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Artificial sphincter: Was it difficult to learn how to use? Tips?

Posted by peterj116 @peterj116, Dec 18, 2024

How difficult was it to learn to use?
I had another visit to the surgeon yesterday & showed him a spreadsheet from the last week, showing uncontrollable leakage of around 500ml per day. He didn't think that was a big deal (3 months post-op) and said that I'll just have to put up with it.

After 5 or 6 training sessions with PT, I still can't move my pelvic floor at all. He said he's never had a patient who can't exercise his pelvic floor muscles. Well, I can't. I can't be the only one in the world.

He's referred me to a "sphincter specialist" who will "assess" me.
I dread to think what that involves.
But I may be able to get one installed 9 months after surgery, rather than wait for a year of uncontrollable incontinence (can't see me living through a year of this).

But then he said that he doesn't know if I'll be able to manage the artificial sphincter - implying that I'm so stupid & uncoordinated, I won't be able to push a button.

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bwjb | @bwjb | 9 hours ago
In reply to @grandpun "Hi "bwj", I didn't see a reply to your one comment, " Instead I get a..." + (show)
@grandpun

Hi "bwj",
I didn't see a reply to your one comment, " Instead I get a squirt, generally a spray often missing the toilet bowl, followed by 5 or so seconds of a slow stream before it peters out. I have to pump the device several cycles in this manner to feel that I have emptied."
That's pretty much how I started out. And now maybe you have your own technique.
Anyway, now I've learned to do one good squeeze with everything well aimed to hit the bowl; then repeated squeezes to continue peeing like a race horse; then do some more squeezes till flow is done. I give it a couple seconds or more to be sure I'm empty and that's it. Done.
Hope you're doing well and enjoying more freedom from the bathroom & pads.

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Hi Grandpun,

I'm glad your AUS is working well.

I've had a severe setback with mine. I developed a "rectourethral fistula" where my urine flows into my rectum so I have frequent watery diarrhea. I'm still following up with the doctor that installed the AUS to see what can be done to fix the problem.

Regards,

bwjb

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