Using the pump - is this normal?

As part of my doctor's ED rehab, I have started to use the vacuum pump. Fortunately, I have been having normal erections the old-fashioned way as well. However, I want to be the good patient and do everything prescribed.

So far, the pump has not achieved anything like the erections I have had, even after surgery. Basically, I am not getting the length achieved with normal erections. I have only been using it for a few days now, and I think there is some improvement. I am able to get a good vacuum, but I am concerned about using too much vacuum. I am following the instructions correctly as I interpret them. Is this normal?

CaPCA,

My experience with and reading about the pump is that using it is most important to keep the tissues viable while your body heals from the traumas of the surgery.
As the nerves regenerate, they will appreciate it if the penis muscle hasn't atrophied and actually creating an erection is not another issue.

Length will increase gradually as you use the pump - especially if you use it several times a week.
I also recommend using Viagra/Sedenafil Citrate (or another PED5) daily as it tends to increase general circulation in the area.  (For 65 cent doses of Seldenafil, see alldaychemistdotcom.)

As for "too much vacuum," I would not cause myself more than discomfort - that is not too much pain.  The tissues need the blood but you can "blister" the tissues if you rush things.  My physician said it is best to just have frequency of "off and on" use of the pump each time you use it - letting the erection go up and down ten or 20 times for 10 seconds or so each session.

I personally find the pump boring but make myself do the exercise once a week and I do see some improvement every week. 
I do have "soft-on" erections (without the pump) with frequent orgasms that are improving in erectile quality (both length and rigidity) each week.  These orgasms are much more pleasant without the pump but they do require a lot more work than before surgery.

What I have read suggests that if the radical prostatectomy patient regains erectile function and continence, even thought the erections themselves are not usually quite as firm as before,
    - sex lasts longer, is more pleasurable for both partners, 
       birth control is not an issue, and there is a lot less mess. 

You are so soon after surgery I would say take it easy.

Still, anything you do to stimulate this area without hurting yourself is probably a good idea.
If you want to become sexually active sooner rather than later, perhaps, in a while, you might perhaps look into injections as those who use them generally get their normal function back sooner than those who do not.  (For excellent information on injections, look for Tamu's threads.)

Good luck!

C^Cedar
ICTHUS!

 

James,

Like you, I just got and started the Vacuret pump...  Basically for my spouse   and easier tissue exercise...   Before pump,  I was at about 60% erection with 50 or 100mg generic viagra (depending if I had happened to cut a pill in half before).  Good enough for penetration and climax (for me) in certain positions.   Adding the vacuret and generic viagra regime, I am over 100% of before PCa (downright "scary" at times)...   Good grief...  Wonder what would of happened if I started excercises like this as a young man...   Anyway, both of us are enjoying climaxes as before PCa and wife is very happy...  

Regarding rings,  I found positions made a big difference on required ring size to keep full erection.   From largest diameter used to initially get good erection...  Dropped two sizes to maintain erection while I was on back, wife on top...  best for her.   One size drop for traditional position man on top.   With me on knees, original larger diameter ring worked fine...  Maybe it's the angle of the penis on the "valve" that is effecting the required ring size.  With the two size down ring, it was a bit uncomfortable for me also, no aching, but distracting enough to prevent a climax.

I find that waiting a good amount of time between a couple of pumps greatly minimizes discomfort while allowing a lot of blood to accumulate in penis.  You can actually "measure" penis growth and length inside the clear pump housing.  Also make sure that most of the pubic hair is kept below ring...  We also are changing ring size based on postion during each "session".  This also adds the erection/release/erection/release to the "exercise".  We have not encountered any brusing or blistering at all to date. 

Anyway,  wish I would have gotten pump very much sooner in our recovery...  Wife and I are really having fun now... 

And like you, penis seems full thru the rest of the day...  Back to the old routine of having to tuck it back in briefs once in awhile during the day...

BTW,  I got pump and a couple of DVD videos in a "package" from Sinclair Institute for $172...  Cheaper than pump alone...  Go figure...

All in all, it was a great addition for us...

Ray (aka pasayten)

CaPCA says:"

I have not tried the rings yet for holding the erection. They are a little initimidating but mostly due to the fact that my normal erections are so much better than the vacuum assisted ones, and I am refering to the ones after surgery. My doctor recommends the pump use DAILY, in sets of four pump erections during a session. After each set, I do find I get more and more length, but again, not to where I am with normal erections. I do find the increase in blood flow to the area feels good, and I guess anything that improves blood flow is beneficial. I was just surprised that the pump would be worse than normal sexual arousal, which can be 90-95% of what I was before surgery."

I was told to use the pump morning and night, with 'sets' of 2 or more each session, keeping it erect for 10 minutes or so each time.  I am managing 3 to 4 cycles of 5 minutes or so each, which is making a world of difference in what I have residual for hours afterwards.  The ease of use, along with finding I don't have to use such a small size ring has really increased the pleasure from stimulation and reduced the discomfort of stretching too far.  I found that I could work quite a bit of skin that had been on the body side of the ring through the ring, with liberal use of lube, allowing for a much less stretched and much better feeling erection.  As a matter of fact, it worked so comfortably that I was able to ********* to climax (blush).  As someone mentioned earlier, there's a build-in aversion to self-pleasure carried from my repressed childhood....lol  Or at least talking about it or admitting it.   The feeling was very different but intense.  The normal (for me) pulsing spasms of intense pleasure running out of my body down the length of my penis is gone, replaced with a more centralized pulsing pleasure spreading out internally from the location of the former prostate.  Altogether a much more different but very intense and pleasureable feeling.  I can definitely live with it...lol.   

Anyway, the reason I quoted you is you said you got 50 to 60% erection with Viagra.  In my case, I am getting 0% with 100 mg. Viagra. 

Since I went out-of-state for surgery, the ED rehab nurse prescribed this regimen with the pump prior to knowing about the good natural erections. I agree that the rings are probably not for me and that that the pump only really needs to be used for theruputic sessions rather than achieving a "usable" erection. I am probably extra cautious with the amount of vacuum I use for fear of "breaking" the good results I am having otherwise.

It's interesting to see the variance in recommendations for pump use. I need to review my instructions but I believe they call for a pump-assisted erection of only 20 seconds per set.

I agree with your statement, although I was instructed to use the meds and the pump until I return to normal. I take that to mean good erections without medication. Since I just started taking Cialis, I have not taken a break from it to see if there is any difference.

Since I started this thread, I have had much more luck with the pump, almost as if my body has adjusted to it. Now, it actually feels good in a non-sexually-stimulating way. I guess "theraputic" sums it up.