Urinary Incontinence; How Do I Ride Now?

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Hi everyone especially QAEngineer624 in Canada. I too have had incontinence problems after being diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer over a year ago, then a radical prostatectomy, hormone and radiotherapy. This came out of the blue and for a long time cyclist (55 years) it really sucked, especially as I had just retired and had planned some mega audax events and long distant charity rides...   The problem with surgery is that it takes away two of the main means by which you control urine flow and you then have to retrain the pelvic floor muscle. Nearly twelve months later  I still struggle to the extent I didn't want to meet people, or engage in sport, it was just too stressful. I didn't cycle for six months and then gradually got back in to it at a pretty basic level. I started cycling with my club after eight months and usually met them half way on our usually morning rides before getting to our cafe stop. I carry at least two pads and just have to lump it if I leak and wet my bib shorts. It is embarrassing and often humiliating and  stressful, even if my mates are not aware of me peeing. The only plus thing is pressure from the saddle does slow down the leakage, stand up for a hill section and out it comes. I have started to adapt to staying on my saddle for the hills, just shifting forward a bit. After  and hour or two I do get  uncomforatble down below with my bib pad and the incontinence pad; I guess the answer there is to get some padless bibs. It s hard folks and globally one on seven men are predicted to get prostate cancer. If you are in your fifties, get up to pee in the night or get a UTI, get checked out with your GP/physician. QAEngineer, take care and hope you are getting out on two wheels regularly.

I started reading this with interest not realising the initial post was 5 years old.  Thank you for coming back, resurecting the post, and updating with your current progress.

It is important that these types of issues are talked about. Real people, real problems, good advice for others who might face similar challenges.

Hope you have a great cycling season.

M

As someone else said, ewww. Sounds pretty unpleasant, so you have my sympathy. Hopefully everything will be functioning again by the time you get back out on the road. On the off-chance that you are still having problems though:

I started a long race a few years back, and kept catching a flash of light of the leg of one of the guys in the bunch. At first I thought it was just bouncing off his deep tan, and then I realised that there was something attached to his leg. It was a very small diameter clear plastic tube, taped on at strategic intervals, leading all the way down to end just below the sole of his shoe, and all the way up to disappear up the leg of his knicks. When I say small diameter I mean it can't have been more than 2mm, and I did think at the time (once I figured out what it was for) "wow, that guy must have great control to avoid having the pressure just blow whatever attachment system he has up the top straight off."

I guess though if it was there for leakage rather than for actual deliberate urination (which it could have been, I didn't stop to ask) the flow is probably going to be much slower so the pressure would be much less. I should say that I quickly moved myself ahead of this guy, just in case, and then there was a split in the bunch and I never saw him again.

So that might be a solution for you. I must say though that you should make sure you have thick enough skin to not be offended if your riding mates send you to the back of the bunch at times, because it would probably still exit that tube at reasonable pressure. I can't imagine having a narrow stream of high pressure urine bouncing off the road right in front of you making for a particularly pleasant riding experience!

Ewww.

It's good to see you've not lost your sense of humour (or is it humor)?

You don't mention whether it's bladder or bowel related but I have issues related to ongoing investigations for prostatitis - I actually find the motion of cycling helps!

Let's hope you never have a 'Lemond's Bad Peach' experience, though...

http://www.freewheelingfrance.com/243

Hope you get well soon
Regards
Andy

Just a thought, yoga could help build the muscles back up in that area? In the name of control and all that.

Blimey that's awkward, I'm always nipping to the toilet a few times (and wondering whether that will be enough) before a ride to avoid being caught short. Is it worth either 1. taking a bike lock and riding a route near places where you can find a toilet at short notice, or 2. taking your own toilet roll if in remote areas?

Gkams advice also seems sensible.

I hope it is indeed temporary. Good luck.

Really sorry to hear about your condition.

Really hope it is a temporary issue and that it doesn't last long.

My advice and I don't want to sound funny or anything because this is pretty serious, but avoid bumps.

Make sure you empty your bladder before riding, that way it should lead to less leakage, smaller rides where you take on less fluid might be advisable for a while until the issue is sorted.

Further than that, I have no clue, I don't want to suggest pads, but if you are one who does long rides or offroad, this might be your best bet, your local pharmacy would stock them.