Prostate Cancer Incontinence: What products do you use? Tips?

@vcsurvivor59
Ancan.Org holds weekly meetings for advanced prostate cancer people. I’ve attended them for about four years. They also hold them for low and intermediate twice a month and for active surveillance weekly. They have people that have been giving assistance for over 15 years to people with all different levels of prostate cancer, They can answer your questions if you haven’t found answers elsewhere. If you a new to one of the meetings they work with you first.

They also have a meetings for caregivers, veterans to help with care options, and speaking freely meetings for men with many cancers, that discuss everything but treatment. Also have speaking freely for veterans. There’s more meetings besides that.

The Reluctant Brotherhood holds a number of different meetings every week. They have general prostate cancer meetings and advanced prostate cancer meetings twice a month. They also help answer questions people have.

Hi At 71 years of age and recently retired I really appreciate this comment. I had prostatectomy 3 mos ago and am recovering well, thanks to groups like this to vent......Yes I have underwear with pad to cover but my best success is a jock strap with incontinence pad. It looks normal but absorbs when necessary. Yes I carry an extra pad but for the most part I look normal with no suggestion I have incontinence issues What has worked best for most of you?

I leak a few drops every now and then daily and don't worry about it. Used pads for awhile but found them irritating due to running while sports officiating. Also found I need to be careful about sitting on the edge of something hard. Seems it moves the bladder neck like a Kool Whip nozzle. We need to learn and make the "new me" adjustments. I found that does away with the shame aspect of the whole thing. Black shorts and pants don't show anything and sports underwear such as Under Armour allow fluids to evaporate and don't hold fluid and smell like cotton does. A few guys will no longer leave home if they leak even a little while wearing a pad. I got treated so that I can continue to live the best life possible. IBRT and ADT changed me.

I had my prostatectomy over 7 years ago. I have had control issues most of my life, I'm 78. In addition , I have also developed heart failure, sever lumbar stenosis, and periferal neuropathy resulting in neurogenic bladder. As a result I wear tape on diapers during the day, and old fashioned pin on cloth diapers at night. It takes some getting use to, but it is what it is. I try to maintain as active a life as possible. I don't travel as much as I use to, but since my wife passed suddenly three years ago, traveling would not be nearly as much fun. Probably a little over sharing here. Just one of those days, I guess.

@ch665296f Sorry to hear about your wife. 🙁
As for traveling, I totally agree, I'm 100% incontinent since surgery 2 years ago and not real able to go on a said "vacation." I'm going to meet with the doctor for AUS in a few months. Best of luck to you sir!!!

Doug

As we age, our bladders get smaller. That is likely one issue. Another is "gravity". He has no issues at night because he is laying down, horizontal in bed...therefore, no gravity weighing down on the bladder inducing it to leak as happens in wakeful hours when he is standing or sitting. Another thing is that without knowing it or monitoring it, he may have increased his liquid intake. Maybe he is eating more salty food that causes retention and more eventual output. Lastly, he may be "overdoing" the Kegel exercises. I had Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy (PFPT) starting about 3 - 4 months post-op (radical prostatectomy). I experienced some discomfort and pain in that area, and my physical therapist said I was "overdoing it." The muscles, while important, are actually rather small...it is easy to over-work them in our zeal to do Kegel's. You'll know it if he mentions any pain or discomfort. The Pelvic Floor muscles are just like any muscle: if you over-work it, it aches/hurts for a few days or perpetually, depending on the frequency of exercise. Lastly...it may just be a symptom of aging. A lot of men and women have incontinence issues the older they get. At age 77, perhaps his are starting, and maybe amplified by his prior surgery. Remember, when the prostate is removed, the strongest, most important urinary sphincter that controls retention is also removed with the prostate, seminal vesicles, and vas deferens. We are left with only one sphincter, and it is the weaker one that has to be trained to be the first and only defender of urinary continence. Good luck.

This is what is so helpful about this blog. People can share their experiences and we can learn from each other, not feel intimidated and know you are not alone in your challenges. So sorry about passing of your wife.🙏

@chippydoo
The light Depends shields resolve almost all the problems with shields if you just leak a little? They are very thin and would probably not be in the way at all. I used them for a few years before my incontinence got worse.

@ch665296f
Thanks for sharing. So sorry to hear your wife passed away 3 years ago. My radical prostatectomy was 3 months ago and I"m still recovering with no erections to date. It is slow but stopped most dribbles a few weeks ago and can sleep overnight with a dry pad. As I get older, retired, and am single at 71, I am enjoying friendships, walking 4 miles per day and keep in touch with my children and grandchildren, and friends...I want to keep my mind active, reading newspapers, articles, social posts on media...My doc assures me my erections will come back, may be a bit different, but allow up to a year for the the damaged muscles to repair up to a year. Best wishes for each of you on your journey and do what you have to do to take care of yourself medically, physically and most important socially, get out and meet people or join a group.

@jeffmarc I used them but hard running and sprinting was irritating my skin. I just don't worry about a little here and there. Most of the shorts and pants I wear are black which hides any small issues. Thanks for the information.