Incontinence Exercises

DrRonski

Hello,

I'm new here and 10 days out from my LRP at Kaiser Denver by Dr. Justin Green.

The surgery went well and the pathology results were about perfect.

Now I'm dealing with the reality of incontinence.

I do understand amount and time are an individual matter.

But searching the topic here I found a post with a YouTube link that looked really hopeful:

David Hughes Pelvic Floor Exercise

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=QHwVglPQR_w&NR=1

I just wondered how many here may have seen it and if so what kind of results you got.

I see that the classic Kegel exercises aren't that popular, but this rountine seems to have hope for sooner return to complete continence.

I would really appreciate any feedback you have.

Thanks,

Ron

 

JEHJR

Ron I will try and post a

Ron I will try and post a message I received from another PC friend. But before I do here is a question for the other readers. How have you approached incontinence. I found my urologist lacking in this department. But don't get me wrong, I loved the work he and his team did for me. I educated myself to resolve incontinence. This is not always an option for many men. I continue to participate in order to share what I have learned in hopes that others may benefit. God Bless

 

OK JEHR, here is my daily routine:

* While sitting straight or lying down flat on your back

Squeeze pelvic muscles at the 1/2 way position (half of a full squeeze) hold 10 sec

Squeeze " " " full and hold 10 seconds

Drop from Full squeeze to 1/2 and hold 10 seconds

Drop squeeze to zero and rest 5 seconds.

* Repeat the above 10 times , Three times a day

* Squeeze you pelvic muscles to maximum and release 50 times as fast as you can(3times/day).

* Walk a minimum 45 min/day and hold pelvic muscles at 25% for 20 min while walking. (Once/Day)

I was shown on ultra sound machine where my 25%/ 50%/100% levels were but you could take a guess and be fairly accurate. For 100% do not squeeze until your eye balls pop or you feel pain. My physiotherapist did not want me stopping urine flow as an exercise.

Hope this helps

Beau2

Kegels

Ron,

i did a whole bunch of Kegels and walking before and after my LRP (I did Kegels while I walked!), and got lucky. I was never incontinent.

We shared the same surgeon (Green) at Kaiser, although my surgery was 5+ years ago. I believe I was his 35 th (?) patient at Kaiser ... he said he was involved with over 250 patients when he was doing his fellowship. Green said he packed ice into the wound when he did the surgery and that helped ..... does he still do that? I am guessing he must have done a few thousand LRPs by now. I've been happy with the results.

All the best wishes for a quick recovery.

DrRonski

Beau2 said:

Kegels

Ron,

i did a whole bunch of Kegels and walking before and after my LRP (I did Kegels while I walked!), and got lucky. I was never incontinent.

We shared the same surgeon (Green) at Kaiser, although my surgery was 5+ years ago. I believe I was his 35 th (?) patient at Kaiser ... he said he was involved with over 250 patients when he was doing his fellowship. Green said he packed ice into the wound when he did the surgery and that helped ..... does he still do that? I am guessing he must have done a few thousand LRPs by now. I've been happy with the results.

All the best wishes for a quick recovery.

Beau,
I think he's about 600+

Beau,

I think he's about 600+ now but taking more time to teach other urologists than operate.

I can't imagine packing ice in there using the Da Vinci but who knows...

They don't chat much about their procedures unless I ask, then he is pretty open.

Sounds like you did the right stuff and had good results.  I suspect you are younger than I am (73).

I'm active year round but age takes a toll regardless.

I'd like to hit the exercise hard but can't really do a lot with my abdomen yet.

Thanks for the good wishes... that helps too,

Ron

lion1

DrRonski said:

Beau,
I think he's about 600+

Beau,

I think he's about 600+ now but taking more time to teach other urologists than operate.

I can't imagine packing ice in there using the Da Vinci but who knows...

They don't chat much about their procedures unless I ask, then he is pretty open.

Sounds like you did the right stuff and had good results.  I suspect you are younger than I am (73).

I'm active year round but age takes a toll regardless.

I'd like to hit the exercise hard but can't really do a lot with my abdomen yet.

Thanks for the good wishes... that helps too,

Ron

Glad to see some type of Post on Incontinence

First off great to hear that methods were out there that worked  and helped you avoid the absolute inconvenience of incontinence. I haven't posted for a long while, but in 2006 at age 46 I had an LRP. Great Surgeon in Florida--cancer free 8 years-----------taking Cialis - sex life really good---- But, still incontinent after 8 years. I don't believe it. I tried everything----botox injections, every medication they could throw at me ----still no luck. I have been told I have an overactive bladder as a result of the LRP. My sphncter  seems to be working. Doc says every thing looks great inside of me. He suggested an Interstim 2 yrs ago----I said no, because I am very active. I know I would just screw that up -- whether I was skiing, riding my bike, or playing volleyball. I made the decision not to do the implant or a sling or an Artificial Sphincter. Because I knew even if they worked my life would be forever one of inactivity for fear of disrupting their function.

