Incontinence question

LuckyKYGuy

Four weeks post RARP today.

I know there is no identical timeline, but just wondering at what point those of you who have been through this started noticing significant improvement in incontinence. I'm to the point now I'm good sitting down, even if I cough or sneeze most of the time. However when I stand it's pretty non stop flow that I can't control.

I know I'm just beginning this journey, but just looking to see how long it was for you guys before you saw improvement.

I should add a I saw a Pelvic Floor PT a week ago Friday and have been doing the Kegel's as instructed but not noticing any difference yet. Again, I know that's soon.

Thanks!

Clevelandguy

Hi,

Unfortunately there is no timeframe as everyone heals differently depending on the amount of damage done during surgery. The best you can do is keep making progress even if at times it does not seem like you are. In my situation I wore a diaper for a few months after surgery then progressed to a pad which I still wear today 10 yrs. later. I know I drip a little more during walking and not at all while sitting or laying in bed. Progress over months not weeks hopefully will continue unless your one of the luck ones that is dry a few weeks after surgery. There have been a couple of folks that did that but the majority take months to recover. From what you describe sounds like your making progress. Keep doing the Kegals…………..

Dave 3+4

Marlon

I am now 18 weeks past surgery. I think it was 5-6 weeks before I saw progress, and then it was like improvements would come suddenly every couple of weeks. My PT included core building exercises. I still leak occasionally on sudden movements, but not so badly. I expect I'll be wearing pads/shields indefinitely, even if just for confidence.

Josephg

The overwhelming percentage of patients see substantial improvement within a year, many sooner. If the issue persists over a year, the chances of regaining full continence diminishes. In you case, with your procedure only 4 weeks behind you, you've got plenty of time to see substantial improvements in your situation.

LuckyKYGuy

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1719047#Comment_1719047

My PT also included core building exercises which I am doing religiously….but she cautioned me not to over do things because that has the reverse effect. For most of my life, I'm 59, I've probably been labeled as impatient…so now I'm having to learn a new level of patience that I've never had to have before. I guess the old saying that we are never to old to learn and grow is applying to me now. But in all honestly, I'm thankful that my procedure was a success and my margins were negative with no metastisis.

DaveInAZ

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/328699/incontinence-question

I had my prostate removed robotically on July 10, had to wear a catheter for two weeks plus one day. Upon removal I was pleased that I had at least some control over my bladder. I was wearing pullups initially and had to change every few hours, but rapidly over the course of two to three weeks that got better. I graduated to pads and then relatively quickly to these thin Depend shields. I saw my Dr. on Sept. 9 (I was wearing the shields by then) and he was pleased with my progress, saying that I was ahead of schedule. However, I am still wearing the shields. Now approaching 5 months post surgery I still have an occasional drip, sometimes from standing up after sitting for a while, the dreaded cough or sneeze, or holding it just a bit too long. It is enough of a nuisance that I am reluctant to go with no protection. I do feel things are still improving, but it has been slow going for the last couple of months after such a rapid initial improvement. I do kegels daily but no PT.

I hope things get better for you very soon. The incontinence was my biggest fear coming out of all of this, so I feel maybe I am fortunate to be where I am at, knock on wood.