Nerve regeneration supplements

First post. Shocked to have been in the cancer club, and relieved and thankful to be upgraded to the cancer survivor club.

45 year old guy formerly quite athletic who found out in late July he had adenocarcinoma, after 3 PSA tests that rated: 11.7, 9.8 and 12.4 in that order. Reluctant to have a biopsy, the 3 consecutive results led me to go ahead with it.

The results of the biopsy were 3 positive cores. 2 were 3+4 and one was 3+3. After contemplating Gershon therapy, as I'm averse to drugs, radiation, etc, I settled on the "scorched earth" method and went ahead with a RRP Davinci method at Mayo in Rochester, MN even though I reside outside of Dallas. I had the procedure on August 29th, 2013.

My pathology was clean as a whistle and the surgeon focused mostly on the side effects issues especially incontinence saying I was cured and would live my life out.

I sit a shade more than 4 months post surgery, and I have no incontinence save for a little when I smash a golf ball. Something about that causes it but I can lift heavy objects, throw a football a great distance and do all the things I used to do without issue. I became "dry" sometime between the 2nd and 3rd month after surgery. I feel blessed to not have to wear pads any longer, although, in reality, it was never that bad wearing them. When I was wearing them, I only needed one per day after the first few weeks which were a heckuva lot wetter.

The other side effect, ED, hasn't been so cooperative. I was able to achieve orgasm a few days after catheter removal, and have had usable erections since the surgery. However, those erections are half mast at best. There is little firmness to them. That is the part I'm focused on now... wanting to see my body go back to it's pre-operative self. I was told that what ever my erection abilities were prior to surgery, is what they would be post surgery. My nerve bundles were described as "robust" in my post surgery meeting and I was told sexual function would return in 2-3 months. It did return but not in the way I expect with the "soft serve" erections. I did take Cialis for one month, but decided to try more natural alternatives.

Nerve regeneration is what I'm curious about. I almost bought a TENS device to help with regeneration of nerves, but I read that those who have tried it for ED purposes have been disappointed. I've been taking various supplements that I've read help with nerve regeneration but I'd love to hear what, if any, supplements you've tried that you believe helped with your ED and how long it was post surgery before you got the results you desired? I've read all the timetables on recovery in that area from up to 4 years to never, but I don't think never is an option and 4 years seems to long.

Saddened that any of us have to be here, but thankful so many of you are willing to be so open about what you've been through. What an experience. I found it to be life giving as it's changed my perspective quite a bit and it was a perspective that needed it.

May all of you experience recovery to the fullest in 2014.

Five years ago I read that vitamin D3 helped nerve regeneration (anecdotal evidence), so I had my blood tested, saw it was a bit low and had the doctor start me out on D3 (2000 iu per day). Currently I read that D2 may also help ... seems to helped in rats with nerve damage.

You are four months out from RP which really is not very long (I do not understand why your urologist said you would be good to go in 2 to 3 months), and it seems you are making good progress. At your relatively young age I would bet you will make a good recovery. Give it time.

I am not sure what penile rehab program you are taking part in; however, if you google the subject (penile rehab) and the name Dr. Mulhall, I am sure you will find videos, and references to his book, that will give you good ideas on what you might consider as part of your penile rehab program.

Inchoation,

You are right that for a full recovery you don't need drugs. You need for the nerves to heal from their trauma (and there is always some, whatever you surgeon says) and you need confidence and a positive attitude about your sexual abilities. And there is nothing that helps a man maintain his confidence and his attitude like success in his sex life. And sometimes, while the nerves are healing, phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors work a lot better in that regard than does grim determination.

The erection drugs are good for your equipment. After surgery your erections are so-so as are your nocturnal erections (which all normal men have every night to keep the tissues working). The PDE5i drugs increase the blood flow and help prevent atrophy.

B12 is part of what I'm taking...I've read Niacin is much more important to nerve regeneration than B12. It is important to get the right amounts because too much can be detrimental.

