HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Uncontrollable Incontinence after surgery

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 9/30/2006 7:25 PM (GMT -8)
I have recently had a radical prostatectomy. I had the catheter removed yesterday 9/29 and have no control of my bladder when I stand up..I just starts gushing. Is this normal, will this improve? When I sit or lie down I have no problems.

Thanks, Terry

Posted 9/30/2006 7:47 PM (GMT -8)
In my post surgery information material, my surgeon indicates that continence returns in three phases:

Phase I - You are dry when lying down at night.

Phase II - You are dry when walking around.

Phase III - You are dry when you rise from a seated position.

Urinary control is different for each patient. He concludes my stating urinary control takes time. Do not get discouraged.
Posted 9/30/2006 8:29 PM (GMT -8)
Relax.  I gushed for 3 months.  Didn't really see a big improvement until the end of the 4th month.  I carried a bag of diapers and pads everywhere.  I gushed with every movement.  Don't worry.  It will pass.  It may even be better for you than me.  I thought it would never end.  But it did.  Five months later, I still wear a pad.  Not everyone is continent right after surgery.  Good luck. 
Posted 9/30/2006 8:51 PM (GMT -8)

Hi Worried4327,

My husband was the same way.  He had the same procedure (open radical) in July.  Twelve days later the catheter came out and he also gushed uncontrollably.  After about 4-5 weeks, he was dry through the night.  It's been about 9 weeks now and he is still going through about 5-6 pads a day but is noticing a gradual decline.  We didn't know to start the kegals before hand.  I think that would have helped.  From what we've read, and from what the doctor says, he is doing fine and I'm sure you are to.  I can't imagine how hard this is for you guys to endure both mentally and physically.  I do know that my husbands positive attitude has made a world of difference and he has really been a trooper.  I'm so proud of him and all of you as well.  On a lighter note, it might also have been our doctors advice to him not to complain to a woman about having to wear pads for awhile!

Hang in there,

Posted 10/1/2006 12:53 AM (GMT -8)

Hello Terry,

There are many factors that effect how long it might take to regain blader control. Physical condition, severity of the procedure, and maybe even age, will impact how long it will take. I was 60 when I had the DaVinci procedure, and after 4 weeks still no control. Then suddenly in the 5th week the Kegel exercises must have worked because I was dry through the night, and down to 2-3 Depends a day. By the 8th week I was using maybe 1-2 Depends, and in the 10th week like magic I was 95%+ dry with a single Serenity pad just in case. My surgeon told me that he expected to see me back in his office in 3 months for my PSA test, and that I would be dry. It turns out he was on the mark.

I hope your recovery will be faster than mine, and in many cases that I have followed recoveries were shorter. There are some of us that need more time, so don't be discouraged; just Keep doing your Kegel exercises, and walk as much as you can. Soon you will be comforting other guys that will be going through the exact same problems.

Good luck to you, and have confidence that you will be dry.

Glen

Posted 10/1/2006 10:08 AM (GMT -8)
Thanks to all of you. It is such a change in life to go through this as I am sure all of you know. As selfish as it may sound, I am comforted to know I am not the only one with these "side effects". I do appreciate your sharing and support.

Terry
Posted 10/1/2006 2:03 PM (GMT -8)
Hi Terry,
Welcome to the "club". You have found the right place for support. My husband just had the open radical prostatectomy on Sept. 18. He will be having his cath removed on Tuesday. My concerns are the same ones you are experiencing. I can only pray that he will be even a little bit mentally prepared.

My heart goes out to each and every one of you men that suffer through this and to each and every one of you women that stand beside your husband and support him every step of the way. This is such a hard road, but know matter where you are at in this journey, you have made it this far.
See your goal before you, keep your chin up, and stay strong!
Posted 10/2/2006 4:23 AM (GMT -8)
Terry,

