ED devices--not sure I want to do this

At the minimum, use the pump, even if you think you will never have use of that thing (penis) again. Things change, and the effort to keep blood infused into all that tissue, not including the penis is important for healing and recovery. I started the pills at low dose the day of catheter removal. I then started the pump at 7 weeks, and the injections at 3 months. I have continued this in some form ever since. I have had no ED recovery, but I have regained penis length and have kept the tissue intact and healthy, so if it does ever come back or if I should decide on an implant, I will have as much of a penis as I can available for those options. Consider this as a necessary rehab program, and get started. Also, m-sterbating is now doctor recommended for the same reason, to infuse tissue and to try to stimulate nerve repair and regrowth. Probably the first time in your life that you are encouraged to m-asterbate, so get to it. I read somewhere that the act orgasm helps in retraining and learning the bladder valve to work properly, so it's a good continence tool, also. Either alone or with the wife, there's lots of ways....

As I said, get a pump, even a cheap one, and start using it at about 6 to 8 weeks, 10 minutes a day, 2 times daily, if you don't do anything else. But I do suggest you go thru the whole cycle.

Mel: Get the VED. If insurance will not pay gut get one from an adult shop. They all do the same thing. As others have said just for therapy. I do have some friends that have been successful using a VED for recreation :). I use it to keep Mr Happy in shape.

Jeff T

Not intended for judgement, but based upon similar journeries from others posting, etc. Might make a good arguement for why not look more closely (for newbies) at possible various radiation(s) combos or other methods, as one can have much more likely continency and maybe even no ED issues and do just as well or some claims out there say maybe even better (have no way to verify of course...this PCa.. nothing is definitive enough or clear enough...maybe exactly what the establishment wishes for us to be confused and in the dark and signing up for whatever based upon the scare of you have PCa). Which PCa is very common in older men but "usually" found more in the indolent or not immenient death versions. It is treatable even chemically for perhaps a long period of time, which is another possible choice, considered non-curative, though.

It is quite unreal what post surgery patients are having to put themselves through, it would be a little more comforting to know one sacrificed all this for a known total cure, some are cured and others are in limbo land for years...not knowing for sure. This is the face of PCa, unfortunately. In your case Mel hope you are clear and psa's render zero land, which would be very comforting to see post surgery and long afterwards. Good fortune to you, I have witnessed your journey and questions, it sure confirms how wild PCa issues are. Atleast you got alot of answers from questions up front, which alot folks in the past didn't even have internet or forums to find information from, years ago.

Compiler,

Here's what I would do (actually, what I did):

1. Start with Viagra, Cialis, or something like that. Use it for awhile (they're very expensive and usually not covered by insurance), until you get a response or you decide it's not going to work for you. Use the lowest dosage possible; cut the pills in half if you need to. Again, they are expensive.

2. Forget all the pumps, etc. I'm with Scardino on this one.

3. Start m*sturbating, but with a very laid back attitude. If it happens, it happens.

4. Don't worry. Most of your recovery will take place naturally, so don't freak out over erections.

Zen9

Hi Mel - I view the use of the pump as rehabilitation - besides it reminds me of what an erection looks like. Not trying it for sex, but just to keep the blood flowing. I am only about 9 weeks out from surgery, and know that we are thinking long term. It is not hard to fit into a morning or evening routine. Have not tried the pump with Viagra - although I do take 50 mg Viagra every other day, also to keep the blood flowing. Whatever you decide, the best of luck to you.

Mel,

Here is my take on the use of a pump. When you and your partner are playing The Rehab Game during the next few months (and nothing really happens) it CAN be a little depressing -- so much so that after a while you will wish that she would just leave you alone so as not to remind you of your current condition. BUT, with the VED in your back pocket you can always cheerfully say, OK enough of that fun, time to Pump Things Up and have some real fun. And you just go off and do it and its fun fun fun til the daddy takes the pumping away-yaaaay. It really does make a difference in how you feel about your ED progress (or lack of it or slowness of it) to have that method available.

Also, after almost a year of faithful pumping and ever so slow ED changes I can say with conviction that I'm coming out of it with length intact and with some bonus girth to go along with it ( based on MUSE or Trimix-Gel or just massbation appearances). So that helps to keep your morale up too.

A lot depends on how well the whole pumping experience goes for you. Some don't like it at all (maybe it is the pump design-- i don't know ) some don't mind it at all, even though it might not be ideal method.

jim

Zen9 -- You mention Scardino's views on pumps, etc.   Can you point me to his writing on that subject?  I would be interested to see what he has to say.  Thanks.

Folks:

I was not at all offended by ANY of the responses. The big advantage of HW is that you get a plethora of responses. I find I can sift through them and eventually gain some knowledge. You always have a few folks that have their particular biases/axes to grind. I take some of that with a grain of salt. But it is the totality of posts that leads one to a better insight.

All that has helped me make treatment decisions. I do not at all regret my decision. I still maintain that given my pre-op stats, it was the correct decision. There was no guarantee that the pathology would be excellent. It is what it is!!

Mel

Mel,
My wife and I were talking just last night that the PCa guy needs to have an arsenal of weapons in this fight. Redman is absolutely right that we need to use ALL of these things at the same time...not just one. My doc told me to pump twice a day. Med's when I want more. They work fine for me, but I have heard so many great things about trimix that I may get some. Viagra is unreliable on a stomach with anything at all in it for me.

We can't inject every day, so a pump some days, and meds other days, cock rings as needed.
One REally nice thing about the pump - I do mine in the shower - and what it does for my self esteem and sense of still being a sexual being is great. I pump in the shower, when I am done washing up, I take it off, rinse it out. open the curtain and there in the mirror is my best friend looking like he belongs in a **** flick. It is the best boost to my libido I can think of. Try it. A sex shop pump on line can be less than $20.
Paul

Mel,

I used the pump early on Post-op but only to keep the muscles stretched and prevent atrophy. Once I started the Trimix Injections the Dr said there was no reason to keep on the pump. The goal is to get full erection that is firm enough for intercourse. With the Trimix , erections are the firmest it has ever been, rock hard would be a better way to describe it

Use the pump for therapeutic reasons ( if not for intercourse) , figure it as Physical Therapy