Incontinence frustration

I have mild incontinence 2 years after prostatectomy. When I go out , I use the tiny black Tena shields . 
After 2 years , it’s still gradually improving , and I think I’ve learned to live with it ( it’s never bad enough to be embarrassing) In France where I live , they believe in reeducation with anal stimulation (!) . Had a course , very disagreeable and not effective. Still using Squeezy .

last month . I found out that I had bladder polyps , very mildly malignant , and had them removed . As the incontinence has improved since , I wonder if they have had some role in my failure to dry up completely. Your urologist will probably dismiss this , but maybe worth asking .

Overall , as this is my only side effect, I think it’s a reasonable trade off for avoiding radiotherapy and hormones (G4+3).

Best wishes Bill

Hi  Canon Man, though i didn't have surgery, like you i was great at night but nearly always needed a pad during the day, my urologist told me it was because my bladder is relaxing at night and not during the day, i can guess your thinking like i did if i relax my bladder i'm going to get a soaking, but it doesn't work like that, I was prescribed solifenacin to relax my over active bladder, so now, though not perfect feel confident enough to not wear a pad all the time.

Eddie

Hi Canon Man. I had op 18 months ago. Your journey with incontinence seems to be following mine. I had a vast improvement about 5 months post. From there it has been steady improvement over 13 months. At 10 months I was wearing a pad continuously. Generally now I do not wear a pad but do get the occational unpredictable very very minor leak. I wear Tena washable incontinence boxers (which I think are quite smart) and these are more than able to cope. Leakage increases if I am doing manual work / lifting and then I will wear a pad. I also wear a pad if I am out for a whole day or going to a function, just to be safe but really I think it is not necessary. Have patience and you are most likely to get to a stage which mentally you can manage.

Hi Canon Man,

I had my Radical Prostatectomy and bilateral lymph node removal 8 weeks ago tomorrow. I wear my Sumo pants at night just to be safe. The urge to pee wakes me up and I go to the bathroom. I think I could do without the pants at night but just want the reassurance. And also don't want to disturb the wife having to change the bed. So I will carry on until I run out of them.

During the day I am using one pad. I get the urge to pee occasionally, most times I can catch it but sometimes a couple of drops emerge. I think it's more the feeling than actually realising any. 

One thing I have done from 1 month before the op is to use the Squeeze NHS app religiously. It's a bit of an interruption during the day, 6 sets of 20 squeezes but that is really the only thing I can put my recovery down to. When I downloaded the app I realised that I was not holding the squeeze for anything like long enough. 

I couldn't get Cialis from the GP so purchased the Taladafil 5mg on line, and you're right. It does give you raving indigestion. Stay positive, we will all get there.