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What does an incontinence "setback" after over-exercising really mean?

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Posted 6/15/2007 2:34 PM (GMT -6)
I guess I overdid it yesterday.  My surgeon wanted me to do 100 kegels/day starting two days after the catheter was out.  I never got that high, count-wise, in the first week after the cath was out. Usually somewhere around 60-80.

Yesterday I hit the kegels hard with about 4 solid sets of 25 kegels.

Today I feel "tired" down there and am leaking a lot.  My wife has been concerned that I was overdoing it.  And so I probably did yesterday.

But what, really, is happening, physiologically?  What does a setback really mean?  Muscles are tired?  Actual loss of tone?  Damage?  I guess I have trouble visualizing all of this.  I mean, if I had been doing pushups I suppose I could have reached a point where I could not do another pushup, and then the next day my arm muscles would have been tired...hmmm. That fatigue could even last into a second day, I guess.

So, should I be doing any kegels today?  Or just lay off totally?

Posted 6/15/2007 3:46 PM (GMT -6)

Don't worry.  You are just tired.  It is unlikely that you did anything to damage anything.

some early posts suggested just a few series of 10 or so clinches each day, otherwise you tend to tire the muscles out.  I concentrated on trying to visualize how i felt and how much control i had. Fortunatly continence was not a major problem with me, but six months later i am still aware and have an occasional spurt or squirt.

A set back usually means very little.  You just need to rest up and come back after a good nights sleep. I remember that I just kept a "certain" tension clinching those muscles during the day.  When i felt tired I rested, a good nap was (is) my favorite.

Posted 6/15/2007 3:49 PM (GMT -6)

lifguyd,

thanks for the encouragement.

If I were to compare where I am today to where I've been, I'd say I'm back to where I was about a week ago.  I had been doing pretty good.  Hopefully, like you said, tomorrow I'll be much better off.

Posted 6/15/2007 4:08 PM (GMT -6)
Hi ~ Markus,   Yep ~ the little guy "sphincter muscle" is plum tuckered out “in our opinion”… I’m going to add the links below and I think you’ll see some good information.   Along with the reply posts you’ll receive here….     (Direct Link ~ just click on the title below and a new window will open!   Reminder … click on the REFRESH icon once you get there) Kegel Help? KW Kegels - to pee or not to pee? pianoman   Take a little time to rest up ~ and you'll be back on track soon.  Listen to your body... and read the links because I think there will be something there to help you!!!  Take care and continue moving forward knowing we are all here for you!     In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy
Posted 6/15/2007 5:39 PM (GMT -6)
Markus,

Our doctor said to do a lot too after surgery. I immediately said "that seems like a LOT from what I have read on forum." Ken was "weaker" after doing too many at first (the recommended 20-25 per set) Then he took it down to 3-4 sets of 10-12, with one or two sets done on stairs throughout the day. And varied with some "quick squeezes" with longer holding.

He had a steady improvement, and was pretty much dry 6-7 weeks. I would work up to your doctor's recommendation. Even though Ken had done Kegals prior to surgery, the recommended set of 3-4 sets of 20-25 were just way too much at first. He is still keeping his routine up of about 3-4 sets, and is doing about 15 contractions, so even though dry is not doing 20-25 at a time.

Good luck, and everyone is different, but backing off a little might work more surely and slowly!

Tanya (and Ken)
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