1st injection with Alprostadil

[RicoDavidson]

Hi all. I have been reading posts for a while and about a month ago talked to my URO about injections. I had tried all the different pills that worked for about 6-7 years but then didn't for maybe the last year. I am turning 60 next month and only on BP meds.
The doc said that he wanted to prescribe Edex because it is FDA approved. He said he has prescribed other injectables if Edex didn't work. I said great and he wrote the script. I shopped around and for a 2 pack of 20mcg Edex it was going to cost me $198. I looked further and talked to a compound pharmacy and it ended up costing $42 for 5ml of 20mcg/ml Alprostadil. The doc agreed and so it comes to my trial visit today.
I have been a RN for 30 years and gave many injections but never to myself. The doc was helpful and I injected 10mcg/0.5ml and 10 min later had a decent chub but not a full erection. I was still happy. Because it was better than anything I have had in a long while. He said that it might be better in the heat of the moment but OK to go to 15mcg with the next try. I went home and showed my wife who was not even aware I was doing this and she was like "where did that come from?" So I told her and we played around a little and it did get a little more firm. Was able to insert but not complete the act. But that's OK. Here I am 2hr after injecting and it is finally deflating. Overall pretty happy. I did experience the Alprostadil "ache" and am hopping it subsides with further use. I think the ache was less bothersome than the side effects that I experienced from the oral meds. Never liked the headache, congestion and flushing. We will see. But I have learned a lot by reading the posts here and felt more informed when discussing with my doc.
The compound pharmacy did suggest a higher concentration of up to 100mcg/ml so the injection amount can be smaller for the same dose of med. Also for cost since 5ml of 100mcg/ml is $63. So even if I use 20mcg or 0.2ml the cost per injection would only be about $2.50 per dose.

[tomas1]

Nice going, Rico,
If you live where it's available, you might also tri tri-mix or even bi-mix.
Lately mu tri-mix is leaving me disappointed. I'm going to get a stronger formula, and if that doesn't work, I'm going to lay off for awhile.

[fordman44]

You may have to experiment with the dose until you find the right amount for the desired results. I started Trimix 4 mos ago and had to adjust down considerably from the recommended dose.

I also use an Auto Injector as it is more consistent in controlling the needle depth and it is so fast that there is absolutely no pain. Just hang in with it and you will get it right and there are plenty of guys here that can offer good advise for you.

I am 72 and only wish I had found this site years ago. And remember....Never give up!!

[RicoDavidson]

Thanks Fordman and Tomas. My doc does prescribe Trimix but wants to try Alprostadil first. Says overall it can be safer as far as side effects go. I think it's an individualized thing. Sitting here 7 hours after injecting the ache has subsided. But I can see checking out Trimix if the ache gets worse or this doesn't work out.
I don't think I will have problems injecting. Used a 30ga 1/2in 100unit/1ml syringe. The depth seemed to be OK. I am looking forward to next time.
My wife asked me, "can we try it again tonight?" I think she likes it. But going to wait till tomorrow. Doc said only once a night.
Thanks for the support guys.

[rahod1]

If ache continiues, go to Trimix..far less Alpro per injection. You took 10mcg total (20mcg/ml)....with standard Trimix (10/1/30), you'll get half the concentration of Alpro (10mcg/ml) and it will probably be more effective with less ache. I use standard Trimix and .17ml (17 units) for a total of 1.7mcg PGE (Alpro).

[RicoDavidson]

Last night did injection number 2. Went up to 14mcg/0.7ml of Alprostadil. Worked great. My wife said I am bigger and after she orgasmed we had to stop because she was getting sore. Not used to the activity after the long layoff of non-penatrable sex. She took care of me and we took it slow. Stayed firm for over an hour and still was semi-hard after we were done for a total of 2hr. The ache was there but didn't seem as bad during sex as afterwards. Was tolerable and I think my wife was more sore than I was! Lol.
Will try again this weekend.

Question: was told by the pharmacy to store in fridge. Was frozen when they gave it to me. Said it will be OK for 45 days refrigerated. I will probably use it up in that time since 5ml will yield 7 injections of 0.7ml. Which breaks down to $6/shot. Question is can I re-freeze? I am going to ask the doc to increase the concentration to 40mcg/ml on the next batch so I can decrease the volume of the injection to 0.35ml for the same 14mcg dose. That will yield 14 shots and I might not use 14 shots in 45 days. Also doubling the concentration only raises the price to $50 for 5ml. Which will lower the cost to about $3.50/shot.
Thanks.

[postra7777]

I freeze and thaw mine every time I use it. Still works great. I used to leave in fridge but it did start to lose it effectiveness after about 2 months.

[fordman44]

Question: was told by the pharmacy to store in fridge. Was frozen when they gave it to me. Said it will be OK for 45 days refrigerated. I will probably use it up in that time since 5ml will yield 7 injections of 0.7ml. Which breaks down to $6/shot. Question is can I re-freeze? I am going to ask the doc to increase the concentration to 40mcg/ml on the next batch so I can decrease the volume of the injection to 0.35ml for the same 14mcg dose. That will yield 14 shots and I might not use 14 shots in 45 days. Also doubling the concentration only raises the price to $50 for 5ml. Which will lower the cost to about $3.50/shot.
Thanks.

I keep my Trimix frozen and only thaw to fill several syringes, which I keep refrigerated. I have seen several posts where guys have gone through many freeze thaw cycles over as much as 11 months time.

Glad you are "working out the kinks" and I know you will get the dose regulated for the best results.