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Artificial sphincter: Was it difficult to learn how to use? Tps?

Posted by peterj116 @peterj116, Dec 18, 2024

How difficult was it to learn to use?
I had another visit to the surgeon yesterday & showed him a spreadsheet from the last week, showing uncontrollable leakage of around 500ml per day. He didn't think that was a big deal (3 months post-op) and said that I'll just have to put up with it.

After 5 or 6 training sessions with PT, I still can't move my pelvic floor at all. He said he's never had a patient who can't exercise his pelvic floor muscles. Well, I can't. I can't be the only one in the world.

He's referred me to a "sphincter specialist" who will "assess" me.
I dread to think what that involves.
But I may be able to get one installed 9 months after surgery, rather than wait for a year of uncontrollable incontinence (can't see me living through a year of this).

But then he said that he doesn't know if I'll be able to manage the artificial sphincter - implying that I'm so stupid & uncoordinated, I won't be able to push a button.

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lee61 | @lee61 | Dec 23, 2024
In reply to @peterj116 "2 years? You poor thing. I'm struggling after 3 months, I pee with every step. Over..." + (show)
@peterj116

2 years? You poor thing. I'm struggling after 3 months, I pee with every step. Over it.
Looks like I'll be assessed by another surgeon in 3 months. Hopefully.

Thanks for mentioning the incision problems. Did you use 2 pads, because leakage is a real problem at the moment.

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I used probably 5-6 plus pads after prostate removal and after physical therapy I used 3-4 pads. Never got better . Even after male sling surgery failed. Dr said AUS would help me. So now. With the AUS .. I put a thin pad in when I go for my morning walk. Eat breakfast and 2 cups coffee and shower and I put a thick pad in for the rest of the day. No pad at night . I wake up 3am? And empty bladder and up at 5 am for my walk.

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peterj116 | @peterj116 | Dec 23, 2024
In reply to @lee61 "I used probably 5-6 plus pads after prostate removal and after physical therapy I used 3-4..." + (show)
@lee61

I used probably 5-6 plus pads after prostate removal and after physical therapy I used 3-4 pads. Never got better . Even after male sling surgery failed. Dr said AUS would help me. So now. With the AUS .. I put a thin pad in when I go for my morning walk. Eat breakfast and 2 cups coffee and shower and I put a thick pad in for the rest of the day. No pad at night . I wake up 3am? And empty bladder and up at 5 am for my walk.

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Sounds like a great solution. Hope I get it.
Until then, I have another physio that was previously booked.
Seems like a waste of time if I'm (hopefully) getting the AUS anyway.

REPLY
grandpun | @grandpun | Dec 23, 2024
In reply to @lee61 "Peter. I went 2 years without bladder control after prostate cancer and removal before I found..." + (show)
@lee61

Peter. I went 2 years without bladder control after prostate cancer and removal before I found a Dr that put the AUS in me. Male sling surgery failed 1 year after prostate removal . My assessment was a consult and than a cystoscopy to check the urethra where it was sewed back up to check for scarring. After 1 night in hospital after surgery the catheter was removed. No lifting no mowing for 3 months. Soft chairs with cushions are your best friend.. Ice on groin/genitals off n on for few days after surgery. 6 weeks for AUS parts to heal inside body, than it was activated and you hold the 2 hoses and squeeze the pump . The bladder empties. Yes the incision from middle of scrotum to rectum is painful but it gets better . ( use more pads to keep incision dry . My incision got infected from urine leaking on it). 3 and a half years later I’m happy I did it. 1 thick pad a day . I have 2 friends in there late 70s who had AUS implanted this year. Both are happy and dry after 10to15 years wet.

Jump to this post

Sad you had the pain and incision issues.
But now GREAT you have control.
Welcome to the happy AUS brotherhood chapter of PC.

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