ED 10 months after surgery

[jimoco]

I’m 59 and had a prostatectomy November 2018 at Sloan and my doctor was wonderful. At my 2 month followup my PSA was undetectable, it was also undetectable at my 6 month followup. I’m hoping it will be the same at my one year appointment next month. I’m taking 20mg of viagra every day and 100mg one or two times a week. I’m able to get an erection but it takes a lot of work and doesn’t last long. I’d rather not use the injections and would like any info on the pump or other treatments and devices to rehabilitate. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

[Tall_Allen]

Here's a good book from the leading sexual medicine expert at MSK - perhaps you can get a consult with him:

amazon.com/Saving-Your-Sex-...

[jimoco in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thanks Tall_Allen. I’ll see if I can get an appointment with him.

[Vitruviusman]

I've I've posted this before about the pump. I found the pump very painful. You put the device on your cock and activate the suction. the suction itself can be painful. Then they give you this rubber band like tourniquet to put at the base of your penis which is very tight and painful. To me I lost all erotic sensation with it. Medicare covers this device so you may want to try it yourself. I couldn't stand it. it was like a device from medieval torture. This is my experience of it. If Other men had more positive experience I'd like to hear about it because it certainly was nowhere near that for me

[Hidden in reply to Vitruviusman]

It sounds like you Might using the wrong sort of pump and you are using the wrong technique. Unless you use a proper medical pump with a limiter on it and don't overinflate, then it won't be painful. Uncomfortable maybe, painful no. I know this from personal experience.

If you're using a cheap pump you got on line or in a sex shop, it probably doesn't have a limiter on it, it probably doesn't fit properly and you're probably overinflating. This is dangerous and the pain means you're possibly actually damaging yourself.

Similar with injections, if you were doing them too often and using poor technique and poor hygiene you're damaging yourself. You have to nurture your penis not try to force its cooperation.

I have witnessed cases where the blood supply has been so compromised that the penis has ulcerated, split open and parts of it had to be cut off.

Try some moderation

[Vitruviusman in reply to Hidden]

In my prostate cancer group 3 other men has gotten the pump device and have the exact same painful experience.

[dhl550906]

you are fortunate. I'm 1 year post-prostatectomy with no erectile function yet!

[jimoco in reply to dhl550906]

Wow! Sorry to hear that. Good luck!

[Hidden in reply to dhl550906]

Yes, I'm sorry to hear that too. Hope you have sought help witth the problem and aren't just leaving it to fate. Whatever progress you've made after TWO years is probably the best you'll achieve, although I've heard others say its taken longer. Don't give up yet!

[Hidden]

Please ignore any negative comments on this forum. At just under a year after surgery you're doing OK. However neither should you get complacent. Tall-Allen's advice is good.

[jimoco in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Tim. I appreciate your advice and compassion.

[Bcgkelly]

I am using a pump and do not find it painful. It is a medical pump. While it does give me a hard on the rubber ring can only be left on for 30 mins max and it does start to hurt the longer you leave it on. It may help you as you already have some functionality. It’s worth a try and the only way you’re going to find out is to try for yourself. BTW the injections don’t hurt either.

[jimoco in reply to Bcgkelly]

Thanks Bcgkelly for your help. I have my one year followup appointment on November 8th so I’ll speak to my doctor about it then. I think I’m going to try it. At this point I need all the rehabilitation I can get.

[PSV60]

Hi Jimoco! I am also coming up on my 1 yr. anniversary of my prostatectomy and so far, cancer-free.

My doctor recommended the Pos-T-Vac pump which I ordered online from a

national pharmacy. Eventually, along with Cialis, It did give me an erection for the first time last week, though not sustainable. The pump can be uncomfortable at times, but it seems to get better with frequent use and

the more times I pumped.

My doctor advised me to NOT use the rings yet. He also said it could take 2 or more yrs. average to obtain a sustainable erection. Though initially discouraging, I got over it and focused on the positivity of being cancer-free and that Iam still in the early stages of rehab. I Remember seeing a post here from a guy who said he finally, over a period of time, got an erection when he just “relaxed” and let the stress go. I thought that was very positive advice and it truly has helped me keep the faith. All of our bodies will respond differently to the various therapies, but keeping a minimal stress level , I believe, is universal. Good luck with your upcoming doc appt.!

[jimoco in reply to PSV60]

Thanks so much for your reply. It’s very helpful and encouraging. I’ll ask my doctor about the pump at my appointment in early November. I’m happy to hear your surgery was successful. Seems like we’re on a parallel path. I totally agree with you about relieving stress and to do so I left my job and retired early. I’m much happier and stress-free to help my recovery.

[PSV60 in reply to jimoco]

Hi there! Glad my post helped a bit! I agree that we are on a parallel path and I also feel very fortunate to be undectable. I try to embrace that positive thought every day. It sounds like you have a good doctor...and Iam sure he can give you advice about the pump. My sexual health doctor is on my surgeon’s team, and he wrote a guide book about penal rehab, including using the pump, so I use that as a resource. Congrats on the retirement. Its a great time to focus on you! I do find it humorous at times that my rehab consists of pleasuring myself and pumping...Lol. Oh well!

[Handdrummer777]

I hope you are on a continuing improvement track! I noticed that you wanted info on any devices. Well, I seem to have invented a device that is seeing me through 18 months of ADT with good-to-excellent erections. Please go to my posts and scroll down until you see a link to a document I wrote, with one all-important photo illustration.

It's called the JoyLoop, or just the Loop. You make it literally in 5 seconds. Give it a try! Hope it helps get you even better erections. Good luck.

[EdinBmore]

Great news re PSA levels!

I went the ADT, radiation route. Lack of desire is more of an issue for me than ED. However, based on forum chat and doc's suggestion, I bought a pump. Spent hours researching them. Btw, as far as I can tell, the pumps are not Medicare approved for reimbursement. From what I've read, Steve King, a right wing conservative congressman who was recently censured by the House, killed the legislation that would have included pumps as reimbursable. He made a snide remark about grandpas using sex aids. Sigh.

Editorial comments aside, I bought a RESTORE pump. It works. It takes a bit of practice to master the technique and ensure that you're not hurting yourself. And, yes, the constriction ring at the base of the penis can be tight; careful in selecting the best fit. Have a "friend" participate in your rehabilitation! Turn it into a fun time.

And, yes, to the daily dose of Cialis or Viagra. My doc recommended daily Tadalafil (generic form of Cialis). Bought it from "compound" pharmacy for $160 for 90 day supply. A bargain when compared with cost via insurance provider.

Good luck to you.

EdinBaltimore

[Opticalism5]

Hi, just read you post from 2 years ago. You said, "I’m taking 20mg of viagra every day and 100mg one or two times a week." Could this be?? I had a RP 9 months ago, I'm 59. My urologist does not recommend this high dosage every day. But I am curious, were you okay with 20mg every day? And the 100mg, is that safe? Curious if anyone else has insight. Thanks.