Well maybe I can share something with all my Radical Prostindectomy brothers out there! After 3 months post surgery the leakage slowed down quite a bit and am only stress incontinent currently so I believe that nature will continue to strengthen and repair the nerves & muscles involved in the linkage that I was experiencing in the beginning months of recovery! That was a pleasant surprise, no more Depends!!! My long time go over the next few months is to be 100% totally continent and get back to playing my drums which if you're not a drama then you must understand that when you sit on the dramas throne to play you are actually sitting on your prostate which we don't have any more so another new learning process must be instituted
Great news Jimi. Its also great hearing success stories in a world full of despair and uncertainty. I have no idea how much of a physical demand is required to play the drums, however, I'm sure it's quite demanding. And your correct regarding nature and the healing process. Most Specialists say the body will slowly return back to normal or semi normal around the two year mark, give or take. I'm at the two and a half year mark now and still healing. Just remember this, the more catheters you have and the more cystoscopies you have, the more incontinence you will have, everything gets stretched. Thanks for sharing Jimi...
Hi, can you please tell me a little more about your drumming experience post surgery? I'm scheduled for surgery soon and I am currently a drummer in a band. I have both a "roc-n-soc" bike seat style of throne, as well as a circular padded DW Airlift. How long did you have to wait before you could sit and play through a rehearsal or gig?
Should be able to, depending on where you live. I'm a prostate cancer survivor. I've had many operations plus a pile of complications over the past two years. I even had to have the AUS removed shortly after having it installed! Regarding the exercises, slow and steady will provide better results then trying to expedite the process. Also, do not overdue them as that can cause major leaking and sometimes irreversible damage. I know! Control your fluid intake and try to avoid caffeine, cola and alcohol if at all possible. Hope this helps. Andy 🇨🇦
@@ProMachinist Hi Andy! Thank you so much for your reply, great words! I need to keep drinking my water everyday because that's what kept my kidneys free of kidney stones which I suffered for many years so that's a little difficult to do holding back drinking water! I also enjoy at least a beer on a good occasion two beers at night with my dinner, it's just washes down the food so good!
@@cactusstudiossouth Haha, I hear what you're saying. The occasional double rum and coke still goes down quite well, however, it's a bladder irritant just like my morning coffee, but I still need both lol. I too had kidney stones about a year prior to having prostate cancer. Actually, I had to have one surgically removed and a stent put in for a few weeks to flush the rest out. Not knowing the reasoning regarding your incontinence, cystoscopies and catheters can and often do weaken the urethra and or stretch it causing short term and long term leaking. I've had well over a dozen of each! If you're thinking about having the artificial sphincter installed to dry you up, I highly advise you and everyone to have a test done to see if your body will reject latex or silicone. I had no idea my body rejected both and thats why my implant had to be removed. Surgeons for some reason don't think of this or think it could become an issue, it is! Hope this helps. Reach out if I can help any further or to talk one on one. Andy 🇨🇦
@@josephcebula2983 The truth is this, anyone who had prostate brachytherapy, external beam radiation on the prostate or a prostectomy will most likely loose some urine control. This could just be in the form of dribbling or stress incontinence. Also, when the prostate is removed, regardless of how great the surgeon is, we loose two main sphincters to help with urine retention, automatically! For men who are very active and have a physically demanding career, they are prone to leak more than those that are less active. Its a life changer for sure. I've spoken to hundreds of men over the past couple of years, from all over the world, and we all share much the same stories and frustration. So, in all truthfulness, the pelvic floor exercises are a waste of time as they can actually make your incontinence irreversibly worse. I know!
Pelvic floor exercises are of little use. Your muscles were designed to deal with the existence of a prostate. Now you no longer have one. I don’t believe that most recover. If all those I’ve spoken to not one has “really” gone back to normal.
You're exactly right Joseph. For some reason, all Surgeons and Specialists seem to be reading from much the same script. Their success stories are based on very low numbers and very few studies. In actuality, incontinence in men after a prostectomy is above 90%. I'm my prostate cancer forum, I've personally spoken to hundreds of guys all over the world that say pelvic floor exercises (Kegels) are totally useless, at least for a man. When we lost our prostate, we lost two main shut off valves to stop the flow of urine that cannot be replaced naturally. I had a radical prostectomy 2 1/2 years ago and many other surgeries to go along with that. During this time, I've tried kegels often, however, I seem to leak worse after doing so. Last year, I had the artificial urinary sphincter installed and then had it removed months later do to infections and complications.
