Prostate Cancer Survivors

 

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Continuous Incontinence

Hi fellow sufferers.

Anybody been through the following and have any words of encouragement? Continuous incontinence is rare. There's no literature that I can find and all the studies address the "other three" incontinences.

I'm suffering from continuous incontinence ever since the catheter was removed. I'm learned to tolerate a wet diaper longer and some tricks to changing absorbent briefs. That said, I'm still going through about 8-16 a day and wet the car seat at least three times a week. The bed takes a hit about the same amount. I've now got a vinyl pad for the bed. I bought two maybe the other should go in the car!! The very last diaper of the night is usually not soaked and if I get up slowly and the bathroom is close, I can usually have a little normal-ish pee. The rest of the time, it's just a continual trickle-flow, which really means about an eighth of a cup every 15 minutes. I never feel any urgency or flow except for that last change after sleep where I feel flow but not urgency. I'm in the begining of my ninth week since surgery.

If you've been through this, can you give me some bench marks and time spreads? Or, if there are none, can you give me the bad news and share with me how you are coping?

Thanks.

Re: Continuous Incontinence

Dino, what you have described is not normal and I think you should see your urologist soon. Reading your story on the site, I think you may have damaged the fine stitching connectign the bladder and uretha by undertaking too much too soon. If that is the case, it should be possible be re-stitched without too much trouble, but the sooner the better.

Even if it is not that simple, it is possible to implant a variety of devices that can control urination, so believe me when I say that you do not have to put up with this problem - provided you do something about it.

Good luck

Terry in Australia

Re: Re: Continuous Incontinence

Thanks, Terry. I'll do that. I went camping this week and a young lady I have known since her birth and now a 4th year med student said the same thing. I guess your words cinched it.

Re: Continuous Incontinence

Hi Dino,
My situation is similar to yours but for different reasons. I had surgery in 2006 and had significant incontinence but it resolved quickly (2 months). However I had to have salvage radiation and two cystoscopy procedures to clear scar tissue in the urethra which resulted in a return to severe incontinence. I'm OK at night or while sitting but as soon as I get up it's a race to the bathroom before a pad leaks through. If I was working or otherwise active I'd hardly get to pee at all, just leak and change pads (10-12 a day).

I'm waiting for a consult for an artificial urinary sphincter but in the interim I have found that a penile clamp works well and is less uncomfortable than I had imagined. I still wear a pad, just in case, but with the right adjustment I can stay dry and have my bladder fill and void almost normally. There can be some discomfort that seems to be urine trapped between the clamp and the remains of my urinary sphincter but that can be relieved with an extra urination.

If, as Terry suggests, your problem is due to failure of the sutures in the urethra/bladder then clamping off the urethra might be dangerous and you should certainly consult your doctor. However I have found the clamp solution to be much better than the inconvenience and embarassment of soaked pads and clothing.

Best wishes,
Bill N

Re: Re: Continuous Incontinence

Thanks, Bill.

You don't paint a happy picture but I have good news today. Last night, I was awoken 5 times by feelings of urgency and I was able to make it to the bathroom and actually feel relief after peeing. Just like that. All of a sudden after 8 weeks and 2 days. It appears I'm in sync with your recovery. Sitting and lying down are OK. Walking around is still a problem but even this progress is a great relief to me. I have a 20% chance that I will need additional treatment. The first PSA after surgery is in September. Hopefully, you took that bullet for me. Hope you manage OK. I don't think I could bear it.

Re: Re: Re: Continuous Incontinence

Dino,
Have you started Kegel excersizes? When I told the nurse that I had started Kegel, she said that they tell everyone, but not the males!!!
Joe

Re: Re: Re: Re: Continuous Incontinence

Hi Joe,

Yes. I started those after the surgery. They just said to do them. My research shows that half the doctors think they are useless and half swear by them. They are free so it can't hurt. I started doing 200-300 a day. That's too many. Finally my doctor said do 10 reps of 10 seconds each 10 times a day. That 100, 10 second kegels a day. I spread them out. Usually when I change the diaper or am reading.

Re: Continuous Incontinence

My Dad has surgery about 3 months ago. He had servere incontinance for like first 7 weeks were he was using approximately 10 to 15 Depends per day. He is now down to using 3 a day...it will get better make sure you do your Kegels

Re: Re: Continuous Incontinence

Thanks. I just started getting better. Wish the docs would give you a head up on this stuff instead of just saying there is no need to worry yet.

I appreciate your support.

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