Had my prostate removed around 4 + years ago, then radiation/lupron and now my psa's are fine, but the incontinence (and ED) has worsened this past year or so, going from one guard to maybe 5 a day or more...
I'd like to be honest, I'm not using common sense so am making things worse, as follows...while I did the kegels years ago, I have not done them since. I drink too much coffee in the morning, and perhaps a beer or two at night. and I don't drink a lot of water. Dumb, no doubt.
I'm 65 years old and the thought of changing guards or pads several times a day for the next 20 years is unpleasant for sure, and as a tennis player wearing a guard is not ideal. I am in seemingly good health otherwise, I usually play tennis or ride say 20-30 miles a day...
so I guess I have a question or two for the group...
1) At this juncture, will starting the kegels help, or has my ship sailed on that one?
2) Seems like lots of guys here are lauding the artificial urinary sphincter, anyone have any argument(s) against getting one? I have read that it takes several weeks of inactivity to recover. No tennis for more than a month?? My urologist is now recommending it and at the same time doing the ED pump, two for one...
Thanks in advance, and don't beat me up about the coffee and beer and no water and no kegels...Be gentle.
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nexusprom
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If your Uro recommends AUS for you, I believe it's definitely worth considering. You're in good health & young enough, I've heard mostly good reports about it here. Wish my hubs could qualify, but his situation is complicated by radiation damage to urethra & age (78) plus not in best of health after all the treatments.
I had RP and about three years out I noticed my very minor incontinence got worse, especially at night. I asked my uro about it. He said in the old days they only recommended kegels for a few/several months after surgery. He said more recently they've realized continuing kegels indefinitely is the way to go. So, most every time I urinate I stop it a couple of times for a count of 6 (I know I'm using the right muscles when the urine stops). Additionally, I'll do one set on most days, ten reps holding each rep 3-5 seconds. I don't think the kegels are any silver bullet but I find them helpful. Good luck!🤙
Every pens clamp,I tried caused a great deal of discomfort. Stopping the flow at the end of the urethra is VERY uncomfortable. I’m very pleased with the AUS.
Yes your Kegel ship has sailed. I highly recommend the AUS. Yes it’s another surgery, yes you have to let it heal, but you can play tennis again within a short time.
It also has to be replaced every 7-10 years on average, but if you’ve been heavily incontinent long enough this should mean nothing compared to being dry again. I quit beer long ago but I enjoy coffee daily no problem.
Sorry I do have to ‘beat you up’ about the water though. It’s not hard to hydrate, and it’s important.
HelloI was leaking like an open water faucet. I have had my artificial sphincter for a year now. I highly recommend it. I wear a light pad just in case I cough or strain really hard then there might be a little dribble. I was down for a couple of months for recovery but I think that was due to the fact I had radiation treatments 5 years prior to getting mine.
I faithfully did the Kegals with very poor results. Even went to an incontenence specialist and made very little progress. Was going through 10-12 Depends per day before and down to 8-10 afterwards.Made the huge mistake of trying a Urinary Sling. Lost an inch of man-meat and still went through 5-6 Depends per day. More if i exerted. Finally had the AUS put in. VERY pleased. Still drip enough to warrant two diapers per day but at least they’re not soaked as before. Previously, the soaked diapers would contain 9-11 Oz. of urine (by weight). Now I change them when they become damp rather than soaked. Choose wisely. Best wishes.
I'll just add - if you haven't consulted a pelvic physical therapy specialist, it's worth doing it.
They generally treat women (who have more incontinence issues than we do due to childbirth.) It's very possible, especially since you aren't doing kegals that your pelvic floor muscles are weak. There are a number of specific exercises that can be done to help this condition.
I've been doing the exercises for about 3 weeks and can see progress (only small spurts when I make certain movements). The one I go to also does an internal exam (finger up the butt) where she checks for muscle tightness in the pelvic floor and that the kegals are effective and I'm doing them right.
A quick Google should turn one up in your area - it is a specialty and IMHO it's worth going to one who does specialize in it. Medicare + Plan F or G pays all once your annual deductible is paid.
It was a game changer for me, now 9 years on still only 1 pad a day sometimes 2 if I do a long bike ride and the saddle activates the pump.
I was using about the same number of pads a day as you are, with a very active lifestyle this was most prohibitive.
There is a certain amount of discomfort post surgery but if |I remember well.
I was running after 4 weeks and in the saddle after 8. I did purchase a new saddle with a cut-out in the sensitive area to reduce pressure on the pump.
Writing back to you only to let you know that you are not alone. I too average about 5 pads a day, depending upon how much walking I do. Sometimes “nerve sparing surgery “ is not what it turned out to be. I find the cheapest pads are at Kroger ($7.99 for 52). I double up with Depends briefs for travel. Best price for them is at Costco. Best wishes!
When my strong rapid urination urge comes I hold back a number of times - this takes an effort! - until I relent and go to the toilet. This has considerably increased maximum length of time I can urinate and, although provoking incontinence initially, has reduced this to a minor issue. Will try allie2020's method of halting urination and also kegel which I only learn about now thanks for bringing it up.
Burnett1948.I have had a AUS inserted and it’s a lot better than keggles or sling which I had inserted previously. The AUS seems to be slid in and is not a big operation. It works. Tell me about the pump?
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Results are in (Update 2/17/23)
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