using suppositories (MUSE ) for ED

hi everyone,

Jeff and I were wondering how many of you have tried the suppositories and how they worked for you. yes, we are getting impatient and wanted to try something else besides the pump. Jeff is not very keen on the injections - he's not that impatient yet! I know swimom has talked about them, but was wondering about the rest of you. Swim - you can tell me here, too. thanks all, kat

Hi Ms. Kat!
Ready for another long dj post?

I have experience with the MUSE. My doc had been having me use Viagra (neither Cialis nor Levitra did anything, positive or negative, for me, whereas Viagra just sort of made things plumper, but not firm) and the pump before my first post-op visit. At that point, three months after surgery, he added MUSE. It comes in a variety of strengths, the top two being 500 micrograms and 1000 micrograms. The suppository is maybe a little less than the size of a sesame seed and it is applied with what someone in the forum called a Barbi baster.

Since we are all friends here, I can tell you how it works. You urinate first to moisten the inside of the urethra, then stretch the penis as far as you can and hold it, and slowly insert the baster (not that uncomfortable because it's pretty thin) to its limit. You then push this button on the outer end of the baster, and it extrudes the suppository into the urethra. You then massage the penis to get the suppository to melt and be absorbed. Then, if it is going to work, waiting time is about the same as for a Viagra.

I have used it maybe a dozen times, the 500 dosage three fourths of the time, and when this didn't do anything, the 1000. I told my doc it didn't do anything noticeable above and beyond the 100 mg Viagra's effects. The first time it made the urethra a little sore, but not bad and not lasting (as my doc said it just let you know it was there). From his giving me this, it seems he is a bit more conservative in advancing from pill and vacuum therapy to this, instead of right to the shot. His nurse said it may not work consistently, that I had to try it several times. She also said don't combine MUSE with Viagra, because of her concern for priapism. I told her, no chance of that, and asked if I could use a lower dose (50mg) of Viagra and the lower dose of MUSE. She said to be careful. As I expected, nothing doin'. Then I tried 100 mg of Viagra and 500 mikes of MUSE and still nothing doin'.

Now, I don't know if I have given Viagra and/or MUSE a fair trial. I wasn't really expecting much, because of the one-sided nerve injury and reconstruction (splicing). A guy seems to need 2 working nerves to get maximum benefit from the pills or the MUSE. I mostly have been using these to test how well the nerve was healing. But, I was recently disappointed to learn that, in order for the nerves to heal optimally, AND for pills such as Viagra to work, you have to have a normal level of TESTOSTERONE, which I don't (see http://www.bcm.edu/news/item.cfm?newsid=817).

I am going to have my second post-op PSA drawn this week (crunch - the sound of nails being chewed), and then, God willing that it is still undetectable, I have an appointment to see Dr. Lipshultz at Baylor at the end of the month to see if I can start testosterone replacement again. Then, I can put this theory to the test and see if a) it helps the nerve heal faster, then b) if it causes the Viagra and the MUSE to work as advertised, and then c) see if this wakes up Mr. Happy.

If not, then I think my doc is going to ask me to consider the shots, to avoid scar tissue forming, in addition to throwing cold water on Mr. H.

So, there you have a definite MAYBE about MUSE. I think MUSE is like chicken soup. It couldn't hurt (relatively speaking!), except if your insurance doesn't cover it. If you have any questions, please ask.

All the best,
dj

We tried Muse last week. Our dr. is very conxervative and started us on 125 mcg, which we kept adding to. It initially looked like it might start to work, but didn't give anything close to a workable erection. He has now prescribed the 500 mcg. dosage. Our insurance only covers so much per month, so we may wait to try it.


bec

My boyfriend and I just used MUSE for the first time.  He's diabetic and has had some problems.......but I'm glad to say "no more" problems in that department.  Not sure on the dosage that he used, but for those who've not tried it is more than worth it.  We both definitely could vouch for the results.

Be careful - MANY men find it excruciatingly painful. Lots of men tolerate it well, but if not, the pain is pretty bad. The alprostadil can cause the pain. If MUSE is painful, then Caverject probably will be too. Take a good look at injections. Many men love them. 5%-10% can develop peyronies and/or scarring.
Paul

I've used MUSE with Cialis and it's been effective for me without any side effects, pain, etc.

I used Muse as therapy. It was never sufficient at any dose to use it for anything else. That said, I do believe it is beneficial as a source of rehabilitation. Just not for the bedroom.

T40.... well, almost T42! hehe

AJ,
Your experience was just about my experience in the early days of using MUSE -- would get that dull ache standing up etc although really good hardness (was at 500 then lately using 1000 mcg ).
I'd have to say tho after keepin on with over the last year the ache has mostly gone away even at 1000 mcg.

Also like T40 says, it is actually better for rehabbing than actual intercoursel use. For rehab it keeps things nice and warm and somewhat hard for hours so you know you are getting good blood flow all that time. Also if the MUSE is not strong enough you can just go back to the pump, although for me it does get an uncomfortable ache (which subsides after a few minutes) when you pump up an already MUSED member -- i guess the nerves are sensitized a bit by the Alprostadil.

Yes it is good to have insurance that covers it because it sure ain't cheap if you had to pay all yourself. I think it would be about $200 a month for 4 or 6 injects. With Medco they will ship 18 (in a cold pack) every 90 days for 88 dollars -- not a real lot, but no CVS hassles.

Post Edited (JStars) : 10/23/2010 7:42:48 PM (GMT-6)

I'm 8 months post surgery. Tried 1000 level Muse for the 1st and 2nd time last night and subsequently this morning.. Very easy to use, yes slight burning sensation in the very tip of the uretha. Girlfriend and I were very excited, however, other than a slightly enlarged head,, not the least bit rigid... Very disappointing .
I'm in very good shape
Don't know what my next move will be.

I did not get a usable erection with Muse 500mcg and have several left that I don't want to waste. has anyone used 500mcg suppositories at the same time? What was the result?