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Supplies recommendations post prostatectomy

Prostate Cancer | Last Active: Sep 8 7:51am | Replies (26)

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Profile picture for heavyphil @heavyphil

All the suggestions made here are great. One thing I would add - a washable sheet protector (it’s about 3’X3’ and completely washable). You can get it at CVS or any major pharmacy.
After graduating from diapers and then to pads, after a few months I was completely continent and happy….and then it happened - the out of nowhere wake up at 2 in the morning soaking wet in urine scene. I wanted to scream.
Had to wake up my wife, strip the bed, throw out the $400 Tempurpedic mattress topper, etc. Thank God we had a waterproof mattress cover or else the $5K latex mattress would have been pitched too! It was a real emotional setback for me.
I got the protector pad the next day and it has since saved my butt a few more times. I finally figured out that if I ate a very gassy meal - beans usually (which I love) my sphincters must get confused and allow the floodgates to open, letting out both gas - and urine. And I did my Kegels religiously!
Sorry, lots of TMI on this site but that’s what we’re here for.
Anyway, just my 2 cents since I sleep completely unafraid now even though it hardly ever happens. Best to you!

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Replies to "All the suggestions made here are great. One thing I would add - a washable sheet..."

Thank you for this suggestion which should provide some additional peace of mind. I wish you all the best on your journey.

@heavyphil glad to hear that things are much better now. Thanks for sharing your experience.

@heavyphil -- Interesting comment. Although I consider myself fully continent, I've noticed when sitting on the toilet during bowel movements that if simply pass gas I also have an involuntary urine release. For whatever reason, I simply don't seem to have a lot gas in my old age so it isn't something I've had to worry about. But if I feel the urge to pass gas, I'll hold it until I can get to a toilet. I never mentioned it as I thought it was just me 🙂 It's actually a bit of a relief knowing it's not just me. I certainly don't know but I suspect that since passing gas happens infrequently our subconcious minds just haven't figured out how to handle the new normal when it comes to passing gas without releasing urine. For sleeping I think I might go back to the 3' X 3' waterproof pad based on your comment. Best wishes.

@heavyphil Thanks so much for suggestions.