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Posted 5/28/2007 2:04 PM (GMT 0)

I AM about 7 MONTHS POST OP, I HAVE TRIED VIAGRA AND THE PUMP WITH NO RESULTS, I AM 41 YEARS YOUNG AND SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS. SHOULD I TAKE THE PILLS AND USE THE PUMP?MY DOCTOR HAS BEEN NO HELP AT ALL.CAN ANYONE HELP? 

Posted 5/28/2007 2:18 PM (GMT 0)
Luv2Hunt,

At your age I know that you are extremely frustrated with the lack of an erection. I believe that you are new to this site so you most likely have not browsed the post associated with ED post op. Please look back down the posts and find the one titled "Injection Therapy". It will detail for you the experiences of several men using injections to get an erection. The general interventions for ED post PC surgery usually follow this course; ED drugs(Viagra, Cialis, Levitra), Vacuum Pump, Vacuum Pump plus ED Drugs, penile injections, penile implants. Based upon your post it sounds to me that you are motivated to be able to use penile injections. Your urologist should had already mentioned this to you. The penile injections really do not hurt much but many men just cannot get through the threshhold of sticking a needle in their penis. Penile injections are virtually 100% successful and give an erection that is about as near to pre surgery erections as you can get. If you think you can inject yourself then ask your urologist about injection therapy. The first injection is done in the urologist's office to show you how and judge the dosage. There are three different medications so if one does not work or cause discomfort you can try another.

Tamu
Posted 5/28/2007 2:25 PM (GMT 0)

   I was 43 at surgery....I know your concerns....but Viagra seems to work well with me.  Sorry about your troubles.

   Curious...how is you incontenance.  That is my battle here.  I'm also 7 months post op. Still using 6-8 pads a day.

   I would either make Dr. do something of find another one that will.  Injections may be your cure.  Does wife or partner support you?  Try to make thing happen?  That would be a great help if so.  I guess you know you can get pleasure without erections.  but I know you want to please partner too.  Just have to use what you have...

  good Luck...

  KW

Posted 5/28/2007 5:50 PM (GMT 0)
hi and thanks kw. I VERY SELDOM HAVE ANY LEAKAGE, MOST DAYS I ONLY USE ONE PAD AND THATS ONLY WHEN I AM AT WORK, AND CANT GO WHEN I FEEL THE URGE. MY WIFE IS VERY SUPPORTIVE AND I DO FEEL BAD FOR HER. BUT LAST WEDNESDAY SHE HAD TO HAVE A HYST SURGERY. NOW WE BOTH ARE FIGHTING THE FIGHT. GOOD LUCK TO YOU

Posted 5/28/2007 6:40 PM (GMT 0)
Your earlier question seemed to inquire about using the pump and pills together. According to my doctor, that is an acceptable combination. I was able to retain a better erection with the pump if I used the pump after taking Viagra. Now I am trying injection therapy with much better results. You aren't supposed to use Viagra or the pump on a day when you inject. I was a wimp when my doctor first suggested injections six months after surgery. I waited another year before summoning the courage to go that route. I should have done it earlier. There really isn't much sensation on the side of the shaft where you inject the penis. It is relatively easy and I have had good results. After you nurse your wife back to good health, you might want to give it a try. If your doctor isn't responsive to your ED needs, you might want to look around for one who is. Physicians associated with university medical centers tend to be more sensitized to this issue. Good luck!
Posted 5/28/2007 8:54 PM (GMT 0)
LUV2HUNT, My husband is 10 weeks post Da VInci. The doctor had to cut the end of the nerves on both sides. He was started on Viagra the day following and the pump started 2 weeks after cath removal. Viagra is every other day. Though, it has been frustrating, and results slow, they do appear to be coming, (only with the combo). Our doctor told us about a supository as an option. He said that it was about half the size of a piece of rice. If we chose to add another option, that is definetly the route Kurt would opted for. Good luck to you. At your age, as well as Kurts, the end results should be good. Courtney
Posted 5/28/2007 10:45 PM (GMT 0)
HI KZIZ, I AM A LITTLE CONFUSED HERE. LIKE I SAID THE LITTLE KNOWLEDGE I HAVE HAS COME FROM THS WEB. I DIDNT KNOW YOU TAKE THE VIAGRA EVERY DAY, ONLY WHEN YOU WANTED TO BE INTIMATE. AS FOR THE PUMP I HAVE TRIED IT ONLY A FEW TIMES BUT GOT FRUSTRATED AND BOXED IT UP AND PUT IT AWAY.MABY I NEED TO BE PATIENT WITH THIS WHOLE THING. I WAS EXPECTING RESULTS RIGHT AWAY, ACCORDING TO THE DOCTOR THAT SOLD ME THE THING.

