I also am very active and amped up my workouts considerably beforehand just to be as ready for recovery as possible. But, to that end, I hired (re-hired) my personal trainer to incorporate pelvic floor engagement into what I do, I think this made a world of difference. It's like Kegel on steroids. By the end my pelvic floor therapist (yet another pre-surgical professional I saw regularly) said I had the healthiest male pelvic floor she'd worked with.
Lack of ED is also a bit of luck. If you keep your nerves then you have a fighting chance.
I did have a catheter for 7 days, and had an erection the same day as surgery, so that was very encouraging - if not uncomfortable. Once it came out I was prepared for some level of incontinence for a few weeks, if not certainly that day - and wore depends to be safe. Not a single drip, still to this day.
Radiation can still fry your nerve bundles, although they try to prevent that if they can. Radiation can also fry your bowels, leading to bowel incontinence, which they also try to avoid, but to me that was the main deal breaker. I already wasn't prepared to live in diapers for bladder incontinence but adding bowel to it sealed the deal.
Remember that radiation is always available to you post RARP. Surgery after radiation is called salvage surgery where they essentially scrape the goo that used to be your prostate out. There are focal therapies but none of my doctors believed they would benefit me more than RARP. Get it out and know what's going on was the prevailing recommendation.
So, for me, the only side effect is dry orgasms - which take a bit to get used to, but still have the same sensations as before.
And, if this comes back, I still have radiation and ADT and other options open to me. I hope it doesn't but cancer is cancer and no matter what treatment you get you cannot guarantee it won't return.
My Gleason was the same as yours - mostly 3 + 3 with one core 3 + 4, but only 5% of that. I would be on active surveillance due to this if not for my Decipher score showing 0.68, high risk, so I (and all I consulted with) recommended removal instead. By the way, this was totally accurate, my cancer was far worse than the biopsies and MRI's showed and all my scores, including my cancer stage, were upgraded after the prostate pathology came back. This re-affirms that I did the right thing, had I left it I may have lost my nerve bundles and a lot more.
Recovery is pretty fast, really. Within a couple days you are up and about, even with the catheter. You have lifting restrictions for 6 weeks, but it's easy to deal with. Perineal pain is real, so get a cushion designed to relieve the stress on it when you sit on a hard chair - I only had problems when I sat in my office chair, my recliner was just fine. Even with that, I only used that cushion for about a week and was able to sit all day in my office with no problem.
I'm happy to go into detail about my experience if you want to message me me on here, I hate to hijack your thread with good news - I've experienced a bit of blow back on here from folks who are still struggling greatly and don't want to read about folks who came out unscathed.
I can tell you that finding people to talk to that came out OK is hard - I searched everywhere, so I'm here if you need me!
This is great information thank you very much. I feel like I should know this but what is the Decipher score? Is that free PSA? I can't think of what number fits that category. Maybe I should consider active surveillance. Nevertheless, I haven't consulted many doctors.. But I'm in Scottdale right next door to the Mayo Clinic. I feel like I'm in good hands. Having been through radiation on my throat I know what to expect. It kills everything. Here's my email if you have more to share. toddspr@outlook.com
This is great information thank you very much. I feel like I should know this but what is the Decipher score? Is that free PSA? I can't think of what number fits that category. Maybe I should consider active surveillance. Nevertheless, I haven't consulted many doctors.. But I'm in Scottdale right next door to the Mayo Clinic. I feel like I'm in good hands. Having been through radiation on my throat I know what to expect. It kills everything. Here's my email if you have more to share. toddspr@outlook.com
The Decipher is a test where they take your biopsy samples and analyze it against patterns of hundreds of thousands of other tests to determine if what the biopsy is seeing is statistically wrong - basically a genetic test. They found the DNA properties of my biopsy were indicative of worse cancer than what was reported.
