Five months and still no bladder control
Posted , 5 users are following.
If anyone has had a similar experience to mine, I'd appreciate hearing what you might have done to correct the issue, and if the issue was eventually resolved. I had EBRT back in 2009, and over the past three years my PSA kept climbing until I passed the biochemical failure point. A biopsy confirmed that the cancer had returned and on January 13th of this year I had robot assisted salvage RP. MY catheter was removed on January 26th but five months later I still lack consistent bladder control. I have made some progress, but am wondering if I can hear from anyone who has had the need for pads for five months or more and if this is something that I will eventually be able to look back on as a frustrating memory rather than a fact of daily life. Any hope? Thanks!
0 likes, 6 replies
romneyj Rick802
Posted
Hi Rick, really sorry to hear that you had to have a salvage RP. The problem with surgery after EBRTis that tissue tkes much longer to repair - it is a difficult op and the speed of recovery depends on how much muscle from the internal urethral sphincter was removed/damaged when the prostate was removed. This muscle is smooth muscle (involuntary) so cannot be actively controlled but in men, it is the main muscle for controlling urinary flow (in women the pelvic floor or external urethral sphincter - a voluntary muscle - is the important one).
It is still important to do what you can with Kegel or pelvic floor exercises but the real issue is the healing and strengthening of the internal urethral sphincter which may take a long time in your case.
Note that there is one more muscle involved and that is the urethral muscle itself - another involuntary muscle. It playes a small role but again there is nothing you can do the strengthen it. Just give the system more time.
It would be more helpful if someone with the same experience as you was around but i've not seen anyone till now who has had a salvage RP post EBRT but I hope this helps a little.
steve82587 Rick802
Posted
steve82587
Posted
richard98806 Rick802
Posted
I'm 3 months post RARP 67 yrs old still have incontinence issues though it is steadily improving.
Dr said 3 month time frame tends to be turning point. I had both nerve bundles left in tact so I should be in a better situation. Most of what I have read is to keep up the Kegel exercise and for some drugs and/or follow up procedures can help. Talk to your dr.
Rick802
Posted
Thanks to you all for sharing your comments. I am trying some different PT procedures given to me by a therapist and hoping they will provide some improvement. I know that there are not many salvage RP procedures performed, but I am hoping that I'll stumble across someone who has been down this same road. My surgeon did manage to avoid damaging the muscle, but did indicate that we'll have to wait to see how long it takes for them to heal due to the sar tissue from the EBRT. Like richard98806, I am also 67. I was first dianosed at age 59.
romneyj Rick802
Posted
I wish you all the best Rick. Yes, I fear that yours is a case of much much more time than the cases quoted above. A frustrating time for you. We mostly don't realise how lucky we are having had RP as our first option as we tend to focus on our poor ability to get erections. Nothing effects daily life more than poor bladder control. Sometimes electro stimulation is used to train smooth muscle and I wonder if that could somehow be a route (though without surgical implantation I really don't know how!)
Romney