Hi Im a Newbie

[tony04]

Hi IM a 60 yr old Newbie so glad to have found Frank Talk my story is as follows.
Went to local Doc in Jan 2010 for general examination Doc performed prostate check as it had been 8 yrs since last one "STUPID" digital he said felt fine very smooth right size but come back next week for blood result.
It came back high 9 so of to urologist same digital fine so arranged biopsy came back Gleason 7.Arranged surgery through public system Austin hospital i chose laparoscopic prostatectomy they said it would take 3.5 hrs it took 6.5hr and it really knocked me about very exhausted and tired after surgery.Since surgery every seems to be going OK i have no incontinence problems but have the usual ED problems take half Viagra daily have been told to try a full tablet.I'm a little concerned about a few things i have pain i didn't have before surgery shoulders very painful .Had bone scan last week and came back clear big relief.And a little concerned about my PSA @ 4WKS 0.02 @8WKS 0.01 @3MTH 0.03 and again at 6MTH 0.03 but my latest 2 wks ago my 9mth since surgery was 0.04 I'm a bit concerned about that.Urologist said nothing to worry about but it is hard not to worry.MY12 Month since surgery was 2 weeks ago so I'm of to the urologist next week to give blood then get the 12 Month PSA result I'm so nervous no I'm actually scared.

60 Yrs old Australian
PSA 9
Gleason 7
Laproscopic Prostictomy April 15 2010
PSA Post surgery 4Wks 0.01 @ 8Wks0.2 @3Mth 0.02 @ 6Mth 0.03 @ 9 Mth 0.04

[Cajun Jeff]

Tony, first welcome to FT. Many of us on FT are PCa guys. We all understand the anxiety of a PSA. I recommend that you take a look at healinwell.com and go to the Prostate Cancer section. There are guys that are far more knowledgeable for rising PSA. Do keep us posted.

Cajun Jeff

[padraig1001]

Cajun Jeff had a typo in his response, Tony. He missed the 'g' in healingwell.com. The actual link to the prostate cancer forum is

http://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35

BTW, Cajun Jeff, when do you sleep? I see you made your post when most 'normal folk' are still fast asleep!

Pat

[tony04]

Thanks so much for reply but my main concern is getting a erection.After 12 Mth i thought
i would be OK,tried Viagra no effect 100Mg daily.Thinking about a pump but i need info what
type where to buy etc.
tony04.

[antelope]

Tony,

There are a lot of pumpers on this site and no doubt more than one will reply to you with good info. In the meantime, read the forum section on pumping. There are tons of information there. You might also start thinking about injections. I have not had prostate surgery, but none of the pill combos worrked for me. I started injecitons in November and I'm enjoying a second honeymoon. You might want to read up on the injections section of the forum as well.

Greg

[padraig1001]

I purchased the Erec-Tech by Stamen Medical Systems. The cost is NOT cheap, but mine was covered by insurance. There is an excellent video that comes with it; customer support was excellent at first, but once I had a problem with one of the items, it kind of became non-existent. I was promised a replacement of that part, but it never arrived.

http://www.stamenmedicalsystems.com

1.866.506.7107 (toll free)

There is also an excellent video in the 'pump forum, that you may wish to review. If you wish to talk via the telephone, private message me and with your phone number and I'll call you.

But just so you know, the pump works beautifully. I had not had an erection in almost 12 years and within 30 minutes . . . well, wow! If I had a complaint, it would be that the rings are difficult to remove. The video on the forum talks about that as well. And Tony, my goal is to use it for intercourse, however, haven't gotten there yet for reasons not associated with the pump or the erection. I try to use it daily for therapy and that has made all the difference in the world as to making that little guy feeling a bit better about himself. I wish I had known from Day 1 that I should have been doing that rather than 12 years after the fact.

Pat

[regain-is-the-aim]

Tony:

Welcome to the clan. The PCa stuff is rough but ,as you are finding, doable. I am also a PCa victim and have had the ED issue although none before the surgery. I recommend and like pumping. I was late to this therapy but have had a good amount of success. I also have an expensive "medical" pump but would recommend that you start with a simpler, inexpensive one to see if you like pumping (not every guy does) and to see it it makes a difference for you.

Consider getting a Prelude to begin your journey. They are explained in the "Pumping" section and are not expensive. That is where I started and I was 4 yrs. post-op. Now, the Prelude will not work for sex but it is great for getting blood back into the shaft and beginning to stretch him so you don't loose any more length. I found it easy to use, it worked and it felt good. They come in 2 sizes as determined by your girth, not length, and most guys will use the standard. Even though I pump now I still on occasion use my Prelude.

If things work out and the Foundation can raise the $$, a Marketplace will soon open on the site. That allows you to shop and purchase in privacy with merchandise which as been selected for those of us facing ED. I moved from Prelude to inexpensive pump to a "medical" pump (expensive). I have used a ring and have had no issues- but they do take some getting use to and there is probably a trick ot 2 that contributes to their success. That process allowed me to learn as I went and gained knowledge and self-understanding.

Best of luck and if I can assist you in any way, please let me know.

Regards,

Dick