Here's some advice. When your urologist tells you that you might leak a little after he removes your prostate, listen to him. HealthDay reports that researchers at the University of Michigan and Duke University have found that men who undergo prostate removal often suffer more from incontinence and impotence than they expected, even when counseled beforehand about possible aftereffects. "After the surgeries, we find that men are very disappointed and very sad," said study lead author Daniela Wittmann. "It's as if they really didn't hear what was being told to them." The researchers found that one year after the surgery, 46 percent reported that urinary incontinence was worse than expected, while 44 percent said the same about sexual function. The researchers concluded that patients had "unrealistic expectations" despite the extensive counseling about side effects. They also discovered that a minority of the men (12 to 17 percent) expected to have better bladder control and improved erections after the surgery, which is the opposite of what usually occurs. What? The study, published in the Journal of Urology, suggests that competition among doctors may cause them to downplay the risks, and "compassion can be another factor preventing physicians from telling the entire story." What?
In this “story” (it sounds as if it was written by a brain-washed writer) it has been stated that “The researchers concluded that patients had “unrealistic expectations” despite the extensive counseling about side effects.” From personal experience the so called “extensive counseling” was NEVER given nor offered to me! When I was told I had prostate cancer I was all alone, the doctor said it, then I was led to a very large waiting room with NO ONE to talk to me, nor was I offered a tissue to wipe my tears! Then came the full-body-bone scan, looking to see if the cancer had spread. Months later, was the insertion of the radio-active seeds, an again there was no mention nor any additional “extensive counseling” to the possibility if nor provability of having an after-effect from this procedure of becoming completely erectile-dysfunctional!
Before this procedure was performed I was a virtual ‘rabbit’ when it came to sexual desire and potency…. this came to an abrupt STOP, with no remedy to reverse the damage done! Had I know what I know today, I would have waited at least one year to to be basically ‘castrated’! I thank having close family and a close friend, because deep depression set-in, and the thought of suicide was contemplated! And trust me, today 3 ½ years later, I am still fighting the depression although not as severe as it was at the very beginning. Yes, ED is also with me .. by the way ED just happen to be my nickname!
Ed,
I doesn’t sounds as though your doctor has a very good bedside manor and need to attend a class on how to communicate with people.
I had my prostate removed and my doctor didn’t have an extensive counseling session but we did meet for about 45 minutes to discuss my options, and he insisted my wife be present as did I because she was as much apart of this as I was.
At that time he was very up front about what was going to take place he also told me the chances of what I would regain and what I would loose, this also took place 2 years and 3 months ago, he was very up front on the situation and has been to this day, my procedure was done with robotics.
My Uncle had the same thing done 20 years ago and lost everthng and is incontinent. I have returned to normal I have a little leakage but I had a little before.
There are some good doctors out there that still really care but I thank God every day to be able to enjoy my grandchildren.
Just remenber you are not alone with this I found out men just don’t talk about prostate cancer and that is what they need to do.
Survivor
I was blessed to have had good counseling from my oncologist before choosing to take the radiation treatment. After the treatment yes I did have a little incontinent, the urgency to urinate fast but it soon went away. ED did come about alittle but gradually. This treatment is preferred better for those who can use it. I too had much support from my faith,family and friends which helped alot with lowering depression. Another Ed
when you said that you are back to normal,has your ed gone away?
I was in radiation three month plus 117 seed this i beleave was overdone now im leaking real bad seeing a oncologist said mmy bllader was stif ab nd on pills to try too make
the musle strong this was 11 years since the cancer
world war vet 84 years old for a while the only way
i could get any sexal plesure was to have a pump
put but now after all the proben wit the scopes
at both ends I the one thats screwd for life
dont think ill over come my troubles. be dam careful what the doctors tell you young men
I had stage 4 prostate cancer at age 58. It had broken thru the prostate and was in my lymph nodes and this was not detected until my surgery. I too was not given extensive counseling before or after my surgery, and was left to deal with the out come on my own. This seems to be the norm for most cases. Yes depression has set in and ED has moved in with me and dosen’t pay any rent. I had no radiation just hormone treatments for 2 years. That was not pretty. I am cancer free now but life with ED and depression is not easy. When times get tough I look at the choices I had. If I did nothing I could be dead or suffering real bad from the cancer. I can say that I am very healty physically. I play golf 3-4 times a week and drive my sports car on the race track. This is my theraphy.
In reply to js
Yes my ed has gone away it wasn’t right at first it was gradual over about 6 months after the surgery, my doctor gave me a Cialus and Viagara to stimulate the nerves this helped to get everything going.
Survivor