QUALITY VERSES QUANTITY

I had been on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) for about 10 years prior to being dxed with PCa. My unologist/surgeon was of the opinion that TRT would be like pouring gasoline on a fire as far as PCa is concerned. By 3 months after surgery, my T level was down to 48 and I was in a deep suicidal depression. My uro still refused TRT so I found a new uro who prescribed for me and within a week I was our of the depression and feeling great. My libido came back, my T level runs between 480 and 530 and with meds we have enjoyed a very good sex life.

I think the story here is:
1) There is no consensus of opinion on TRT vs recurrance.
2) We must take control of our recovery.
3) When it comes down to living in total misery vs TRT, I'm glad I chose TRT.

Good luck...

Jim

Man would I ever like to have a T rush. It would be so great to desire my wife again. That will never happen. It's okay for me cuz without the T, I dont care about not having a libido. My wife sure deserves better though. Todd

mlbsm...& the rest...

Maybe I am missing something, but it seems everytime there is this kind of post, only those of us who have received a penile implant (prosthesis) finally brings up the subject of implant.  I am ignorant about the testerostone subject, but I suspect that mine is relatively low.  I've never had it checked.  To have intercourse with my wife, I first pump it up and after a little or a lot of foreplay, I'm ready... and so is she.  But with the implant, even if I do not get excited about it all, which happens rarely after I pump it up, I still feel really great that I have been able to make love to my wife.  Guys, our wives need some kind of loving even if we don't feel like giving it.  I think there is something which produces depression in a man (and a wife) when he cannot or will not function sexually. And yes, it is impossible to penetrate without an errection, but I think most of us know that there are other ways to please a wife sexually than using our penises.  However, I can now function as good as an 18 year old guy after it's errect.  And I can remember only one time since I received the implant that I did not orgasm wonderfully when making love to my wife.

I can understand the caution regarding getting an implant.  (1) First, it is very difficult thinking that one has to go through that kind of surgery, and it is a permanent outcome.  There is no going back, as it has been cautioned on this forum. Then, (2) there is the relatively short-term pain situation coupled with all the black & blueness as a result of the surgery.  But after those first two or three weeks, it becomes obvious (at least it was to me) that when better (in three or four more weeks), the ability to penetrate and give pleasure and receive pleasure would return.  But then, (3) some have the cost thing to deal with, and I certainly understand that.  if it were not for good insurance, I never could have had these implants (I had an AUS at the same time).  There are also the (4) horror stories of things gone wrong during or after the surgery.  Although these things do happen, so similar things happen in other surgeries.  There are risks to any surgery.   

Everyone must make their own decision, as I well understand.  But I am having difficulty with the fact that when there is a post such as this one, very little is suggested about having and AMS or penile implant.  I had never heard of such a thing until I joined HW and someone mentioned it.  I remember how horrified I was at first mention but after months of investigation, I can still say, after nearly ten months post implant, I sure am glad I got these things, and that I was able to locate a well-qualified surgeon to do it.  So, guys... those of you who suffer with ED, perhaps... perhaps you should at least look into the possibility of a penile prosthesis. And if you suffer with incontinence after months and months of kegaling, getting shocked, etc, maybe an Artificial Urinary Sphincter would solve your problem.  They did  mine.  Investigate.

Gene214     

Gene,

If I won't consider a tiny little needle anywhere near my winky, the chances of allowing a Dr. to slice him open and stick a tube in is NILL. Billy is WAY TOO MUCH of a CS (Think chickens) to allow that to happen!

I did look into it, and did a bunch or research. From what I read, it either works really well, or you end up sitting down to pee, something I do half the time anyway.

The catheter from the RRP had junior blown up like a balloon and every shade in the rainbow, and after the hernia surgery, he up and blew up all over again even though he was never actually touched. Obviously, he doesn't take kindly to Doctors.

Many comments talked about depression, and I don't feel that's a part of my consideration. As we all now know, it's not necessary to have an erection to make junior happy, but it is if you want to make someone else happy. That, coupled with the fact that I am on Zoloft for a completely unrelated situational loss, finds me in a fairly good mood most of the time.

That said however, I do want to make ML happy, especially since she's 15 years younger than me. She agreed to marry me but she never agreed to become a nun. If I can find a way to make her happy without putting junior on the chopping block, I'm all for it.


:)) Billy

Billy when you type:

"My attitude is quite simple; when I no longer know who I am and who my family is, pull the plug because living for the sake of living is foolish to me."

you just might lead one to believe that depression is an issue.  It's good you are on Zoloft and reaping some benefit by it, I still have to ask if depression or the treatment of it isn't contributing to your ED issue.   Just my thought.  I hope I am wrong.

Gene,  for guys that have endured a complete ablation of testotserone over a long period of time, not even an implant will help at this time.  There is a psychological issue to go with the physiological issue.  But, I remain hopeful that when the ADT stops, I may just get things back naturally.  It is way too soon to go with any other decision as drastic as that one.  Still there is the lapse in our sex lives and it is a cause for depression.  And I believe that Billy can get it back if he can conquer the T level issue. 

Tony

FYI .....Zoloft, like ALL AD meds may cause delayed orgasm as well as ED. Hopefully the start of T means tapering off the Z. Since depression is common with hypogodnaism, makes sense by starting one, the other can be tapered into the past :>)

****Friendly Reminder: Testosterone is not the answer for all PC men but it may be the quality of life answer for a select group! Not all pathologies are good risks.

swim

Thanks for all the advice, you guys already know how valuable you are.

Not to worry Tony, Billy isn't planning on a vacation anytime soon, I just meant I wouldn't tolerate being plugged into machines for years just to keep the electric company happy. :))

Funny you speak of Zoloft being a downer regarding sex, my Doctor indicated to me that it could be a perk of taking it.

I didn't begin Zoloft because of ED or PCa, it was almost entirely unrelated.

I haven't pushed any panic buttons concerning ED yet, because I was told from the very beginning that I was looking at the possibility of 18 to 24 months out before junior decided to join the world again.

I had my right nerve bundle spared according to the Dr. and was told that the nerve's didn't like to be messed with, and could take a good long time to settle back down. Now I've got the right twin refusing to go back home after hernia surgery, and I was getting a little antsy about him getting baked before he made the trip.

My fear of needles is almost pathological, but after 6 surgeries this year alone (4 on my hand), I'm kind of getting use to them (A little).

If ML starts throwing pots and pans around the kitchen, maybe I'll have a heart to heart talk with junior.

By the way Tony, Hanna is doing well. :)) Billy