@@RH-xd3nx Hello RH. You ask if I would have taken a different route. Well, three years ago, I was given three to six months at best. My prostate cancer was so aggressive that it went from absolutely nothing, no symptoms and negative testing to a Gleason 7 and all the usual sysmptoms plus a couple of rare ones in just a few short weeks! I was given just two options. Radiation, Chemo and Brachytherapy were ruled out as this thing was on a deadly mission and we didn't have time to wait. Also, most Surgeons, at least the ones I've spoken too, will discuss the risks of having a radical prostatectomy after rounds of Radiation on the prostate or prostate bed. The only option I had left was having and RP without delay or let things take a natural course.. I've had a few surgeries since then with every major complication possible. Last year, I had a AUS implant installed then had to have it removed a few months later due to body rejection. I still at least one more surgery coming to help with total incontinence. So, would I have done things differently, no I don't think so except for getting more than one opinion. Andy ~ Andy ~
@@ProMachinist Wow bless your heart Andy for fighting the good fight brother, and thank you again for sharing your story. I'm in the middle of deciding on what treatment. Imma gleason 7 and 3 cores out of 12 are 3+4 favorable and the rest are 3+3. It seems like tons of side effects with either surgery or radiation. I feel damned if you do or damned if you don't...also I have 2 friends who had recurrence after their rp's.scary..I'm happy you are doing well and thanks again for your story and knowledge 😊
@@RH-xd3nx Your most welcome RH. I am more than happy to share my personal experience and knowledge of this crappy disease. And thanks, however, we are all fighters! Coincidentally, my biopsy turned out with the same scores as you, Gleason 7 (T2&T3) (3+4 , 3+3). Just remember, mine took only six weeks to develop though. Very rare! There's more to this story and this incredible fight to survive other than what I've noted here. Having a body that rejects latex and silicone didn't help one bit nor did all of those catheters! Every catheter lead to more infections and skin reactions that wouldn't go away. You need to make a decision that's based on your needs. Do get more than one opinion if at all possible and do your research and then do some more. I didn't and paid the ultimate price. Don't be afraid to ask your Specialist questions that may pertain to you. If you don't feel comfortable in his or her presence or dont feel that your getting your questions answered, find another Specialist. After all, it's your body and your decision! I also have three friends going through PC as we speak and two that have gone through it a few years ago. Reach out if I can be of any further help or to prepare you for this journey. Andy 🇨🇦
Knowing what I know now, after the surgery I would not have had the surgery. Think many times if you are over 60 years old. You will likely never become fully continent again. Kiss any sex life goodbye. Prostate cancer is very slow growing and that is if it ever goes beyond the prostate. I’m 67 yo and it was a big mistake. I am now a eunuch with a dissapointed wife of 45 years who I still love. Without full continence no sex is possible. If you are near my age I would advise you to ignore the GD PSA test. You probably have 10 more years of no trouble. What good is more if you are an incontinent eunuch. Don’t do it. Fuggedaboutit.
Well maybe I can share something with all my Radical Prostindectomy brothers out there! After 3 months post surgery the leakage slowed down quite a bit and am only stress incontinent currently so I believe that nature will continue to strengthen and repair the nerves & muscles involved in the linkage that I was experiencing in the beginning months of recovery!
That was a pleasant surprise, no more Depends!!!
My long time go over the next few months is to be 100% totally continent and get back to playing my drums which if you're not a drama then you must understand that when you sit on the dramas throne to play you are actually sitting on your prostate which we don't have any more so another new learning process must be instituted
Great news Jimi. Its also great hearing success stories in a world full of despair and uncertainty.
I have no idea how much of a physical demand is required to play the drums, however, I'm sure it's quite demanding.
And your correct regarding nature and the healing process. Most Specialists say the body will slowly return back to normal or semi normal around the two year mark, give or take. I'm at the two and a half year mark now and still healing. Just remember this, the more catheters you have and the more cystoscopies you have, the more incontinence you will have, everything gets stretched.
Thanks for sharing Jimi...
thanks for the great encouragement Bro
Hi, can you please tell me a little more about your drumming experience post surgery? I'm scheduled for surgery soon and I am currently a drummer in a band. I have both a "roc-n-soc" bike seat style of throne, as well as a circular padded DW Airlift. How long did you have to wait before you could sit and play through a rehearsal or gig?
IF the less you do actually increases continence, then why do the exercises at all and just let the brain do it...think about it
Can my Urologist prescribe a Physical Therapist to work me through these Kegal Excercizes covered by insurance?
Should be able to, depending on where you live. I'm a prostate cancer survivor. I've had many operations plus a pile of complications over the past two years. I even had to have the AUS removed shortly after having it installed!
Regarding the exercises, slow and steady will provide better results then trying to expedite the process. Also, do not overdue them as that can cause major leaking and sometimes irreversible damage. I know! Control your fluid intake and try to avoid caffeine, cola and alcohol if at all possible. Hope this helps. Andy 🇨🇦
@@ProMachinist Hi Andy! Thank you so much for your reply, great words! I need to keep drinking my water everyday because that's what kept my kidneys free of kidney stones which I suffered for many years so that's a little difficult to do holding back drinking water! I also enjoy at least a beer on a good occasion two beers at night with my dinner, it's just washes down the food so good!
@@cactusstudiossouth Haha, I hear what you're saying. The occasional double rum and coke still goes down quite well, however, it's a bladder irritant just like my morning coffee, but I still need both lol.
I too had kidney stones about a year prior to having prostate cancer. Actually, I had to have one surgically removed and a stent put in for a few weeks to flush the rest out.
Not knowing the reasoning regarding your incontinence, cystoscopies and catheters can and often do weaken the urethra and or stretch it causing short term and long term leaking. I've had well over a dozen of each!
