Odds of prolonged ED from radical prostatectomy . . .

[Andy425]

I've read that something like 200,000 American men are diagnosed every year of prostate cancer, and 30,000 - 40,000 die from it. So it goes without saying that tens of thousands of us are treated for PC every year.

I have no idea how many ED forums there are -- quite a few I suspect -- but there are not that many active members here considering the overall numbers cited above.

Am I to conclude that the majority of men become functional after a year or two following surgery? People who do not have medical problems typically do not post on medical forums. Usually it is people who are looking for help, so drawing any conclusions from the amount of posts here or at any other ED forum would be wildly inaccurate as to the overall problem.

A guy I know had an open RP in 2000 and he said he became pretty much functional again eventually and he told me to be optimistic, "It will come back." (he has both nerve bundles, I only have one.)

It just seems to me that this site should be much busier than it is. Or is it not that well known? I probably never would have found it, but it was recommended by someone from a prostate cancer forum where I was posting.

[trimix60]

I think that men and their prostrate cancer problems is still somewhat in the closet....and they don't talk about it.

The people on this forum and others do talk about it but I think there are many, many more out there that do not....I think that there is a certain personality type person that will seek out information and is not afraid to talk about personal things....and they are the ones on these forums...I feel that those type of people are a small percentage of the overall numbers touched by this disease.

How many men do you know that will openly talk about their ED problem.....even on a forum....!!!

Just some thoughts ...

Cheers,

Curt

[Frank Talk Admin]

Actually, there are no other ED forums like this at all! Which is why we started it. There are some small ED forums in WebMD, Daily Strength, but they are not that busy either. We have never done any SEO work or advertising. guys find us by referral or by some search term. The vast majority of guys like to lurk and learn. Guys also tend to ask one question, get the answer they are looking for and move on. And that is all good.

your other question -
Many guys will regain some function after PCa surgery. Most of them will need oral meds. Every guy is different. Virtually all men will have profound ED for up to 6-12 months. It will gradually get better and continue to improve for up to five years. But even that deadline is not definite.

[Andy425]

I think that men and their prostrate cancer problems is still somewhat in the closet....and they don't talk about it.

The people on this forum and others do talk about it but I think there are many, many more out there that do not....I think that there is a certain personality type person that will seek out information and is not afraid to talk about personal things....and they are the ones on these forums...I feel that those type of people are a small percentage of the overall numbers touched by this disease.

How many men do you know that will openly talk about their ED problem.....even on a forum....!!!

Just some thoughts ...

Cheers,

Curt

Good points, Curt. I would have thought the anonymity of the internet would bring even those guys out, but maybe you're right.

My sister's husband and a guy my other sister knows both had PC before I did. They both talked to me about incontinence, but not ED. My brother-in-law probably would if I asked him, but for obvious reasons I probably never will, heh.

[Andy425]

Actually, there are no other ED forums like this at all! Which is why we started it. There are some small ED forums in WebMD, Daily Strength, but they are not that busy either. We have never done any SEO work or advertising. guys find us by referral or by some search term. The vast majority of guys like to lurk and learn. Guys also tend to ask one question, get the answer they are looking for and move on. And that is all good.

Now that you mention it, it seems to me I did search a little bit for other ED forums when I first came here almost 6 months ago and did not find much.

your other question -
Many guys will regain some function after PCa surgery. Most of them will need oral meds. Every guy is different. Virtually all men will have profound ED for up to 6-12 months. It will gradually get better and continue to improve for up to five years. But even that deadline is not definite.

Thanks for that info, Paul. "Every guy is different," wow, I have found that out the hard way. Even for every human being -- male or female. Surgeons can give you odds and statistics, but there is no way they can predict what will happen to you.

As for the meds, from what I've read here, it seems they are like a lot of other drugs in that they lose their effectiveness after some time. Is this generally true?

[radiodec]

ED likelihood from prostate caner treatment, about 50%. Some degree of incontinence, a little lower. Incontinence severe enough to require medical intervention fairly low.

With erectile dysfunction from nerve damage following prostate cancer treatment the pills, Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis are generally ineffective. For some, including myself, the injections cease to be reliable after a period of multiple years. Waitinig ti determine the lifespan of an implant.

Radiodec

[dtwarren1942]

Hey, radiodec!

I have been on Trimix for almost two years and I have noticed that I now need 25 units to generat the same results that 12 units did when I first started. Can you summarize te time frame and how the effective dose needed to be changed from when you first started Trimix to when it was no longer effective?

[radiodec]

Didn't usr trimix. Used Edex or Caverject whichever was available. Liked Edex better. Good for about 10 years with minimum effective dose slowly increasing to 20 micrograms from 10; then rapidly going to just doesn't work in the two years following.

Implant, first time every time. Requires short finger nails though, you don't want to cut yourself with a nail.

Radiodec

[vedman999]

Andy,

I had my RPP in October 2011 and I'm still suffering from ED. Both nerve bundles were saved. I've tried cialis for eight months, but that did not help. I haven't had a spontaneous erection since my operation. My Uro says it could take 2 years or longer. I've been using a VED for the last ten months. The VED does produce an erection but it goes soft soon after I remove it. I'm not ready to try injections or an implant yet. I'm hoping some function returns soon.

[trimix60]

Wow vedman999....!!!! I certainly would not be waiting to get something working for you...the sooner the better...rehab is what you need...stimulation...and sounds like trimix is what you should be seeking out.

I could not get any of the drugs to work....and at 12 months out, I jumped into trimix injections....the best thing I every did and great for rehab of your nerves that operate everything....you need erection therapy...keeping the tissues active and the nerves exercised...

Don't wait...trimix is a piece of cake...there are lots of guy's on this forum that have joined the "Prick Me" Club.....it's great and don't wait !!!!

Since starting my trimix I have seen some great results getting back to how nature expected this to work.....

Cheers !!!!

Curt