Greetings, Tim. Glad you are a joining the group - I have found both the guys and the ladies here at healing well to be very understanding and very helpful. Also, one thing it has taken me about a year to learn is that we are taking on a disease here and nothing we can say or do to defeat this disease is out of line. It is sometimes difficult to say some of the things we need to say, but what I try and remember is that my journey and how I have dealt with it may help others so they need to hear it all - the good, the bad and the ugly.
With that said here goes and I trust it will be helpful. I am just a little older than you - 55 when diagnosed and just had my 56th birthday. I have a very understanding wife who has been wonderful - I could not have made it without her. We have been married 35 years and I used to kid her that when she turned 40 I would trade her in for 2 20's! Once you make it that far you realize that there is no way you'd trade what you have TOGETHER for someone else no matter what you think they might have. All that to say - my wife has been a great help in this journey and an integral part of my recovery.
I had surgery on Monday, spent 2 nights in the hospital and went back 10 days later on a Wednesday to get my catheter out. My doc gave me the good news on the pathology report and also gave me some samples of Cialis to begin taking for rehab purposes. On the following Saturday morning - less than 2 weeks post surgery - laying in bed in the morning with my wife just holding me, I felt a very distinct stirring and got a fairly decent erection. We let it go down and she got it hard again. It was not as firm as before surgery but I thought at only 2 weeks post-op it was great. We called the doctors office and talked to the nurse and she said if I didn't need the Cialis, not to take it. She also said not to do anything with the erection til we saw the doctor at the 6 week point.
In retrospect, we believe that was a mistake. We should have taken the Cialis as instructed by the doctor and he affirmed that at our next appointment. While I could get an erection, it got more difficult as time went on and it never got beyond about 80% of what it was presurgery. So, I started taking the Cialis and it worked great. Presurgery erections were back and the pills lasted several days. When I inquired about getting Cialis at my pharmacy I was told they were about $11.50 per pill and my insurance would not pay. Members of this board often refer to ordering their meds from All Day Chemist (ADC) in India so I inquired from them about ordering there. They can not ship Cialis (generic equivalent) to the USA so I ordered Levitra (generic equivalent). My doc said if it worked that was fine.
I did have some side affects such as face flushing and stuffy nose and a slight headache. What we have settled on is that I take the 20mg tablet 2 times a week at bed time and I never even know that I have any side affects. If I have them I sleep right through them. I am ready to go anytime I need to be.
Now, regarding orgasm. My experience is almost opposite of yours. Most of the time, I have regular orgasms like I had presurgery only of course there is no ejaculate. Occasionally I would say they are even stronger and more intense than normal. However, there are a few times - I would say maybe 10% of the time - where there is nothing. You just finish and there is nothing. Fortunately, this is very much the exception rather than the rule. No rhyme or reason as to why - it just happens sometimes. Can't tell when it might happen until it happens and there is nothing. I'm just glad it is very limited and my wife says she can't tell any difference at all.
Tim, trust this helps in some way. If you have follow up questions there are lots of people here to help. I'll try and look back from time to time and if I can help with any followup I'd be glad to. Best Wishes. David