Peter...yeah, the surgeon never said the nerves weren't affected... bruising is what I was told happened to them. Unfortunately, I won't commit to drugs long term. I shouldn't have ever tried them but the fear got to me, and I'm not letting it any longer. My orgasms feel better and stronger than they did prior to surgery. I just want to see some more firmness. I think I need to exercise more. I committed to it when I found out I had PC. I've been pretty vegetative of late and need to get back at it... I think that does as much as what I'm seeking info on in this thread.

Hey Chuck... Stephen Boorjian did my surgery. Dr. McAlvaney, who was part of the surgical team, was the one who told me that whatever my erections were like prior to my surgery, is how'd they'd be in a few months after surgery. I guess the takeaway for me was however PC was affecting my erections prior to surgery is how they'd be after. I was fortunate in that I had terrible prostatitis that clued the docs into my PC after 52 days worth of Levaquin did nothing. The 52 days weren't all consecutive...I had 3 suspected bouts of prostatititis before submitting to a biopsy that confirmed the presence of cancer. My prostate was normal sized and was lump and bump free. During the finger testing I recall the uro calling my gland "boggy". I remember the last finger test the day before surgery and the surprise of the tester to find my prostate felt normal and bump free. Part of me felt like saying well let's just call the whole thing off, then. :) I felt my faith and commitment to better diet and exercise had made me well. I felt GREAT when it came time for surgery and I'd felt terrible in the previous months before committing to taking better care of myself.

BTW, I see your catheter was removed 7 days after surgery. I got stuck with it for twelve! I see we didn't have the same surgeon, but I found the experience to be world class. I grew up in the Twin Cities area and you just knew living there if you were sick Mayo was the place to go. I felt it was meant to be and hopped a plane up to have it done where it made sense to me. I'm disappointed I can't do my follow up with them due to my geography, but I loved the experience.

Inchoation said...
Hey Chuck... Stephen Boorjian did my surgery. Dr. McAlvaney, who was part of the surgical team, was the one who told me that whatever my erections were like prior to my surgery, is how'd they'd be in a few months after surgery. I guess the takeaway for me was however PC was affecting my erections prior to surgery is how they'd be after. I was fortunate in that I had terrible prostatitis that clued the docs into my PC after 52 days worth of Levaquin did nothing. The 52 days weren't all consecutive...I had 3 suspected bouts of prostatititis before submitting to a biopsy that confirmed the presence of cancer. My prostate was normal sized and was lump and bump free. During the finger testing I recall the uro calling my gland "boggy". I remember the last finger test the day before surgery and the surprise of the tester to find my prostate felt normal and bump free. Part of me felt like saying well let's just call the whole thing off, then. :) I felt my faith and commitment to better diet and exercise had made me well. I felt GREAT when it came time for surgery and I'd felt terrible in the previous months before committing to taking better care of myself.

BTW, I see your catheter was removed 7 days after surgery. I got stuck with it for twelve! I see we didn't have the same surgeon, but I found the experience to be world class. I grew up in the Twin Cities area and you just knew living there if you were sick Mayo was the place to go. I felt it was meant to be and hopped a plane up to have it done where it made sense to me. I'm disappointed I can't do my follow up with them due to my geography, but I loved the experience.

Howdy,

Yes, it is a world class experience going to Mayo Clinic. My Mother often says that everyone should see it at least once. She also says that people who live in that general area are very lucky to have Mayo as their local clinic. Can't do much better than that.

Can you stay in touch with the Mayo uro department even as you do follow-up checkups back at home? I'll bet such an arrangement is possible.

Wishing you the very best!
Chuck :)

My staying power is non-existent, too!

Inchoation- Since erections are not at 100% and not lasting, why not use a VED and cock ring. Stay as hard as you want, as long as you want, and drug free, which seems to be route you want to go. BTW in MHO they are great for rehab and general penile health. Regards Inkhorn