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Posted 8/11/2010 3:06 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

finally recovered from the unpleasantness of RP surgery but have incontinence and ED issues which hopefully will improve with time, I do however have some ED questions.

I can get maybe 75% size with stimulation and no drugs, but soft. With Viagara I get full size and girth but not enough firmness for penetration. Its been 3 months since my surgery, will the firmness return on its own or would it be wise to try a pump?

As for the continence I'm currently doing 5-6 pads per day which is  a bit of an improvement from the 7-8 pads per day just a couple of weeks ago. If I'm standing and working for longer periods it just drips steady.

Sitting any lying I have pretty good control.

thanks for your advice.

Arch

Biopsy 4 of 10 positive, 15% involved

vas deferes and lymph nodes clear

Gleeson 3+4

RP surgery May 18, 2010

Catheter out 2 weeks later

incontinence June 1 10-12 pads

                    July  15   8-10 pads

                    Aug   1    7-8 pads

                    Aug    5    5-6 pads

results of first post op PSA next week

 

Posted 8/11/2010 4:21 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, Arch
Welcome to the forum. It sounds to me like you are progressing pretty well on both the ED and continence fronts, but you might make faster progress using a pump - it is a pretty individual thing. For some guys, it makes all the difference in the world, for others not much. I recommend you give it a try. You'll continue to progress, my bet, even without the pump, however.
All the best, Jeff
Posted 8/11/2010 11:59 AM (GMT 0)
Arch, Sounds like you are well on your way to recovery of the wood. I agree with Jeff you may find the pump a way to faster progress. Doing as well as you are I dont think I would buy the high $$$ medical pump. Just pick up one from a sex shop or on line. Much cheaper and will do the same thing for you.

Cajun Jeff
Posted 8/11/2010 12:05 PM (GMT 0)

We men are semi-happy to talk about the details of the RP operation, but few will openly discuss ED.

From those that I have spoken to, I get the feeling that Onc's tend to be very "Optimistic" about their observations on ED. I can't imagine that there would be any difference between RP via Robot or "open-Cut".

I have found that following the operation, it has been all down hill, with ED meds providing a reaction that would not even scare the cat, let alone, impress the bride !
Most men I have spoken to, find the same response, and feeling "It's just me", adopt the attitude "I'm better off being alive with a dead member, than dieing with a live member".

Are Cutter-Onc's inclined to gloss-over the ED side of things, out of fear that the average male might refuse treatment, or opt for alternatives, (eg. Radiation), if they knew the truth.

Can anyone explain how a full-nerve-sparing operation seems to result in such dismal and diminishing performance.  What causes the ED ?  mad

Posted 8/11/2010 12:23 PM (GMT 0)
Arch,
ED recovery goes in stages - in plateaus. you will find a huge improvement at the 9-12 month mark. If you are getting these results now, you are in pretty good shape. Many men also find another big jump at the two year mark.

Peter...
This is a complicated question. It is more than just nerve damage. It is also vascular damage, mental damage. The fact is a large percentage of men do gain enough for successful sex. This board is not a representation. In my PCa support group, 75% of the men can get erections now. BUT, that does not help the struggling guy. You had surgery in June? if you are getting any results at all from pills, you are doing OK. use a pump every day - twice a day. ********* every day - alone or with partner. If you are not seeing results, ask your doc to become more aggressive with treatments. Injections often help jump start natural erections. Email me if you have questions.
Paul
Posted 8/11/2010 5:21 PM (GMT 0)
You may find it helpful to listen to a video by Dr Mulhall. He is a leading expert on PCa and ED. I think these lecctures last about 1.5 hours (three of them?) ... but they will probably answer all of your questions and then some.

http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/94910.cfm
Posted 8/11/2010 5:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Arch,

Sounds like you are moving along well

Some things you may want to try , if you have not already

1) Viagra is extremely food dependent, try taking one hour AFTER you ate anything and do not eat for TWO hours after taking

2) Take the supplement L-Arginine 1 hour before taking Viagra, Walnuts also work as then have high amounts of Arginine. Arginine increases NO which increases bloodflow. Shoot for 2 grams to start. There is a lot of info on the web search for "arginine ed"

3) A VED pump will help a lot, you have a few options, one from your dr that is partially covered via insurance or like other members here have done just go get a cheap one from a adult store

4) Inj therapy sounds ominous but it is not, its simple and effective. The benefits are amazing, you will have the stiffest erection of your life for 2 hours and therapy will be a blast
Posted 8/11/2010 9:28 PM (GMT 0)
"ED recovery goes in stages - in plateaus. you will find a huge improvement at the 9-12 month mark."

Folks - Thanks so much for the reassurance..  It is very easy to be negative about the wrong things,   skull   and I fear that many men just give up, due to the unwillingness to pursue a solution.

When you are told - 'use it or lose it' - and it just goes (what seems to be) down hill, one starts to think..  "well - I have already lost it"..

Again - my thanks for some hope , and thanks from those who I will email with these thread details.. It will also give them hope.

Posted 8/11/2010 10:05 PM (GMT 0)
Arch,
I think you are doing great on the ED issue. Incontinence is a crap shoot some guys are dry right away and others struggle for a year and sometimes longer. Are you doing Kegel exercises?
Posted 8/12/2010 12:29 AM (GMT 0)
thanks to everyone for your responses, I look into the l'arginine and may consider a pump as the next step. Your candid answers are appreciated.

 

Posted 8/12/2010 3:37 AM (GMT 0)
Peter A

I had open surgery in May, 2008 and had half my nerves spared. I had no activity at all before the six month mark. And I was taking cialis or viagra on a daily basis. I started with a VED at 3 months to retain the length. It was 9 months before I had noctural erections.

Things will get better
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