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Toilet after RP

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User
Posted 23 Oct 2019 at 07:42

Good morning.

Everytime i stand up from sitting/sleeping i urinate into my Tena pants. Is this the correct thing to do or should i be squeezing (holding it in) and going to the toilet normally?

Your advice would be appreciated.

Jeff

User
Posted 23 Oct 2019 at 08:05

Jeff

This is completely normal. I see from your profile that you are 3 weeks post RP.

It is advised to clench to 'train the brain' each time you leak so eventually it will happen automatically. Difficult to remember every time, but try your best.

As someone said in the forum, degree of incontinence is pure luck and cannot predict how long it will take to recover in each individual. Incontinence is a frustrating issue, but if you approach with this mindset, you will at peace.

Some say kegel exercises do not work, but I do it anyway in case it worked for me. The correct technique I felt was difficult, but keep it simple. 

I am 10 weeks post op , just in the last week I have noticed a minor difference. I dont leak upto 10-11 am and dry mostly at night.

Hope this helps

User
Posted 23 Oct 2019 at 09:29

Jeff

As Thala said quite normal. Squeeze the pelvic muscles before you stand and stand up slowly, once upright keep the muscle tense until you get to the loo, then release. Don't go just for the sake of going but don't leave it until the last minute. It soon becomes second nature. Early days yet. Thanks Chris

User
Posted 23 Oct 2019 at 10:16

The way I do it....

Start clenching as you are standing up (or any straining) and gradually release. When releasing, it will at one point start to leak - maintain in that tome as long as possible. It will leak eventually when you have to 'let go', but thats how it will be. At one stage, even when you release the muscle tome would have improved to the point where you wont leak. It will take several weeks to get to that point.

Hope I make sense and I am no means an expert. It will be useful for you to see a pelvic physiotherapist, but difficult to fine a ' male pelvic physiotherapist' though.

Thala

User
Posted 23 Oct 2019 at 10:19
Hi Jeff

My response might confuse with Chris'.

Chris is completely right, hold it until you go to the loo.

My response is more about training the bladder - brain reflex - to hold it as long as possible.

Hope it all makes sense.

Thala

User
Posted 23 Oct 2019 at 12:03

It does get better. I’m four months on from surgery. I was dry at night after 3 nights but had stress incontinence when I stood up like. Keep doing the exercises, tense the muscles before standing or getting out of the car. After many weeks I could stand up, slowly relax and not need the loo. Continued using the pads until a couple of weeks ago. Could probably have stopped earlier but they were insurance, now much more confident.

User
Posted 23 Oct 2019 at 13:44

As others are saying - it will get better. I am 5 months on from RP and have done my PFE religiously 5 times a day. I do physical work now and do not leak during the day except in extreme circumstances when I forget to hold up the pelvic floor. I still wear a Tena 2 pad during the day which is probably unnecessary now, but it makes for insurance. At night I always use a pad but that is because I do enjoy my wine...too much.

All the best

User
Posted 30 Nov 2019 at 18:51

6 months to a year was the recovery time quoted by the consultant due to incontinence.

6 - 8 weeks for operation healing of wounds etc. Not lifting or driving. 

  Every man is different.

Would suggest doing kegel exercises pre op. Eating well pre op and being in good shape help. 

Use NHS Squeezy for Men app. 

The worst part was coming home with the catheter and then the removal. First 2 weeks incontinence is dramatic.

Do take painkillers as advised. Constipation

Sachets for this ie Movicol 

Tena for men Pants /or Boots are excellent. Make sure you check the sizing.

Eating bland foods which don't aggravate the bladder. 

Drink water as advised. No alcohol or caffeine. 

 

 

Edited by member 02 Dec 2019 at 17:18  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 08 Jan 2020 at 16:01

Good to hear.  Bet he is enjoying being catheter free! 

 

Edited by member 08 Jan 2020 at 20:28  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 18 Jan 2020 at 17:24

Progress. Glad you have friends to support you.

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User
Posted 23 Oct 2019 at 08:05

Jeff

This is completely normal. I see from your profile that you are 3 weeks post RP.

It is advised to clench to 'train the brain' each time you leak so eventually it will happen automatically. Difficult to remember every time, but try your best.

As someone said in the forum, degree of incontinence is pure luck and cannot predict how long it will take to recover in each individual. Incontinence is a frustrating issue, but if you approach with this mindset, you will at peace.

Some say kegel exercises do not work, but I do it anyway in case it worked for me. The correct technique I felt was difficult, but keep it simple. 

I am 10 weeks post op , just in the last week I have noticed a minor difference. I dont leak upto 10-11 am and dry mostly at night.

Hope this helps

User
Posted 23 Oct 2019 at 08:54

Thank you for your advice.

Are you saying i should clench first when i stand and then let it flow?

Jeff

User
Posted 23 Oct 2019 at 09:29

Jeff

As Thala said quite normal. Squeeze the pelvic muscles before you stand and stand up slowly, once upright keep the muscle tense until you get to the loo, then release. Don't go just for the sake of going but don't leave it until the last minute. It soon becomes second nature. Early days yet. Thanks Chris

User
Posted 23 Oct 2019 at 10:16

The way I do it....

Start clenching as you are standing up (or any straining) and gradually release. When releasing, it will at one point start to leak - maintain in that tome as long as possible. It will leak eventually when you have to 'let go', but thats how it will be. At one stage, even when you release the muscle tome would have improved to the point where you wont leak. It will take several weeks to get to that point.

