Survey for you Dry (& Wet) Guys

Trew
Trew Member Posts: 932 Member
edited March 2014 in Prostate Cancer #1
I am wondering about something my new uro said the last time I saw him. He said there is a connection, somehow, between those all important nerves important to sexual function and the sphincter muscles that control the bladder and leakage.

For the Dry Guys: When you had surgery, where nerves on both sides spared?

For the wet guys: When you had surgery, did yu also have nerves removed?

Me? wet, and nerves removed on one side.
«1

Comments

  • Hoosierdaddy
    Hoosierdaddy Member Posts: 16
    #2
    survey
    DaVinci 12/21/09. 95% dry at catheter removal (100% overnight), essentially 100% a month later and since. Surgeon (Dr. Koch at IU-Indianapolis) said he spared the nerves on both sides, he didn't say a percentage.
  • Skid Row Tom
    Skid Row Tom Member Posts: 125
    #3
    Wet with both nerves
    Both nerves spared. I'm wet to the point I had to have an AUS.
  • Evagirl
    Evagirl Member Posts: 60
    #4
    Skid Row Tom said:

    Wet with both nerves
    Both nerves spared. I'm wet to the point I had to have an AUS.

    Dencil , 100% dry 1 wk
    Dencil , 100% dry 1 wk after open surgery...nerves spared on one side and dr said the other side was kind of stringy..whatever that means....
  • harvs
    harvs Member Posts: 54
    #5
    Survey
    Nerves spared.
    Wet since catheter out
    Did 6-8 pads a day plus briefs for overflow
    Finally got AUS
  • jminnj
    jminnj Member Posts: 129 Member
    #6
    harvs said:

    Survey
    Nerves spared.
    Wet since catheter out
    Did 6-8 pads a day plus briefs for overflow
    Finally got AUS

    Nerves spared. Surgery in
    Nerves spared. Surgery in January. Within about 4 weeks I was down to one pad a day. Dry overnight. Within the last few days, been flying solo without the pads. I have to watch how much and what I drink, but dry.
  • Trew
    Trew Member Posts: 932 Member
    #7
    So far the survey is
    So far the survey is inconclusive.
    Hummmmmm.....
  • luckyman2
    luckyman2 Member Posts: 54
    #8
    jminnj said:

    Nerves spared. Surgery in
    Nerves spared. Surgery in January. Within about 4 weeks I was down to one pad a day. Dry overnight. Within the last few days, been flying solo without the pads. I have to watch how much and what I drink, but dry.

    Nerves Spared... and Dry
    Both vascular nerve bundles were spared during my laparoscopy surgery to remove the prostate, November 2007. I still watch how much and what I drink, but dry.
  • fathersson
    fathersson Member Posts: 121
    #9
    Trew said:

    So far the survey is
    So far the survey is inconclusive.
    Hummmmmm.....

    Trew
    Almost dry 4 wks after surgery.. Nerves spared..
  • randy_in_indy
    randy_in_indy Member Posts: 496 Member
    #10
    Hoosierdaddy said:

    survey
    DaVinci 12/21/09. 95% dry at catheter removal (100% overnight), essentially 100% a month later and since. Surgeon (Dr. Koch at IU-Indianapolis) said he spared the nerves on both sides, he didn't say a percentage.

    Hey Hoosier Daddy
    I now remember being in the office at the same time you met Dr. Koch and signed up for your surgery - I was there Nov 17th at 4:30 pm - I then met with Dr. Hollensbe and decided to go with him but Koch was definitely my choice until Hollensbe. I am glad you have had good results with Koch...Hollensbe said, If I don't take it out, Koch should" We have some good people in this town!!

    I was pad free 2-20-10 with my surgery on 12-29-09. I probably drink more beer than you...lol

    Both my nerves were 100 percent spared and Dr. Hollensbe found two additional pudendal arteries in the disection plane above the prostate bed he had to cut around and save....He told my sweetheart she and I would both thank him for that...my surgery took about 4 hours as a result.

    Randy in Indy
  • BRONX52
    BRONX52 Member Posts: 156
    #11
    Trew said:

    So far the survey is
    So far the survey is inconclusive.
    Hummmmmm.....

    SURVEY
    BOTH NERVE BUNDLES SPARED AND DRY SINCE A COUPLE OF DAYS AFTER THE CATHETER CAME OUT. STILL DRY FOLLOWING 38 RADIATION TREATMENTS. COUNTING MY LUCKY STARS !!!
  • ezra99
    ezra99 Member Posts: 18
    #12
    Trew said:

    So far the survey is
    So far the survey is inconclusive.
    Hummmmmm.....

