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Considering an Artificial Urinary Sphincter (AUS): Need advice
Prostate Cancer | Last Active: 20 hours ago | Replies (57)Comment receiving replies
I'm following all comments about artificial valves. My incontinence is severe. I need to use pull-ups with a pad nested in the pull-up. I go through 1-2 pull-ups and 8-10 pads per day. It's gradually gotten worse over the past 9 years. Beginning this January, I had an un-passable kidney stone, stint removal, systoscopy, severe bladder bleeding, bladder cauterization of lesions and diagnosis of chronic radiation cystitis. I hope an artificial valve is in my future. I had HBOT mid summer and need another systoscopy to verify healing before considering a valve.
I'm interested in all comments and experiences with artificial valves. Thanks
Replies to "I'm following all comments about artificial valves. My incontinence is severe. I need to use pull-ups..."
@29modela That was me. I had a pad within a bigger pad for a while, too.
8-10 a day is worse than my 7 pads.
Definitely push for an AUS. As long as your dexterity is ok, so you can operate the pump & you don't have arthritis in your hands, the AUS will be of huge benefit.
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@29modela
I had an AUS installed on June 4. On July 10, they activated it and I’ve been 100% continent since. I could soak a thick pad in two hours if I was busy.
The surgery doesn’t last long in my case I went in around 9 o’clock in the morning, they took me in at 10 to do the surgery and at 12:30 I was leaving.
The problem with the surgery is that they have to get to the urethra which is right in the perennial area so they open it up and you end up with stitches there. That makes it very difficult to sit down without a lot of pain for about two weeks. I found that rolling up a Thick towel and then shaping it into a U and sitting on that allow me to sit without pain. There is another opening in the stomach. Mine was about 2 inches wide. I barely noticed it, It never really hurt.
This was well worth it for me. Now I can travel without having to worry about bringing pads