I'm interested in conversations about and I want to talk about
Know exactly what you want?
Show search

Notification

Error


Catheter removal and incontinence

Email this conversation Print this conversation
User
Posted 19 Nov 2025 at 16:49

Hi All,

I am new to the site (unfortunately and luckily) and must say I have read through quite a lot of the conversations, some leaving a few tears in the eye, but it's good to hear and hopefully learn, from others who have already been through what a lot of us are facing.

I had my prostate removed, a week ago, after a T3a diagnosis but found myself return today due to an infection caused by the catheter. The catheter was removed today and I thought I was expecting the incontinence which is bound to follow. I drank the 1.5 litres of water that the nurses recommended and then waited for the 2 pees or 2 wet pads or combo. After the seal was broke I just had a constant flow of drips, which I couldn't stop which lasted around 90 mins until my bladder was emptyish...I think.

Is this normal after the catheter removal? For those who have had the same, what is a normal timeframe to get some kind of control, and not be constantly 'dripping', whenever there is wee in the bladder.

User
Posted 19 Nov 2025 at 19:08

Hi TonyC!

Sorry that you have joined the ranks of the prostate-less.  I had the same constant drip which actually became a flood as I had a water infection immediately after the catheter was removed.  I was told that following the op and catheterisation, it is normal for the bladder to shrink to the size of a walnut.  Once the catheter is removed the bladder will increase in size over a couple of weeks.

After two weeks my water infection was gone and my dripping took a little longer to stop.  My incontinence took five months to go away.  It was a gradual improvement so don't expect fast changes.  Although, some guys on here report very quick returns to continence and some even straight after the removal of the catheter.  So the short answer is it varies for everyone.

I found it best to focus on making the most of each day and to just let nature take it's course.  I wish you all the best for your recovery and hope yours is a full one.

User
Posted 19 Nov 2025 at 19:54
Paul64and1,

Thanks for the quick reply, it's much appreciated and good to hear that it is 'normal'.

User
Posted 19 Nov 2025 at 20:55

Hi, Tony.

Welcome to the forum, mate.

What you are suffering is quite normal. There are many conversations on this paticular problem.

Here's just one of them:

https://community.prostatecanceruk.org/posts/t31905-The-first-hours-and-days-following-catheter-removal

Good luck, mate.👍

User
Posted 19 Nov 2025 at 21:04
Adrian56, thanks for the welcome and the link. I am feeling a bit better about the situation now but one thing I have realised is I would not enjoy drinking a couple of pints whilst in this state!!
User
Posted 20 Nov 2025 at 10:00
Hi Tony,

Welcome to the club. What you are describing sounds pretty normal to me. In my case I'd say it took about 6 months to get to the point I am now where i'd say i'm high 90% continent. Have the odd small leak but that is usually after a coughing or sneezing fit................ don't get a cold FFS.

One thing to bear in mind is that the improvements are gradual and not linear. I went for periods where it all seemed to be getting better then for no reason at all I'd have a couple of bad days.

I was on 6 pads a day at the point your at and now only wear a pad overnight if I've had a couple of beers that evening. During the day now I stick to a normal liner and that seems to do the trick.

Dave

User
Posted 20 Nov 2025 at 10:12
Thanks Risca,

I have just started a diary, noting how many glasses of water, coffee etc, number and timings of toilet visits, pad changes, etc. I'm thinking, if I can see tiny improvements, I'll not get the depressive moods which I know will happen otherwise. I'm not sure whether I should start a different thread but trying to wee is a bit like I have a blockage. It feels like the muscles are trying to force the wee out but I am only getting a trickle, is that a normal feeling at this stage (1 day after catheter removing)?

User
Posted 20 Nov 2025 at 10:19

Hi Tony,

I had nothing on those lines, quite the opposite to be honest. I'd be contacting your CNS to highlight this.

Dave

User
Posted 20 Nov 2025 at 10:57

Hi TonyC!

If you read about experiences of men following the removal  of their catheters you will find that it ranges from complete continence and no erectile dysfunction to some unfortunate men like me who suffer total incontinence and erectile dysfunction. I had to keep my catheter in for over 5 weeks. I largely regained my continence after a couple of months but not my erectile function. The recovery depends on your age and the competence of the surgeon. You are young and surgeons performing prostatectomies nowadays have a great deal of accumulated experience compared with when I had my prostatectomy 15 years ago. Be optimistic, with a little bit of luck you will be fine. Good luck.

 'Physics is like sex: sure, it may give some practical results, but that’s not why we do it.'                    Richard Feynman (1918-1988) Nobel Prize laureate

 

 

User
Posted 21 Nov 2025 at 00:34

Some are lucky and are fully continent after catheter removal. Mine took about five weeks…. according to my surgeon it was because the stitches start to soften around then which can helps lots in terms of continence. The first six months significant improvements can be experienced and then things slowly tail off up to about 12 months.  I wouldn’t be too concerned at this stage. I found after catheter removal I was continent in the morning and started to leak early evening….apparently that’s due to tiredness. Never a problem at night, although I wore pads for reassurance. I did avoid things like beer which tends to be high volume and opted for wine as my drink of choice…. this worked rather well. but went out with the lads after the month three I could drink anything. I found if I had a barrel of beer then there could be some nocturnal leaks…wine  has totally mitigated that issue.

Edited by member 21 Nov 2025 at 00:39  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 21 Nov 2025 at 07:55
Thanks TechGuy,

Did you have a proper flow from day 1 or did you have more of a dribble?

User
Posted 21 Nov 2025 at 20:31
Thankyou Pratap Mehta
 
Forum Jump  
Email this conversation Print this conversation

Join the online community now.

Click through to become a member and gain access to support, information and real time replies.




MenuTop ▲
©2025 Prostate Cancer UK