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HELP. when does incontinence stop after prostate removal?
Had my prostate removed and dealing with incontinence. done my research and know it could take from 2 months to year to maybe never. Please tell me of actual experience with it. Seriously I am not dealing with this well and not sure I can deal with it. I know there are bigger problems out there then mine.......but this is mine. sorry
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71 years old, RALP in January 2023. No BPH and PC was contained. PSA non-detectable since surgery.
I experienced significant improvement in continence at about 5 months post-surgery. I’ve been diligent with pelvic floor exercises, as well as Kegels since before surgery.
Today, 14 months after RALP, incontinence has almost completely disappeared. I still use one small pad per day.
As an earlier post said, Kegels and pelvic floor exercises are now part of my life from now on.
Good luck !
Jim
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2 Reactionscharliepnet - After surgery, you need to give your body time to repair, but as others have mentioned, you also need to do your part on the therapy side (Kegals, etc.). I had my surgery a little under 1 1/2 years ago (56 years old), did my PT/Kegals religiously, kept a positive attitude, and now 100% continent. Continence was a high want, but not an absolute need. My highest need was removal of the Gleason 7 (4/3) prostate cancer and negative margins after surgery. Thankfully, this occurred and PSA has been undetectable since surgery. As everyone understands, you never know if the cancer is gong forever, but we need to keep a positive attitude and take whatever God has in store for us in stride. I am huge believer in that a positive attitude not only helps with mental health, but also helps with our physical well being.
From personal conversations and reading this & other forums, continence seems to correlate with age and the use of a center of excellence (assuming all other factors the same). The younger you are, the continence seems to come back earlier/better (no data, just my opinion from my experience and reading about the journeys of other men). Also, if you use a center of excellence, versus a local surgery center, you are more likely to have improved nerve sparring and continence - You may get a great doctor and support staff at a local hospital, but it is less likely than if you use a center of excellence (also important to do you research on the doctors at the center of excellence that has been chosen).
Hope all goes well for you with your recovery!!
Have a wonderful week,
Jim
Thank you for writing .
I hope you’re working with Physical Therapist trained in Pelvic Floor. If not find a DPT who is.
I did PT before and after RALP and was 100% continent.
Best of luck to you!
Welcome, @barslo. You may be interested in these discussions where members are talking about the sling for incontinence:
- Urethral Sling for Minor Stress Incontinence
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/urethral-sling-for-minor-stress-incontinence/
- Any experiences with Artificial Urinary Sphincter (AUS) or Sling?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/longer-term-sling-or-aus/
Thank you. I am seeing a therapist for it.