I'm at week 3 after the catheter came out from prostate cancer surgery. I had zero bladder control but have been doing kegal exercises and improving slowly each day. It does make you very depressed and feel like it will never get better, but after hearing that you fully recovered after 3 months, it gives me much hope and a possible target time to possibly look forward to. Thank you for the hope.
I see your comment was 4 months ago. Just wondering how you are doing now, since there's been a good bit of time passed. I am coming up on 1 month post surgery and while I'm not perfect by any means, I can keep one pad (or pull ups) on for a 24hr period and remain pretty dry. Long road ahead and I wish you the best.
Glad that you became leak free relatively quickly. You are one of the lucky ones. I had prostatectomy in 2008 and was never 100% dry, although for many years, I was almost dry, only leaking about a half ounce or less per day. Now that I'm older, (67) I'm back to using a couple of the thin pads per day. I believe this is due to some medications I take and the fact that the muscles have gotten weaker as I've aged. I'm currently looking into having a male sling procedure, as I'm very tired of dealing with the incontinence. You were very lucky to have minimal leakage, but from my own experience and others I've talked to, I believe incontinence after prostatectomy is much more common than doctors would have you believe.
Sure more common, recent research in the Netherlands 20 - 85% dependent on the hospital and experience of the surgeon. In my case after 28 months still improvement, but in the afternoon far from dry.
Yes, very useful. I am recovering from the surgery right now myself and need to work on my continence. Thank you, Mr. Hartley, for this helpful, substantive video, and thank you for all your efforts to get information out to those of us going through prostate surgery.
Thanks Chris for the update. This is very encouraging news, it certainly helps show others that continued progress day by day leads us to full recovery and a normal life.
Very helpful information. I get my catheter out in a couple days, and your video tells me, there is light at the end of the tunnel. More importantly, that light at the end of the tunnel is not a train. :)
Hi Chris. Thanks for sharing. I am now 2 weeks past my surgery so helpful to hear your story. I have not watched any of your other videos at this point but looks like you had a recurrence of your cancer, Wishing you all the best for a total recovery.
I am about 3 weeks post surgery. I have been doing kegels regularly. The only way I can prevent leakage is to hold the kegel. So my question is do you have to consciously hold the kegel 24/7 the rest of your life? This seems impossible to me. The moment I forget to hold it I leak.
Thank you for making this video. I am 57 and I got my catheter removed exactly 4 days back. I had leaking problem on day 1 when I coughed or sneezed. Day 2 same couple of times. Day 3 I had once and day 4 none. Hope I am not jinxing but I want to assure others like me. Stay active before surgery and do Kegels. I hiked almost every weekend for months before surgery. Not sure if that helped. Week before surgery I went to Banff and Glacier and hiked over 55 miles. Not sure if all that helped me. But my suggestion is to stay active before as well and do Kegels.
Incontinence was terrible for 2-3 weeks after surgery but if you are religious about kegels it can make a difference. I can hold at night now to sleep, but the daytime standing upright is a different story. A penal clamp by Weiss gave me mobility back. It has been a life saver but is not a replacement for doing your pelvic floor exercises.
I had my catheter removed yesterday and just had my first day of incontinence. Not much leakage but enough to give me concern about how long it will take to regain continence. I’ve been doing my kegels for the past month(since learning of my diagnosis).Your story gives me hope. Thank you for posting.
After they take out the catheter can you do the kegel exercises right away or do you have to wait a while for it to heal? Also how do you sleep at night when you have to wear the diaper. Cuz I really pee a lot at night and I'm worried if my bed will get all urine drenched.
@@ricknowak4582 keep doing keeled. You’ll wake up at night when you have to go. If going while you sleep is a concern then throw an extra pad into the pull-ups for security. It will absorb pretty well. Also you can put a dog we-wee pad under your you (or under the bed sheet) to protect the mattress. The incontinence will pass shortly and you’ll hopefully only have stres incontinence( slight leakage when coughing , sneezing, laughing or shifting positions). When you cough or sneeze let the air out of your mouth as quick as possible, not your nose. Releasing the air quickly relieves internal pressure. Hang in there. It gets better sooner than you think.
@@themightysquid thanks for your reply Chris. But when you're sleeping can you feel the urge of peeing when you get full? Or .....do you just "LEAK"all night long.
