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Cialis and Other Meds and their Cost

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Prostate Cancer
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Posted 6/7/2012 8:23 PM (GMT 0)

I had my robotic prostate surgery (sorry I'm not using all of the cool abbreviations) on 23 April at Georgetown University Hospital.  The Dept. Chair, Dr. John Lynch, performed the procedure.  I think it went extremely well: 99% dry and not using pads, back to work in two weeks, PSA less than 0.1% six weeks later. 

My questions now are on the issue of Cialis-type meds.  As my insurance doesn't cover Cialis, Levitra, Viagra, etc., what are the alternatives?  The pharmacy wanted $144 for 6 tablets (the doctor wants me to take 1/2 pill every other day.)  I have TriCare, in that I'm a retired officer.  Does anyone know if military pharmacies are an option?

Also, while I should do a better job of reading healingwell.com, I did see where the initial PSA score can sometimes go up in later tests?  Anyone have any information on this?
Thanks

Sparky

Posted 6/7/2012 11:35 PM (GMT 0)
I can't offer any advice on the meds but you may be thinking of the Gleason score. The PSA number before surgery stays at what it was and the PSA after surgery is hopefully a number considered as undetectable. Sometimes cells that rate a higher Gleason number are found when the whole prostate is available for examination compared to small tissue samples taken in a biopsy.

Post Edited (Inspector 13) : 6/7/2012 5:51:06 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/8/2012 12:20 AM (GMT 0)
Sparky, there's a bunch of threads from past days that is still relevant today, concerning costs of pills and alternatives. Search the site for such subjects as ADC, alldaychemist, generic viagra, sildenfil citrate. generic cialis, generic levetra, and such. Due to a change in Forum rules, and practices, we no longer discuss these items here, as far as using links or recommending overseas pharmacies, or Indian pharmacies and such, but theres a long history in the archives that can be accessed as suggested.

There are alternatives to the higher priced spread, is the most I can say.
Posted 6/10/2012 3:57 AM (GMT 0)
Sparky – Welcome to Healing Well. Sorry you have reason to be here, but this is a great place for good information from some very knowledgeable and caring people. Sounds like you’re doing great!

The low dose or half pill your doctor wants you to take is part of your penile rehabilitation program. I’m sure he also wants you to take a full dose of Cialis in an attempt to get an erection, probably once a week. This is done to keep your erectile tissue healthy while your nerves heal. Unfortunately most insurance does not cover ED meds and all the pills are expensive – about $25 each.

Just so you know, Trimix injections are considerably less expensive, about $5 each (depending on the dose you need). However, most doctors want you to try pills first, before moving on to injections. Pills enable you to have an erection, while Trimix is a true initiator of erections. If you are a pill responder you are closer to being healed and you won’t need to go to the injections. Also you can’t use Trimix for the low dose part of your rehab.

Best of luck with your recovery.
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