biofeedback testing

    From what I have seen is that there are different ways each therapist works.  Mine had me attack a sticky pad electrode in the perneal area.  They she attached one to my lower abdomen in the room.  Those were hooked to the machine for the sessions.  I have heard that some people had a probe inserted in the anus!  I guess you may want to call and ask if this bothers you. As far as myself,  at the point I was I would have let almost anyone stick almost anything anywhere if it would help control the leaking.  I would suggest shaving your perneal area before you go.  That will make removing the Stickey Pad much easier!!!!!

Good Luck,  KW

I did 8 weeks with the probe in the anus every night, 30 minutes with a small electrical pulse. Uncomfortable but tolerable. Didn't do an ounce of good for me though, and ultimately had the Artificial Sphincter fitted to solve the incontinence problem.

Berb

Just now seeing this. I had 3 biofeedback sessions with a physical therapist who I thought was fabulous. I also had the sticky pads, and it was really not a big issue. She did a mini-DRE with me to make sure I was firing the correct muscles. She only used the machine on the first visit, and the follow-up visits were more for checking progress and expanding the number of exercises.

I am about 98% continent. I still leak a little bit once or twice a day - but I have been very bad about my exercises. I still wear a pad (one a day) because I can't stand damp undies. I guess if the pad bothered me more I'd work on the exercises, right?

This was back in August (you can probably find my posts about this) and I REALLY did not want to go - primarily because I had heard the "electrodes up your rear end" stories, too. I was REALLY PO'd that my wife set it up (she's a physical therapist too). But it turned out to be an excellent - actually enjoyable - educational experience. If you are anywhere close, I highly recommend Joanne Gryski at Centreville Physical Therapy in Centreville, VA. She does a lot of PCa incontinent patients and is very knowledgable.

Good luck,
kcragman

zufus:

Just now seeing this. Yeah, the patho reports are much more accurate, and I was under the impression that a 2 point Gleason jump from the original biopsy was not unusual.

My wife is a physical therapist with a PhD in anatomy, and she teaches pathophysiology so she can quote medical stats like baseball box scores. She was worried sick until I got my 6-month zero. I had looked up some charts and tables on the internet and scared myself half to death (HALF to death? Wasn't I already there? bwa-ha-ha!) but a) I have a life to live and I'm too busy (or too stupid) to worry about cancer, and b) my doctor told me "negative margins and zero PSA is all you care about" and that's all I'm going to care about until something changes. I don't feel like I'm super fortunate. I feel like we picked a highly skilled surgeon who did a really good job. But the more I allow myself to understand what my results mean, I think I was extremely blessed to have had it caught in time (no thanks to me), and to have had such a surgeon. AND to have a wife who takes such good care of me - because I am apparently incapable of taking care of myself.

But your basic point is correct - they don't know EXACTLY what is going on in there until they cut it out and cut it up. Surgery is not the answer for everybody - nor should it be - but I am convinced that had I chosen another path, I would not be experiencing as successful an outcome as I have enjoyed to date. I don't know, maybe I AM super fortunate.

Live on!
kcragman