It's very challenging at times--I am a professional in the Finance field so no heavy lifting or extended periods on my feet. But, pesrsonally, I refuse to slow down---I enjoy life. I do hope someday I get relief or something new comes along. Also I am a 23 year Air Force veteran---God Bless America.

 

Lion1

DrRonski

lion1 said:

Glad to see some type of Post on Incontinence

First off great to hear that methods were out there that worked  and helped you avoid the absolute inconvenience of incontinence. I haven't posted for a long while, but in 2006 at age 46 I had an LRP. Great Surgeon in Florida--cancer free 8 years-----------taking Cialis - sex life really good---- But, still incontinent after 8 years. I don't believe it. I tried everything----botox injections, every medication they could throw at me ----still no luck. I have been told I have an overactive bladder as a result of the LRP. My sphncter  seems to be working. Doc says every thing looks great inside of me. He suggested an Interstim 2 yrs ago----I said no, because I am very active. I know I would just screw that up -- whether I was skiing, riding my bike, or playing volleyball. I made the decision not to do the implant or a sling or an Artificial Sphincter. Because I knew even if they worked my life would be forever one of inactivity for fear of disrupting their function.

It's very challenging at times--I am a professional in the Finance field so no heavy lifting or extended periods on my feet. But, pesrsonally, I refuse to slow down---I enjoy life. I do hope someday I get relief or something new comes along. Also I am a 23 year Air Force veteran---God Bless America.

 

Lion1

Lion

I can't believe your luck...

I've been reflecting on my pre-op bladder function.

I used to claim Polish Plumbing - never needed to pee unless I wanted to.

Thinking about it, that bladder primary sphincter had to be pretty stout.  Now I'm paying the price trying to train myself on the weak one.

So, are you just good with pads now?  I don't even want to think about that.

Let's hear it for the USAF!

God Bless Us All

 

Ron

lion1

DrRonski said:

Lion

I can't believe your luck...

I've been reflecting on my pre-op bladder function.

I used to claim Polish Plumbing - never needed to pee unless I wanted to.

Thinking about it, that bladder primary sphincter had to be pretty stout.  Now I'm paying the price trying to train myself on the weak one.

So, are you just good with pads now?  I don't even want to think about that.

Let's hear it for the USAF!

God Bless Us All

 

Ron

Lion Pads

Yes DRRonski. I am doing the 4-5 pad thing everyday. The alternatives are not guaranteed and since I am so active, any of those procedures can bring things to a screaching halt. Trust me, I am sick of pads! But, at least I am not sick!

I may be burdened, but I am still doing verything I always have................

 

Lion1...thanks for the reply

VascodaGama

Previous threads on the incontinence issue

 

There have been many reporting on incontinence problems in this forum before. Some guys managed to control the problem with exercises and some needed extra help from apparatus. Here are some links that may be of interest to you;

http://csn.cancer.org/node/188931

http://csn.cancer.org/node/212305

http://csn.cancer.org/node/178836

http://csn.cancer.org/node/249870

http://csn.cancer.org/node/243148

 

Hope for the best.

VG

 

lion1

VascodaGama said:

Previous threads on the incontinence issue

 

There have been many reporting on incontinence problems in this forum before. Some guys managed to control the problem with exercises and some needed extra help from apparatus. Here are some links that may be of interest to you;

http://csn.cancer.org/node/188931

http://csn.cancer.org/node/212305

http://csn.cancer.org/node/178836

http://csn.cancer.org/node/249870

http://csn.cancer.org/node/243148

 

Hope for the best.

VG

 

Much Appreciated

Thanks VG.

 

Itzagift

When all else fails.

Don't usually come up on this board anymore. Just back from my routine oncology check (non-Hodgkin’s) and thought I'd look in on it and several others relating to my own medical adventures. Noticed some comments on this one about being active and thought I'd add my one and a half cents worth.

I had a RRP about 14 years ago and could never get the leaking to stop. Most days were 4 to 5 FULL pads. Very depressing and a giant pain in the...well, you know. Tried every medication on the books (several times), collagen bulking, biofeedback, acupuncture...everything short of witchdoctors. Several of these attempts put me in the ER for complete urethral blockage. Went from full on to full stop...unbelievable pain on the stop end of the whizzing bell curve. Put up with this for close to 12 years. NOTHING WORKED!

Was eventually referred to a specialist in women's incontinence. She accepted the referral. Went thru yet a third series of urodynamics tests to identify intrinsic sphincter deficiency (it would not close all the way). Recommendation - AUS.

