Thursday, August 02, 2007
I had radical prostatectomy 3 weeks ago, and since the removal of the catheter (1 week ago) I have been leaking, also the more I seem to do my pelvic floor exercises the worse the leakage seems to get. I am beginning to get really disheartened and down about it. I am planning to go round the world travelling at the end of October, but will need to cancel this if I am not dry by then. At the moment I cannot see the day when I will be dry. Can someone (anyone) offer me hope or advice?
Thank you for your SharePost, Rick. Your situation is not uncommon.
To start, please see information from a recent study on the benefits of pelvic floor exercises (which you're already doing) after prostate removal:
Exercises reduce urine leak after prostate surgery
http://www.healthcentral.com/prostate/news-152075-66.html
Also see basic information about incontinence after prostatectomy on our prostate site:
Prostate Cancer-Surgery: Complications
http://www.healthcentral.com/prostate/prostate-cancer-introduction-000033_11-145_2.html
More on this from our our incontinence site:
"Prostate treatments can impair the sphincter muscles. Such treatments are the major causes of stress incontinence in men, which include surgery or radiation for prostate cancer. Incontinence occurs in nearly all male patients for the first 3 to 6 months after radical prostatectomy. After a year of the procedure, most men retain continence, although leakage can occur."
Please let me know if you need more information. I'd be glad to help.
Best of health,
Maria
Maria Gifford
Community Moderator
IncontinenceNetwork.com