INCONTINENCE...

[Wayno]

ANY SUGGESTIONS

Had my radical 4 weeks ago and i am leaking like a tap without a handle....

i am doing my pelvic floor exercises but no improvement

has anyone done anything else to help

Also i am using Tenna Pads   any suggestions to get them cheaper???

Am i expecting to much to soon???

Any advice would be appreciated

cheers

[Tallkim]

Hi

 

Know the feeling. Thought it would never stop but it will, just that some people take longer than others. I had my surgery in September and it wasn't until the start of January before i was comfortable enough to go with out.

I still leak but its down to very little that I generally don't wear a pad at all.

Good luck and keep positive.

 

 

[Mishka@wn.com.au]

Hi, I had a laparoscopic  prostatectomy performed in 2013 which was brilliantly done but it took eight months for me to regain full control of my bladder.  For the first six months I found it more effective to use absorbent Molicare Mobile pants rather than pads.  Eight months later I had perfect bladder control but after a year my PSA readings resumed so I underwent a four week course of radiation treatment of the prostate bed.  Following this incontinence problems resumed and I've had to use pads ever since... Through Silver Chain you can get access to a supply of free subsidised pads.

[Bruce]

I had the same problem and was feeling quite desperate.My wife suggested I go see a local physiotherapist who had done a lot of work with women suffering incontinence problems after a prolapse. She did two things that helped my a great deal. She showed me how to find and feel with my two fingers the muscle in the area at the base of my penis that I needed to contract in order to achieve control, she then brought up an ultrasound scan focused on the muscle itself. Then with me pressing lightly on the muscle with my fingers she had me concentrating on contracting the muscle. Within a few attempts I could both see and feel the muscle contracting. We continued this for around 15 minutes and then stopped through sheer exhaustion. From memory I think I had  two sessions with her. The combination of feel and see gave me the feedback and confidence I needed to continue pelvic floor exercises. After that it's just practice practice. I used to stand at the toilet pan and clamp down. Used a timer to gradually build up the time I could stop the flow.

Good luck.     

[Cam]

Hi Wayno,

I had an extensive radical and it was implied that incontinence may be a permanent issue.  I worked hard at the exercises and believe it was at least a few months before I had it under control (although I still wear a small pad - mainly as a security blanket).  4 weeks is a very short time so I would recommend just sticking to the exercises and hopefully you will notice a difference in the next few weeks.

Cam

[Wayno]

7 minutes ago, Mishka@wn.com.au said:

Hi, I had a laparoscopic  prostatectomy performed in 2013 which was brilliantly done but it took eight months for me to regain full control of my bladder.  For the first six months I found it more effective to use absorbent Molicare Mobile pants rather than pads.  Eight months later I had perfect bladder control but after a year my PSA readings resumed so I underwent a four week course of radiation treatment of the prostate bed.  Following this incontinence problems resumed and I've had to use pads ever since... Through Silver Chain you can get access to a supply of free subsidised pads.

 

[Wayno]

hi

want is Silver Chain??

[Canook]

Give it time Wayno and focus on your pelvic floor technique.  As Bruce has advised, get a specialist physio to guide you with ultrasound so you can visualise this.  Took me around 3 months to recover control after RARP and found that cutting off all fluid intake after 8pm allowed me to turn in at 10pm (after voiding my bladder) and get 7-8 hours of decent sleep.  If you've experienced nerve damage it may take a while longer.  Regular exercise will assist in forming new nerve pathways to your nether-regions so contact the Cancer Council and see what programs are available to you.  Wait at least six weeks before attempting anything too strenuous as your body needs that critical time to heal after surgery!  Canook

[Charles (Chuck) Maack]

