New member - if only I could get one!!

[softlysoftly]

Just been pointed to this site from a member of CSN.org. So hello to everybody.
Looking for some info on e.d. I had a radical prostatectomy 22.12.2011 - 7 mnths ago. Have taken Viagra, Cialis and now Levitrica. During the last few weeks have started to use vacuum pump.
Results; As for the drugs almost nothing! A slight tingle at times but nothing that transfers to size and firmness. Not sure if this "alleged" tingle has anything to do with the drugs since I had the same tingle now and again before taking them. The pump is a different story. Same size as before (if I can bear the pain) but not what you would describe as firm.
Anyway, 7 months on I was rather hoping for signs of healing in this department. Am I expecting too much too soon or should I start to accept that This is the way it's going to be?
I'm 57, had excellent penile function prior to surgery which was nerve sparing, or at least that's what they said.
Keep bumping into guys on the net who are recovering or showing good signs much earlier. Very much appreciate some feedback here.

[antelope]

Pills didn't do anything for me either. Trimix injections, on the other hand, have been wonderful.

Greg
Baton Rouge

[buckster]

Hi, I'm 59 and had surgery 3 years ago. The uro was able to save nerves on one side but then my margins were to close to call so I had 40 radiation sessions. I went through the same thing trying the oral drugs with no luck. 100mg viagra gave me a little soft chubby but the side effects were horrible for me. At my 6 month check we decided to try injections using trimix. I started with the normal mix and got up to the max dossage with poor results. We doubled the strength and started again, still no good. The only thing the higher dose did was give me a half day aching chubby. I finally ordered a VED and started using that. I gave up on it after a few weeks because I just couldn't make it work for me. A few months ago I decided that an implant was my only option so I started searching to find out which one was best. That is when I found Frank Talk. Reading this site encourged me to retry the VED. With some of the suggestions here I was having better success with the pump. I read here that guys were using pumps and drugs together so I decided to refill my Trimix script and use a small injection along with the pump and ring. The injection gave me better blood flow so I was able to use a larger more comfortable ring. I can't descibe how great it was to have an orgasam while inside my wife for the first time in 3 years. I think for me coming to grips with the fact that it will never be like it use to be was the hardest part of this journey. I still want an implant but without insurance it may be a while for me. You sould get with your doctor ASAP and ask to try injections. It is one of the best ways to help restore things if it's going to happen for you. I have read that it could happen up to 2 years after surgery. There are many guys here that have rock hard erections using injections alone. Just don't give up.
Buck

[vladtepes]

buckster

Myself don't have insurance also, but regarding implanting of an AMS 700 LGX I will copy/past k.b.marino (forum member) answers to me:

Dr. Drogo Montague at the Cleveland Clinic can implant an AMS 700 LGX fir $12,000. I'm getting mine on June 28th, 2012....

Also can get a low interest loan through the bank they use.

Hope it helps
Vlad

[softlysoftly]

Well, thanks for your interest. Was rather hoping that with a bit of time I would see beginnings of recovery. Forgot to mention that immediately following RP (24hrs) I had to have another operation due to stitches leaking fluid (urine). Surgeon said this sometimes happens and would go in again through same openings and re-stitch uretha. Wondering if he has damaged/disturbed these ultra fine nerves. He gave me 100mg(I think, 1 per week) cialis following removal of catheter (but then he would wouldn't he?) but I'm not convinced the surgery wasn't sloppy. Positive apex margin (probably) and suspicion of positive circumferential margin not being a true surgical margin due to a strip of denuded tissue being seen in pathology - or in other words the surgeon may have cut across the prostate leaving cancer behind. Anyway pT3A (probably).

Makes no difference now - I am were I am and so far good news is (7 mnths) psa has been <.1 However, Oncologist informs me that If I have to go back for salvage radiation Permanent e.d. is certain but cure is far from certain. But, one has to strive for a goal in order to have some meaning in this life and I guess that is why I have not let go of possible cure and return of normal penile function. I have appointment with specialist end of July and I will ask for Trimix inject. as you suggest. Will update then. Meanwhile has anyone been i similar situation after RP after 7 months?

[trimix60]

Well, thanks for your interest. Was rather hoping that with a bit of time I would see beginnings of recovery. Forgot to mention that immediately following RP (24hrs) I had to have another operation due to stitches leaking fluid (urine). Surgeon said this sometimes happens and would go in again through same openings and re-stitch uretha. Wondering if he has damaged/disturbed these ultra fine nerves. He gave me 100mg(I think, 1 per week) cialis following removal of catheter (but then he would wouldn't he?) but I'm not convinced the surgery wasn't sloppy. Positive apex margin (probably) and suspicion of positive circumferential margin not being a true surgical margin due to a strip of denuded tissue being seen in pathology - or in other words the surgeon may have cut across the prostate leaving cancer behind. Anyway pT3A (probably).

Makes no difference now - I am were I am and so far good news is (7 mnths) psa has been <.1 However, Oncologist informs me that If I have to go back for salvage radiation Permanent e.d. is certain but cure is far from certain. But, one has to strive for a goal in order to have some meaning in this life and I guess that is why I have not let go of possible cure and return of normal penile function. I have appointment with specialist end of July and I will ask for Trimix inject. as you suggest. Will update then. Meanwhile has anyone been i similar situation after RP after 7 months?

Drugs did nothing for me also and I started using trimix 6 mo after my RP and it has been great !!! I am seeing some ED rehab progress now injecting 2-3 times per week and Cialis is starting to work for me now a little more than 1 yr out.

Certainly get on trimix, it has great rehab results, you have nothing to loose other than your ED !!!
Curt

[merlin]

Telling men to wait at least one year after their radical prostatectomy or now the robotic approach is the worst advice....this is now known, not then.
The oral pills for the most part are not effective for men who have undergone this surgery approach, but worth the try - infact many men today are prescribed
one of the pills after their suregery not as a treatment but to hopefully keep the smooth muscle within the penis healthy. If you were having good erections prior to surgery, then your problem is most likely neurological only. Treatment of choice for you ? injection therapy....all in an effort to put a penile prosthesis on the back burner. Go to a urologist who has a laundry list of injectable strengths of Papaverine/Phentolamine/Prostaglandin. The key here is to find someone (MD/RN/PA) who has good knowledge of all this....unfortunately most do not, but it's getting better. Good luck-merlin