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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Prostate Cancer / September 2005Post Op Day 6: Swelling down; leaking up.
Noticeable reduction is swelling in the testicles yesterday. That was good, but today I have noticed a return to normal in the leaking department. I suppose the swelling down there had something to do with my unexpected return to almost total continence. Not really good news in the grand scheme of things, but at least I no longer question having had the implant surgery. I called the doctor's office this morning regarding the burning when I urinate, etc., but no return phone call yet. Not unusual for that busy office. Having trouble going to sleep at night, but that is probably due to the long naps in the afternoon. Back to work next Monday. Here's hoping you high spirits and low PSA's. Thank you. David S. Hello Dave S. You are quite courageous to go through yet another operation down there where it was always just fine! I am sorry you are having problems, and hope that the new implant helps you out in the direction it was designed for. I guess I feel fortunate, and then again do miss normal function. Besides that, I hope the new implant over exceeds the expectation, and you can enjoy the trouble you are now going through. I as a prostate cancer survivor, worked very hard, and I did lose nerves. I do have to use a small piece of Viagra, out of 100mgs. It really helps. Funny how that sexual function is a most important aspect. I do not feel that wives agree... Kisses and hugs are appreciated yet the actual sexual contact is always most important. hum Just a note, Good wishes, heal, and use the tool that has been provided! Go for it! good for you! John Loomis > Noticeable reduction is swelling in the testicles yesterday. That was > good, but today I have noticed a return to normal in the leaking [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > Thank you. > David S. David S., is the device activated yet? Before your recent surgery I investigated the device online and read somewhere that it is in limbo for about six weeks while everything heals up and then it is activated. If what I read is correct you should be leaking as before until you start pushing the button/reservoir to inflate the cuff around the urethra. Did I read it wrong? Dave Perry No Dave, you got it right. The device has an on/off switch and it is inactivated at this point. They wait about six weeks for everything to heal before turning it on. My reduced leakage was probably due to swelling. On Wednesday I noticed a definite reduction in swelling in the scrotum and it was the same day that the leaking got worse. I had actually gone without a pad on Tuesday. It was just more comfortable that way and at that point I basically had no leakage at all. Was that ever nice. So, five more weeks, give or take, and I will get it activated and get instructions on how to use it. Knowing where the on/off switch is located is no joke. The PA told me that it happens at least once a year that someone has accidentally deactivated the device and cannot urinate. So it is important to know where to locate that switch. I have no idea what it really is though. I will report when I find out. It probably is just a button or something that you push. I suppose it must be in the mechanism implanted in the scrotum. Maybe someone who already has the device will let us know? Thank you. Have a good weekend. Back to work for me Monday. Bah humbug. David S. > David S., is the device activated yet? Before your recent surgery I > investigated the device online and read somewhere that it is in limbo [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > urethra. Did I read it wrong? > Dave Perry The pump in the scrotum has a raised hump on top. This is the area of the pump the doctor will squeeze to activate the AMS800. I have deactivated and activated my AMS800 only once in the five years since my device was implanted. This was done only to satisfy my curiosity. I also wanted to know if I was still totally incontinent.......I was. Dave > No Dave, you got it right. The device has an on/off switch and it is > inactivated at this point. They wait about six weeks for everything to [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] >> urethra. Did I read it wrong? >> Dave Perry Great info from David and Dave (That's how I'll differentiate you guys for the sake of this topic) To David S.: you're really early in the process and are just beginning to heal. Don't get down. You're gonna do fine. I didn't know, except when Dave mentioned it, that the '800' doesn't get activated for a number of weeks. So...David S, try not to worry about day to day changes as you heal...especially until the thing is even activated. And to Dave...thanks for all the info...and A question (just because I have a thirst for knowledge :-), if you've only activated the device ONCE in 5 years...does the thing work on its own? If so...does that mean that you don't HAVE to activate it (other than in times of trouble?) If this is the case...David S. will pay close attention and learn what he needs to do about the controls...BUT...may not have to be turning it on and off much, true? Thanks to you courageous, tough gentlemen who inform and teach us all. My best wishes to all, Ron B. Chicago As I understand it the normal state for the device, when activated, is closed. The bulb is used to pump the saline into the reservoir thus removing pressure from the urethra. There is a valve that allows the saline to refill the tubing around the urethra slowly. They told me it takes a minute or so. This is automatic. You do not have to pump it back up. I think the device can be deactivated either in the closed or open state. That is where some guys get into trouble if they accidentally turn it off while in the closed state, meaning that the urethra is shut off so you cannot urinate. That is where the urgent phone calls come in. > Great info from David and Dave (That's how I'll differentiate you guys > for the sake of this topic) [quoted text clipped - 30 lines] > > Chicago David, you are 100 percent correct about the way the AMS800 functions. The sleeve around the urethra can be locked in the inflated position. But don't worry. This hasn't happened to me. If it does, one can always relieve himself by urinating through the inflated sleeve. If locked in this position (sleeve inflated), you need to squeeze the sides of the pump instead of the top. This action allows some fluid to enter the pump thereby allowing the pump to function again. So the caution is never lock the pump in the closed position (sleeve inflated) if the pump is flat. Some users deactivate the device at night and reactivate in in the morning to prevent erosion of the urethra. If the person has healthy tissue, this procedure isn't recommended. Dave > As I understand it the normal state for the device, when activated, is > closed. The bulb is used to pump the saline into the reservoir thus [quoted text clipped - 40 lines] >> >> Chicago |
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