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After Da Vinci prostate surgery

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Posted 7/28/2008 5:28 PM (GMT 0)
Surgery on March 3, this year. Post op recovery a little rough the first week but no complications. Almost complete continence recovery after about 6 weeks. Residual problems: no erections, and not able to use rectal "push" muscles. Colon function works fine but not able to make final push with rectal muscles. Recent sensitive PSA was nondetectable (good news). Viagra has not helped with ED. What should I try next?  Anybody else with bowl issues? Suppository or vaseline helps a lot, but not convenient if away from home.
Posted 7/28/2008 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
Guy66, Welcome to the club.  Sad to say, but it may take a year to 2 years to regain penile function.  I'm not discounting your efforts, but you are 4 months in and its usually regain almost immediately or it will take some time.  The Viagra is a good start.  Most of us here take a 25mg maint. dose daily, some combine it with l-Arginine 2000mg from the drug store.  Have you tried the pump yet?  By this time, you should be using a penile pump to infuse the tissues with blood and keep the penis exercised by pumping blood into and out of it to stretch and infuse it, at least daily, preferably 2 times daily.  If you really want to get aggressive,combine the Viagra with the pump and then add penile injections 2 times a week.  This combo seems to do the most good for rehabilitating the penis and stimulating, hence helping with the healing and regrowth of the nerve bundle that provides the pathway for the erection process.   There's lots of subject threads here dealing with all the various ED problems and solutions.

As to your rectal and bowel issues, maybe someone else will weigh in on those.

Posted 7/28/2008 6:30 PM (GMT 0)
                                                   Hi ~Guy66 and Loved Ones,   W elcome     to   ~ HealingWell ~   and   A    Special Warm Welcome   to   You !   Knowledge gives us POWER.   POWER takes away the fear.   ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~     Click   on   link   below for important information that will help you ~ help us!!     >>   Welcome New Members ~ to HealingWell   The information (link) listed above is to help you get around the forum!    This is a journey best traveled with friends.    Welcome ~ New Friend from all the members here... on HealingWell.com     Forum Moderators v       IdahoSurvivor ~   Moderator for Prostate Cancer Forum http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1160/1313099593_9f819e3ff8.jpg   v       Doting Daughter  ~   Moderator for Prostate Cancer Forum   v       James C  ~   Moderator for Prostate Cancer Forum
Posted 7/28/2008 8:00 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks James. Strangely, I am able to have an orgasm (with major stimulation) but not even a hint of erection. Nice to be able to discuss topics like these with others going thru it. I am happy that my health is very good, but a little depressed about the loss of function. I may be an old fart at 66, but hate to lose it all so suddenly.
Posted 7/28/2008 9:23 PM (GMT 0)

Guy66, that's one of the 2 dubious advantages of our post-surgical condition.  First, a little known fact back when we had the ability to have erections, that we can have orgasms without erections, and no ejaculations, therefore no mess.....  In my situation, at 9 months, I have gained almost all of my sensation back, but am still totally impotent.  I make do with injections. Here's the sweetner, the more you 'practice' the more you recover, so mutual foreplay or self-stimulation is good, the more the better.  They didn't know about that in high school, did they?  devil

There's a couple threads talking about these things on the board right now, in case you missed them.  Makes good reading, if for no other reason than you realize you aren't alone with this, nor are you out of the norm.  Could I suggest you make out a signature, detailing your journey so far, so others can be aware of where you are coming from when they read your posts?  The signature function is in the Control Panel, Update Profile section, at the bottom. 

Posted 7/29/2008 2:28 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Guy66. If you can, put your "stats" in your profile so they show up in your posts, as James mentioned. I had surgery two days after you. Please read my profile for the information. Your continence seemed to be right on. Did you have nerve sparing surgery? Your doctor should let you know why the bowel problem. Perhaps others here can comment on that. As  far as erections, you should get blood into your penis as much as possible, even if only a partial. Perhaps a pump will assist with this. Keep being intimate as much as possible. A caring and understanding partner is extremely helpful.

Posted 7/29/2008 1:27 PM (GMT 0)
Just a quick post so my profile is visible in this thread.
Posted 7/29/2008 2:20 PM (GMT 0)

Guy, it would be helpful and save space if the sig was single spaced, if possible.  Space is dollars for the owner, so we try to help when able.

That is very through and informative signature, and we thank you for it...It provides the rest with a basis to know you as an individual, thanks

Posted 7/29/2008 2:24 PM (GMT 0)
My bad. Correction made.
Posted 7/29/2008 2:26 PM (GMT 0)
Lets try again
Posted 7/29/2008 2:28 PM (GMT 0)
hmmmm, it shows up as single spaced on my revised profile page???
Posted 7/29/2008 2:35 PM (GMT 0)
It still shows double spaced in the middle, but don't sweat it, it is smaller now.  Thanks for not taking offense,  after I posted I realized that I could be taken two ways with my request.... tongue
Posted 7/29/2008 4:11 PM (GMT 0)
No offense taken James. This is a great site! And I think I shrunk my profile without having to use proscar. :)
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