    Survey
    Surgey late January. Nerves spared on one side with "wider cut" on other (what ever that means). Wore pullups for 3.5 months. Started with 6-8 a day and gradually down to 2-3 a day. Had problem with overflow incontinence and very weak stream which I was told is not usually an issue post surgery. I didn't have "squirts or dribbles" I had times when my bladder would just decide to start emptying. Would have probably a cup or more come out before I could stop it. Self cath 3-4 times a day for a week or so. Stream improved a great deal to where I was able to switch to pads. Stopped the self cath and able to empty bladder much better now. Currently at 1-2 pads a day unless I have too much caffiene. I'm pretty much dry but occasionally dribble so feel better with pad on. I'm going to try to go pad free on weekends when I'm hanging out at home. Hopefully will stay dry. It really got me down for awhile because I kept reading and hearing that other guys were dry from the day they got their cath out. I had times in that first three months that I thought I was going to have to live in a swimming pool for the rest of my life.
  • bobshell1956
    bobshell1956 Member Posts: 18
    #13
    Still Wet
    All-

    Nerves on both sides were spared but I'm still wet 6 weeks post surgery. I'm still stuck at 3 pads per day and little improvement since the catheter was removed. Doing lots of walking and kegels but it doesn't to appear to have any benefit for the leaking. Sexual function is also not going well. Pump and meds (cialis) have not helped at all.
  • lewvino
    lewvino Member Posts: 1,010 Member
    #14
    Trew -Me Dry since cath
    Trew -
    Dry since cath removal - Nerves spared completely on one side, and estimated by Doc Spared 60% on the other side.

    Larry
  • luckyman2
    luckyman2 Member Posts: 54
    #15
    bobshell1956 said:

    Still Wet
    All-

    Nerves on both sides were spared but I'm still wet 6 weeks post surgery. I'm still stuck at 3 pads per day and little improvement since the catheter was removed. Doing lots of walking and kegels but it doesn't to appear to have any benefit for the leaking. Sexual function is also not going well. Pump and meds (cialis) have not helped at all.

    It takes time
    My urologist/oncologist mentioned to me that it was necessary to get the incontinence under control before seeing any significant results regarding the ED.

    You're only 6 weeks post-op. Give yourself a break! My wife reminded me of how anxious I was and how much I was doing too soon after the surgery. It's quite possible that you are exercising just a little too much... it takes time for the body to heal.
  • dav5942
    dav5942 Member Posts: 16
    #16
    luckyman2 said:

    It takes time
    My urologist/oncologist mentioned to me that it was necessary to get the incontinence under control before seeing any significant results regarding the ED.

    You're only 6 weeks post-op. Give yourself a break! My wife reminded me of how anxious I was and how much I was doing too soon after the surgery. It's quite possible that you are exercising just a little too much... it takes time for the body to heal.

    No nerves spared, dry after
    No nerves spared, dry after catherer removal and still dry after 8 weeks.
  • Molulu
    Molulu Member Posts: 1
    #17
    dav5942 said:

    No nerves spared, dry after
    No nerves spared, dry after catherer removal and still dry after 8 weeks.

    Wet, Wet
    My husband lost both nerve bundles and the doctor had to take a wider than normal margin. He is wet using 1-2 pads a day if he's sitting at the computer but when he's at work 4-5. It has been 3 years now so it's pretty much the way it will be. We've had some discussion about the AUS but at the moment he's not interested in any more surgery.
    Martha
  • lion1
    lion1 Member Posts: 241
    #18
    Molulu said:

    Wet, Wet
    My husband lost both nerve bundles and the doctor had to take a wider than normal margin. He is wet using 1-2 pads a day if he's sitting at the computer but when he's at work 4-5. It has been 3 years now so it's pretty much the way it will be. We've had some discussion about the AUS but at the moment he's not interested in any more surgery.
    Martha

    Great discussion--Great Approach
    Trew,

    This was a great way to get some interesting and worthwhile feedback ---Great Job!!

    All nerves spared--Incontinence since my Surgery 4 years ago on 6-6-6.

    Still pursuing a fix---not taking any drastic steps.

    This maybe a weak analogy, but living without pain has been fantastic and I say that because I ran into to some serious dental problems recently and the pain lasted for days and was excruciating until just recently. I bring this up, because my wife has cautioned me on doing anything drastic about my incontinence because we has read the stories of Sling and AUS recipients who have went through some serious pain which lingered for a long time. When she saw the crap I went through with my teeth, I agreed with her and said I will not bring anymore pain on myself voluntarily, because there's enough involuntary pain to go around.

