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Bimix users: how much do you use?

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Posted 3/6/2008 12:58 AM (GMT 0)
I have been using 2 ml Bimix at a time, but my erections start to fade after a few minutes of use. I am wondering if I need to use more, or if the doctor might need to change the mix.

Also what is a safe increment to increase by, if I do use more?
Posted 3/6/2008 12:18 PM (GMT 0)
Strictly,

I hope your measurements are wrong. 2 ml seems like a lot. I started out with .5 ml the 1st attempt. That was way too much. I was erect for over 3 hours. Right away I scaled it back. I have been at .2 ml after some testing. Right now with .2 ml I can sustain an erection and have intercourse for an hour.....if we can both take it. As far as I am concerned, bimix is the best! Once you get past the injection thing into the penis, which I still don't like, you will be OK. Even so, the actual stick does not last long. I am on my 2nd bottle of 5 ml bimix since starting it.
Posted 3/6/2008 2:03 PM (GMT 0)
I have been using Bimix for about 11 months now.  Started out at .5 ml for the first 6 months.  When I came to the end of a 5ml vile, there was only .2 ml left so I tried that.  It was the best erection (size and time) that I have had.  I have since tried different amount between .2ml and .3 ml and settled on .25 ml for now.  I asked my Urogolist, who I really respect, about better with less and he had no answer why the improvement with the lesser amount.  If we are keeping score, I am batting 100% with Bimix.

Posted 3/6/2008 2:46 PM (GMT 0)
I have been using Bimix for about 11 months. I have tried different dosage levels. I also at times combine it with Levitra at the suggestion of my urologist. My dosage is now about 0.30 ml. I have had a couple of duds which I attribute to missing the right spot. At 0.30 ml the erection will last for about an hour and a half.

Tamu
Posted 3/6/2008 3:51 PM (GMT 0)

I have been using Bimix standard concentration of 30mg/1mg for around 2 months now.  I started small with .1ml, then worked my way up to .5ml/50 units in a diabetes syringe.  Until I got to .5ml, I didn't get any real results.  At .3ml, I got puffy, at .4ml I got semi erect, not useable.  .5ml give me an erection that comes on in 20 minutes or so and lasts for around 2 hrs.  I have tried to go back down in the dose a little at a time, but it takes the full .5ml dose to work for me.  I am hopeful that as I regain function, I will be able to cut back on the dose size, to eventually reach the zero level.  Now, I am 5 months post surgery, using Viagra 50 mg and a pump daily since Day 10, and am having absolutely no response to any of it.  The Viagra does nothing, the pump does its job, but the blood flows back out as quickly as it is pulled in.  I think thats the reason I need so much Bimix, compared to others here.  I have no veinous valve control yet, so it takes more Bimix to do the deed.  When using rings and the pump, rings don't help, unless they are so small they completely cut off all blood inflow and outflow.  The Bimix works great, keeps the veinous valves closed after filling the penis and it doesn't hurt in any way.  Injection technique is a big part of successful use of it.  I switched from a 1/2 long needle to 5/16 long, as the 1/2 inch seemed to get into the cartlidge or whatever that is in the middle of the penis, seperating the 2 cavernous areas.  Each time it did, it hurt like heck and I couldn't inject the dose, had to pull back on the needle a little way to get the injection done.  A few times I have injected into the rolled and bunched up skin that is much more present since the surgical shorting I got for free////lol.  Lately, I have been using the pump to pre-plump before injecting, giving myself a larger area to hit when I inject. That seems to work best for me. 

It may be that you do need to increase the dose, maybe a .05 or .1 ml at a time, or reexamine your injecting technique to make sure you are hitting the right area with the full amount of the drug. 

Posted 3/6/2008 6:06 PM (GMT 0)

Ripandburn said...
Strictly,

I hope your measurements are wrong. 2 ml seems like a lot. I started out with .5 ml the 1st attempt...

Unfortunately, they are not wrong. I definitely use 2 ml, and I buy 10 ml at a time. mad Only 5 doses per $120 outlay (reimbursed, mostly, but still...)

Never thought of trying a lower dose, as one of the responses above suggests
Posted 3/7/2008 7:36 AM (GMT 0)

I just started using a bimix.  I had some success at .3 and will now try .4 The Rx is actually for .4

My bottle says it has 10 ml so I am guessing that means twenty .5 injections.