Thank you for your feedback very helpful... you don't have to answer plus I don't your age.. Are you able to have sex? Any signs of ED? I understand because of the prostate removal is shortens your penis. Did you notice a significant difference? Thanks
Prostate removal does not shorten your penis, atrophy shortens your penis as the urethra shrinks due to lack of use. The current belief is that "morning wood" or nocturnal erections, of which most men have at least 4-6 a night, are there to prevent this very thing from happening. If you do not have ED and can maintain an erection, your length and girth should remain the same. If you do have ED then doctors recommend using a pump to keep the urethra stretched to prevent loss of size.
The only side effect that is guaranteed is loss of ejaculate, period. ED, incontinence, penis size, etc are all possible, depending on the results of the surgery - but not guaranteed.
My doctor put me on 5mg of tadalafil a month ahead of surgery to build it up in my system in case it was needed to provide erections after. That plus L-Citraline just help with any possible ED.
Thank you for your feedback very helpful... you don't have to answer plus I don't your age.. Are you able to have sex? Any signs of ED? I understand because of the prostate removal is shortens your penis. Did you notice a significant difference? Thanks
Hi...I'm 72, was just short of 70 when first diagnosed. The prostatectomy didn't shorten my penis and I'm able to have sex, except that I needed to abstain for 6 weeks after the sling surgery. Before the sling there was a problem with ejaculating urine, but that has improved.
Post-prostratectomy incontinence Gemtesa
Does anyone have any experience with Gemtesa to help with incontinence following Prostratectomy?
I asked for some help with urgency and was prescribed Gemtesa which can help with overactive bladder. Apparently it helps the bladder stretch to accommodate more volume and helps with the persistent urge to empty the bladder. There does not appear to be research or trials related to how it might work for those that had prostrate removal. It seems it is good for those that have had overactive bladder in general.
Does anyone know if Gemtesa will interfere with my regaining bladder control that was lost due to prostratectomy?
There is a list of potential side effects
My big concern is that I am roughly two months out from robotic prostratectomy -71- and should I just continue with pelvic floor training (Kegels) and try to work the program without any new variables- give it more time?
Could Gemtesa somehow interfere with the bladder training and pelvic floor muscle training?
If I take Gemtesa for weeks or months, what happens when I stop?
any feedback is appreciated
thanks
This is a repeat post, I hope that is OK
Post-prostatectomy incontinence Gemtesa
Does anyone have any experience with Gemtesa to help with incontinence following Prostatectomy?
I asked for some help with urgency and was prescribed Gemtesa which can help with overactive bladder. Apparently it helps the bladder stretch to accommodate more volume and helps with the persistent urge to empty the bladder. There does not appear to be research or trials related to how it might work for those that had prostrate removal. It seems it is good for those that have had overactive bladder in general.
Does anyone know if Gemtesa will interfere with my regaining bladder control that was lost due to prostatectomy?
There is a list of potential side effects
My big concern is that I am roughly two months out from robotic prostatectomy -71- and should I just continue with pelvic floor training (Kegels) and try to work the program without any new variables- give it more time?
Could Gemtesa somehow interfere with the bladder training and pelvic floor muscle training?
If I take Gemtesa for weeks or months, what happens when I stop?
any feedback is appreciated
thanks
I've got to disagree with those who claim that a prostatectomy does not shorten your penis. Before my RALP, I said to the surgeon, if you remove a walnut length of urethra from me (the average size of the prostate) how do you make up that difference? Does my penis withdraw that much? His answer was that the hope is the bladder will drop down that much, but usually there is a "compromise" and both happen. The bladder is held in place by many things in your gut, restricting its ability to move lower and make up entirely for the loss of urethral length. My penis is still shorter two years after the surgery, even doing VED therapy daily. How do I know? Foreskin piles up around the base of the glans, like a turtle head withdrawing into its neck. And I'm circumcised. It never did that before.
This is a repeat post, I hope that is OK
Post-prostatectomy incontinence Gemtesa
Does anyone have any experience with Gemtesa to help with incontinence following Prostatectomy?
