My Journal

[merrix]

Thanks to those of you who provided feedback on my situation.

I just communicated with Eid. Replied my email within a couple of hours seven years after surgery.
Unfortunately he confirmed what I suspected - that my story is consistent with the proceedings when there is a slow fluid leak.
He forecasts that eventually my system will run dry, all the saline will leak out.
I am still a bit puzzled since I don't notice any difference in hardness when I inflate fully, but if the leak is very slow, then I guess it just hasn't gotten to that point where I notice it yet.
This is they well known weakness of the Titan implant, the tubing connection to the cylinders.
He says the solution is full replacement, cylinders, pump and reservoir.

Tough shit, but this day was inevitably going to come. It could have happened earlier and could have happened years later.
It happened now. Seven years is not good but not entirely rubbish either.

I still just can't get myself to book the surgery before complete failure. So far this has not even once prevented me from inflating fully and have sex.
It has just forced me to deflate and re-inflate a couple of times.
Not sure what miracle I am waiting for, but I just can't cut my dick open till I know for 100% my implant is dead.

Will let you know how this proceeds, but please keep sharing your experience of what I describe.

[516430203]

、

[wolfpacker]

Thanks to those of you who provided feedback on my situation.

I just communicated with Eid. Replied my email within a couple of hours seven years after surgery.
Unfortunately he confirmed what I suspected - that my story is consistent with the proceedings when there is a slow fluid leak.
He forecasts that eventually my system will run dry, all the saline will leak out.
I am still a bit puzzled since I don't notice any difference in hardness when I inflate fully, but if the leak is very slow, then I guess it just hasn't gotten to that point where I notice it yet.
This is they well known weakness of the Titan implant, the tubing connection to the cylinders.
He says the solution is full replacement, cylinders, pump and reservoir.

Tough shit, but this day was inevitably going to come. It could have happened earlier and could have happened years later.
It happened now. Seven years is not good but not entirely rubbish either.

I still just can't get myself to book the surgery before complete failure. So far this has not even once prevented me from inflating fully and have sex.
It has just forced me to deflate and re-inflate a couple of times.
Not sure what miracle I am waiting for, but I just can't cut my dick open till I know for 100% my implant is dead.

Will let you know how this proceeds, but please keep sharing your experience of what I describe.

Not sure exactly how the coloplast lifetime warranty works but you may be better off anyway waiting til it's 100% broken like you said. Im imagining some nightmare scenario where coloplast declines the warranty replacement because it was still somewhat functional when you got it replaced, not yet fully dysfunctional.

Of course this doesn't matter as much if you're paying with insurance. Anyway just trying to give some encouragement. Not where we want to be, especially as young guys with the implant, but we do know it's inevitable.

[Lost Sheep]

(edited down for focus)
I just communicated with Eid. Replied my email within a couple of hours seven years after surgery.
Unfortunately he confirmed what I suspected - that my story is consistent with the proceedings when there is a slow fluid leak.
He forecasts that eventually my system will run dry, all the saline will leak out.
I am still a bit puzzled since I don't notice any difference in hardness when I inflate fully, but if the leak is very slow, then I guess it just hasn't gotten to that point where I notice it yet.
This is they well known weakness of the Titan implant, the tubing connection to the cylinders.
He says the solution is full replacement, cylinders, pump and reservoir.

Since you can still achieve full inflation, while I agree with Dr Eid's assessment, I disagree with Dr Eid's forecast. I think it more likely that there is a fluid leak WITHIN the pump valve and fluid is making its way back into the reservoir (or not going through the pump at all) as you try to inflate. If that is the case, simply replacing the pump in your scrotum (leaving your inflatable implant tubes and your penis alone) might be an option.

Of course, after 7 years replacing the entire apparatus might be a better option (kind of like my 18 year old car; it needs most of the engine seals replaced. I could have that done or I could get a whole new engine with warranty and all.)

I am not surprised Dr Eid responded to you swiftly. I communicated with him before my implant and he impressed me as a truly caring humanitarian.

If your pump bulb eventually does not refill, that would be a confirmation of fluid LOSS as opposed to fluid pump valve allowing fluid return to the reservoir. But replacing the entire apparatus or just the failed valve is a judgement call.

Praying for you, Merrix. You are an inspiration to me and to the forum.

[merrix]

Since you can still achieve full inflation, while I agree with Dr Eid's assessment, I disagree with Dr Eid's forecast. I think it more likely that there is a fluid leak WITHIN the pump valve and fluid is making its way back into the reservoir (or not going through the pump at all) as you try to inflate. If that is the case, simply replacing the pump in your scrotum (leaving your inflatable implant tubes and your penis alone) might be an option.