The pharmacist said that was 5 units (the big numbers) on they syringe.  Does that sound right to you guys? Just want to make sure.

Posted 3/7/2008 2:50 PM (GMT 0)

lifeguyd says:

just started using a bimix.  I had some success at .3 and will now try .4 The Rx is actually for .4My bottle says it has 10 ml so I am guessing that means twenty .5 injections.The pharmacist said that was 5 units (the big numbers) on they syringe.  Does that sound right to you guys? Just want to make sure.

Insulin syringes are labeled in units, the most common being 50 unit(1/2ml/cc)  or 100 (1ml/cc)units.  If you inject 50 units, then you are injecting .5ml or .5cc or 1/2 ml/cc.  100 units is 1.0ml or 1.0cc or 1 ml/cc.  The syringes are scaled with numbers in large print for each 5 units in a 50 units syringe (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50)  and 10 units in a 100 unit syringe (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100).   Scaled  between marks are  1 unit each for 50 units or 2 units each for 100 unit syringes.   So when the pharmacist says that was 5 units (big numbers) he is saying that each big number equals 5 units, hence you are using 50 unit syringes, and the current dose you are using (.4ml prescribed on the medicine bottle) is 40 units on an insulin syringe, whether you are using a 50 or 100 unit syringe.  If you were injecting a .4ml dose using a 50 unit syringe, then you would fill the syringe to the 40 unit mark on it to get the needed .4ml dose.   If you are injecting less or more units than the prescribed .4ml/40 units, then you are off on the dose.  Example, if you are injecting 4 units then you are injecting 1/10th (or .04ml) the prescribed .4ml dose.   Hope this hasn't clouded the water  further for you.

Posted 3/7/2008 3:18 PM (GMT 0)

StrictlyInc, I can't recall reading of anyone here needing a 2ml dose of Bimix.  As a matter of fact, I think the most I have jotted down in my notes was .6ml.  From my experience with a high (to me) dose of .5ml, that your using 4 times that dose seems unreal.  I didn't really make myself clear in my last post about the veinous valve problem I have and how it affects my ability.  What I was trying to say was that they don't operate at all, yet, hence no blood retention, unless using an extremely small ring, or unless using Bimix.  I realize that each person is different, but statistically your required 2 ml dose is far out of range to what is seen here by the rest of us.  Even with my having no veinous valve function, I can accomplish it with a .5ml dose of Bimix.  Here's some questions for you to see if you can troubleshoot any problems or to determine if 2ml is what you need. 

1.  Is the Bimix fresh and active and of the correct concentration (30mg/1mg per 1 ml)?

2.  Are you using the correct length needle to suit your particular size penis?  A thinner penis will require a shorter needle (5/16 inch), a fuller one a longer (1/2 inch) one to place the injection in the cavernous cavity.  Most of us have had a shortening of the penis when in the flaccid state, which results in more skin to have to get through.  I have had a few times when I didn't get into the flesh, but injected into a fat roll of skin. 

3. Is your injecting technique correct?  Did you get a good instruction on how to do it, along with actually injecting with the Doc or nurse observing and correcting any problems?  Are you using the proper angle?

4. Have you tried 'pre-plumping' your penis with the pump just before injecting, to fill partially the caverns to allow better exchange and give a larger target for the needle?  I don't mean putting a ring on, just pumping some to get a little expansion going.

5.  Have you tried varying the dose, maybe trying a .5ml dose with particular attention paid to where you are placing the needle and with the penis 'plumped' with the pump first. 

6.  Do you gently massage the penis for a minute or so, spreading the medicine around, then waiting a little while and using slow, gentle stimulation to get things rising? 

7.  What was your experience with and dose levels when used PGE1 and Trimix? 

8.  Have you talked to your Doc or ED person about this, especially to check your technique and the strength of the BImix (30mg/1mg is standard)

I hope this will help you to figure it out, or get some others more experienced with it to chime in with somthing...lol

James C.

Posted 3/7/2008 9:19 PM (GMT 0)
Well, I sent an email to the prescribing urologist, telling him about the erections that fade after a few minutes. He said that I could go up to 2.5 ml of bimix.