@@ricknowak4582 : tough question to answer. Everyone’s different but when your bladder fills there’s a good chance your body will wake you. Go before you get to bed. Also, if you just happen to wake up, go to the bathroom. Unlike before, you will “go” whenever you want to. You will produce urine constantly, but now your bladder’s autonomic sphincter is not there, so you don’t have to wait for your bladder to wait until it feels it time to go. Now you can go anytime you want, voluntarily. You will pee like a teenager once again. I recommend you go as often as you can to empty your bladder regularly. If you go somewhere, like to a store, use the bathroom, even if you don’t need to. You will still be able to “go” anytime. Actually, you can “go” within a minute of voiding, every time. Know that it does get better, just give it time. Keep doing keegles, and void as often as you can. Best of luck to you.
Don’t know if my last reply went through. Everyone’s different so I can’t say if you’ll leak while sleeping. You should wake up when your bladder is full. Go before you go to bed. When out at a store, go again at their bathroom whether you have to or not. You will produce urine constantly and can go even after a minute of voiding. If you wake up during the night, go to the bathroom , just keep emptying your bladder every chance you get. On the positive side, you will pee like you did when you were a kid, with no prostate restriction. Keep positive, it gets better. Do your keegles every day. When you cough or sneeze, let it out of your mouth in a big, quick blast, not through the nose so there’s no internal pressure which will cause leaks(stress incontinence). Be patient, it gets better. Soon you’ll just stick a thin pad in your underwear(briefs recommended) one per day.
That was a very inspiring video.I'm 58 and going into week3 after the DaVinci robotic surgery and after reading all papers again and it said " Don't get discouraged" if you feel no progress or incontinence.I am not going overboard like I feel I should put a little more into it.Tuesday I start the pelvic floor therapy?.Also being single does not put too much pressure on the erectile part of this but I don't have plans of being a Monk either and it does weigh on the masculinity factor.At this point I've been taking the generic viagra as directed and I was sent a pump( my understanding is using it preserves size? I did not get verbal explanations after asking, just read this, read that,sign here.At this point That scares me looking at putting my sore, leaky penis.I admire your attitude and appreciate your video.If have any other advice for a successful recovery please post me back! I really did not grasp how serious this was and the recovery was " you'll be good in 4-6 wks????? I know I must do more work on my end. Thank you Sincerely, Jerry
I could not agree more. I was also told recovery in 4 to 6 weeks but that is simply mobility. It takes a lot longer to get through incontinence and ED for most men. I have unheard from some that they were able to get over both within weeks but unfortunately for most of us it will take time. Wishing you all the best and keep fighting!
I required briefs for the first few weeks. I had a lot of leakage in the early days following catheter removal. I had met some guys that said they never had leakage so it can vary. Best of luck on the removal and keep fighting.
@@chrishartley6966 Okay understood. Thanks so much Chris for your encouragement and bravery, putting yourself out there for the benefit of other survivors.
@Gregg Venuti Thanks Gregg. Things are much better and pretty much back to normal. I recently drove from LA to Phoenix non-stop with no problems. I only wear briefs when I go to bed because I had a couple of bed wetting incidents. Outside of that, no major issues.
Thanks for taking the time to do this video! I am just over 5 weeks out from my prostate removal surgery. Doing my Kegels regularly, but a question: Is it normal to be pretty tender under there? I certainly would not want to go for a long ride on a bicycle with a stiff seat.
I had surgery appx 17 days ago, and I am certainly still sore in that area. A soft cushion helps. I was very fortunate. I had pretty much full continence within 2 weeks. I was thrilled. Every situation is a little different. I couldn't be happier. Best wishes.
Thanks for explaining it in words we can understand. I’m just wondering coming in late have you had your pr ostate removed - or is this some other form of treatment.
I guess I was super lucky since I regained full bladder control about 7 days after catheter removal. I was initially planning for the long haul due to the free flow of urine once off the catheter, but here I am with a serious oversupply of pads. I guess that’s a nice problem to have. Good luck to all with your recovery!
Chris, what issues did you have sleeping at night those first two - three weeks? Did you stop drinking fluids at a certain time at night before going to bed, etc.? Thanks.
Mostly sleeping was difficult due to the soreness in my abdomen I slept on the couch because I could not get in and out of bed easily. I never limited fluids. I consume a lot of water. I just had to train myself to use the restroom more frequently to empty my bladder.
So...... You still had some control over your urine? For example when you're sleeping can you at least wake up every 2 3 hours and go to the bathroom naturally? Or do you just lay in urine all night long. Having to get some kind of mattress protector? I was thinking of setting my alarm for 2 hours or so to change my diaper. Please I need a reply
@@ricknowak4582 Get a mattress protector and sleep only on your back. Gravity will contain the urine in your bladder. The tricky part is getting from your bed to the bathroom. You don't have to wet the bed at all, as long as you only sleep on your back.
