prostate removed and now problem holding urine

I have a client that has had his prostate removed and has problems holding his urine. He wants to fix this before radiation starts. Any suggestions on an approach? I was going to use a similar approach to bed wetting....getting his sc mind to alert the body when it needs to go. Create a sensation to give enough time to get to the lavatory. Has anyone has experiences with this?

Thanks

Fern

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Permalink Reply by John Cleesattel on January 30, 2012 at 8:57pm

Got some bad news for you...the prostate is what acts as a clamp for the urinary tract. If that has been removed.. no clamp

John

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Permalink Reply by Aino / Akpolarmom on January 30, 2012 at 11:33pm

Fern....

There are actually a few things we can not do with hypnosis.... Growing body parts is most likely one of those. There are difference between prostate removal and reductions, and depending on what they did, you may be able to aide in a faster recovery, but if a full removal was done hypnosis will not work. So I deduct this is cancer, since radiation is next. That may be a sign that the whole gland is gone, and continence as well as certain sexual functions will be gone... I am surprised his doctor didn't explain that. Or is he reaching for straws? Fueling that reach would not be right in my mind.I would say you embark on a good support program for him; raising his natural healing ability and teaching him pain control, stress reduction and relaxation techniques, so that he will be feeling better thru his radiation treatment.

Just my $0.05...

Aino

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Permalink Reply by David Harrison Enos C.Ht on January 30, 2012 at 11:40pm

Depending on his suggestibility, I would have him practice during session in Hypnosis what it feels like and have him "notice dramatically" the sensation of upcoming urine relief. Affirmations work well, teach him self hypnosis to reinforce his alert system. Have him visualize himself feeling he has to go pee, then have him visualizing him holding it and making way to restroom. It should be clear as to give suggestions of his confidence and tie in his emotions(rewards) for doing so. I was reading about "phantom limbs", the book stated that people that undergo an amputation, they experience their limb being present after the removal of limb. I bring this up because even though his prostate is removed, you can tell the subconscious mind that it is still present and suggest to him, in visualization, to go back to a comfortable time when we was in complete control of his urine. Let him experience this for a minute, tie in how comfortable it is and how he is the master of his body and that he is in control. Talk to his body by suggesting in a similar manner depending on suggestibility, "We are talking to "Client's name" body. And "Client name" is in control. We are uniting the subconscious with the conscious desire to achieve 100% cooperation. We are taking "client's name" body function regarding urine control and awareness back to the time we visualized you having comfort and confidence in doing so. The only body function being effected is your urinary awareness and control. Lets count down from 10 to zero (deepening technique) and each count becomes a symbol in your mind to moving the body back to the way you functioned to the past time. 10, we begin distributing this idea into every cell and fiber into your being. 9, you are the master of your mind and body and the harder you try to deny that the more difficult it becomes (challenge)...8, you are comfortable, calm and in control, 7, you begin to smile, thats right look at that beautiful smile, you can do better than that (this will tie in emotional state and cause deeper report with therapist, it may alter the clients suggestibility slightly, but emotions can be a suggestion somewhat). 6, you have the power to change, you are here in my office in hypnosis and you can be positive and assured that you are in control, this is what you want, 5..etc etc.

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Permalink Reply by Barry Neale on January 31, 2012 at 2:38am

I think you need to ask him if he can stop the flow when he is urinating. If he can stop/start the flow then there maybe something that you can do. The pubococcygeus muscle can be strengthened through exercises to stop urinary incontinence.

I am not really sure that hypnosis itself would do much good however.

Barry

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Permalink Reply by Michael Ellner on January 31, 2012 at 7:40am

Gee-

I thought the urinary sphincter controlled the flow of urine...

John Cleesattel said:

Got some bad news for you...the prostate is what acts as a clamp for the urinary tract. If that has been removed.. no clamp

John

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Permalink Reply by Donna Carter on January 31, 2012 at 9:45am

I would suggest healing suggestions, allowing the body to find/make solutions...and compliance to practicing using those muscles he has used for years

...Even if... it doesn't work when he practices.<--using that knowledge of many years of successful usage work to his benefit. He can imagine it working...he knows how...because he has it in his memory.

The body has a wonderful ability to compensate...if given the opportunity. From reports I have read....it's nerve damage that is possibly contributing to this issue and many times, without hypnosis, those nerves repair to allow proper function.

By using hypnosis...you are motivating him to use those muscles... having the mind/body...figure out how to compensate and make those connections. Kind of like...if you were on one side of the river and your home on the other. you usually used a bridge to cross...when that bridge breaks...you don't just sit there on the wrong side of the river and give up. You keep thinking about it...looking around...until you either...jump and swim or find a new bridge! This is essentially what the mind/body does. If you are thinking about the other side of the bridge...your mind/body wants to get there. In the same way it heals a cut. It just....does it.

People....who stop looking for the possibilities... never find them.

Cheers,

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Permalink Reply by Donna Carter on January 31, 2012 at 10:15am

Aino,

A different perspective....

I hope his doctor didn't explain that. It serves no purpose to tell someone "this will never work again" or "you will live this long" or....whatever self-limiting belief they can instill.