I asked for some help with urgency and was prescribed Gemtesa which can help with overactive bladder. Apparently it helps the bladder stretch to accommodate more volume and helps with the persistent urge to empty the bladder. There does not appear to be research or trials related to how it might work for those that had prostrate removal. It seems it is good for those that have had overactive bladder in general.
Does anyone know if Gemtesa will interfere with my regaining bladder control that was lost due to prostatectomy?
There is a list of potential side effects
My big concern is that I am roughly two months out from robotic prostatectomy -71- and should I just continue with pelvic floor training (Kegels) and try to work the program without any new variables- give it more time?
Could Gemtesa somehow interfere with the bladder training and pelvic floor muscle training?
If I take Gemtesa for weeks or months, what happens when I stop?
any feedback is appreciated
thanks
I am sorry, I am new here too and can not help but I do not think re-posting is a problem. Maybe you can also try and start brand new thread with your question and that way it might catch more attention : )
I've got to disagree with those who claim that a prostatectomy does not shorten your penis. Before my RALP, I said to the surgeon, if you remove a walnut length of urethra from me (the average size of the prostate) how do you make up that difference? Does my penis withdraw that much? His answer was that the hope is the bladder will drop down that much, but usually there is a "compromise" and both happen. The bladder is held in place by many things in your gut, restricting its ability to move lower and make up entirely for the loss of urethral length. My penis is still shorter two years after the surgery, even doing VED therapy daily. How do I know? Foreskin piles up around the base of the glans, like a turtle head withdrawing into its neck. And I'm circumcised. It never did that before.
This is a repeat post, I hope that is OK
Post-prostatectomy incontinence Gemtesa
Does anyone have any experience with Gemtesa to help with incontinence following Prostatectomy?
I asked for some help with urgency and was prescribed Gemtesa which can help with overactive bladder. Apparently it helps the bladder stretch to accommodate more volume and helps with the persistent urge to empty the bladder. There does not appear to be research or trials related to how it might work for those that had prostrate removal. It seems it is good for those that have had overactive bladder in general.
Does anyone know if Gemtesa will interfere with my regaining bladder control that was lost due to prostatectomy?
There is a list of potential side effects
My big concern is that I am roughly two months out from robotic prostatectomy -71- and should I just continue with pelvic floor training (Kegels) and try to work the program without any new variables- give it more time?
Could Gemtesa somehow interfere with the bladder training and pelvic floor muscle training?
If I take Gemtesa for weeks or months, what happens when I stop?
any feedback is appreciated
thanks
Eden I am on Gemtesa to help with frequency @ 15 times a day without gemtesa. Just short of 2 years from surgery and still have @ half a tablespoon leak in 24 hours. ( checked by scales to get measurements) I think it Gemtesa helps a little but not a solution for me on leaking. Seeing a doctor to discuss Botox next week, or if it is just the way life is going forward. Sounds like you are not far out from surgery and you will recover soon and fully hopefully.
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This is great information thank you very much. I feel like I should know this but what is the Decipher score? Is that free PSA? I can't think of what number fits that category. Maybe I should consider active surveillance. Nevertheless, I haven't consulted many doctors.. But I'm in Scottdale right next door to the Mayo Clinic. I feel like I'm in good hands. Having been through radiation on my throat I know what to expect. It kills everything. Here's my email if you have more to share. toddspr@outlook.com
You can just DM me right here on the site.
The Decipher is a test where they take your biopsy samples and analyze it against patterns of hundreds of thousands of other tests to determine if what the biopsy is seeing is statistically wrong - basically a genetic test. They found the DNA properties of my biopsy were indicative of worse cancer than what was reported.
Prostate removal does not shorten your penis, atrophy shortens your penis as the urethra shrinks due to lack of use. The current belief is that "morning wood" or nocturnal erections, of which most men have at least 4-6 a night, are there to prevent this very thing from happening. If you do not have ED and can maintain an erection, your length and girth should remain the same. If you do have ED then doctors recommend using a pump to keep the urethra stretched to prevent loss of size.
