Unique Situation

[BigMike]

Hey everyone at Frank Talk. My name's Mike and I've come here to get some of your opinions of my situation. First off I'd like to tell you about what has happened to me.

About 5 years ago when I was 15 I decided to use anabolic steroids. I had used them all through highschool and wound up with some pretty nasty side effects.

Now I am 19 and I was put on testosterone replacement therapy about a year ago. That has really helped me with quality of life, but I still am having severe ED. I've tried all of the PDE5 inhibitors (Cialis, Viagra, Levitra) and at first they worked "ok" but now they almost have no effect. As I see it I have 3 options left; VED, Muse/Caverject and an implant. I've only taken Caverject/Muse and the implant into consideration though.

What are your experiences with Caverject/Muse and the implant? Which one do you think would fit my situation best?

If you have any questions too, please don't hesitate to ask because I know I was fairly brief.

[regain-is-the-aim]

Mike:

Welcome. I can only speak for myself but I tried the Muse and did NOT like it. I am a PCa victim with robotic surgery and as a result ed. The muse burns a fair amount, not a deal breaker but. The erection was not very good and the experience not satisfactory for the $$. Have not used the Caverjet. There are other injection meds and they are covered on this site so you might look thru and talk to your doc.

You might consider pumps. I have a "Prelude" (discussed on the site under pumps) and like it very much. Its not really a pump but a soft vac device to stimulate blood flow. It's easy to use, fun and gets the blood flowing- not adequate for sex. I have not gone to an implant yet, but they say you should pump to preserve length and should pump some months before surgery. Don't know where you live but the guys on this site claim Vanderbilt to be the best surgery ctr for implants in US.

Also suggest you join the chat room some evening and ask ? away. Everyone here is great at helping when they can.

Good Luck and again, welcome

Regards,

Dick

[BigMike]

Well today we tried the Muse. It stung as the pellet broke down and it didn't help me achieve a satisfying erection. The erection was painful as well.

On Monday I'm scheduled again to meet with the doctor. This time we'll be trying Caverject (Or whatever the brand is now.) If that doesn't work we'll be moving to the implant.

[regain-is-the-aim]

Mike:

Sorry the Muse didn't work and I fully understand your experience. With your young age you might consider contacting Colin.Longren and David7 who are members of this site. They are about your age and both have been required to move to implants. They may be of great assistance to you as you go thru this. They can share their journey and prep you as to what to expect. The surgeon is critical on this one. Stay positive and keep trying. There is still fun to be had.

Good luck.

Regards,

Dick

[BigMike]

Thanks for the message Dick.


Today I went to the doctor again and I tried the injection therapy. It worked fairly well. 2 hours later and I still got a pretty decent boner.

I'd like some opinions from you guys though.

If you use the shots what are the biggest pros and cons?
If you have had surgery what are the biggest pros and cons?

[franglais]

x

[BigMike]

Hi, Mike,
Some here who used injections developed Peyronie's disease or fibrosis and attributed that to the shots. I used the injections for a period of time, but never experienced that. But I suppose it is a possibility..... and a chance you take. Certainly, just notice any changes in your penis and if you see anything of concern, talk to your doctor. I do know some people who have used the injections for years and have never had a problem. For me, the erections with the injections just didn't feel *natural*. I don't know exactly how to describe it. Then, there's the matter of figuring out how, when having sex, you are going to introduce the needle. Do you inject before and hope she's in the mood? Do you wait to be sure, then excuse yourself for a moment to go inject? I guess those are pros/cons as I see them.

After 7+ years of ED, I finally decided on an implant..... and I wish I had done it years ago!! It was not nearly as difficult as I thought it would be. I am all healed up..... surgery in February of 2010. I can pump up anytime I want...... and I can stay pumped up as long as I want. For a young guy like you, a pro would be the long lasting erections..... even after you have ejaculated...... if she wants to continue using it! The con, for a young guy in particular, would be that you will have to eventually have replacements. But, knowing what I know about the procedure and how easy the recovery was, I would not let that stand in my way of deciding to have an implant. But..... it has to be the right thing for you. Like Dick, I would suggest you contact Colin, who is a member here. He is close to you in age...... and he is very satisfied with his implant.

