Hello again

[Bab52413]

So they did all bloodwork again. 4 months post robotic surgery. Complete removal of prostate and seminal vesicles and scraping bowel lining..... radiation simulation was done and I start the isolated treatments in a week... the incontinence hasn't gotten better and I'm wondering if it will be better or worse after radiation treatments? Any and all responses welcome. I want to be able to control urination again

[Tall_Allen]

Salvage radiation will never make incontinence better, usually worse. You can start hormone therapy now to stem any further spread of the cancer and wait another 3 months to give the incontinence a chance to resolve before hitting it with radiation.

[Bab52413 in reply to Tall_Allen]

??? My radiation starts on Monday.. if I follow through will the incontinence go away??

[Tall_Allen in reply to Bab52413]

Did you read my reply? I don't know how else to say it.

[Hidden]

I am in a similar boat. The RO sent me to a physical therapist at the hospital. They made sure I am doing the kegels correctly and have given me exercises to strengthen my core and hip muscles. I am meeting with them weekly for six weeks.

[dadzone43]

It took me about five months from RP to regain bladder control and seven months before I did not need protection at night. Radiation is likely to worsen your incontinence according to the reports on this forum.

Your incontinence will worsen.

Are you doing your pelvic floor exercises regularly? I do mine twice a day, now 14 months after surgery. I have an app on my phone to remind me twice a day.

[keepinon]

I had a BCR right after my surgery. Pretty bad incontinence for the 1st 4 months. Pretty depressing! Started Lupron and Zytiga about 2 months after my surgery and then waited almost 9 months to start SRT and by that time my incontinence had improved enough that I felt comfortable going ahead. I was maybe 90% continent. LOTS of kegels. Towards the end of radiation and about 3 weeks after, my incontinence got worse . I even started leaking at night which had never happened before,even right after surgery. I was pretty bummed thinking this will be my life from then on. Lo and behold about 5 weeks after radiation my continence was better than before I started. Now maybe 95%. I know down the road things may get worse again, but keeping my fingers crossed. BTW, PSA undetectable since I started Zytga last April. hang in there!

[jhartdo]

Prior to salvage radiation, I would lose about 16-20 ounces per day. When radiation was over, I had massive incontience. I went on the internet to learn about kegels. Pushed hard on the esercises about 3 times a day, with some holding 30 sec. Incontience is now much better, 8 weeks post radiation.10-15 oz/day and nearly continent at night. Also water exercise program and gym.

[j-o-h-n]

Do your kegel exercises...over and over and over. Wear depends until you don't have to depend on them (little humor there).... It is not the end of the world....just a pain in the ass.... but laugh about it.............. Make sure you get a rubber or plastic liner for your bed.

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Thursday 02/06/2020 9:06 PM EST