If I don't do any Kegel before and after the surgery, will continence be still achievable if I don't mind it takes a longer time? ( I am just not a fan of any exercise).
Just kegals but anything to strengthen the pelvic floor is good. It took time and working alternative muscles. Going on 6 years and still going strong.
6 months post...i only "squirt" a bit when i cough or sneeze big. Inpotance about half recovered...i can have fun..but its not much use for the gf yet.
Am sorry to say I do post radical prostatectomy an radiotherapy and after 11years I do a sistoscopy after cistoscopy I became having urine inconvenience
I only had the catheter for 2 weeks. I was at home and not going out much at that time so I used the larger bag. I was not opposed to the leg catheter but did not have a need.
I use Tally Counter. It allows me to setup multiple activities to count so in addition to Kegels, I can count various workout moves throughout the day. Keeps me accountable.
@@chrishartley6966 The reason you have been getting the same questions asked is because there are several apps with that name. Perhaps you can identify the architect of that app ps. thank you for your great videos and for sharing your experience with us in a similar position.
I am 2 months out and using 3 breifs per day, 1 over night until about 11 am because after i awaken at 7:30 and start moving around, i leak. I put on the 2nd brief that takes me most of the day and early evening i use the 3rd brief.. Is that considered a lot of briefs and does the leaking stop abruptly or is it gradual, it's driving me crazy.
I was using at least three a day in the early weeks and yes it is very frustrating. Everyone is different and a lot depends on how the surgery went. I had met some guys that had no leaking at all after surgery and others that still have issues months after. I found that kegels were the key for me. I use a light pad now and it is almost always dry. I just like the security of having it there just in case. There were times that I thought I would never have control again but give it 6 months and if it is still an issue then start talking to your doctor about options. It is a long road we are on so stay strong, kegel daily, and keep fighting!
@@chrishartley6966 Thanks for the fast response to my question and it made me feel a lot better, so three per day is not so bad. Does the leaking stop gradually or all at once ? I have a doctors appointment on April 2nd but my best answers are coming from people like you.
@@sthpac69 it was a gradual process for me to regain control. I started with the full adult diaper and would go through 2 to 3 a day. Then moved to heavy pads. It took a while to move to light pads.
@Gregg Venuti Thanks. Now I'm 16 months into this and still using 3 briefs aday with a pad so that I can change fast. I do legal but not like I should. I believe this is the way it's going to be for me soooooo. I drink my water.and beverages as I done before surgery because I don't want this to hamper my life at 70.
I forgot to say that I go the toilet to pee regular because I drink fluids. Some say I will go pee more and more until I'm out of the briefs. I sure hope so but I don't think about it.
Had my catheter out yesterday after a de vinci procedure and so far have been, other than the first couple of hours, almost totally continent. Dry last night though I did wake up 3 times to go to the bathroom. And that was after drinking a few beers! And a killer spicy szechuan chicken I knocked up! I'm not convinced that these videos are really helpful as everyone is different. The majority achieve continence - just some people take longer than others. I was diagnosed gleason 3-4 eighteen months ago but delayed the operation because I was worried about incontinence. Worried because of all these stories from people who feel they've got to tell the world about the struggle they've had. My advice to anyone about to have the operation is not to read or watch videos about other men's experiences as we are all unique. I live in the UK and today, my wife and I have gone to our holiday escape in Cornwall, went down to the village pub where I had a pint of local ale, came back and lit the bbq (weather is unusually warm at the moment} have had a few cans of lager and a glass of prosecco from a bottle my wife opened. {pad still dry} No doubt my surgeon would frown at that. Be positive, have the operation and, if you are one of the few unlucky ones, then trawl the internet for advice. Finally, I have a confession about kegels. My surgeon emphasised about the importance of kegel exercises. My wife and I took off to China for a holiday for a month prior the op and I kept forgetting about them. I'll be 70 in a few months and intend to make the most of the years I have left. For most, post operation isn't really painful, just a bit uncomfortable at times, and incontinence is not a big problem.
