First few weeks

Hi Geejay.

I had my prostate removed 4 1/2 weeks ago and my catheter was removed exactly one week after. I'm only a little ahead of you but I will give you my take. The incontinece was a devestating blow to me and still is, even though I knew there was a good possibility it would happen. When I am sitting or lying down there is no problem. If I have a reasonably full bladder I will flood when I go to stand up. If I am at home I use a urine bottle over my little man and get to the loo as quickly as possible. I try to hold it and that is partially successful. That is of no real benefit other than it gives me something to aim for in controlling it, not that it has improved yet. I wear pads and also washable or disposal incontenence pants. The pants very rarely get wet. Main concern is when I go out, although in practice I haven't had any problems when out, other than the nasty feeling of having a damp / wet pad. Mentally I cannot cope with it really. I find it a worry and degrading although no one else realises I have a problem. I do try to remain positive knowing there is a fairly good possibility it will sort itself out. I have read on this forum that for some vast improvements have happened after six weeks but for others it is months or even more than a year and for some unfortuneatly it does not resolve. My consultant said there where two operations which can be carried out if it does not reso;ve in a year. I don't know the success rate of those options. Overall I tell myself that It is good I had the option of an op, hopefully that is the end of this awful disease for me and incontinence is a small price to pay.  There are many on this forum who are sadly far worse off. All you, I and others in our situation can do is be patient. Oh, also I do pelvic floor exercises six times a day using the Sqeezy App in the hope that has a positive effect. All the best

Hi Geejay and Static. 

Both of your surgeries are very recent so stay patient. My surgery was November 2021. Static, the fact you have no problem when sitting or lying down is very good news. That was my situation as well. For me this made those first few days after cath removal bearable. 

Those first couple of weeks were the worst, but things slowly began to improve. Progress was noticed by the week, not by the day as some days seemed to be a setback. I too hated a wet pad so kept a couple handy the first few weeks. The worst leakage was late in a busy day when tired.

I tried different strategies to gain control. When you go to stand up, remember to use your pelvic floor muscles  first and hold it as you stand.

I think attempting to wait when getting the urge helped train the muscles, but if leaking, it only made sense to relieve yourself. Keep hydrated. You will recover faster in the long run.

By 6 weeks things were much better. After 10 weeks I was done with pads but used underwear with a built in pad which stayed mostly dry. 

For 6 months I would have to get up once a night to pee and now after nearly a year I make it till morning most of the time. 

I consider myself nearly 100% continent now with a dribble out of the blue maybe once a week. But things are a bit different than before surgery.  On the plus side, when peeing, it comes right out - fast. But I can't hold as much as before, and when working with exertion, it helps to relieve myself first. But even now, I see gradual improvements over the months. 

I hope both of your recoveries happen quickly and I hope this helps you know what to expect. .

Thank you Stampede for those kind and encouraging words. Yes patience and also faith in the surgeon, CNS and medical team as a whole are essential. I am sure maintaining hydration is essentail. I have tended to not drink anything (or not very much) for some hours before I am going out, on the basis that if it doesn't go in, it wont be coming out. That helps a bit but it is surprising to me that there is always some to come out. I then make up the deficiency when I am back in the safety of my home. I realise that is probably not the best approach physically but it does help me mentally. Maybe I will change my approach in due course. Glad to hear that you are well on the road to recovery with this.

Many thanks to both of you.

All your comments are so very helpful and they allow me to get my head around some of the many questions that were buzzing round in my mind.

I too have managed to stay dry while sitting during the day and have got through the night without any incidents but after hydration as soon as I get up it is a mad dash to the toilet to avoid a flood (Sometimes I make it sometimes I don’t )

It is so comforting to realise that there are other people who are going through the same as myself ( well not “the same” as we are all doing things slightly different) and for you to help me is greatly appreciated.

Setting out on this journey is a very daunting process, but having read your comments I have the confidence to keep going and look forward to a positive outcome.