with elastic on the sides to hold things in, I'd love to hear about it. Maybe we should contact the pad manufacturers and offer free consulting on a better pad design ;).
Posted 2/8/2016 6:06 AM (GMT -7)
Good thought, Andrewski.

I still wear a shield occasionally, for example when I'm going to be traveling and bathroom access is going to be chancy. I think a lot of us also found that the anxiety that came with transitioning from briefs to 'just pads', then from pads to shields, then from shields to nothing was very real.

What's the worst that can happen?
Age at Diagnosis: 56
Biopsy: 3 of 12, G3+3, all on LT side, 20%, 5%, 3%
Clinical Stage T2C
Bone Scan, CT scan negative for spread
RALP on 2/17/15, BJC St. Louis, Dr. Figenshau
58.5g, G3+4, 20%, 4 quadrants involved
PSA 3/10/15: 0.10
5/18/15: <.04
8/24/15: <.04
11/30/15: <.04
My Story: www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=3300024
Posted 2/8/2016 7:49 AM (GMT -7)
Briefs to Pads to Shields and my final step was keeping a few pads in the back of my desk drawer. I still have the couple I stashed in there several months ago just in case.

Somehow knowing I could pad-up anytime it's needed seemed to help.
Age at Dx 54 10/23/14 PSA 9.75 DRE- T1c
Biopsy: 2 of 12 GS7 (3+4) 7% of sample #1=20%G6, #2=10%G7
Scans: 1/22/15 CT / Bone Clear
DaVinci: 1/27/15 Prostate 36gr GS7 (4+3) 8% of organ
EPE- SV- LN- Clear Margins pT2c
Pad Free at 14 weeks, ED responding to PDE5
Cysto: 6/12/15 Stricture dilation, 30 days CIC
DVIU: 8/4/15 Stricture laser ablation
PSA @ 3 & 6 Months <.05 @ 9 Months .03 (new lab)
Posted 2/8/2016 8:57 AM (GMT -7)
"no longer in the pad" Must be nice, my penis shrunk by almost an inch. At least that is one problem I am not having.:)
51Year old male, January 2015
Routine physical , PSA 5.7
Biopsy January 2015, 12 core samples taken, Results were clear
August 2015, PSA 8.0 4k results 19% Cancer
12 additional core samples - 1 Cancer 4-3-7 Gleason
Father had no issues - Just found out grandfather died in 1965 from PC
Prostate removed Oct 2015 Clear margins but radiation recommended. No change to Gleason 4-3=7
Posted 2/8/2016 9:09 AM (GMT -7)
Oh, don't get me wrong; it's not a size thing. Didn't have any shortening, but it was never more than average to begin with. It's more that with all the movement, the body and the pad don't always go the same way. Maybe I need tighter underwear ;).
Posted 2/8/2016 3:03 PM (GMT -7)
I agree with the tight underwear. I went out and purchased all new underwear in dark colors. I hated the fact with light colors it would show when I leaked. After 3 months, this past weekend I slept without any pad and I did not leak. Hang in there it will get better.
51Year old male, January 2015
Routine physical , PSA 5.7
Biopsy January 2015, 12 core samples taken, Results were clear
August 2015, PSA 8.0 4k results 19% Cancer
12 additional core samples - 1 Cancer 4-3-7 Gleason
Father had no issues - Just found out grandfather died in 1965 from PC
Prostate removed Oct 2015 Clear margins but radiation recommended. No change to Gleason 4-3=7
Posted 2/8/2016 4:12 PM (GMT -7)
Idk. It depends
DX 2006 age 42 PSA 3216 stage 4 Gleason (3+4=7 ) Lung, Bone, and Lymph metastasis
A.D.T. 5-1/2 years. Provenge, Zytiga, D.E.S.
Latest Bone scan, C.T. scan, and chest X-ray clear. Current P.S.A. <0.05
Currently 50 years old
Todd's blog
Google places Ad's on my blog. Just an FYI if you click the ad's they pay me....
Twitter @seals_todd
Posted 2/8/2016 6:17 PM (GMT -7)
I tried the pads today and don't think I am ready for those. I don't have the confidence yet for something that's not snug yet. Probably need tighter underwear for those so I will stick to the briefs for now. Thanks for all the feedback.
Posted 2/9/2016 9:35 AM (GMT -7)
I like the idea of overlapping two thin pads. I might have to give that a try since the shields are so inexpensive. I don't think there are any pads with elastic on the sides. My favorite pads are the Tena pads, but I can not find them for an affordable price anymore. I got hooked on them when I could find them for around $10 for 48. The price seems to have tripled, so now I am just doing the Walmart off brand, but they are real thick and heavy. Has anyone ever tried a jock strap with or without briefs?
enlarged prostate at age 25-dx'd 51;Age-56
3/2000 psa=.08,4/2002 psa = 1.4,4/2011 psa= 49.2
5/2011 Prostate Biopsy-3 of 12 cores Positive
Gleason 4+4=8
T2c n0m0
MRI-1 nerve bundle involved
open RRP 8/5/11,home 8/6/11,cath out 8/16/11
Post Op Path
71g-1 NERVE spared
Gleason upgraded 5+4=9
EPE & PNI
Margin-indeterminate,
pT3aN0Mx
Zero Club until 7/14-.034,1/15-.041,12/15-.108-ED/1 pad
Posted 2/9/2016 2:12 PM (GMT -7)
Pre-op (da Vinci) I purchased all sorts of supplies ... for "afterwards." Including Depends. I wore the Depends briefs overnight and slept on a leak-proof pad ... the weeks following the removal of the catheter. Daytime I used the Depends pads or other pads. Over time, while the leaking continued, I switched to pads made for women because they were more comfortable. I leaked very badly for a couple of months and even now. 7+ years post-op I still, on occasion leak and I use thin female pads for it.
Age: 66 (58 at diagnosis - June, 2008)
April '08 PSA 4.8 ("free PSA" 7.9), up from 3.5 year prior
June '08 had biopsy, 2 days later told results positive but in less than 1% of sample (Gleason's 3+3=6)
Developed sepsis 2 days post-biopsy, seriously ill in hospital for 3 days
Dr. recommended robotic removal using da Vinci; Surgery 9/10/08; Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL; Dr. Nadler.
Posted 2/10/2016 5:17 PM (GMT -7)
https://www.depend.com/mens-solutions/products/35641#selector

