Urinary control and biking

[jimreilly]

I had an RP over a dozen years ago, with severe incontinence afterwards; I had a male sling inserted eventually and it has helped tremendously--not perfect, and perfect wasn't promised, but tremendously, and I'm grateful.

I have biked all my life for transportation and leisure/exercise, but no longer bike in the winter; I do some indoor stationary recumbent biking then just for the exercise (as well as swimming, walking, not-too-difficult weight lifting all year long). As I age it's harder to get back into biking shape every year (I'm 79), and the muscular and body demands of the recumbent bike are different enough from an upright bike.

But here's my question: about a month into the biking season the urinary control gets better after gradually getting worse all winter. Not a lot but significant enough to notice. I assume that either the muscles used for upright biking, or the positioning (pressure) on the seat, make the difference. I doubt it's because my urinary system likes the increased sunshine, lol, though I do.

Anyone else notice this? I'm thinking of switching to an indoor upright bike next winter even though for stationary biking (which I find boring) I prefer the recumbent.

And now, on with the sunscreen and out on the bike--one of those Minnesota days that don't happen often enough.....no rain, no smoke from the Canadian fires, no big wind, and not too hot.....if only all of life could be so beautiful!

Jim

[cpcohen]

I tried riding after my prostatectomy, and leaked badly. Changed to a "noseless saddle" ("EasySeat", I think -- two pads under the sit bones), not much better. I can do OK on a recumbent bike in the gym, so for me, sitting on a nice big seat is better than a traditional saddle. But I still leak . . .

I'm thinking about using condom catheters, for a vacation with a lot of walking. I last used CC's and a leg bag many years ago, and the technology has improved considerably.

I've ridden a standard bike with CC and leg bag -- it's clumsy, but possible. So you might consider that, as an alternative. There's a small "leg bag" -- 8 ounce capacity -- from Coloplast, that's tied to the thigh. Supposedly, it won't show under long shorts. The new adhesives (for the condom) are better than the old ones, and there's a spray adhesive remover that makes removing the condom painless. (I've tried that, and it works.)

. Charles

[jimreilly in reply to cpcohen]

that would have indeed been useful before the male sling surgery! now the incontinence is pretty slight.....and my question is really if anyone has noticed that biking with an upright bike helps their incontinence (in general, not just when they're on the bike)