When do we throw in the towel on ED

[mike7909]

Hi, my name is Mike- Mike7909. I'm 66 years old.
I had a Radical Prostatectomy in 2002. My gleason was 7.8 and the cancer had escaped the capsel but was not positive in the nodes. I than had 28 radiation treatments. For two and a half years I had no sign of a the cancer coming back.
Than it did. So, thanks to Lupron I have had a stable PSA.

About throwing in the towel, well I have. It's been 7 years now since I've had an erection. In the early days after the radation I tried it all. Pumps. Muse, shots etc. Nothing worked. My doctor talked to me about an implant. Do to the fact that I am also diabetic he scared the hell out of me about the chance of infection.
If an infection occured in front of the implant (tip of the penis) it could be catastrophic. The implant would have to be removed and in some cases if the infection is to far gone, well you know the rest. My wife and I discussed the whole picture and decided against going ahead with the procedure.
We have been married for 44 years and we have been comfortable with the decision. There are many ways to remain intimate.
The key to the whole thing is that after 7 years I am still alive functional and happy to be alive.
Getting an erection is not the most important thing in life, living is..........

[jwj6872]

I was told by the Physician's Assistant that handles the ED cases post prostatectomy in the university based clinic at my two year appointment that whatever you have at 2 years will be all you will get. I had about a 50% erection without ED drugs. The ED drugs did not improve it. I used injections for two plus years and just recently had a penile implant. the intervention process is ED drugs rehab, VED rehab, injections the implant. I went though them all and will be trying out the implant in just three weeks.

Tamu

[mike7909]

Hi Tamu,
First of all Congrats on your implant. Would you please share with us what kind it is. (Pump Semi Rigid etc.)?

[jwj6872]

Mike,

I have added my implant experience under the topic "Implants". All of the information about type, surgical experience and recovery is there.

Tamu

[jarichon]

I am a 36 year old male. From time to time I have a problem maintaining an erection when engaging in sex. No problem during foreplay. My doctor wrote me a script for Levitra and it was amazing. I was 16 again and a superman in the sack. I did have a feeling of congestion and occasional headache but is worth it. The down fall is that you need to know in advance when exactly you will be sexually active. So much for romance and spontaneity. It is also very expensive.

[antelope]

When do we throw in the towel? NEVER! There is always a next step. Keep bugging your doctor(s). For me it was (1) determine the cause of dickus limpus: test for everything, including Low T. (2) Adjust meds as far as possible to reduce dickus limpus as a side effect (3) Experiment with the Big Three: Viagra, Cialis, Levitra and (4) Injections. After 3 frustrating years, I've just started the injections and I'm happy happy happy so far. Had that failed, I would have gone on to whatever is the next step. Don't give up! I've gone from zero to hero in the last 7 days. Woohoo!

[antelope]

Lem: Thanks for the responce. I am just short of 13 months. The good news is that I am still a ZERO! I have made a decision to change to a differend Dr to deal with the ED. My uro is just to quick with my Dr visits and I am not happy with his communication.

I have a couple of names and must make a decision. I plan to go to a support group meeting and ask what Dr. are they others usuing.

Thanks again for you post.

Jeff T
Cajun Country

Jeff, I can recommend an excellent urologist in Baton Rouge if you're interested.

[antelope]

Cajun Jeff,

I can recommend an excellent urologist in Baton Rouge. Let me know if you're interested.

[Cajun Jeff]

Antelope, yes I am very interested in who you know in Baton Rouge. Send to me in PM or on my E-mail

Cajun jeff

[dtwarren1942]

I have endured worsening ED for over 15 years, 2 years after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Started with 25 mg of Viagra. I am now on 100mg of Viagra. Started using a constriction band about 10 years ago and added a pump about a year ago. Started using Testim 1% Gel two weeks ago. I can now achieve penetration quality erections without Viagra, though I still need a constriction band to maintain the quality.

I haven't been tempted to throw in the towel yet because there are still other options I haven't tried yet which I am holding in reserve for when the Testim effects start to wane, I also have pumping and constriction, my old faithfuls, to fall back on if all others fail, not to mention implants.