I asked the urologist that performed my surgery as well, and he said that the other urologist is the ED specialist, and he knows best. The ED specialist is Dr. Jacob Rajfer, and I see him out of UCLA Medical Center.

Is it possible that my mix of bimix is different and that is why my dosage is so high? It seems odd to me that I would have such a high dosage compared to others here. I also take 20 mg of generic Levitra per day, and am able to get a 60% erection (if I had to estimate) on non-injection days with that, so I wouldn't think I'd need a huge dose.

Perhaps the only way for me to know is to see Dr. Rajfer in person, but that will cost me $150 or so.
Posted 3/7/2008 10:25 PM (GMT 0)
If Levitra works, even at 60%, then I would strongly suspect that something is wrong, either with the strength or viability of the Bimix.  Ask that ED guy what the strength of the prescription is that he gave.  Average or normal strength is 30mg papaverine and 1mg phentolamine per 1ml of sterile solution.  I just can't understand how you can work it with Levitra and yet need such a massive dose of Bimix.  something still seems wrong there.  I'd press this ED guy for more info, if it were me. 

Posted 3/8/2008 12:12 AM (GMT 0)
Phent .5 / papav 30 is the mix I am taking.
Posted 3/8/2008 1:04 AM (GMT 0)
My bi-mix is 1/30 mix.

Used .4 today with pretty good results.  Erection lasted about 1 1/2 hrs however showed some signs of pyrones or at least some bending.  This is a new twist (so to speak).

Thanks for the confirmation on syringe amounts.

Posted 3/8/2008 2:25 AM (GMT 0)
Well, the .5 phenta.  is half the strength of the 'standard' dose used here.  If that is significant enough difference to require 4 times the amount of bimix is not something I could answer. 

On another note, what capacity syringe are you using to inject that 2ml?  Do you have to inject twice to get it all in or what?  Or what's the units scale on it if it is an insulin syringe?

Posted 3/8/2008 2:32 AM (GMT 0)
Another maybe farfetched possibility is the compounding pharmacist figured it wrong and added the 30mg/.5mg drugs to a full 10ml vial of sterile water, rather than the 30mg/.5mg of drugs to each 1ml of sterile water, which is how it is usually mixed.  This would result in a much thinned down bimix, and might explain why it takes so much.  Again, just speculation and guessing on my part.

Posted 3/8/2008 6:33 PM (GMT 0)
I guess I could tell the pharmacy the mix isn't working. It doesn't appear cloudy.

I will probably have to pay the out of pocket to see this ED specialist. My urologist is passing the buck, unfortunately, saying the ED specialist knows best. Unfortunately, the ED specialist is a pain in the ass because a) I have to pay out of pocket just to talk to him, and b) he is not the best at answering questions, and if you question him he just says "well, don't do it, see someone else".

If there is a different mix that would work well and allow me more than 5 doses per 10 ml, I would be ecstatic.

To the question of the syringe, I am using a 3 ml syringe. I was using smaller ones when I was trying PGE1 and trimix, but had to move to the bigger ones when I switched to bimix. I only inject once, with a 30G 1/2 needle.
Posted 3/10/2008 11:12 AM (GMT 0)
StrictlyInc said:  I will probably have to pay the out of pocket to see this ED specialist. My urologist is passing the buck, unfortunately, saying the ED specialist knows best. Unfortunately, the ED specialist is a pain in the ass because a) I have to pay out of pocket just to talk to him, and b) he is not the best at answering questions, and if you question him he just says "well, don't do it, see someone else".

Just my opinion, of course, but unless this guy was the only one in 500 miles, that comment of "well, don't do it, see someone else" is exactly what I sould do.  It seems to me you may have a problem, which he is unlikely or unwilling to help you solve.  Look around for another more willing Doc and maybe they will even be cheaper.  Now, that's what I would do in this situation, of course.  You may not have that option.

Posted 3/14/2008 11:00 PM (GMT 0)
OK, so I asked the doctor some questions via email (via his assistant). Here's the dialogue:

I wrote to the doctor's assistant: A question for the doctor: I am using the bimix medication as he prescribed. I take 2 ml doses. When I use it and try to have intercourse, the erection starts to fade after a few minutes. Should I increase (or decrease) the dosage? If so, by how much?
Is it possible to get the bimix in more than 10 ml packages at a time?

