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Anyone still struggling with urinary incontinence after prostatectomy?
I’m a survivor of stage 2C prostate cancer. I underwent surgery to remove my prostate, and thankfully, there’s still no evidence of cancer.
However, one of the most frustrating challenges I’ve faced since surgery is my inability to fully control my urine.
I’m grateful to be cancer-free, but living with urinary incontinence has been difficult. It’s something that affects your confidence, comfort, and overall quality of life. I’m an active person, and having to constantly think about bladder control is exhausting.
I’m curious to hear from other men who have experienced this following prostate removal.
Did your bladder control eventually improve? How long did it take? Did pelvic floor therapy, exercises, medication, or any other treatments make a meaningful difference? Has anyone undergone an additional procedure to correct the problem?
I’m particularly interested in hearing from men who continued struggling well beyond their initial recovery period.
I know surviving cancer is the greatest victory, and I’m incredibly thankful for that. But I also believe surviving and getting back to living comfortably are two different things.
I’d love to hear what has actually worked for others. Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences.
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@dmccarthy104 thanks, sitting here now at urologist to help with exercises. Doing whatever I can to avoid surgery, thanks for your input and best wishes. Makes sense!
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3 ReactionsStoney -- another great resource for you can be Dr Geo. He's affiliated with NYU in the states and a very smart Dr. Good information on diet and exercises you can do to reduce the possibility of fatal PC. Best wishes on your journey.
My surgery was 2 years ago. I had significant incontinence at first. United Healthcare rejected the first medication for it and now I have tolterodone. I had physical therapy (over the phone, for crap sakes), and it got better. But I had hormones and radiation a year ago and it made the incontinence worse. I'm a pad a day, but I usually need to change if I go to the gym or sneeze a lot. The only recommendation from my urologist is more kegels. It feels like this has become a lifelong thing. At least I'm 69 and not 49.
@anosmic1
And I had an AUS put in at 77 because I was fed up with leaking one or two pads a day, more, if I was really active.
The surgery is covered by insurance and resolves the problem with incontinence.
I also went from surgery to radiation before it really became a problem.
Sorry to hear about your frustration. In hindsight is radiation better than surgery to avoid incontinent painful symptoms?