Incontinence

bestbob · October 6

Hi Everyone, I hope all is well, or at least doing better. In 2 days I will be 4 weeks post-op, and all seems to be going good. In fact, the incontinence is less then what I believed it would be.

My question is, for those that are 3, 6, 12+ months post-op, does it get less, stop, more, or is it a mixed bag (with/without keggle)?

Thanks

Bob

Marlon · October 6

Bob, I am 3 1/2 months out. For me it has gotten much better, but improvements came in plateaus. I was able to stay dry while sleeping (staying horizontal) after 3 weeks, but daytime was a struggle to not go every 30 minutes. I used Depends at first, now down to a pad or a couple of shields during the day. I only have leakage with sudden movements and it's only a few drops. I did ask for physical therapy which has been helpful as there are more exercises than Kegels you can do to strengthen your core. I am working to improve capacity so as to reduce number of visits to toilet.

I know other people who were continent right away, and others still struggling after 6 months, so it's hard to predict. I know that the doctor's skill is critical, but it also depends on the cancer and if and how it had spread.

bestbob · October 6

Marlon, appreciate the input. I do keggles, but not at the recommended frequency by the Dr. I am interested in the ‘other’ exercises you mention, and will look into it. I’ve been using pads since day 1, going thru 2 to 3, sometimes 4 on rare occasions. Like you, I don’t pass up an opportunity to use the bathroom when passing by one. Remember the movie Bucket list, and the 3 things he said. 😊

Marlon · October 6

Bob, basically exercises I was told to do, include yoga-style stretches and leg rotations that strengthen the abdominal muscles while you are tightening your sphincter muscles. And best of all they said is walking.

I must say at first, I thought my quality of life would never be good again, but now, I can see that its become a manageable affliction and while not back to normal, I am not limited by it.

On_A_Journey · October 7

I've written about my incontinence journey elsewhere. I am dry-ish but still need to wear a liner or similar product most days.

I do some sets of core exercises a few times a week, but it is more to do with mitigating issues with my back. I used to do kegels to deal with incontinence before I had surgery to deal with it. It's funny (kind of sad really), I have been slack with my core exercises over the past few weeks and I have been leaking more than I was but still only a minor amount, say, 20ml per day instead of 5 to 10ml per day, but I never realized that there may have been a connection. I will increase my exercise regime and take note if it also results in less leakage.

My favorite exercise is the 'dead bug'. There are tutorials on youtube. It places a noticeable amount of strain on your body so just make sure that your doctor is okay with it at such an early stage post-op.

Clevelandguy · October 7

Hi,

To answer your question it’s a mixed bag. I had leakage improvements til about the 1 yr. mark then plateaued. I still use a light pad every day to catch the occasional drip or two with odd movements or straining. I have been doing Kegals for 10 yrs. about 100/day, I don’t “leak” when I stay seated and I sleep dry.

Dave 3+4

bestbob · October 7

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1718341#Comment_1718341

appreciate the reply, how long post op are you?

bestbob · October 7

imho 100 a day is good, and understand it can be a mixed bag. Appreciate the input.

Dan1959 · October 7

Coming up on 3 years this coming February. My urologist/surgeon advised I could elect to perform Kegels or not and that I would likely "end up in the same place" either way (but the Kegel exercises might have gotten me there sooner). I occasionally still have "water in the pipe" if I'm not diligent at draining but I stopped all pad use at 6 months or so after surgery.

bestbob · October 7

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1718350#Comment_1718350

Dan, don’t understand your comment on what your urologist stated about doing kegels or not, and ending up in the same place. Does that mean he believes kegels don’t have a benefit?

Nice to hear about no pad after 6 months.

HerndonBoy · October 7

Bob,

Age 75 and 7 weeks since surgery. Still completely incontinent. Using 4 or 5 Depends per day and adult diapers at night. Stated weekly pelvic floor PT at week 3. I guess it is still early days. As long as the cancer is gone, it will be worth it.

Dan1959 · October 7

Bob, concerning my previous comment, my surgeon cited recent studies indicating doing Kegels (or not) would not have changed my surgical outcome (i.e. continence versus incontinence). Perhaps I could have been off the pads sooner had I done them religiously. I still got there, 6 long, wet then damp months later!

bestbob · October 7

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1718352#Comment_1718352

100% will be worth it

bestbob · October 7

Interesting the difference of opinions between drs.

bestbob · October 7

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1718341#Comment_1718341

looked the dead bug, think I’ll try, as it looks like a good core exercise.

Marlon · October 7

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1718355#Comment_1718355

I'd like to think that the difference is the doctors making a recommendation based on your specific physical condition and the circumstances of your surgery.

But I think it's also possible that doctors are much less expert in the recovery and rehab than in the surgery. Hard to see how strengthening your muscles could not be beneficial.

bestbob · October 7

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1718357#Comment_1718357

Makes sense.

Incontinence

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