Hope I make sense and I am no means an expert. It will be useful for you to see a pelvic physiotherapist, but difficult to fine a ' male pelvic physiotherapist' though.

Thala

User
Posted 23 Oct 2019 at 10:19
Hi Jeff

My response might confuse with Chris'.

Chris is completely right, hold it until you go to the loo.

My response is more about training the bladder - brain reflex - to hold it as long as possible.

Hope it all makes sense.

Thala

User
Posted 23 Oct 2019 at 12:03

It does get better. I’m four months on from surgery. I was dry at night after 3 nights but had stress incontinence when I stood up like. Keep doing the exercises, tense the muscles before standing or getting out of the car. After many weeks I could stand up, slowly relax and not need the loo. Continued using the pads until a couple of weeks ago. Could probably have stopped earlier but they were insurance, now much more confident.

User
Posted 23 Oct 2019 at 13:44

As others are saying - it will get better. I am 5 months on from RP and have done my PFE religiously 5 times a day. I do physical work now and do not leak during the day except in extreme circumstances when I forget to hold up the pelvic floor. I still wear a Tena 2 pad during the day which is probably unnecessary now, but it makes for insurance. At night I always use a pad but that is because I do enjoy my wine...too much.

All the best

User
Posted 24 Nov 2019 at 14:15

Almost 2 months after RP and i can definitely hold to go to the toilet....result!

Still minor drips when i'm standing/walking etc but confident that will get better.

Wearing pants for bed and get up 2/3 times a night for the toilet but at least i wake dry.

Getting there slowly.

User
Posted 30 Nov 2019 at 09:45

My husband is now pad dry at night 5 weeks on After RP up to wee 3 times during the night. but dribbled alot yesterday which he found distressing and depressing. Is this progress? He had a good day the previous day. I wondered if the cold weather made it worse. He is doing Kegels 6 times a day with the NHS Squeezy app and walking short distances gently. We have seen a gradual improvement. 

All the best to all on your recovery.

Edited by member 30 Nov 2019 at 15:42  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 30 Nov 2019 at 11:01

Buckslady

5 weeks after surgery it could be a bit of scab or debris in the urethra affecting his remaining sphincter. I would keep drinking water to help flush things out. 

Hope the recovery continues.

Thanks Chris

User
Posted 30 Nov 2019 at 11:13

Thank you Chris good point. It is early days in the recovery process.

Edited by member 30 Nov 2019 at 12:59  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 30 Nov 2019 at 14:15
It is like toilet training a toddler - it becomes easier but needs a lot of concentration ... get distracted or over tired and the brain cannot concentrate. If anything, it simply suggests that he may have overdone things a bit yesterday.

The fact that he is dry at night is a really good indicator that he will regain full continence eventually.

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 30 Nov 2019 at 15:16

Thank you Lyn. He is working hard at the

Kegels. I know you have responded on this topic before and appreciate your comments. He is keen to see an improvement however small. 

 

One other thing his confidence has really taken a hit and he is quite down. Not wanting to socialise yet. 

 

Edited by member 30 Nov 2019 at 15:47  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 30 Nov 2019 at 16:36
At 5 weeks post op, John's limit was shuffling around the block - certainly wouldn't have been socialising. But there again, he ad open surgery. Do you both possibly have some over expectations?
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 30 Nov 2019 at 16:46

May be we do. Both struggling emotionally with the enormity of the diagnosis operation localised prostatectomy and hope that we get answers at the 6 week check with the Urology  nurse at the hospital. 

 Will can walk for 30 mins he is past shuffling.  He feels well despite the incontenance and lack of sleep. We have a family lunch in 14 days which we are both concerned about. 

Edited by member 30 Nov 2019 at 20:28  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 30 Nov 2019 at 18:18

I see that your husband had open surgery, as mine will, how long was the basic recovery? I know it is a bit like saying how long is a piece of string but anything you can tell me would help. Thanks.

User
Posted 30 Nov 2019 at 18:51

6 months to a year was the recovery time quoted by the consultant due to incontinence.

6 - 8 weeks for operation healing of wounds etc. Not lifting or driving. 

  Every man is different.

Would suggest doing kegel exercises pre op. Eating well pre op and being in good shape help. 

Use NHS Squeezy for Men app. 

The worst part was coming home with the catheter and then the removal. First 2 weeks incontinence is dramatic.

Do take painkillers as advised. Constipation

Sachets for this ie Movicol 

Tena for men Pants /or Boots are excellent. Make sure you check the sizing.

Eating bland foods which don't aggravate the bladder. 

Drink water as advised. No alcohol or caffeine. 

 

 

Edited by member 02 Dec 2019 at 17:18  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 02 Dec 2019 at 09:33

Thank you for that. I found a company that ships incontinence products and everything arrived this morning. super quick. He was very fit & healthy before the diagnosis but a nasty infection knocked him for six. More his old self again now, albeit with that big C cloud hanging over him.

I keep reminding him about the exercises, must tell him to download the app.

He has already bought a giant bottle of lactulose which he needed when he had the infection.

I think he has an unrealistic expectation of how quickly he will recover so only time will tell.

We are both still getting our heads around the shock diagnosis, he went to the consultation on his own expecting the all clear as he had no obvious symptoms.

Thanks again.

Edited by member 07 Dec 2019 at 00:17  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 02 Dec 2019 at 12:39

Sounds positive .  Keep strong. It is indeed a shock.

Fingers crossed for you both.

Doing the kegels pre really helps.

When is the operation? 

 
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