Not what I bargained for - new guy

[williamb]

Hi guys, I am 66 yr old and in decent physical shape. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer Aug 2014, removed in October of 2014 by Dr Slawin at Vanguard in Houston. My recovery has been an emotional journey for me. Shortly after surgery I had more desire and libido but no erections. Nerves were spared (one side was scraped but left intact) my PSA has been <0.006 or undetectable for cancer since Jan 2015.
I have tried the pills, suppositories and now the injections. Have used Tri-mix but the pain afterward makes me ask myself if it is worth this, then about a week later I decide it is then the cycle repeats itself. I am now on Bi-mix, using 80 units plus a 20 mg Cialis and I get decent results. I dread the injections even though the pain is minimal.
This is not how I expected my sexual function to be after surgery but here it is. I am not sure what course I will take but I am not satisfied at all with my present condition . I will probably start discussing an implant on my next visit to Dr. Slawin.
Thanks for the forum discussion about your experiences and advice.
Williamb

[tomas1]

I wonder why you experience pain after injecting Trimix?
Is it at the injection site, or just an overall pain in the penis?
Hope you can resolve this problem and welcome aboard.

[williamb]

It is not the injection site , it is the whole penis. My Dr says it is the 3rd ingredient ( Prostaglandin E1 ) that cause pain in some men and I am lucky enough to be very sensitive to this medicine. I understand this is the same med that is used in the Muse penile suppository. The 80 units of bi-mix plus 20 mg Cialis works decent and with much less pain.
I don't mean this to be a "woe is me" thread. I know that I could be in much worse shape and there are a lot of men that would trade places with me quickly but I just want the best option to regain some of what I have lost. My sex life was / is an important of my life. If this is the best that we can do , so be it, I will deal with it and enjoy what I can.
williamb

[midwestman]

My Dr says it is the 3rd ingredient ( Prostaglandin E1 ) that cause pain in some men and I am lucky enough to be very sensitive to this medicine. I understand this is the same med that is used in the Muse penile suppository.

Hi William,

I was diagnosed July 2014, radical prostectomy October 2014. I've done a ton of research on this. Before surgery my doctor told me that any doctor that tells you you have an 80-90% chance of regaining your erections is blowing smoke up your behind. I had nerve sparing surgery, I have very little in the way of natural erections, just somewhat of one immediately before orgasm. Regular ED drugs have no effect - of course not, they rely on the nerves still working and just enhance their function. The only reason that you are prescribed those drugs is to increase the blood flow to the area to enhance healing. They will do nothing for erections if the nerves don't work.

The drugs such as Muse and bi-mix/tri-mix do not rely on the nerves to make an erection happen, it is purely a chemical reaction that causes the blood flow to work right for an erection and for the vessels and valves to close correctly to trap blood. Unfortunately, as you say, a certain percentage of men are sensitive to the third ingredient, myself included. For me, it hurts too much to make it worth it, even as bad as I want a great erection - and unfortunately it works well for me to create erections. So I use bi-mix which produces marginal results. So I am seeing the doc tomorrow to talk implant - really just to ask a few final questions, I'm convinced thats what I want, I've been to the seminar, watched the videos, etc. If I want a normal - or as close to normal as I can get it - sexual response, this is the only way.

Hang in there William, you'll find your way.

MWM

[williamb]

Well even though this is "not what I bargained for" It is what it is. So it is time to move on and try to improve the situation. I am scheduled to get an implant this Friday in Houston by Dr. Cornell. I am hoping that by Christmas I am a happy camper, Thanks for all of the answers and information on here.
williamb