Of course, after 7 years replacing the entire apparatus might be a better option (kind of like my 18 year old car; it needs most of the engine seals replaced. I could have that done or I could get a whole new engine with warranty and all.)

I am not surprised Dr Eid responded to you swiftly. I communicated with him before my implant and he impressed me as a truly caring humanitarian.

If your pump bulb eventually does not refill, that would be a confirmation of fluid LOSS as opposed to fluid pump valve allowing fluid return to the reservoir. But replacing the entire apparatus or just the failed valve is a judgement call.

Praying for you, Merrix. You are an inspiration to me and to the forum.

Thanks for the kind words.
I have to say that your analysis is the same as mine. That there is a leak, but not a leak which drains the system of saline. Just a malfunction which prevents the saline from entering the cylinders.
My simple logic is this: When this problem occurs, it surely feels like I can do several pumps where nothing is transferred into the cylinders. If all of that saline was just forced out of the system, into my body, then I would basically only need 40, 50, 60 or whatever of those pumps before I had no saline left. That would mean my system would already be dry. It isn't. Yesterday night I had sex with the same super hardness as I normally do.
I just had to pump twice as many times go get there, and the feeling was that roughly half the pumps did nothing, and the other half had full effect.

I am not questioning Eid's competence in any way - on the contrary, I think he is the guru of implants.
On the other hand, he must make that diagnosis based on my short email. It is very likely that I didn't manage to describe the issue to him with 100% clarity.

But even if that is the case, it doesn't help much. Once something like this has started, it won't go away by itself. Rather it will most likely just get worse and sooner or later I won't be able to pump at all. Doesn't really matter then if my saline stays in my reservoir and won't come out, or if is drained in my body.

As for the option of only replacing the pump, yes that would be an option in that case. On the other hand, the warranty will mean there is really no cost difference, and the implant is 7 years after all. If I have to fly to the other side of the planet, pay for flight tickets, hotel, and all surgery costs except for the implant itself - I think I prefer a new system, all parts. Not just the pump. Would be a total blow if something else broke down one year later.

[FinallyBionic]

Sorry to hear that it might need a revision in the near future.
As LS stated, a partial replacement is a good, if approved by your surgeon of course. I believe it is important to find where the leak is. If it is at the reservoir side, only the reservoir can be replaced. Same if it is on pump side.
I won't be bothered a lot if a revision will involve an improvement, ie new pump invented, or any new technology is taking place, and of course, if insurance covers it. At this point, I will be happy to get all the system replaced, but if I am getting the same implant, I would prefer to get only a partial replacement.

[Gt1956]

As many others. My sympathies to your troubles. I agree that it sounds like an "internal in the pump" leak.
When to repair is the same dilemma as when to get your first implant. How long to limp along with inconsistent performace?
There is a good chance that a complete system is the best step. I'm fairly sure that there has been several small incremental improvements in the 7+ years since this one was made. Coloplast likely doesn't announce every minor change.
When you look at the fixed costs that you're facing. I.e. travel, time pain, time off of work. The cost of a complete implant shrinks in comparison.
As I recall. You made a post about yout Titan stretching. May I suggest that you try getting Eid to inflate one of the removed cylinder in order to decide your new implants length? Getting an accurate length measurement of you corpras might be tricky if your old cylinders have stretched.
I'm sure that you can roll all these facts aroud in your head to make the best decision. My best wishes go out to you.

[newbie443]

To me it seems as this is just occasional thing that the valve is not switching into full inflation mode. As with my device this dose not happen often. So I still think that is what is happening. By not switching fully in inflation mode then fluid is diverting where it should not. If it were a leek then it would have symptoms all the time. It still may be on it's way to failure and not being able to switch at all. Or it just could be a curve thing where it was difficult to switch when new then wore in and became easier. And now it is worn a lot and more difficult to switch. Anyway that would be my guess. Another thing that comes to mind is a bit of worn device is broken loose and interfering with the valve switching properly. And my first recommendation of really paying attention to the first fast hard pump to switch the valve would apply. And to deflate and try again if you have any symptoms. As it is still working properly some or most of the time and the symptoms are so close to what I had with mine it just seems probable. But I am not a doctor it is just the way my brain works.

Good luck and I hope you are able to get some more use from your device.

[Fourtytwo00]

I wish the best for you.

If there's no (health) risk from leaking, keep driving your car as long as it's good enough before buying a brand new one. Maybe a videoconsulting would be more informative than just an email.

[Willis911]

hi merrix. i dont post often but believe me, many people read these and walk away with lots of knowledge.
as a newbie here (7 weeks old)- it gives us all a understanding of how situational issues can be handled!
i wish you the best. and with my very minimum knowledge i say wait as long as you can..unless its a terrible nuisance.
you never know what's around the corner.