Answering A VA Shrinks questions

[wanttokno]

Hello Gentleman,
It has been quite some time since my last post but, I have been following the questions and responses on the forum once a week or so to keep up with all that is happening. First, let me thank all of the men who are able to respond to the needs and concerns of those seeking help in dealing with the issues that we as a community of men with erectile difficulties face every day. And second, my thanks to the men with the courage to face this most difficult issue with their questions and humility, placing trust in the life experiences and integrity of those who have walked this path before us and who are now taking the time to give of themselves to help their fellow man by answering their questions. Thank you everyone.
With that having been said I now have what may prove to be a difficult question of my own. Finally, after 7 plus months I am close to receiving an implant through the VA medical system. My last hurdle,(hopefully), will be an evaluation by a psychologist to determine what I'm not exactly sure but, if I don't make it through this interview having given the answers that they want to hear I will not be eligable for the implant procedure. My problem is that I'm not sure what the interview will be addressing nor how I should answer their questions. I don't know if this is standard procedure or because I had recently told my primary care Doc that I was a bit depressed in recent months and that no thank you I won't be taking any anti-depressants, thank you very much.
So, my question is, especially if you've been through this type of interview within the VA system, how should I approach this interview and answer the psychologists' questions to try and ensure that I will receive the procedure? Yeah, I'm lookin for the answers to the test so to speak. Thanks, be blessed...

[p1s8d2]

The session of questioning has several purposes. First, the implant is expensive and the government medical system wants to be sure there is not an underlying mental issue that is the cause of your ED. I don't believe one session can actually diagnose this, but whatever. Secondly, the procedure and recovery in and of themselves can be mentally taxing for some. The recovery is a true process and one needs to be in the right frame of mind to go through it. There are a lot of reasons for this, but at the end of the day, the procedure is irreversible. Many health care professionals in a variety of fields now have a psychological component to their pre op. Some patients find it helpful.

The psychologist and and counselors who conduct the screenings are trained to see through the BS, so just be honest and forthcoming and I'm sure it will work out for you.

Best of luck, P1

[jryancey44]

I had that some years back they just want to make sure it is physical not psychological,you just have to convince them it is not mental. Mine did not last long at all. Do not mention you are depressed or under a lot of stress. There is about a 300+ waiting list a my VA so I chose a private surgeon. Good Luck!
Jim

Hello Gentleman,
It has been quite some time since my last post but, I have been following the questions and responses on the forum once a week or so to keep up with all that is happening. First, let me thank all of the men who are able to respond to the needs and concerns of those seeking help in dealing with the issues that we as a community of men with erectile difficulties face every day. And second, my thanks to the men with the courage to face this most difficult issue with their questions and humility, placing trust in the life experiences and integrity of those who have walked this path before us and who are now taking the time to give of themselves to help their fellow man by answering their questions. Thank you everyone.
With that having been said I now have what may prove to be a difficult question of my own. Finally, after 7 plus months I am close to receiving an implant through the VA medical system. My last hurdle,(hopefully), will be an evaluation by a psychologist to determine what I'm not exactly sure but, if I don't make it through this interview having given the answers that they want to hear I will not be eligable for the implant procedure. My problem is that I'm not sure what the interview will be addressing nor how I should answer their questions. I don't know if this is standard procedure or because I had recently told my primary care Doc that I was a bit depressed in recent months and that no thank you I won't be taking any anti-depressants, thank you very much.
So, my question is, especially if you've been through this type of interview within the VA system, how should I approach this interview and answer the psychologists' questions to try and ensure that I will receive the procedure? Yeah, I'm lookin for the answers to the test so to speak. Thanks, be blessed...

[wanttokno]

Hey guys thanks for your replies. You both pretty much confirmed what I had been thinking, I suppose I'm just a bit nervous, not only about the procedure but also about getting final approval.

I've been dealing with with ED for about fifteen years now as the result of nerve damage from a spinal injury. I've tried all of the commonly available therapies, and some that are rather uncommon also. The various pharmaceutical pills worked pretty well for quite a few years and the Osbon pump while working great to maintain a healthier penis was less than desirable when it came down to doing the deed for the same reason stated many times by others. I tried Muse and the best that did was give me bit of a semi that burned. Finally I was given Edex and while producing an erection about 80% of the time that was very comparable to my pre ED abilities, it left me doubled over in pain that while lessening as the hours passed would linger well into the next day. Continuing with it was pointless as it is just too painful to even contemplate penetration.

As for my depression being the cause of my difficulties that is just not the case. In addition to my own health issues my wife was just diagnosed with primary progressive MS, for which there is no treatment. Because of the rarity of it the lack of high profits discourages research into finding a cure or even a drug to benefit the people who suffer with this issue. Also my beautiful 4 year old son, who docs told us we would never be able to have because of my injuries, (at least without help from a fertility specialist), has just been diagnosed with autism. So while I am just a bit down at the moment my being depressed is not even close to being the cause of my erectile dysfunction. This may be more info than you needed but I just wanted to make it clear as to the reality of my ED, no, its not all in my head.

Again, thank you both for your replies. May you both be gifted with blessings and the eyes to recognize them, peace...

[p1s8d2]

Listen pal, you are amongst friends here. No one is here to judge. We all carry burdens in our lives and you need not worry about someone second guessing your motives, conditions, etc. Best wishes, P1

[wanttokno]

Noted and thanks. At this point I may be a touch sensitive or even paranoid. Having been on the verge of receiving the procedure and unexpectedly having to pull up stakes and move my family half way across the country only to run into months of delays before being able to see a doctor, who it turns out had a very nasty demeanor and a mouth full of falsehoods concerning the procedure has left me wary. Thankfully I've been blessed to find another Doc within the local VA who seems to be genuinely interested in my questions and concerns, spending almost 45 minutes on the phone with me before we even have our first visit. Heaven willing all will go well on 1.16 and I'll be on my way to being restored. While the pills still worked I could kind of ignore/pretend that my problem was a non issue, now with nothing working except for viciously painful injections I'm left with a big skin tag through which I pee. As many of you realize it's very demoralizing, I just want it to be over. HalleluYAH for penile implant technology.Be good all.

[ohohiakane]

wantokno....

I think you may have skipped one step before you schedule surgery. Trimix.

I realize that the VA does not recognize it over the Edex or Muse (both notorious for causing aching). It is my understanding that Trimix ingredients have be approved, BUT the compounded medication has not (yet).

I doubt that the VA will give you a prescription for Trimix, but a private urologist would.

I have used Trimix for over 3 years, and never experience any pain at all, and successful erections over 95% of the time.

If I were you, I would seek a Urologist and ask him to write a prescription for trimix.

Bill

[jryancey44]

Yes, the va will give you caverjet injections you can give your own which I did,you just have to go in prove you are able to give them yourself. They gave me 6 injections a month before my implant, i just paid a $9.00 co-pay. I also used trimix some insurqnce companies will not pay for it but it is not that expensive.

Jim

[wanttokno]

I think you may have skipped one step before you schedule surgery. Trimix.

...maybe skipped but, with my current situation it is not possible. The only option left to me at this point is the implant. Also, after talking to a couple of urologists and reading reams if information I believe that the injections may cause more difficulty for some people in the long run with them developing scar tissue ect... As for myself I tried the Edex at least 8-10 times and noticed that my erections began to curve pretty dramatically to the left and that scared my as it made me think of peronies(sp) disease. It just seemed to me that in light of the EXTREME pain and then the curving that the injections seemed to cause for me, maybe people that experience the severe pain issue were laying the foundation for PD to develop. I'm not sure on this point but in a way it makes sense to me that it may be the case.