If you're thinking about having the artificial sphincter installed to dry you up, I highly advise you and everyone to have a test done to see if your body will reject latex or silicone. I had no idea my body rejected both and thats why my implant had to be removed. Surgeons for some reason don't think of this or think it could become an issue, it is!
Hope this helps. Reach out if I can help any further or to talk one on one. Andy 🇨🇦
They won’t really help.
@@josephcebula2983 The truth is this, anyone who had prostate brachytherapy, external beam radiation on the prostate or a prostectomy will most likely loose some urine control. This could just be in the form of dribbling or stress incontinence.
Also, when the prostate is removed, regardless of how great the surgeon is, we loose two main sphincters to help with urine retention, automatically! For men who are very active and have a physically demanding career, they are prone to leak more than those that are less active. Its a life changer for sure.
I've spoken to hundreds of men over the past couple of years, from all over the world, and we all share much the same stories and frustration. So, in all truthfulness, the pelvic floor exercises are a waste of time as they can actually make your incontinence irreversibly worse. I know!
Pelvic floor exercises are of little use. Your muscles were designed to deal with the existence of a prostate. Now you no longer have one. I don’t believe that most recover. If all those I’ve spoken to not one has “really” gone back to normal.
You're exactly right Joseph. For some reason, all Surgeons and Specialists seem to be reading from much the same script. Their success stories are based on very low numbers and very few studies. In actuality, incontinence in men after a prostectomy is above 90%.
I'm my prostate cancer forum, I've personally spoken to hundreds of guys all over the world that say pelvic floor exercises (Kegels) are totally useless, at least for a man. When we lost our prostate, we lost two main shut off valves to stop the flow of urine that cannot be replaced naturally.
I had a radical prostectomy 2 1/2 years ago and many other surgeries to go along with that. During this time, I've tried kegels often, however, I seem to leak worse after doing so.
Last year, I had the artificial urinary sphincter installed and then had it removed months later do to infections and complications.
@@ProMachinist Hello Andy, now seeing rp for what it is,would you have taken a different route, just curious..thank you in advance.
@@RH-xd3nx Hello RH. You ask if I would have taken a different route. Well, three years ago, I was given three to six months at best. My prostate cancer was so aggressive that it went from absolutely nothing, no symptoms and negative testing to a Gleason 7 and all the usual sysmptoms plus a couple of rare ones in just a few short weeks!
I was given just two options. Radiation, Chemo and Brachytherapy were ruled out as this thing was on a deadly mission and we didn't have time to wait. Also, most Surgeons, at least the ones I've spoken too, will discuss the risks of having a radical prostatectomy after rounds of Radiation on the prostate or prostate bed. The only option I had left was having and RP without delay or let things take a natural course..
I've had a few surgeries since then with every major complication possible. Last year, I had a AUS implant installed then had to have it removed a few months later due to body rejection. I still at least one more surgery coming to help with total incontinence.
So, would I have done things differently, no I don't think so except for getting more than one opinion. Andy ~
Andy ~
@@ProMachinist Wow bless your heart Andy for fighting the good fight brother, and thank you again for sharing your story. I'm in the middle of deciding on what treatment. Imma gleason 7 and 3 cores out of 12 are 3+4 favorable and the rest are 3+3. It seems like tons of side effects with either surgery or radiation. I feel damned if you do or damned if you don't...also I have 2 friends who had recurrence after their rp's.scary..I'm happy you are doing well and thanks again for your story and knowledge 😊
@@RH-xd3nx Your most welcome RH. I am more than happy to share my personal experience and knowledge of this crappy disease. And thanks, however, we are all fighters! Coincidentally, my biopsy turned out with the same scores as you, Gleason 7 (T2&T3) (3+4 , 3+3). Just remember, mine took only six weeks to develop though. Very rare!
There's more to this story and this incredible fight to survive other than what I've noted here. Having a body that rejects latex and silicone didn't help one bit nor did all of those catheters! Every catheter lead to more infections and skin reactions that wouldn't go away.
You need to make a decision that's based on your needs. Do get more than one opinion if at all possible and do your research and then do some more. I didn't and paid the ultimate price.
Don't be afraid to ask your Specialist questions that may pertain to you. If you don't feel comfortable in his or her presence or dont feel that your getting your questions answered, find another Specialist. After all, it's your body and your decision!
I also have three friends going through PC as we speak and two that have gone through it a few years ago. Reach out if I can be of any further help or to prepare you for this journey. Andy 🇨🇦
Knowing what I know now, after the surgery I would not have had the surgery. Think many times if you are over 60 years old. You will likely never become fully continent again. Kiss any sex life goodbye. Prostate cancer is very slow growing and that is if it ever goes beyond the prostate. I’m 67 yo and it was a big mistake. I am now a eunuch with a dissapointed wife of 45 years who I still love. Without full continence no sex is possible. If you are near my age I would advise you to ignore the GD PSA test. You probably have 10 more years of no trouble. What good is more if you are an incontinent eunuch. Don’t do it. Fuggedaboutit.