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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Prostate Cancer / July 2005Which pad to start with?
I've got less than 10 days before my RRP. I'm trying to get everything I need together before surgery. My Uro said to bring 'pads' with me when the catheter comes out 3 weeks after surgery. My question is which size/type of pad should I take to that appointment? In the threads on here some people say 'pads' and mean anything from the Guards for Men type to full fitted briefs. So guys, which size/type is best to take to start with based on your experiences? PSA 4.7 PSA 4.3, free PSA 17% 2 of 12 samples positive Gleason 3+3 = 6 (2 more suspicious) R Base 22% with perineural involvement L Apex 20% 69 cc prostate >I've got less than 10 days before my RRP. I'm trying to get everything >I need together before surgery. My Uro said to bring 'pads' with me >when the catheter comes out 3 weeks after surgery. My question is >which size/type of pad should I take to that appointment? It is probably arbitrary, but my urologist said to bring a diaper when the catheter comes out, and it seemed like good advice afterwards. I also wore diapers the first few days and at night too, just in case. I learned that the Depends Fitted Briefs, Maximum Protection is NOT what I wanted because they are not fitted, but instead are taped on, and this is very inconvenient and unnecessary. The Depends SuperPlus are slip-on, like jockey shorts, and were very convenient and work fully as good. Anyway, the first few days were pretty wet for me, esp the first couple, and diapers seemed right. I forget now, but at least 3 per day. I'd guess for most of a week, but somehow it didnt seem like any big deal. By then you're just so glad to be done with the surgery and be rid of the catheter, so the diaper seems like real progress. Then pads thereafter, and you wear jockey shorts to hold the pads. There is a sticky strip on the back of the pad to hold it in place in the shorts. I'm still using two pads per day at 3.5 months post RRP. I only leak about one pads worth anymore, but two just fit the schedule better. The Depends "Guards for Men" are fine pads, see http://www.depend.com/products/products_male.asp but I actually like another brand slightly better, I think it is called Assurance, made by Tyco. Virtually identical except they are very slightly wider and seem to hold up better. I think Walmart has both. Good luck with the surgery. "Wayne" <nospam@invalid.com> wrote... <> > Anyway, the first few days were pretty wet for me, esp the first couple, > and diapers seemed right. I forget now, but at least 3 per day. I'd > guess for most of a week, but somehow it didnt seem like any big deal. > By then you're just so glad to be done with the surgery and be rid of > the catheter, so the diaper seems like real progress. <> Because I didn't have an operation, I don't know much about this. Do have some questions, just because I'm a technican and intrested. Why not using the catheter for let's say 6 weeks after surgery, so no incontinental problems? I use medicine, Omnic Ocas 0,4 (Yamanouchi) and because of this I'm able to pee, only need more time often. Is this operation neccesary only because of speeding up things? I don't reed here much (or didn't notice) about seamen and seamen fluid. Does this fluid returns after operation or is the seamen thick like gel? Douwe Douwe - from what I understand after radical prostatectomy there is no more semen, since the prostate makes it and is no longer there. At orgasm, the sperm will end up in the bladder (retrograde ejaculation) since there's no sphincter to keep it from going there. Orgasms are dry following prostatectomy. The reason for the catheter is to allow the reconnection of the urethra to the bladder to heal properly without closing up and so urine doesn't leak from the bladder inside you. The amount of time it's in may not have any impact on regaining continence - I think that's a function of training and strengthening the external sphincter to be the only thing that holds back urine. Surgery takes away the internal sphincter and the prostate itself which help hold back urine flow. Longer catheter time might actually cause you to need more time to regain control since you can't do Kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles while the catheter ix in. This is all from reading and research I've done - -those who've already had the surgery can add/correct anything based on their experiences. Wayne - thanks for the info - it does seem like the pull-ups would be easier to use. The taped fitted briefs may work best for a patient who's gettting help from a caregiver. <james_wv@hotmail.com> wrote... > Douwe - from what I understand after radical prostatectomy there is no > more semen, since the prostate makes it and is no longer there. At [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > This is all from reading and research I've done - -those who've already > had the surgery can add/correct anything based on their experiences. Thank you JAmes. Sorry, don't understand the term 'radical prostatectomy'; 'tough I can imagine but ask why is this neccecary? Don't know the term in English, but from what I know a prostate is scraped out, so no harm is done to the urine and semenmoist canals. Also, I thought semen were only transported throug the prostate, some fluid added there in. Douwe, What country are you in? A radical prostatectomy is the surgical removal of the prostate. When cancer is involved, there is no such thing as going into the prostate to scrape it. Surgery will take it out. Radiation will burn it up. Cryo will freeze it into nothing.  