His response: You can increase to 2.5 ml. You can get multiple 10 cc bottles. Ask the pharmacist.

My reply: I have further questions for the doctor. I was talking to some prostate cancer patients in a support group where many use the bimix medicine. Others seemed to use a different mix of phentalomine and papaverine, and it sounded like their mixes required smaller doses of the medication, making it much more cost effective than what I currently use. I would like to find out if the doctor is familiar with the other mix (30mg/1mg). Is this the type of question that can be done over the phone or email, or does it require an appointment?

His response: Let him know that he can have whatever combination of the bimix he wants. What I gave is what we use at UCLA. Once he makes a decision as to what mixture of the bimix he wishes to use based on his cancer support group, let us know the concentration and volume of the bimix he wants and we will have the pharmacy agree to mix it for him. He can try as many different combinations he wants; he should just ask the pharmacy to send us a request by fax of what he wants, and we will OK it.


So, I guess it is good he will mix whatever, though I am a bit disturbed that he didn't give me much guidance on adjusting dosage in either reply. It sounds as if most of you have had much better support.

I will ask them to mix the 1 mg phent / 30 mg papav for me...
Posted 3/15/2008 1:40 PM (GMT 0)

Good deal, at least someone is talking to you...lol  The actual placement of the drug is critical to success.  Make sure you are practiced at placing the drug for the maximum effect.  If you need some references to study up on it, let me know, I got a couple links for you that can brush you up on your technique.  I would encourage you to try the 'plumping the penis with a pump technique' for maximum target size. 

Interestingly, I have been using .5ml, but had a syringe loaded with .25ml so used it Thursday night.  It worked almost as well as the .5ml dose, erect enough for intercourse and lasting almost as long.  I think placement made the difference this time.  I hope to repeat the success Monday. 

Posted 3/15/2008 2:50 PM (GMT 0)
1 mg phent / 30 mg papav is the typical ratio of meds used in bimix by most here?

What do phent and papav stand for - those are abbreviations I assume?

I like my urologist at lot, but he forgot to even mention using a pump for therapy until I starting asking some ED questions.  He had been good about mentioning Viagra 3 times a week early on, but never said a thing about other therapy......and has still not mentioned injections.

When I go see him in a few weeks, I plan to ask about getting a bimix prescription, so the more information I have the better.

James C., I would appreciate those links that you mentioned.  If you would either post them here on the forum or send to me at [email protected] I would really appreciate it.

Bob

Posted 3/15/2008 3:22 PM (GMT 0)
phent = phentalomine
papav = papaverine

Those are the two drugs in the bi-mix.

James C., it would be great to get the links you refer to.
Posted 3/15/2008 9:14 PM (GMT 0)
This Trimix list is the same as used for the Bimix, as far as instructions for injections.

http://www.infertility-male.com/erectdys/injxn1.htm

This link should download a .pdf file.

www.ustoo.org-PDFs-Injection.pdf

General info:

http://www.phoenix5.org/sexaids/injections/FAQinjections.html

Detailed diagrams of how to inject:

http://www.phoenix5.org/sexaids/injections/injectdiagrams.html

One mans account of his injections-interesting few small points made you don't read elsewhere.

http://prostatecancerandsex.com/weblog/a_happy_valentines_day_part.html

On a side note:  if you haven't got a pump, you can plump beforehand by doing a milking motion at the base of the penis, pushing blood towards the head.  I am convinced, after more reading, that this plumping is critical in those who have trouble getting an erection fron injections or keep missing the targets. 

Posted 3/15/2008 9:21 PM (GMT 0)
James,
These are excellent links. can I recommend that you start a new thread with these links and I'll talk to Mama Bluebird about making them a part of our links.

Tony
Posted 3/16/2008 1:38 AM (GMT 0)
Many thanks for the links.  Great information.

Posted 4/5/2008 5:34 AM (GMT 0)
Had good results today with Bimix #1, the most recent one I got, which is 1 phentolomine / 30 papaverine.

I used .5 cc today (with some Viagra) with great success. Same cost as the other bimix I was using (10 cc at $145). So if this one works consistently for me, it will be much more economical , 20 uses per fill rather than 5.

scool Good times...
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