After surgery to remove prostate

Hi Colin I had prostate removed dec last year along with some nerves and two lymph nodes. I’m still incontinent 8 months down the road. I have an appointment this Friday with an incontinence specialist. I also have ED. I have been doing the exercises every day apart from when I had the catheter in. However it may be different for you I have met one guy who didn’t have any problems with incontinence or ED. Every one is different, good luck with the op

Hi Raaid

thank you for replying. Sorry to hear you still have issues. Im less concerned if i have ED probs but good to be informed its the incontinence that bothers me as im already on medication for an over active bladder. I guess Tena man will become my best friend. Good luck Friday hope you can get some help. 

colin 

Hi Colin Tena is expensive and not that good. I use a company called incontinence choice their stuff is cheaper and good. I have a monthly subscription with them. Their night pants are very good one pair lasts all night don’t have to get changed in the middle of the night 

I have just read Raaid's reply about Incontinence choice and I agree that they are excellent.

My husband had the surgery 6 weeks ago and the Incontinence has been the biggest issue for him. He did pelvic floor exercises from the day he was diagnosed and restarted them after his catheter was removed. He was referred to a physio to help him with the exercises and will be seeing her every month. 3 weeks on from his first appointment he is improving, but he's still got a way to go.

Although he knows that ED is and will be a problem, especially as they pinched his nerve bundles it's not his priority right now. He's focusing on getting his continence sorted because he thinks theeakage will be a problem. We try to have a sense of humour and I've told him that I can wear wellies and a rain coat to give him a hand

You may not feel like there's much to laugh about right now, but it's really helped us to get through this anxious time.

My surgery was Nov '22. Incontinence still an issue as is partial ED. The incontinence is a nuisance, but we learn to live with it and plan accordingly. Figuring out were there is a restroom to change seems more important than finding a bar these days. Still hopeful it will resolve. It is not impacting the things I do or want to do, I just have to adapt. I am using a pull-up and a pad, so if the pad leaks out, there is a plan b. At night, no apparent leakage and during the day very little when I am sitting, mostly occurs when I am walking around a lot. Using generic box store brand, half the price of name brand and they work just as well.

Emotionally, it has never really bothered me. Some anxiety the day of the surgery, and prior to PSA results after. Beyond that, just get on with my day. PC is one of the slower growing cancers, for many it is curable if caught early, and even if caught later, is often treatable. Being proactive is the best strategy.

There is always a chance it will come back, but then there is always a chance that anyone can get a cancer diagnosis at any time. We cannot let it define who we are, dictate what we do and how we live. I consider myself fortunate the PC was found early and it is gone. There are many far worse off.

Hi Raaid, thanks for sharing your experience.  I also have decided to go for the surgery as my PC is still localised (as the biopsy result says).  I also have done some extensive research myself and found that it's not straight forward whatever form of treatment road you choose.  I have concluded that it will be different experience for different people and the severity depends on the state of prostate, experience of the surgeon, and your condition of health and other medical underlying issues etc.  So it is a bit of luck as well as to how you will feel after surgery.  But the bottom line is IT IS WHAT IT IS so you want to get it out from your body whatever the consequences may be. 

So I have stopped worrying about it now, and just hoping that I will get it done as soon as.

I be getting pads on prescription and thankfully given my age I no longer have to pay so thats one bonus for getting older

I'm not sure about getting pads on prescription as my husband was referred to the continence service by the urology nurse. They only supply level 2 tena slips that aren't the best in terms of absorbancy or coverage. They sent a years supply and he also got samples from prostate UK. 

Hopefully in time they will be adequate, but for the time being he gets maximum protection pants from incontinence choice. 

I would ask your GP before you have the op if they will prescribe them or get some supermarket own brand ones in. My husband needed some while his catheter was still in place as he had some leakage then due to spasms. 

I had my prostate removed on 29 Dec whilst am struggling during the day with incontinence still I am generally dry at night.

I am 61 work full time and you very much have to get on with your life. I go abroad and enjoy life to the full you just need to plan ahead n take tena men everywhere. I use half a ladies pad aswell and change this regular .....Asda night pads I found are the best.

Hope the Operation goes well 

I am fortunate my area Rotherham has an incontinence service which supplies Tenamen for free and continue to keep in touch.

Am still struggling with ED and been supported with Sheffield hospital on this.

You have to stay positive as everyone heals differently ..and it takes time ...am not in a box so don't let the slow journey get you down.

Can I ask who you have your travel insurance with?