The only side effect that is guaranteed is loss of ejaculate, period. ED, incontinence, penis size, etc are all possible, depending on the results of the surgery - but not guaranteed.
My doctor put me on 5mg of tadalafil a month ahead of surgery to build it up in my system in case it was needed to provide erections after. That plus L-Citraline just help with any possible ED.
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Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsHi...I'm 72, was just short of 70 when first diagnosed. The prostatectomy didn't shorten my penis and I'm able to have sex, except that I needed to abstain for 6 weeks after the sling surgery. Before the sling there was a problem with ejaculating urine, but that has improved.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 ReactionsPost-prostratectomy incontinence Gemtesa
Does anyone have any experience with Gemtesa to help with incontinence following Prostratectomy?
I asked for some help with urgency and was prescribed Gemtesa which can help with overactive bladder. Apparently it helps the bladder stretch to accommodate more volume and helps with the persistent urge to empty the bladder. There does not appear to be research or trials related to how it might work for those that had prostrate removal. It seems it is good for those that have had overactive bladder in general.
Does anyone know if Gemtesa will interfere with my regaining bladder control that was lost due to prostratectomy?
There is a list of potential side effects
My big concern is that I am roughly two months out from robotic prostratectomy -71- and should I just continue with pelvic floor training (Kegels) and try to work the program without any new variables- give it more time?
Could Gemtesa somehow interfere with the bladder training and pelvic floor muscle training?
If I take Gemtesa for weeks or months, what happens when I stop?
any feedback is appreciated
thanks
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionThis is a repeat post, I hope that is OK
Post-prostatectomy incontinence Gemtesa
Does anyone have any experience with Gemtesa to help with incontinence following Prostatectomy?
I asked for some help with urgency and was prescribed Gemtesa which can help with overactive bladder. Apparently it helps the bladder stretch to accommodate more volume and helps with the persistent urge to empty the bladder. There does not appear to be research or trials related to how it might work for those that had prostrate removal. It seems it is good for those that have had overactive bladder in general.
Does anyone know if Gemtesa will interfere with my regaining bladder control that was lost due to prostatectomy?
There is a list of potential side effects
My big concern is that I am roughly two months out from robotic prostatectomy -71- and should I just continue with pelvic floor training (Kegels) and try to work the program without any new variables- give it more time?
Could Gemtesa somehow interfere with the bladder training and pelvic floor muscle training?
If I take Gemtesa for weeks or months, what happens when I stop?
any feedback is appreciated
thanks
I've got to disagree with those who claim that a prostatectomy does not shorten your penis. Before my RALP, I said to the surgeon, if you remove a walnut length of urethra from me (the average size of the prostate) how do you make up that difference? Does my penis withdraw that much? His answer was that the hope is the bladder will drop down that much, but usually there is a "compromise" and both happen. The bladder is held in place by many things in your gut, restricting its ability to move lower and make up entirely for the loss of urethral length. My penis is still shorter two years after the surgery, even doing VED therapy daily. How do I know? Foreskin piles up around the base of the glans, like a turtle head withdrawing into its neck. And I'm circumcised. It never did that before.
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 ReactionsI am sorry, I am new here too and can not help but I do not think re-posting is a problem. Maybe you can also try and start brand new thread with your question and that way it might catch more attention : )
Tom I agree with you I to come up short
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1 ReactionEden I am on Gemtesa to help with frequency @ 15 times a day without gemtesa. Just short of 2 years from surgery and still have @ half a tablespoon leak in 24 hours. ( checked by scales to get measurements) I think it Gemtesa helps a little but not a solution for me on leaking. Seeing a doctor to discuss Botox next week, or if it is just the way life is going forward. Sounds like you are not far out from surgery and you will recover soon and fully hopefully.