Best wishes to you and feel free to ask *any* questions. Also, GOOD LUCK with the injections for now.... and ENJOY!!!


Mike in GA
59yo, PCA/surgery age 51
Implant Feb. 2010

Insightful post man. I appreciate it. But what made you want to go to the implant?

I'm really taking the surgery into consideration but it's a life changing decision. Anyone else have some opinions?

[franglais]

x

[BigMike]

Hi, Mike,

Well, nothing else was working to my satisfaction, so I had considered the implant for a LONG time, obviously. *MY* biggest fear about the implant was not the procedure....... but it was that I would *feel* this foreign object in my penis all the time. I talked to lots of guys who told me that was not the case...... but I still hesitated. Another problem was finding someone who was a real *expert* to do the procedure. I could find no one in Atlanta that did 300 or so a year.

I went to the implant group on yahoo for more reading and information...... and met someone who had been to Nashville and was very pleased with Dr. Milam. I learned that he was the kind of *expert* I was looking for.... and he was 7 hours drive from my home. So it became *do-able*. Then, my insurance covered it...... so that was another plus. Finally, I just decided, with the help of some other guys who had been there, to take the leap of faith and go with it. I wasn't happy as I was..... and the implant was the only other solution.

Now...... five months later, I can tell you that I do *NOT* feel the implant inside me....... unless I touch it..... or when I pump it up. To me...... and to my wife...... my erection feels *normal*. Sitting here typing this to you..... I am not aware of where the pump is sitting...... or feel the rods in my penis. So I don't even think about it. And having the implant means I can have normal sex again....... and that is GREAT!

So there you are...... my reasons for finally going with the implant. It's not the choice for everyone. And each person has to arrive at the decision as best he can after weighing all the alternatives.

Now...... back to your situation. I believe you said you are 18 years old. If you have a partner who is okay with the needle, you might even let that partner learn to give the injection as part of foreplay. Some of the guys here who use injections regularly might give you some other ideas for incorporating the injections into lovemaking. If that works for you, it may be fine to just stay with that. Just be *aware* of the Peyronie's and fibrosis (Google and read and look at photos of those). It's always a *possibility*...... but there are also guys who have developed Peyronie's who have never used a needle. So it's an individual thing.... and something to just keep watch for and notify your doctor if something seems different. You are not going to inject and wake up the next morning with Peyronie's. It's something that will happen *over time*...... *IF* it happens at all.

Another thing I thought of after my first reply to you....... things will change with time. Implants, today, are certainly NOT like they were 20 or 30 years ago. There has been MUCH improvement. Over *your* lifetime, you can expect many more improvements...... and an implant could last anywhere from 7 years to 20 years...... Newer and improved models may be even more long lasting. All of us *more mature* guys can remember what it was like to be 18 and have hardons that seemed to be made of steel when we were in our teens or twenties. I could hang a wet towel on mine and make the towel dance. (Actually, I can do the same thing now..... but with the implant). But, those days are gone. I would think this would be a very difficult decision for someone at your age to have to deal with. You are right to ask lots of questions...... read a lot.... talk with guys who have been there.... and take your time making a decision.

Best wishes!
Mike in GA
59 yo, PCA/prostatectomy at 51
Implant AMS 700 LGX Feb 2010

Thanks for the reply man. And yea your right it is a really hard decision. I'm just not sure exactly what to do...

[jackpTenn]

Big Mike

I have been off the forum for several weeks due to business and other concerns.

Most of my story in in the implant section. It started with peyronies in 1995 and finally got my implant 10/23/08 by Dr. Douglas Milam at Vanderbilt in Nashville Tn after a failed attempt by a local doctor.

If you would like the draft of my story "One Mans Journey" send me an email to jwp104@att.net. It is my journal through one year post op. Now at almost 2 years I will tell you that the implant is a normal part of me. My wife and I are very happy. Sex any time any place we want, for as long as we want. Can ejaculate and keep on going as long as you or she wants.

I had a bad experience with the ED shots. Caused corproal fibrosis and made things worse. Most men that use shots only do so for about a year and then quit. Carverject will also warn you to watch out for a sudden curve, that is peyronies and that creates more problems.

Good Luck. Any way I can help let me know.

JackP