    If some day I get to the surgery point in my mind--then I'll roll the dice and just do it. I am really concerned about what I am reading about some Sling recipients.


    Lion1
  • Hoosierdaddy
    Hoosierdaddy Member Posts: 16
    #19
    randy_in_indy said:

    Hey Hoosier Daddy
    I now remember being in the office at the same time you met Dr. Koch and signed up for your surgery - I was there Nov 17th at 4:30 pm - I then met with Dr. Hollensbe and decided to go with him but Koch was definitely my choice until Hollensbe. I am glad you have had good results with Koch...Hollensbe said, If I don't take it out, Koch should" We have some good people in this town!!

    I was pad free 2-20-10 with my surgery on 12-29-09. I probably drink more beer than you...lol

    Both my nerves were 100 percent spared and Dr. Hollensbe found two additional pudendal arteries in the disection plane above the prostate bed he had to cut around and save....He told my sweetheart she and I would both thank him for that...my surgery took about 4 hours as a result.

    Randy in Indy

    Hey Randy,
    I think you and I spoke briefly in the lobby. As I recall you seemed to have really done your homework. I had been having trouble getting candid specific recommendations about doctors and procedures; everybody just sold themselves and what they do.
  • Trew
    Trew Member Posts: 932 Member
    #20
    lion1 said:

    Great discussion--Great Approach
    Trew,

    This was a great way to get some interesting and worthwhile feedback ---Great Job!!

    All nerves spared--Incontinence since my Surgery 4 years ago on 6-6-6.

    Still pursuing a fix---not taking any drastic steps.

    This maybe a weak analogy, but living without pain has been fantastic and I say that because I ran into to some serious dental problems recently and the pain lasted for days and was excruciating until just recently. I bring this up, because my wife has cautioned me on doing anything drastic about my incontinence because we has read the stories of Sling and AUS recipients who have went through some serious pain which lingered for a long time. When she saw the crap I went through with my teeth, I agreed with her and said I will not bring anymore pain on myself voluntarily, because there's enough involuntary pain to go around.

    If some day I get to the surgery point in my mind--then I'll roll the dice and just do it. I am really concerned about what I am reading about some Sling recipients.


    Lion1

    I am losing heart and courage over this leaking problem. I am keeping a diary- time of pad change, activity and percentage of pad wet. I am averaging about 6- 7 pads a day with some positive margins- my term with underwear being involved- we all understand positive margins, right? Just my play with a little humor. Th euro understood it, gave me a little smile.

    Maybe some guys can tolerate 6- 7 pads a night a limited acitivity. The 6- 7 pads a day are with very lite activity, like sitting, moving aorund arund the house, standing, that kind of thing. A good brisk walk with close to saturate a pad in less than 2 hrs.

    I am moving towards getting a AUS installed this year. I just don't know what else to do. I can't go on this way- for me it is just too much of a burden and brake on my daily activites.

    this survey has been very informative, and helpful. I agree with that.
  • lion1
    lion1 Member Posts: 241
    #21
    Trew said:

    I am losing heart and courage over this leaking problem. I am keeping a diary- time of pad change, activity and percentage of pad wet. I am averaging about 6- 7 pads a day with some positive margins- my term with underwear being involved- we all understand positive margins, right? Just my play with a little humor. Th euro understood it, gave me a little smile.

    Maybe some guys can tolerate 6- 7 pads a night a limited acitivity. The 6- 7 pads a day are with very lite activity, like sitting, moving aorund arund the house, standing, that kind of thing. A good brisk walk with close to saturate a pad in less than 2 hrs.

    I am moving towards getting a AUS installed this year. I just don't know what else to do. I can't go on this way- for me it is just too much of a burden and brake on my daily activites.

    this survey has been very informative, and helpful. I agree with that.

    Pushed to the Limit
    Trew,

    I understand your frustration. There are days I just want to say screw it, and become more aggressive in what treatment I puruse, but then there's the other days when I say I could tolerate this a bit longer. Everyone is different, but the fact of the matter is, we are all human and could only take so much. For me my Doc says that my overactive bladder is the greater culbrit, no medicines worked, botox Injection #1 had no effect, like if I was Superman or something. Heck, I live in Fla and fly to Walter Reed for my treatment. My Doctor is outstanding, that's the only reason I do it, it has nothing to do with money. But, I don't know what the future holds, I just hope there's some other treatment that will be discovered to get me and others over this hump.

    I, like many others remain positive and believe the cup is half full. Heck, today is my 4 yr anniversary cancer free--------that's Great!

    Oh well to strength and determination as we all move forward in our challenges!!

    Good Fortune my friend-----------Lion1

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