The Depends shields are pretty good 53 for around 11.99 or 12.99 at Walmart or Krogers. They work great for small leaks and as a safety net.
51Year old male, January 2015
Routine physical , PSA 5.7
Biopsy January 2015, 12 core samples taken, Results were clear
August 2015, PSA 8.0 4k results 19% Cancer
12 additional core samples - 1 Cancer 4-3-7 Gleason
Father had no issues - Just found out grandfather died in 1965 from PC
Prostate removed Oct 2015 Clear margins but radiation recommended. No change to Gleason 4-3=7
Posted 2/11/2016 7:12 AM (GMT -7)
The "Poise" pads, at least the ones in moderate absorbency, do have elastic at the sides. This does help keep things in place, both in terms of anatomy and moisture. That said, as noted above, I've had better luck with two non-elastic pads arranged in a V.
Posted 2/11/2016 5:04 PM (GMT -7)
Pads for me. Never used Depends briefs & never had an issue using pads. Still, all of us are different and I only had to use the small pads for a few weeks.
53 yrs old @ Dx. 1/2015 PSA 4.67. 3/15 PSA 5.0. Biopsy/Ultrasound 4/15. 11of14 cores positive. 4@5%, 2@10%, 1@45%, 1@70%,1@75%, 2@90%. 2nd opinion @Mayo 5/15. DaVinci 6/15. Stage T2c. Nerve sparing left side, partial right side. Pre-Op G 3+3, Post Op G 3+4. Neg. margins, neg. lymph nodes. Post op prostate 45g, tumor approx. 10%. Minimal incontinence 3 wks.
PSA 10/15 <.004
PSA 1/16 <.004
Posted 2/11/2016 5:19 PM (GMT -7)
An advantage to using the thin shield during cold weather: It keeps things nice and warm down below, keeping things hanging low and preventing the turtle effect.
Age at Diagnosis: 56
Biopsy: 3 of 12, G3+3, all on LT side, 20%, 5%, 3%
Clinical Stage T2C
Bone Scan, CT scan negative for spread
RALP on 2/17/15, BJC St. Louis, Dr. Figenshau
58.5g, G3+4, 20%, 4 quadrants involved
PSA 3/10/15: 0.10
5/18/15: <.04
8/24/15: <.04
11/30/15: <.04
My Story: www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=3300024
Posted 2/11/2016 5:31 PM (GMT -7)
LOL Halbert, exactly...YUK! Yet another reason to avoid surgery.
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