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6 months from radical and sexual problems still

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Posted 4/9/2011 10:10 PM (GMT 0)

Guys:

I was hoping to get some advice.  I am 46 now and had a radical six months ago.  My erections seemed to be improving (maybe my imagination) but lately dont seem to be getting anything.  Have been taking 5 mg cialis daily.  10 or 20 for sex.

I just wanted to get an idea of when the average guy started to see some progress so examples of guys around my age would be great.  I have not gone the injection/pump route yet.

I did strain myself lifting something at six months and I am worried I might have set myself back.

My doctor is telling me I have another year of progress to make.

Thanks

Retire

Posted 4/9/2011 10:11 PM (GMT 0)
Guys, the radical went exceedingly well.  All in prostrate and nerves preserved.

 

Posted 4/9/2011 10:20 PM (GMT 0)
a great site to view other experiences is Yana. There you can search by age group and read the testimonials.

I am 40

I got erections back right away. Sometimes they're 100%, sometimes 70%. Sometimes on Cialis, sometimes not. With Cialis they're stronger.

I am discovering that results seem to be conditioned greatly by the amount of pressure we put on ourselves. In other words, it can be a mental thing. If you had good results before and are now experiencing what you consider a setback, it could also involve pressure you are putting on yourself.
Posted 4/10/2011 4:25 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Retire,

My husbands erections were around the 75% mark for the first 6 months (without cialis). Then he finally took 20mg of Cialis and bingo 100%. This was soon after the 6 month mark. It was a good moment for both of us.

My husband is about 7 years older than you so this should give you some hope.

Glad that your op went well and that you actually did it given the upgrading. I remember your case was so like my husbands, 10%/15% of 1 core out of 12, gleason 6 and that there was so much pressure to do AS. But both in your case and my husband's the Gleason score was upgraded to 3+4 and the cancer was more extensive and multifocal than what was indicated in the biopsy.

I hope your erections come back soon, and good luck with it all.

Regards,
An
Posted 4/10/2011 6:28 AM (GMT 0)
For me it took over 6 months, currently doing ok with meds.
Posted 4/10/2011 8:34 AM (GMT 0)
Retire - try taking a weeks vacation from the meds and then go straight to larger amount for sex.

Could also try the other two oral meds to see if you get different results. Then consider Tri-Mix injections.

Posted 4/10/2011 11:56 AM (GMT 0)
Retire, I am also 46. It took me 10 months before I could say I had full erections using Cialis. At first the daily 5mg dose did not really do anything for me, switched over to the 20mg and did see some various degrees of success. Althought the instructions say Cialis works after 30 minutes my doctor sugested that those instructions are for men with regular ED, not for ED caused by bruising of the nerves during surgery, my doctors recommendation was to wait at least 2 hours after taking the medication. From the 10 month to 13 month time frame I was able to achieve 100% erections using the 20mg tablet, and towards the 1 year mark even the 5mg work for me. I am now 15 months post op and am able to achieve full erections without the aid of any medication.

Remember patients is the name of the game, it can take a full 2 years for the nerves to heal themselves.    

Posted 4/10/2011 12:44 PM (GMT 0)
and you'll still only be 48 after 2 years with decades of good sex ahead of you.
Posted 4/10/2011 12:56 PM (GMT 0)
I was 48 when I had my rp 2 years ago this month. I still have not had a natural erection. Pills do not work so I inject and that works OK nothing 100% though. You are doing very well at only 6 month. be happy an erection is a gift that you should not take lightly.
Posted 4/10/2011 2:45 PM (GMT 0)
I had a DaVinci prostatectomy on 16 Dec 2010. I had bi-lateral nerve sparing but some nerves had to be sacrificed. I was fortunate that I had an Accessory Pudendal Artery which the surgeon was able to spare. I recovered well on the incontinence front quickly as I was almost dry after the catheter was removed at 2 weeks.

I am now at almost 4 months post op and wondering how I should be doing on the ED progress. I have been taking Cialis for the last 10 weeks with moderate success. I can't achieve an erection good enough for intercourse yet but I can achieve a partial erection which is basically a firming up of woody. I was told to be patient because it can take up to 2 years and so I am trying to be patient. My wife is great and helps me achieve orgasm every time using oral but it does take time which is great! We have found different ways to stay intimate and my wife was pleasantly surprised at how soon we were able to do so (we started intimate contact at about two weeks just before my catheter was removed). My drive is still there but I would like to be able to achieve an erection good enough for intercourse and was wondering how long it should take. I am happy to wait for two years if that is what it takes but wondered if it was reasonable to expect a partial erection good enough for intercourse sooner than that while steady improvement continues.

I have also had some nocturnal partial erections which have been encouraging. I keep woody active several times a day to stop him falling asleep. With manual stimulation I can achieve a partial erection quite readily but can't go further yet.
Posted 4/10/2011 3:17 PM (GMT 0)
first off, it sounds like you're doing absolutely great.

Have you tried Viagra or Levitra instead of Cialis to see if they provide that extra notch?

We all recover these two functions at different times and at different intensity. You sound like you are well on your way. And yes, they say 2 years for complete healing of nerves.
Posted 4/10/2011 3:41 PM (GMT 0)
I have only tried Cialis so far. I see my consultant again on the 16 May and so will see what he prescribes next.

I am 52 and had no erection problems pre surgery.
Posted 12/3/2011 11:45 PM (GMT 0)
At 5 months post robotic surgery my urologist put me on a VED. This worked well giving me very usable erections. I am now approaching 12 months and am now having some partial nocturnal erections. I can also achieve a 50% partial erection with cialis and plenty of stimulation. My urologist said I need to allow up to 18 months for a full recovery. The small recent signs of improvement are very encouraging.
Posted 12/3/2011 11:56 PM (GMT 0)
I was going to start a new topic, but might as well contribute here...

I'm 4 weeks out of open rad today! Hard to believe.

I've had some nocturnal action. A halfsie maybe a little less or more each night for the past week or so. I got the script for viagra filled this week but haven't tried it yet.

Was watching a movie today (Green Lantern) and the girl was hot and low and behold, in the words of George Costanza... I felt something. Got it to about 2/3'rds, but not good enough for intercourse.

When has everyone else started with the ED meds after their removal procedures?

---Dude

edit: my doc said that often erections don't return until a year after surgery--- to the level you were accustomed to prior to surgery--- but that folks taking the ED meds in a regular way and working the hardware out in the meantime, report excellent recovery soon after the year mark... I think we're all hoping for better than that, but a year ain't to long to wait considering...

Post Edited (dude1969) : 12/3/2011 5:00:22 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/4/2011 2:56 AM (GMT 0)
The fact of the matter is, for 50% of surgery patients, they NEVER return without considerable help....For some men it's worth the effort..For others, not....
Posted 12/4/2011 4:11 AM (GMT 0)
I hate to be a bummer like Fairwind but he is right. Half of men after prostatectomy will never return to normal erections without major help. I was young like you guys, 52, no problems before surgery, bilateral nerve sparing, am now 3 years post-op. Did the penile rehab thing with daily viagra, plus injections after 1 month after surgery. Over 3 years later I'm still on trimix. The oral meds do nothing but give me a stuffy nose. When I'm by myself and in the dark I can get really great erections with major, major stimulation. But that kind of stimulation could never occur with normal intercourse. So its trimix or the implant, still doing trimix for now........
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