Catheter removal, Continence & past 48 hours.

[Dreamweaverman]

Hey All, Went in for catheter removal yesterday, it took 5 seconds and was painless. I have yet to go over pathology report with Dr. but was informed by NP that my PSA numbers still remain same 7.8. She said this was very common since the bloodwork that shows this was drawn hours after surgery. Her advice was that I should wait 8-12 weeks before I take another test, to get a more accurate reading. I am waiting on a conference call with the surgeon in near future. Now continence report. So I was able to immediately pass urine within an hour after removal of the catheter, although the NP strongly suggested I wear incontinence diapers, I found them to be really uncomfortable and wasn't sure if I was having mild incontinence or sweating in the summer weather. I finally opted to go buy pads from Pharmacy, but still, find them to be uncomfortable and hot as well. I have opted to just grab some tissues and cover head of the penis in underwear to determine continence level. So far only had tiny drip leakage once in the past 24 hours. I am definitely aware of feeling a little discomfort in the area but I am able to hold urine until I need to go to the bathroom without any real issues. So I am just patiently observing without any expectations and will continue to update.

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Good to hear all went well!

[Darryl Partner]

Well done. please don’t be surprised if you suddenly have a lot more than dripping....quite common experience to ebb and flow for days after catheter removal

[Dreamweaverman in reply to Darryl]

I won’t. Thanks for the tip

[Jeff85705]

Congratulations on the catheter removal and only minor drips (so far)! My removal did hurt briefly, and I had incontinence for 2 months or so, requiring only a pad once a day. It usually occurred on sneezing or coughing. An immediate postop PSA I believe is meaningless. You should get one 3 months postop, every 3 months for a short time, then every 6. It should be undectable, i.e., <0.10.

[Dreamweaverman in reply to Jeff85705]

Thanks so much for this. I am taking it a day at a time. This has been a little bit of an emotional roller coaster, but I’m staying positive 90% of the time.

[Dreamweaverman]

Hey Bob, Don't think it was anything on my part, I think I may have just been lucky so far. (fingers crossed) However, I have read that some guys don't experience incontinence post surgery.

[Bcgkelly in reply to Dreamweaverman]

TENA make an extra light pad for men which you don’t feel in underwear. You are right about 2% of men don’t have problems with incontinence after surgery and hopefully you are one of them. I was very good immediately after catheter removal but it got worse after about a week however has been getting better again lately. Don’t get down if you have some bumps in the road of recovery. Also read your other post. Like you I can get a semi and can orgasm but I can’t get an erection however I have been told all my nerves had to be taken. If yours were spared you should be able to get an erection in time. I have read that it can take a year or two for the nerves to fully recover. Best of luck on your recovery.

[Dreamweaverman in reply to Bcgkelly]

Had a little setback yesterday and ordered my sample pack of tena. Thanks for the tip!

[Bcgkelly in reply to Dreamweaverman]

That’s not surprising. It got me down a bit when it happened to me as I was dry nearly all the time after the catheter was removed. You are still way ahead of the vast majority. Make sure and do your pelvic floor exercises every day and hopefully before too long you will be okay.

[ng27868168]

Good news buddy, most men have little to some incontinence following surgery and just to let you and others know that IF the incontinence turns into an issue as time and our ages go on, there are other remedies available. I had PCa surgery 26 years ago at age 52 and had no incontinence for a number of years. but as time went on (4 years ago) it became worse and worse. At that time I opted to have an Artificial Urinary Sphincter (AUS) inserted upon recommendation by my urologist. It was and is, a God Send as I now have complete control of my urination cycle. Simple operation, overnight hospital stay, 10 days to let procedure heal before activating, and LIFE goes on!

[Dreamweaverman in reply to ng27868168]

wow, thanks for the tip. And it is so great to hear from a long-term survivor and thriver!