My Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist (PFPT) said the same thing: Caffeine, alcohol, sugar, anything acidic like OJ, and carbonation from any source (even mineral water like Pellegrino), are bladder irritants and need to be avoided after your catheter is removed..."if" you want a more rapid restoration of urinary continence. That leaves "water" as your best and only recommended choice per my PFPT. I told her that I have to have "flavor" a couple times per day...I can't just drink water 24/7 for 4-6 months. She acquiesced and said that I can have limited flavored drinks. I like 7-Up Zero, Fresca, and Diet Dr. Pepper (I am a Type II Diabetic). She said to try to limit my intake to 4 oz at a time once or twice a day at most for any of those flavored drinks. She said/asked me to avoid the Diet Dr. Pepper if I can, since it also has caffeine, while the other two do not. I also have a rather strict, well-planned schedule for consuming ONLY 8 oz (1 cup) of any liquid at a time. That immediately precedes or follows a trip to the bathroom every two hours. So, from awakening until II go to bed each night, I urinate - whether I think I need to or not - 8 to 9 times per day. Whether I feel the need or not, when I urinate every two hours, it really prevents random leaks or bigger accidents throughout the day. My PFPT also has me doing lots of different Kegel exercises to re-strength my pelvic floor muscles. I am 4-months post-RP and 3.5 months post-catheter removal. I have regained 95% of my continence . I still have those frustrating little leaks.