What's wrong with straws? It's motivating and enhances quality of life....when reaching...

Aino / Akpolarmom said:

That may be a sign that the whole gland is gone, and continence as well as certain sexual functions will be gone... I am surprised his doctor didn't explain that. Or is he reaching for straws? Fueling that reach would not be right in my mind.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Ellner on January 31, 2012 at 10:16am

Hi Fern,

Barry was right on - Hypnosis can most likely help clients who are able to stop/start their urine flow heal faster and more effectively. In fact, if they are able to do it, intentionally stopping and starting urine flow and other Kegel exercises can help them with or without hypnosis and it can be especially helpful when utilized as part of a client's hypnotic homework.

Aino, John and Barry shared they do not believe people who have been seriously injured by surgery (as may or may not be the case with your client) can be helped with hypnosis. I am, however, confident that clients who have been injured by surgery and/ or radiation can be helped with hypnosis.

A) Outcomes vary -- There are people undergoing surgery and/or radiation who only suffer temporary incontinence and impotence due to relatively minor injuries to their bladders, nerves, and/or urinary sphincters. These people often regain full control and function in time - with or without hypnosis. I am confident a highly skilled hypnotist can possibly even help clients with more severe injuries because I have seen that happen in my practice.

B) I agree hypnosis is not growing new limbs at this moment and I believe that it is just as important to manage our own expectations as it is for us to manage our client's expectations.

Remember, the magic starts with giving a client a reason to believe hypnosis can help him. Fern,

I would make it a point to explain that hope is realistic. ..... "hypnosis MAY or may not help but I think it can because ..." (and make your case).

Example: We install imaginary bands to help people lose weight. Why not consider the possibility that installing an imaginary band or an imaginary switch can help your mind and brain find a creative way to help you control your urine flow?

Example: Suggestion has put viral warts into remission and it is well documented that hypnosis reversed a genetic condition* so there is reason to believe that hypnosis can help you - blah, blah, blah...

@ D-

Great post!

Michael E.

*Skin Disease Directory Part 3

Skin Disease Directory Part 3http://grossbart.com/sd/Skin_Deep13.html

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Permalink Reply by Kelley Woods on January 31, 2012 at 11:03am

Donna and Michael, I so agree with you! Doctors told my father that he would probably have to utilize a catheter for urination for the rest of his life, following a bladder infection he picked up in hospital while being treated for his brain injury!

Less than two months after the accident, he has not only recovered speech and mobility from the brain trauma, he is using the catheter less and less, regaining his own control. He looks forward to tossing the thing into the trash soon, determined to defy that pissy sentence!

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Permalink Reply by John Cleesattel on January 31, 2012 at 2:51pm

You are exactly right. Because the urethra passes through the prostate, sometimes the sphincter muscles get damaged on removal.. but sometimes not. I stand corrected.

John

Michael Ellner said:

Gee-

I thought the urinary sphincter controlled the flow of urine...

John Cleesattel said:

Got some bad news for you...the prostate is what acts as a clamp for the urinary tract. If that has been removed.. no clamp

John

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Gordon Leith on January 31, 2012 at 3:48pm

re: Michael E. & David H. -- Truly enjoy both of your responses. This field is about thinking out of the box. I enjoyed everyone's comments. David, the instructive value in your comment is appreciated very much. Thanks for putting it on the thread.

David Harrison Enos C.Ht said:

Depending on his suggestibility, I would have him practice during session in Hypnosis what it feels like and have him "notice dramatically" the sensation of upcoming urine relief. Affirmations work well, teach him self hypnosis to reinforce his alert system. Have him visualize himself feeling he has to go pee, then have him visualizing him holding it and making way to restroom. It should be clear as to give suggestions of his confidence and tie in his emotions(rewards) for doing so. I was reading about "phantom limbs", the book stated that people that undergo an amputation, they experience their limb being present after the removal of limb. I bring this up because even though his prostate is removed, you can tell the subconscious mind that it is still present and suggest to him, in visualization, to go back to a comfortable time when we was in complete control of his urine. Let him experience this for a minute, tie in how comfortable it is and how he is the master of his body and that he is in control. Talk to his body by suggesting in a similar manner depending on suggestibility, "We are talking to "Client's name" body. And "Client name" is in control. We are uniting the subconscious with the conscious desire to achieve 100% cooperation. We are taking "client's name" body function regarding urine control and awareness back to the time we visualized you having comfort and confidence in doing so. The only body function being effected is your urinary awareness and control. Lets count down from 10 to zero (deepening technique) and each count becomes a symbol in your mind to moving the body back to the way you functioned to the past time. 10, we begin distributing this idea into every cell and fiber into your being. 9, you are the master of your mind and body and the harder you try to deny that the more difficult it becomes (challenge)...8, you are comfortable, calm and in control, 7, you begin to smile, thats right look at that beautiful smile, you can do better than that (this will tie in emotional state and cause deeper report with therapist, it may alter the clients suggestibility slightly, but emotions can be a suggestion somewhat). 6, you have the power to change, you are here in my office in hypnosis and you can be positive and assured that you are in control, this is what you want, 5..etc etc.