Starting pelvic floor PT

TurtBean

7 weeks out from having my catheter removed post-surgery, I’m still totally incontinent, so I had my first pelvic floor PT session yesterday.

I’m told pelvic floor therapists are few and far between (at least in my area), so I was happy to find one just 40 minutes away, and she specializes in treating male incontinence. Also fortunate that insurance is paying for the lot - they told me at the clinic that was unusual.

Light work, starting with strengthening my core while continuing the kegels I started nearly two months ago. Looking forward to making at least some headway on this - getting tired of being constantly damp, sticky, and with mild irritation down there.

The therapist did tell me I’m in no way unusual in my lack of progress, echoing others on my care team, so I’m staying upbeat and positive.

Would love to hear about anyone else who’s had this type of therapy.

capecodder

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/330034/starting-pelvic-floor-pt

I am 3 plus weeks before my surgery so cannot speak to post-op PT, but I have been doing kegels for several weeks now. Found a therapist near me and she is giving me core and hip strengthening exercises in addition to some kegel-specific ones. I hope you find success soon as 7 weeks sounds miserable. I have seen plenty of comments that it could take 6-9 months to get to just some dribbles and only needing a pad, so it is a patience tester. How old are you, and did you have any continence issues prior to surgery?

TurtBean

@capecodder - I’m 59, and I was having a dribble here and there when I couldn’t find a bathroom quick enough - that (and a host of other urinary issues) was related to having an enlarged prostate, which of course, is no longer an issue.

Matters aren’t helped by being on a diuretic for HBP - fluids run right through me, and that 64 ounces all my docs tell me to drink leads to a lot of brief/guard changes.

I’ve been told by several professionals that 3-6 months seems to be the sweet spot for beginning to see signs of improvement, though some can take as long as 18 months, and an unlucky few don’t get it back at all, so here’s hoping I’m average-to-slightly-better.

capecodder

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1726425#Comment_1726425

wish I could help more, but I am trailing you in this journey. I hope that PT will help as I am certainly counting on it!

TurtBean

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1726427#Comment_1726427

It certainly won’t hurt. One of the nurses told me the only people he’s ever seen who have the best luck with maintaining bladder control immediately after surgery are body builders, as their PF muscles are already well-developed from all the training they do.

Clevelandguy

Hi,

Im glad you’re working with a professional, they will guide you on what needs strengthening. I am 11 yrs out from my surgery and still do kegal squeezes plus other pelvic muscles exercises 5 days a week. I think it helps but I don’t think I will ever stop because I don’t want to start the backward slide with more leakage. I have maintained my “leakage” at the same level for years at one light pad a day. Keep doing your exercises, just like any muscle, don’t use it and you loose it.

Dave 3+4

TurtBean

Happy to report that I think I had my first big step in the right direction.

Normally, overnight, my bladder will wake me up with that feeling of slight discomfort that says, “Gotta go, get up!”

As soon as I stand up…WHOOSH!…it all comes rushing out.

Last night, I got that feeling, stood up…no waterfall. Definitely a dribble or three, but no complete emptying.

Trotted to the toilet, still had that “gotta go” feeling, so I pulled down the front of my briefs, took Mr. Floppy in hand, and lo and behold…I peed into the toilet while standing for the first time since the morning of my surgery over two months ago.

It may have been the grogginess of interrupted sleep, but I swear I heard a Hallelujah chorus of angels from on high. 😆

I’d had some earlier signs of very slight improvement (using fewer pads during the day, a slight delay in the waterworks upon standing), but last night was the first big one.

Old Salt

Thanks Leonard:

k.d. lang performs Hallelujah - Vancouver 2010 Olympics Opening Ceremony | Music Monday - YouTube