4 months post prostatectomy

Thanks to all of you who have provided me with guidance, unknowlingly, over the past 4 months.
Between Christmas and New Years day, I had a radical prostatectomy performed.
I'm only 47 years old, but have prostate cancer in the family for 3 generations.
It wasn't much of a surprise.
I think I'm recovering, as much as can be expected.
I've been back to work in a professional career since 4 weeks post-surgery.
I can't say everything is great.
I have E.D. And i have incontinence
I'm dealing with it, and so is my wife.
Never thoughth I'd be going to bed in diapers at 47 years old with my bride, but so it goes.
Depression is real. Tonight, and many nights, the reality is hard to accept.
The physical relationship we once had is gone. Probably forever.
I wish it was easier.
Until then, we press on.

At 47 you should not be so pessimistic on the S/E/s Folks think Im " bit off base " when I say this, but be careful what and how you think about your future…I think thoughts are quite proactive and can be made manifest…think about it… hopefully others will drop by and give less esoteric and more "practical"…parenthetical only because some could consider esoteric practical…any way you are welcome for what ever the forum has done for you…

hang in there Jeeper, it's still early days and your body is still healing deep inside.

Depression is the real danger and a real side effect of PC. If it doesn't get better you might want to talk to the doctor. There is a lot of help out there for that and no reason to suffer. Many of us here went through that some of us needed a little emotional support and a some needed a little medication to get past the rough parts.

For the ED there is help too, pills, shots and more. Same with the incontinence, some guys take longer to heal and some need follow up treatments.

again, keep hanging in there and reaching out - lot of folks here are willing to help plus there is a lot of great info that can help.

Andrew

Let's work together! Let's put Depends stock in a free fall!

I am 58 and three weeks post surgery. Because of the scope of the cancer the surgeon was not able to save as many nerves as he wanted. I think that I am the sole reason that Depends stock is up - but I am going to try to put an end to that. Taking pills every night and my wife is giving my Johnson a shot every three days. (Note, make sure she is not mad at you first!) Also walking about two hours a day (that is when most of my leakage occurs). As far as being close to my wife, my wounds are not healing as fast as they should do that is on hold.

I know I am just a freshman being only three weeks out but I have confidence in the future. I can not speak for you but I rather have a chance to be with the one I love in the future but leak than leave her on her own.

That said, it is still my goal to put Depends out of business! I would love to have a partner in this effort!

Keeper, sorry to hear you are feeling this way and having these issues . I use the term issues loosely. 4 months is not a long time. Especially for ED, BUT FOR INCONTINENCE AS WELL. It will likely get better. I am 17 months out from surgery, and while I didn't have ED at all, it really wasn't working the way it used to. Until the last month or so. So it takes time. Sometimes a year, sometimes 2. No guarantees, but it's way too early to get down on yourself.
And the continence can take a year to resolve. In some guys it doesn't resolve, but in most it does, just takes longer in some guys than others, fr no apparent reason.

Talk to your Dr if you haven't already. And for the ED issue, take a look at this website/forum.. Www.franktalk.org

Good luck. Stick around, keep us posted

Jeeper,

At 4 months I also had complete ED. I likened it to "shooting pool with a rope". All of a sudden the Cialis I'd been taking since the catheter removed magically started working and from there it just kept getting better. Side effects can be frustrating; everyone is different and your body needs time to heal. I know its easier said than done, but try and stay positive. ED is as much in the head as between the legs sometimes. Don't lose hope--especially at 4 months.

Best of luck to you,
Tom

Have you been referred for follow up sessions with appropriate specialist therapists?
I have a 9 week graduated pelvic floor strength program with interim visits for progressive assessment (using ultrasound) - "Kegels".
Depending on nerve sparing, erections can return over an 18 month period. Consider seeing a specialist in sexual rehabilitation to monitor progress.
I'm still a long way off full recovery, but with support remain optimistic.

Post Edited (shudderingThud) : 5/11/2016 4:36:06 PM (GMT-6)