Hello Wayno,

You should certainly schedule a visit with your Urologist if you haven't done so already, and he/she should offer you reasons why you are having this total incontinence and what they/you can do about it.  I have total incontinence from surgery, radiation, and androgen deprivation medications for so may years I don't even like to think about it.  A local urologist who is considered the one with expertise in incontinence advised me not to consider an artificial urinary sphincter since his opinion is that too often the can cause more harm than good - not sure if he only said that because I was just past 80 at the time (will be 86 in December). So, I continued with my "control" (?) of wearing Depends men's jockey type padded shorts, but so I don't have to keep changing those shorts every hour or so, I insert two "Poise" women's overnight menstrual pads (the thickest) along side each other down in the crotch of the jockey shorts, then even on top of that add a Depends men's crotch insert pad right in the middle.  By doing this "my way," and if I am resolute in going and changing that crotch insert pad every couple hours, I don't have to change the jockey shorts nor the Poise pads sometimes for more than every day or two.  A danged pain in the you know where, but I got used to it and life goes on.  For you in early on following surgical removal, I would hope this would be only a short term "have to," but with 4 weeks and still totally incontinent, your urologist has to help you to get those sphincter muscles working again so you can shut off that constant urine flow.  If you haven't been shown how to exercise those muscles, info in this might help:

 http://www.theprostateadvocate.com/pdf/KEGEL EXERCISES FOR URINARY CONTINENCE.pdf

[richard]

Hi Richard here had robot prostate removed then when psa rose radiation 33 visits in continant up to 3 pads a day mostly 2 found woolworths pads used with tradie short leg jocks from ebay give support to bladder and more successful than any other and apply for commonwealth subsidy when you get form from gp Best of luck mate Richard

[Bruce Kynaston]

May I suggest you see your pharmacist about the Commonwealth's provision for free pads.radical prostatectomy is a legitimate reason for applying.

if the pharmacist obtainss the formal your GP fills out your situation, specifically that you had a radical prostatectomy and the pharmacist can then fax it off to the government.

i have just been through the precession for another reason.

best of luck,.

Bruce.

[DesG]

Maybe try Independence Australia Website, for some Washable Products. Could save you some dollars, didn't try them myself, but could be worth a try?

[Nev Black]

G'day Wayno

CAPS  is a federal government scheme to assist with incontinence costs which you may be eligible for. Annual payment, not means tested, I believe. Ask your Urologists nurse about it.

The link below will give you an idea.

I don't know if your state government has any schemes to help.

 

https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/services/medicare/continence-aids-payment-scheme

 

If the problem continues to be an issue the next link may be of interest to you. 

I have had an Advanced Male Sling for seven years. I have found it a fantastic success. 

 

http://www.menshealthmelbourne.com.au/advance-male-sling-system/

 

Good luck

You have my phone number. Happy to talk to you anytime.

[Mishka@wn.com.au]

3 hours ago, Wayno said:

hi

want is Silver Chain??

 

I'm  in WA, this is Silver Chain's Web site:  https://www.silverchain.org.au/wa/

[prestonn]

Wayno

there are schemes which supply at public expense for pads. Not sure what part of Australia you are in but in Qld this is certainly the case. Certain agencies like Blue Care in Qld have incontinence services which will point the way. In my experience, the greatest find was a urologist who would insert a "sling" which brought everything under control. That urologist in Brisbane was Dr Greg Malone. 

One caution - my guess is you are in early days to judge how well things will settle down after some further weeks. Hope this helps.

Noel

[DesG]

For future reference ModiBodi are developing a range of reusable incontinence underwear for men, they are looking at early next year for availability. They have a range of products for women presently.

[prestonn]

Bruce and others re "sling"

 

Yes - it is the radiotherapy which does the long term damage. My sling operation was January 2012 and I am still benefiting from it - before that my incontinence had reached the point where I was out of control especially when active. It involved  the insertion of an artificial barrier between the scrotum and anus which gave back control. The recovery took 6 weeks plus and there was plenty of bloody wees and one memorable blockage but worth it in the end. I am not sure whether the technology has changed or developed since then. Obviously it involves discussion with a urologist. 

Noel

[Bruce]

Thanks for the feedback Noel, I'm going to follow this up.   

Bruce