FrankTalk.org

This is my first post on this board, so go easy on me if I've posted it where it doesn't belong or if I've done any other faux pas. I found this discussion board several weeks ago, and have been spending hours looking through posts, making me realize that there are other men out there dealing with the same things, asking the same questions, and having the same fears. I thank everyone here for being so honest and open, and willing to talk about such personal things. Thank you. Thank you.

My story began with an elevated PSA in 2019. Follow-ups showed the level increasing. The doctors were not as concerned with the level as with the rate of increase. A biopsy showed cancer, and MRI determined that removal would be the best option to get rid of it. The robot-assisted procedure was done in mid-2020. At my most recent checkup a month ago, PSA was still undetectable.

Looking back, it's clear that the doctors were mainly concerned with the cancer and not so much with side-effects of the surgery. I did get referred to PT for incontinence, and worked many weeks with a therapist to get that under control, which it still is, thankfully. But, I had to seemingly push to get sent to the Men's Health clinic. From them, I got the usual prescriptions for sildenafil, tadalafil, and maintenance dosages, but there was never enough of an effect with the medication to allow normal penetration and the side-effects were not pleasant.

A few months after surgery, the MH doctor suggested a VED, and said that it helps keep tissues in good working order, and I probably should have been using one since shortly after the surgery. I think she realized that I was quite angry when I asked her why nobody had ever told me that! This was the first I'd heard of "use it or lose it." This is when she gave me a prescription for tri-mix, and told me to start with 10 units and go up from there until I get a good erection.

I dutifully followed her instructions on the first attempt at an injection, and within five minutes got the first real erection I’d had in many months. It was amazing and was put to immediate use. Then it began to ache. Then it began to hurt and feel like it was going to burst. I started taking some decongestants, but finally after four hours had to go to the ER to have it reversed. After that experience, I was put on bi-mix, with a dose of 10 units being hit-or-miss as far as producing an erection. When it works, it lasts about three hours. When it doesn’t, there’s nothing. I also think the injections on the left side have caused scarring, because one attempt bent the needle, and another was so hard to inject that it caused throbbing pain for almost a week.

At this point, I’m exploring the implant options. I’m so grateful to everyone here that posts their experiences, because before I found this forum I was terrified of having implant surgery. Many fears have been minimized by what I’ve read, but of course, there is always some fear of the unknown.

I’m sure I’ll feel more comfortable soon with opening up here with some specifics on both my experiences and my many other questions. I’ll probably take any other discussions to the “members only” forum. I hope this wasn’t too much to begin with.

Again, thank you, everybody!

Welcome to the forum.
If it's difficult to depress the plunger then the needle isn't positioned correctly. It's either too deep or too shallow. Adjust depth until the plunger is easy to depress. If it hurts when you depress the plunger same story. If you can manage it try to have a bit of a chubby before injecting. Everyone will bend a needle at some point.

I'd consider asking your doctor if you could trial tri-mix again but with a lower dose, especially of the alprostadil (PGE1). But the alprostadil can be very effective at the correct dose.

bldoink wrote:Welcome to the forum.
If it's difficult to depress the plunger then the needle isn't positioned correctly. It's either too deep or too shallow. Adjust depth until the plunger is easy to depress. If it hurts when you depress the plunger same story. If you can manage it try to have a bit of a chubby before injecting. Everyone will bend a needle at some point.

Appreciated, bldoink. Nobody ever gave me instructions other than "inject into the lower inch or so, and alternate sides." Never got shown anything.

bldoink wrote:I'd consider asking your doctor if you could trial tri-mix again but with a lower dose, especially of the alprostadil (PGE1). But the alprostadil can be very effective at the correct dose.

The lowest dose I tried was around 2 units, which is so microscopic it's hard to even properly measure into the syringe. I've become apprehensive about the tri-mix. I've also tried the urethral gel, but that only swelled things up without a proper erection and caused a really bad, prolonged ache.

Tuscan_Order wrote:The lowest dose I tried was around 2 units, which is so microscopic it's hard to even properly measure into the syringe.

But 2 units of what mix? The actual mix, the amount of each ingredient per ml, is at least as important as the units of mix injected. Your mix was too strong.

Tuscan: Injecting is tricky but learnable. I've been doing it for eight years and could not be more pleased. Bldoink gave you the two most important injecting points and there is much good technique in the "Injecting" topic. Reply or PM me for injecting help. Most guys spend years injecting before going to an implant.

It sounds like you don't have a urologist much interested in erection dysfunction. These might be most urologists! Large urology practices often have a specialist ED urologist who would give you better help. Check urology websites or call a practice with ten or more doctors, the more the better, and ask for a mens' sexual health specialist. The "mens' ED clinics" seem to be overpriced and perfunctory, making their money on our embarrassment, and volume.

Yes, the urethral gel MUSE seems to be universally painful. Here it's known as "Must Use Something Else."

Martin,
Thanks for the info - I'll give that technique a try. I did get the basic injection info when I started them, so the technique doesn't seem to be the issue. The problem is that scar tissue seems to be forming on the left side where I have been injecting (being careful to not do it in the same place), which has caused a very visible indentation on that side when erect. When the bimix works, it really works. I either get nothing or a 3-hour erection out of it. I've been injecting for two years now, and I'm tired of dealing with the uncertain effect, the injection pain, the 3 hour erection, and the lack of having spontaneity. My first men's health doctor left and now I'm seeing a PA. She has been suggesting an implant for the last year or so. That's what brought me here and why I'm trying to find as much info on implants as possible before I decide.