Posted 5/28/2007 10:48 PM (GMT 0)
THX EB02, My doctor also mentioned the injections, but that was as far as it went. gave me the chills thinking about it.my doctor is about 9 hours away from where i am so i am going into this blind.thx for the help

Posted 5/29/2007 12:21 AM (GMT 0)
From your post to kziz, it looks like you haven't had much exposure to the concept of penile rehabilitation. (I suggest you Google the words "penile rehabilitation") There are many variations on the theme, but many doctors start patients on a steady dose of Viagra or one of the other ED drugs shortly after surgery. My doctor prescribed 50 mg of Viagra three times per week at bedtime, starting a month after robotic surgery. He also started me on the pump (mine is an Osbon ErecAid) at the same time. Both strategies were for the purpose of reestablishing blood flow to the penis to avoid atrophy. There is some evidence that early use of the pump also helps to counter shrinkage of the penis that seems to occur with prostate surgery. I was expected to pump myself to three erections daily for at least five days a week. There was no expectation that I use the rings, simply that I use the pump. All of this was for the sake of rehabilitation. Of course, there were no restrictions on combining any of the rehab activity with sexual play, including using the rings with the pump, but the primary purpose was rehabilitation.

My doctor's regimen includes adding injections of Tri-mix within three to six months. I passed on that initially, partially out of fear, and also thinking that I was on the road to recovery with just the Viagra and pump. At 18 months out from surgery, I went back to start the injections because although there seemed to be improvement, it was still too difficult to achieve penetration. The shots work, not only in producing a sustained, usable erection, but also in reconnecting my brain circuitry to the penis so that I am starting to get more stirrings on my own. I am 55, cancer free, and optimistic that I will be able to reduce my sexual dependence on drugs and pumps some day.

You should look around this forum for the experiences of others with ED. Prior to surgery, I thought that "nerve sparing" meant I would be back to normal in no time. The reality is that even if the nerves are spared, they go into shock and need to be coaxed back into action. On this and other forums, it becomes obvious that sexual recovery actually requires a lot of work, effort, patience, spousal support and good luck. You're young and only seven months out from surgery. I'm sure you'll find a way to get where you want to be.
Posted 5/29/2007 2:40 AM (GMT 0)
LUV2HUNT,

I agree with the others. It sure sounds like your Doc has done a less than stellar job of educating you on your recovery. Maintaining blood flow to your penis is extremely important!

I strongly suggest you write questions down on paper before you talk with your Doc again. It is pretty common to get bogged down on one issue and sometimes get emotional about the answers we get from our Docs. Then we forget to ask the other important questions. Don't let your Doc dismiss stuff that is important to you. And don't think any one Doc has all the answers! Use this place to your advantage. There is a VAST amount of experience available to you.

Let me encourage you to at least use the pump, as a rehabilitative tool, 2 times a day. If you cant get a good seal call up the manufacturer help desk and be frank about your problem. They will have a way to solve the problem. Don't try to get a sustainable erection. Don't worry about the rings. You want to pump until you appear erect, hold the vacuum pressure for 5 minutes or so. Don't be concerned if you deflate as fast as the air going out of the tube. The goal is to get the blood flowing into your tissues so you don't lose length or girth. Don't get upset if it looks like you already lost some size. Many men recover lost size during rehabilitation. Don't overdo the pumping, 2 to 3 times a day is sufficient.

Again, talk with your Doc about pills, suppositories and injections. If he won't be forthcoming, go to a different Doc!

Please don't lose heart. We all have to deal with erection issues post surgery. Some have little problem, some have big problems. Point is we understand and want you to recover a full life.
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