I've survived a car wreck (face first thru the windshield), prostate cancer, multiple skin cancers, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, massive afib (ablation fixed), kidney stones and a mass removed from my chest to name just a few of my medical adventures...still, I consider my AUS as the most life altering event of them all.

I too have always been "active" in sports (swim - surf - ski - run - ride) but dragging extra pads and changes of cloths (filled the pads to overflow on many occasions) made everything much more difficult. The AUS has changed all that. It's about 80% effective. Still leak a little but can usually get by with just a single Depends Shield (not the bigger Guards) for a full 24 hours.

I normally bike ride three days a week for about 125-150 miles total and was very concerned about damaging the AUS cuff or tubing. It took me a while, but I found a bike seat that works great. I’ve now been on it for several years with no problems at all. Running, hiking and water sport activities are essentially the same as before my RRP (other than now being close to 15 years older at 71).

In short…to anyone considering NOT getting an AUS simply because they believe it will limit their activities…absolutely not the case. It is in fact incredibly liberating. That's my story...and I'm sticking to it.

lion1

Itzagift said:

When all else fails.

Don't usually come up on this board anymore. Just back from my routine oncology check (non-Hodgkin’s) and thought I'd look in on it and several others relating to my own medical adventures. Noticed some comments on this one about being active and thought I'd add my one and a half cents worth.

I had a RRP about 14 years ago and could never get the leaking to stop. Most days were 4 to 5 FULL pads. Very depressing and a giant pain in the...well, you know. Tried every medication on the books (several times), collagen bulking, biofeedback, acupuncture...everything short of witchdoctors. Several of these attempts put me in the ER for complete urethral blockage. Went from full on to full stop...unbelievable pain on the stop end of the whizzing bell curve. Put up with this for close to 12 years. NOTHING WORKED!

Was eventually referred to a specialist in women's incontinence. She accepted the referral. Went thru yet a third series of urodynamics tests to identify intrinsic sphincter deficiency (it would not close all the way). Recommendation - AUS.

I've survived a car wreck (face first thru the windshield), prostate cancer, multiple skin cancers, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, massive afib (ablation fixed), kidney stones and a mass removed from my chest to name just a few of my medical adventures...still, I consider my AUS as the most life altering event of them all.

I too have always been "active" in sports (swim - surf - ski - run - ride) but dragging extra pads and changes of cloths (filled the pads to overflow on many occasions) made everything much more difficult. The AUS has changed all that. It's about 80% effective. Still leak a little but can usually get by with just a single Depends Shield (not the bigger Guards) for a full 24 hours.

I normally bike ride three days a week for about 125-150 miles total and was very concerned about damaging the AUS cuff or tubing. It took me a while, but I found a bike seat that works great. I’ve now been on it for several years with no problems at all. Running, hiking and water sport activities are essentially the same as before my RRP (other than now being close to 15 years older at 71).

In short…to anyone considering NOT getting an AUS simply because they believe it will limit their activities…absolutely not the case. It is in fact incredibly liberating. That's my story...and I'm sticking to it.

Thanks for Sharing.

Appreciate your Honest Input. Would love to hear more success stories like this one.

 

Lion 1.

tpelle

lion1 said:

Thanks for Sharing.

Appreciate your Honest Input. Would love to hear more success stories like this one.

 

Lion 1.

AUS is Working

lion1:  You may remember, I had RPS in 2003 which was followed by usage of 2.3 Depends pads per day.  I did 200-300 kegels per day for several years, used the prescribed meds (imipramine), and had one collegen treatment.  Nothing worked.  Finally, at age 81, after the tenth anniversary of the surgery and PSA continuing at <.01, I saw the head of urology at University of California-Davis.  During a cystoscopy he showed me on the monitor where the sphincter was slightly deformed and said no amount of kegels or other treatment would every stop the leakage.  Immediately we scheduled surgery to implant the AUS800.  He said he had implanted over 600 AUS800's with only 6 requiring revision.  He activated the sphincter at about seven weeks.  I use a Poise liner but there is seldom any leakage.  So, at this point, at one year out from activation, I am very pleased.  Hope this helps.  tpelle

Josephg

lion1 said:

Thanks for Sharing.

Appreciate your Honest Input. Would love to hear more success stories like this one.

 

Lion 1.

AMS 800 Experiences

I outlined my experiences for this device on these pages:

http://csn.cancer.org/node/188931?page=3 - 5 postings

http://csn.cancer.org/node/188931?page=4 - 1 posting related to the implant

You can also research postings made by Trew, who was my mentor and responsible for convincing me that the implant was a logical and appropriate next step to regain my quality of life.

Absolutely and unquestionably a gamechanger in restoring quality of life for those with severe incontinence after RP surgery.

I've had my implant for well over a year at this point, and I do not have a single regret over choosing the implant procedure.