I agree with your comment that knowing that others have gone through this and how they dealt with it helps so much. Jeff had a radical on 8/30 but has not had problems with incontinence. he wears a pad a day, is dry at night and during the day, then starts dribbling in the afternoon. hang in there - it does get better! I think all of us are learning what patience really means. we have to remember the most important part - the cancer is gone! best wishes....kat
Posted 10/21/2006 11:19 AM (GMT -8)
Have a funny story to add here . . . . my husband Bob had his LP surgery on September 27th, with catheter removal on October 5. He's sitting on the exam table and upon removal starts gushing and gushing. Meanwhile the doctor is trying to give him instructions and possible time frame for pathology report and hubby isn't listening . . .he's looking down . . . . and out loud says . . ."the poor little thing" . . . .doctor gets rather large grin on face, turns to me and finishes his instructions as he knows hubby has only ONE thing on HIS mind and it aint what the dr. is talking about. We still giggle over this one. Now, two weeks after the removal, nights are relatively dry with several trips to bathroom . . .sitting isn't too bad as long as the bathroom is the first stop upon rising . . . .and walking around when going places yields much leakage. . . .but we think things are improving every day.
:) Linda
Posted 10/21/2006 5:04 PM (GMT -8)
It has now been just over 4 weeks and I am very happy to report that I am alomost leak free... during the night I get up once, wake up dry, during the day I only leak when I "push it to the limits" but usually a pad a day with no diapers...is more than enough...if I do leak, it's later in the day as well. For those of you who are still leaking, I beleive the kegel was the answer for me....I still do them.
Thnaks to everyone for their input and support.
Terry
Posted 10/21/2006 7:04 PM (GMT -8)
lawink...

That is a funny story.  I have one too..

When I saw Curtis for the first time undressed at the hospital with his catheter in I asked why it was so small.  He just said "He got scared" tongue

Posted 10/22/2006 4:58 AM (GMT -8)
Terry - that's great news! the next thing you'll realize is that you don't need a pad at all or only when you're working really hard (like chopping wood - ha!)

Linda and Ellen - what funny stories. a sense of humor is important in recovery and dealing with this. someone should collect all of the funny stories and publish them....

kat
Posted 10/22/2006 2:47 PM (GMT -8)

Linda & Ellen…..Thanks for sharing lighter moments on your journey with us!!!

 

Hi lawink “Linda”

We will be keeping in touch on your thread with how Bob is doing…  Thank you for sharing part of your journey with us….  Amazing what a little laughter can do for the spirit…  Maybe not at certain moments can we see a lightness but as we heal it truly doesn’t look as dark.  Positive thoughts are so important…. 

 

Take care and know how glad we are that you are now a part of us!!

In Friendship, Lee & Buddy in North Carolina

 

Hi Wicket "Ellen" 

I remember your very first posting…. You were sooo scared…. I just wanted to reach out and hold you!!!!  I know we all did….. and we did…..We reached out and sent you our strength to add to your strength that was always there…. But you just had to clear some of those nasty clouds away to find them. You found knowledge and that brought power and that power put the darkness in front of the sunshine… where it can’t stay dark!!!

 

SO ~ to see the lightness in your postings and laughter coming through …. Makes me smile :)

Take care friend…..  Lee & Buddy

Posted 10/22/2006 2:56 PM (GMT -8)
YEAH!!!!!        You are back!!! I read lawinks story yesterday and planned to send a note to you but my modem (dial-up L ) was sooooo slow ~ decided to close down and send it today….….. and when I went to post it ~ I see where you have responded :)….. !!!!! Thought I’d go ahead and send it so you would know how important you are to us!!!   Thrilled to hear the good news….. It does take time.   And yes… kegels are very important…. For the recovery!!!    Welcome back friend… stay in touch okay!! ~ Lee & Buddy   Hi Worried…. It’s been too long since we’ve heard from you.   Maybe we will see a new posting soon signed… No longer Worried    Please do touch base with us… okay!!   Remember…. We all heal at a different rate…. But we ALL need the support continued through the process….. and beyond and that’s why we are here.   Keep doing your kegels and stairs…. This truly does help!!!   Take care and know we care…….   In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy  
Posted 10/22/2006 7:22 PM (GMT -8)
Blue,

I know I was terrified when I first found this site and was so thankful for all your help and caring!!  You answered all my questions and helped me realize that this wasn't the end of the world and I want to be able to do that to other new comers who will be as terrified as I was when they first come in here.

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply