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Erectile Rehab Post Prostatectomy

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Posted 5/26/2015 12:02 AM (GMT 0)
I am seven month Post Da Vinci and wondering what to expect on recovery of erectile function. I had really good function prior to surgery. With oral medication like Viagra I can get about 75% there. Just about enough for penetration but not able to really sustain. I can use 5-8 units of Tri Mix and I am just fine. Is any of this an indication of what to expect in order to return to spontaneous erections. It's really about the same as it was 3 months ago. I take 5 mg Cialis nightly. I was told the more active I am the better the recovery but it's not that easy. I do use vacuum 3 time a week , not for sex but just to get blood flow and keep tissue healthy.Without additional med I can get maybe halfway there. My doctor's office thought I was doing great at 2 months but it's about the same 5 moths later. I hear it takes 12-18 months but should there be progressive improvement or not for a while?
Posted 5/26/2015 1:19 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome to HW.

Improvement doesn't always happen in straight line. It could be at a plateau for awhile and then jump to another level. You're doing everything you need, now you need time, months, years or never, can't say. You might need the pills for a long time and spontaneous erections may or may not ever happen again. Sadly, with PC, normal changes and we have to adjust.

Two resources you should check out if you haven't, Dr. John Mulhall's book, "Saving Your Sex Life A Guide for Men with Prostate Cancer" and the website franktalk.org.

Keep at it, you never know what will come up.
Andrew
Posted 5/26/2015 5:48 AM (GMT 0)
Mrose,

some of the guys here "upped" the dosage of the Cialis to 20mg for that once a week "slap and tickle". I was told to take 1/4 Viagra nightly and 100mg on Saturday for some serious "slap and tickle". Some men are using "Fleshlights" (google) and it seem to help as well. Cade reported some usage www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=3379829

Persevere!

Its a long journey - some days its good and some, well some are not so good, but all-in-all there is improvements. I chronicled my progress in my story below.

all the best!
.
Posted 5/26/2015 1:28 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the reply. This has been really helpful to connect with others dealing with this.Having an outlet and a sounding board is a relief. So far I've been just going through this alone and there are so many questions and variables. What I'm hearing is time and what I'm doing. Doesn't seem like anything really is an indication of what the future holds
Posted 5/26/2015 6:16 PM (GMT 0)
We're here most days, so ask all your questions.

It takes awhile, but there's every chance things will get better for you,
Andrew
Posted 5/27/2015 12:16 AM (GMT 0)
I strongly recommend you read Dr. Mulhall's book (link in my signature below).
Posted 5/27/2015 5:11 AM (GMT 0)
I have to say what helped me was daily massage in the shower each morning...need to get that blood flowing!
Worked for me!
Posted 5/27/2015 5:31 AM (GMT 0)
Sounds to me that you're doing great. Like Andrew said, your progress is not necessarily linear, so don't get discouraged.

I was a patient of Dr. Mulhall and he says you need to have erections that are penetration hardness (60%) or better for 10 to 15 minutes 2 to 3 times a week. This will maximize your ability to recover your erections back to what they were prior to surgery. So use whatever meds you need to achieve that goal.

And be patient - don't give up - it just takes time for your nerves to heal; typically 18 to 24 months, but sometimes longer.

-- Tigerfan
Posted 5/27/2015 2:31 PM (GMT 0)
This is really helpful. I ordered the book.
Does it matter if the erection is from Tri Mix

Does it matter if the erection is simply using the Vacuum for 10-15 minutes.
Sexual activity isn't usually realistic that often and not enough privacy for self stim always. I try to use the Vacuum just like Physical Therapy . If it's just an erection without sexual stimulation is that just as good for frequency
Posted 5/27/2015 4:41 PM (GMT 0)
Doesn't matter if the erection is Tri Mix or pill. Mulhall is less enthusiastic about vacuum as it doesn't bring in blood that has as much O2 as other methods. An erection is what matters, climax isn't needed for rehab.

although it makes is a little more er,fun...
Posted 5/27/2015 6:22 PM (GMT 0)
What Andrew said.

And fyi, Mulhall did not want me to use a vacuum pump and I never did. Vacuum devices do not bring much fresh blood into the penis. Therefore the oxygen content is not very high, and as a result they do not do a very good job of rehabilitation. His opinion is - it’s ok to use a pump in conjunction with pills and injections; just not as the only method of treatment.
Posted 5/29/2015 1:46 AM (GMT 0)
 

Sounds like your on the right path. Those kegels seem to help pump pull blood in sometimes. Very frustrating for sure. Good sleep is huge factor. I have read where you need R.E.M sleep in order to make the juices in your brain correct. If your dreaming your in REM if your not then your not resting correctly and that will effect your erections. I didn't want to beleive it when everyone kept telling me 2 years but thats about right. Just don't rush it with to many injections. I developed Peyronies which is very scary. I don't know for a fact if the injections caused it but I beleive it did. Be patient and keep doing what your doing.

Posted 5/29/2015 3:29 AM (GMT 0)
Just keep going, you may get lucky and end up with spontaneous erections. After 7 years I know I'm stuck with trimix, but y0u may get lucky.............
Posted 5/29/2015 7:57 PM (GMT 0)

mspt98 said...
Just keep going, you may get lucky and end up with spontaneous erections. After 7 years I know I'm stuck with trimix, but y0u may get lucky.............

And you were a G6 with both nerves spared, right?
Posted 5/29/2015 10:04 PM (GMT 0)
righht...
Posted 5/30/2015 12:02 AM (GMT 0)
What is G6
Posted 5/30/2015 2:27 PM (GMT 0)
Did not realize G stands for Gleason score I was a G7 from biopsy and the path report confirmed G6
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