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Posted 11/27/2012 12:33 PM (GMT 0)

While reading this forum I came across some statements that concerned me. I recent had surgery, robotic, this year April 4 2012. I guess I am still recovering from the surgery because I am experiencing many problems I am not familiar with.  I was a Gleason 6 when told by my doctor the complete removal given my age is the best option.  The operation was done and now I have the following problems.  

 

I have not been able to obtain an erection on my own. I have received tri max and have giving myself injections but still not able to obtain a full satisfied erection. I just visited my doctor a few days ago and he provided instruction once again how and where to inject myself correctly.  He prescribed to me 5 MG of Cialis to take when I was released from the hospital in April but I did not take it as instructed. Maybe this is one of the causes form me not having the problems I am experiencing.

This obviously is new and I was wondering if someone could give me some kind of info on what to expect.  Also I notice my stool is flat when I use the bathroom. I have told my doctor but he stated that he does not know why this is and stated that the surgery so not have any effect on this area. I still raise concern about his answer because I did not have this problem before the surgery. I have no pain but again my stool is flat.  I am 51 years old and alive and thankful that the cancer has been removed but and I feel like my life is closing in. I very depressed about these issues someone please let me know what I can do.  

 

Thanks but sadden confused New Guy
Posted 11/27/2012 2:02 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome New Guy to our forum. It looks like you found HW the same way I did, it was after my surgery looking for information about Trimix injections for ED that brought me to HW.  I did use th 30 day 5mg Cialis starting 3 weeks after surgery and all I got was terrible back and leg pains which is one of the Cialis side effects. I got a big zero response from the Cialis. Once I started the injections it took some many trials to find the right dose. I starter at 0.30ml on the standard Trimix and using an .05ml increase as suggested by my URO it took until I got to .70ml before I got a usable erection. At that point I was switched to Trimix double strength to make it less cost and less amount per injection and I now use .35ml of this one.  However I still only get a usable erection about 50% of the time but am reluctant to go up anymore on my amount of injections due to the priapism chances also increasing and the dreaded ER trip.  It would be helpfull if you gave us how much you are using on Trimix.  I still try 100mg of Viagra once a week just to see how I am doing 16 months post surgery and I can get about a 40% erection which has improved in the last 6 months.

Terry

Posted 11/27/2012 2:39 PM (GMT 0)
New Guy
It is said that it take 1 year to 18 month to obtain an erection after surgery for removal
of the prostate . I had a RP in march 1992 . I was told that it would take 1 year before
I would be able to attain an erection ,but after 10 month never can close to having one.
My URO give me three choices V pump, injections ,or penile implant . I tried the pump (didn't work) doctor give me an injection and it work fine , except I had fear of sticking myself .
So I chose the penile inplant ( the nonflatable one because at that time they was having
trouble installing the flatable one because it had just come out)

It was installed 19 years ago . and it sill working fine. As for your stool being flat , see your
healthcare provider about having a colonoscopy . Sorry about you being stressed out about
your problem .
Go to this website
www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com
they send out health alerts on PC ,ED, and many diffrent health problem.
hope this infromation will help you and relieve your stress, other members will answer
your thread with good infromation that will be of help to you. Let us know how how you
are coming along.
Posted 11/27/2012 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hello New Guy,

It is very early yet for your nerves to heal from surgery so you can get a natural erection. You have to be patient. Trimix should work though. It works for 9 out of 10 guys and many urologists think it helps keep the tissues in good condition while you wait for the nerves to heal.

Did your urologist give you any instructions for how to find the right dose of the Trimix? Usually you will be told to increase the dose very slowly (by 5 "Units" or 0.05 ml per injection) until you get the results you want or reach a maximum that you are told not to go above. You need to go slowly because too much can be dangerous and can lead to a trip to the emergency room.

As for the changes in your bowel habits, at six months it is probably not related to you surgery, but sometimes the antibiotics they give you to prevent infection can mess up your gut flora (the good bacteria that help you digest your food) and cause lingering problems. You might try eating some pro-biotic yoghurt (Activa, for instance) for breakfast for a couple of days and, if that doesn't help, see your regular doctor (not your urologist) for suggestions.
Posted 11/27/2012 10:37 PM (GMT 0)
I can't offer any information on the ED issues but the stool issue, I had the same problem. As I recall it lasted a few years. I did mention it to a couple of my doctors at the time and I don't remember what they said but I know they weren't concerned.

I don't know why your doctor would say prostate surgery wouldn't have any effect on this area. The prostate abuts the colon and once it's removed I would think things kind of shift around down there. As hammer said it might be a good idea to have a colonoscopy just to be safe.
Posted 11/28/2012 4:34 AM (GMT 0)
New Guy - Sorry you have reason to be here, but I'm glad you found us. As you can see from the replies to your post, there are caring knowledgeable people here.

You need to be patient with the ED issue; it can take 18 month to 24 months for this to resolve. But you do need to try to get erections like Peter said, to keep the erectile tissue healthy while you wait for your nerves to heal. Up the dose a little each time on the Trimix as your doc instructed until you get results. As for the stool issue, I agree that this is something you should bring up to your primary care doc or a gastroenterologist.

-- Tigerfan
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