Adrian99

Hi, I am a 72 yo male from Australia - also a keen touring cyclist. Around 18 months ago I had a radical prostatectomy (total removal of the prostate). Since then I have been incontinent to some degree. Although this has been improving slowly, I am unlikely to ever be 100% continent. The plus side to this is the pads provide an extra layer of padding - no pun intended.

Unfortunately my PSA level has started rising again, and I'll be having radiation treatment in the not too distant furure. Before that I'll need to complete any surgical interventions that may be necessary to deal with the incontinence. If I am fitted with a male urethra sling or artificial urinary sphincter I will no longer be able to use a normal bicycle seat as these may well damage the devices. Various seats with very wide comfort slots all the way to noseless saddles, such as the Spiderflex, have been suggested.

I was wondering if anyone in this forum has used any of these saddles with this condition, and if so could they provide their experience with them.

Thanks in advance
Adrian

fietsbob

catheter and ostomy bags? (70 but, not a co-, your condition, experiencer)

NYTimes article sold the last nose-less saddle my LBS had, 3 years ago, that 1 sat around so long there was no demand for stocking another..

your healthcare system is better than mine, even as a Veteran.






...

canklecat

My dad struggled with that for years. But he played golf and wasn't a cyclist. If he had been I'd have suggested the types of saddles designed for triathletes or time trialers, or the even more minimalist saddles that are little more than pads for the sit-bones -- although I wonder how practical those are on the road when leaning into turns. I'll have to ask a friend who tried one on his trainer to cope with saddle sores.

But a recumbent may be the most practical solution. I'll probably switch to a recumbent eventually, due to chronic neck pain from a permanently damaged C2 vertebra. It limits the time and/or distance I can ride a conventional bike, usually to around 20-40 miles.

Unfortunately the lighter, faster types of recumbent bikes I'd prefer are much more expensive. But I suppose that's the price of wanting comfort and a responsive machine.

CliffordK

Yes, I was thinking the recumbent might be an option.

You might also look at the minimalist "Moon Saddle".

https://www.moonsaddle.com/

I did try a Schwinn Noseless saddle on an exercise bike a bit. Interesting saddle. It seemed comfortable enough for the short time I tried it. Nonetheless, the Moon above seems like a nice design.

Most modern cycling shorts have padding... They'd probably be OK for a little dribble as long as you aren't opening the flood gates. I'm not quite sure what the difference between men's and women's shorts actually is. Perhaps the women's shorts have a bit more forward padding.

TugaDude

Adrian, good luck! Sorry to hear about the rising PSA. I also had radical prostatectomy (Davinci) and am in remission. Been pretty leak free for the most part. Mainly stress incontinence. Heavy lifting, coughing, etc. Praying for successful treatment for you!

SJM205

Good luck Adrian, I've just restarted riding after emergency surgery last year that resulted in a colostomy. Apparently, chemo rots my gut as well as my brain. Having the pouch on my abdomen may not affect the seat, but it makes it harder to reach the drop and brakes. I haven't yet worked out a comfortable position, maybe I just need a smaller beer belly. Anyway, you're not alone out there.

Adrian99

Thanks for all the useful comments.

When I first started riding again after the op, I used a sort of condom-like device over my penis with a metre-long tube down my pant leg. Felt like in an old-style railway carriage dropping toilet contents along the rail line. Gave that up pretty quick. Still, pads have limitations too.

I am trying a Spiderflex saddle which is like two oval donuts for the sit-bones. Is quite stable, but not comfortable for me. Leaning forward on my road bike it is like resting with a steel bar under my upper thighs. With a very upright position it might work, but not for now.

My next trial is a normal type seat with a very large and wide cutout on top. Unfortunately I haven't yet been able to locate a sports medicine doctor who might know something about the issues.
Thanks again
Adrian

CliffordK

Before you give up on the Spiderflex, perhaps try leaning it forward a bit. It might take more active sitting, but one should be able to lean a saddle forward a bit.

It looks like other brands have similar saddles, but without the donut holes. Cream filled donuts?

Leisesturm

I know this is touchy stuff so bear with me o.p. I'm just saying... if you've had a complete removal of your prostate and you still have rising PSA... again... I don't know but... what exactly are they going to irradiate? Catheters or slings are the least of your problems. You need to be getting second and third opinions. I don't know why a normal saddle should damage a catheter. Or why pads or diapers cannot be enough containment for a bike ride, to allow for going without the catheter for just the time that you would be on the bike. FWIW though here is a line of noseless saddles that no one ever talks about. They come in every performance category from Track Racer to Beach Cruiser.

fietsbob

raise the bars up, convert to straight bars , you don't have to lean way forward .. I have straight bars higher by an inch or so than my saddle..

Patriot1

Nothing to add Adrian except prayers for a successful treatment. Hang in there!