Hello. I was Gleason 9 T3b Surgery 18/06/2018 (age 70 years one month) catheter in for a month because of a leak! First PSA 0.16 rising to 0.29 by December. Started 33 Radiation Therapy on 20/12/2018 finished 6/02/2019. Another person from my area had the same operation that day. We were quite similar ;Age, very fit and no pre- existing conditions. We were both in the hospital the same day for first PSA result. His no trace mine 0.16 He told me he was just about in control of his Bladder, but a bottle of beer and the odd coffee made him Pee with a vengeance. I tried the odd cup of coffee, but it did make me pee, tried decaf Green tea, same. Must be sensitive or something. On the run up to RT in December there was a quite noticeable improvement in the Peeing, it would have been good to have more time but the PSADT was the problem. After Radiation it was not getting any worse or better, now eighteen months later it is getter a bit worse. Go to hospital on 1/09/20 re getting a device fitted, which for me is the way to go. Your recovery is remarkable and long may it continue, statistically you are in a minority sub group or something. Apart from, as you say mild discomfort, you had a dream ticket. My worry regarding parts of your post is the downplaying of the negative side. Yes it is good to be positive but not unrealistic. I was prepared as well as anybody for the downside; Mattress protectors, dark coloured trousers, even waterproof underwear, clamp, when I went out small rucksack with a change of clothes. Also, I am in a modest way financially secure, so little or no stress in day to day life. But when it happened, was initially taken aback. Cannot explain incontinence to you ,if you don't have it, it's outside your terms of reference, must be experienced. Perhaps if you got some numbers/percentages regarding recovery rate Good / intermediate/Bad. it would soften the blow for some people. This post was not meant to offend, wish you all the best.
@@williamgrant3999 Hi, I'm sorry to hear about the problems you have been experiencing and I do consider myself fortunate. I can give an update. I had the operation just over 14 months ago. I have 99%+ continence, just the very occasional stress leakage, usually no than a couple of drops. Either by bending down and picking up something heavy or getting up from the armchair but infrequent. I'll be getting my latest PSA on Monday which I'm slightly apprehensive about. My last reading was 0.03, up from 0.02. The urologist who carried out my operation did say it's highly unlikely that cancer is present but I suppose it will take a couple years or more before I'm convinced that it's gone. I don't wear pads or really even think about incontinence. The other side effect of the operation shows no improvement I'm afraid. Though my urologist tells me that nerve recovery is usually 9 to 24 months, I don't hold out much hope. On reflection, perhaps I came across as too upbeat about the procedure. Before the operation, my urologist told my that some people do not experience incontinence, most continent within a few months and 90% almost fully continent within a year. Unfortunately, after watching several RU-vid videos about the problems others had experienced, I convinced myself that I was in for the same. I should have listened to my surgeon and not search RU-vid pre-surgery. It would have saved me a lot of unneccesary worry. Which is why I posted. To try and stop others doing what I did, over worrying before the operation. Interesting about the other chap you mentioned who peed with a vengeance after a bottle of beer. I normally get up once, sometimes twice during the night. I've tried abstaining from liquids from early evening and it seemed to make my nightly visits worse. Yet strangely, sometimes I go down to the village pub to have a drink with some friends, drink several pints of ale, go home to bed and sleep through the night. I mentioned this to my urologist and his explanation was that abstaining from liquids in the evening made the urine very concentrated which in turn, made the bladder try to expel it. I was fortunate, my urologist said so himself. Especially as I kept neglecting the kegels. But one thing I did do pre-op which I think could have helped. My waist was 43" and I went on a strict keto diet as I figured less weight would aid recovery. I did lose over 20lbs - most of it from my stomach. I hope all goes well with your operation and your problem is rectified.
@@brianrowe236 Thanks for the reply. Like yourself I am on a Keto regime combined with at least twelve hours without food. Also in the past two years have been on two twenty-one day fasts, and a nineteen day fifteen hour fast. Started off at about 15stones 8 pounds, now about 11 stone 1 pound , am 5ft 11inches tall look a bit skeletal, but never felt better. Did 53 hyperbaric sessions, but had to stop because of the lockdown After Surgery my PSA was 0.16 then 0.22, did my first fast and PSA went down to 0.17 then 0.2 then 0.29 then Radiation. I agree about the you tube information, a lot of fake doctors, scare stories and quack cures, very dangerous. Fasting, Keto, moderate exercise, information from PC UK and MacMillan is the way to go for me Re your PSA, if it flutters at that level ,I think it is classed as free of cancer. You seem to have the QOL in play, keep it up. I am just about there now, after the bad result with surgery went on a massive learning curve, so am quite well up on the options/ or lack of relating to my situation. It is actually a joy to know that you had a successful outcome, I can now relate your result to others. By chance I met someone who was a Gleason 9, went through Surgery/Radiation and no relapse in eight years. Then there is "Chris" who relapsed within Eighteen months. Read a study and it said 51% relapse within 18 months after the Surgery and Radiation route. I still have to force myself to do the Kegel exercise, even after two years have not developed a natural rhythm. always seems like a chore/afterthought. If you ever need a few simple . tips on fasting, let me know, All the best.