SignaturePSA 16 10/17/2000 @ 46 Biopsy 11/01/2000 G7 (3+4), T2c RRP 12/15/2000 G7 (3+4), T3cN0M0 Neg margins PSA .1 .1 .1 .27 .37 .75 EBRT 05-07/2002 @ 47 PSA .34 .22 .15 .21 .32 Lupron 07/03 (1 mo) 8/03 (4 mo), 12/03, 4/04, 09/04, 01/05 PSA .07 .05 .06 .05 non Illegitimi carborundum > <james_wv@hotmail.com> wrote... > > Douwe - from what I understand after radical prostatectomy there is no [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > Also, I thought semen were only transported throug the prostate, some > fluid added there in. "Steve Kramer" <skramer@cinci.rr.com> wrote... > Douwe, > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > scrape it. Surgery will take it out. Radiation will burn it up. Cryo will > freeze it into nothing. From The Netherlands, see my e-mail adress Radiation is burning out? Like scraping, but with heat? Freeze is like burning? What I know for sure is here the chirurg empties the prostate, but leaves the outside in good order, if and when possible. So no incontinance, in theory. Douwe I'm not an expert in radiation as a primary treatment. I am also not an expert on radiation energy. But, it seems to me that radioactivity is not biased in what it destroys. If true, how can it destroy the cancer without destroying the prostate? And, I've never understood how urine is still passed through a destroyed prostate, let alone better held by one. SignaturePSA 16 10/17/2000 @ 46 Biopsy 11/01/2000 G7 (3+4), T2c RRP 12/15/2000 G7 (3+4), T3cN0M0 Neg margins PSA .1 .1 .1 .27 .37 .75 EBRT 05-07/2002 @ 47 PSA .34 .22 .15 .21 .32 Lupron 07/03 (1 mo) 8/03 (4 mo), 12/03, 4/04, 09/04, 01/05 PSA .07 .05 .06 .05 non Illegitimi carborundum > "Steve Kramer" <skramer@cinci.rr.com> wrote... > > Douwe, [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > > Douwe "Steve Kramer" <skramer@cinci.rr.com> wrote... > I'm not an expert in radiation as a primary treatment. I am also not an > expert on radiation energy. But, it seems to me that radioactivity is not [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > And, I've never understood how urine is still passed through a destroyed > prostate, let alone better held by one. There are radioactive pills, being put on several places within the prostate, trough the anus. The other question is what I heard. I was told the prostate is like an isolation tube around a hot water pipe. By scraping out the cancer en most flesh, it shrinks and little to no harm is done. Douwe > the sperm will end up in the bladder Nope. The surgery removes all connections from the testes to the urethra (they take the seminal vesicles and all the tubing between those and the testes). Think of it as the ultimate vasectomy. As James says, the catheter allows the new connection to heal without scarring over. While the catheter is in there the sphincter gets no use and is held streched wide open, so you only start to learn to control urine flow once the catheter comes out. My belief on catheter duration is that the longer it is in the less the risk of strictures (where the urethra becomes partially or fully obstructed by scarring), but the worse the risk of incontinence due to atrophy of the sphincter. I think the modern trend to whip the catheter out after a few days is questionable, but 6 weeks of catheterisation would probably be even more harmful. I was pretty comfortable with my surgeon's preference to leave the cath. in for 2 weeks. SignaturePeter Headland Forget the pads. Play it safe and bring a Depends (or similar) diaper. You will probably have absolutely no control over your urine when the catheter is removed. I was using Depends for almsot a month. SignaturePSA 16 10/17/2000 @ 46 Biopsy 11/01/2000 G7 (3+4), T2c RRP 12/15/2000 G7 (3+4), T3cN0M0 Neg margins PSA .1 .1 .1 .27 .37 .75 EBRT 05-07/2002 @ 47 PSA .34 .22 .15 .21 .32 Lupron 07/03 (1 mo) 8/03 (4 mo), 12/03, 4/04, 09/04, 01/05 PSA .07 .05 .06 .05 non Illegitimi carborundum > I've got less than 10 days before my RRP. I'm trying to get everything > I need together before surgery. My Uro said to bring 'pads' with me [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > L Apex 20% > 69 cc prostate I would recommend getting the most absorbent type of whatever brand you chose to start with. After removal of the catheter I had no control at all. At first I used the Depends diaper type that used an adhesive to connect the sides (I think they have actual underwear now). At first I also had small Always pads inside the Depends diaper and change that frequently and the diaper only a couple times a day. The total lack of control only lasted a week or so though, so I soon started to experiment with the Depends Guards, and that worked fine. I did not like the diapers because they made me sweat. It was better getting back in my briefs. Good luck to you. Remember that some guys are continent even when the catheter is removed, so maybe you will be one of the lucky ones. In any case, most guys are dry within three months, so this is probably just a bump in the road. David S. > I've got less than 10 days before my RRP. I'm trying to get everything > I need together before surgery. My Uro said to bring 'pads' with me [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > L Apex 20% > 69 cc prostate No question. I'm with the guys who go for the Depends 'underwear'. They pull up like jockeys and are easy to use. Usually...you'll need these after cath removal. Best Wishes, Ron B. Chicago Buy the thick Depends, with the ties as you flood it when they take the catheter out. Rcihard RRP 1999 > I've got less than 10 days before my RRP. I'm trying to get everything > I need together before surgery. My Uro said to bring 'pads' with me [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > L Apex 20% > 69 cc prostate > I've got less than 10 days before my RRP. I'm trying to get everything > I need together before surgery. My Uro said to bring 'pads' with me [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > the Guards for Men type to full fitted briefs. So guys, which > size/type is best to take to start with based on your experiences? Talk about cart before the horse! You'll have many challenges after your surgery, that will keep you quite busy adjusting. When the cath comes out, it really makes no difference what you wear getting home, as long as it's something fairly big with good coverage. Some are continent right away, others like me take months. You may switch pads many times as you improve. Good luck, it's always alot easier than you ever thought it to be! JK Sinrod Sinrod Stained Glass Studios www.sinrodstudios.com Coney Island Memories www.sinrodstudios.com/coneymemories |
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