Greetings - first post

[HeathMan]

I was also glad to see the NY Times article.

I'm 62, had the surgery - prostatectomy - six years ago. Successfully.

Side effects:
semi-limp dick
I swear my dick is smaller - maybe 1/2 inch - and I couldn't spare it!
much lower sex drive

I manage with the limp-ish dick. Cialis works more or less when having sex. It's semi limp when I jack off, which isn't a BIG deal, though it would be nicer if it wasn't. HATE my smaller dick. Not sure why - maybe the prostate pushes out the dick a bit, like a push-up bra!

I think maybe the lower sex-drive is most intrustive. I used to be very driven - so it's a good thing - don't devote as much time to "cruising."

But I'd say I'd like more sex drive - so maybe there will be some info here.

Lastly - my DR. never told me about the end of ejaculation. It's not the end of the world, but I would have liked to have known about it.

Lastly lastly, the larger issue of choice beforehand: I found it hard to decide, and felt that the only decision could be surgery to GET RID of the cancer. But I was young, and I wish choices were clearer about the low probability when it was caught so early, and there was indication that it could just be monitored, yada yada.

That's it for now!

[dirtfrmr]

sir i fell your pain as i have the same situation, trimix injections have helped a great deal for me. But I had the attitude as you to rid your self of the cancer.

People here are not doctors but they are the most giving people of info and support That i have found. Paul and the rest of the members here have been more than super. Don't hestitate to ask here or you may pvt me here user name dirtfrmr aka" a golfer who is always in the dirt".
I am 58 married but cancer feel with some smaller issues that I deal with on a regular basis.


dirtfrmr

[regain-is-the-aim]

Heath:

Welcome! It is good to have you with us. I also am PCa with surgery, mine robotic, and the "unexpected side-effects. You are not alone in that almost all of us loose length from the surgery. It's sh_tty and the surgeons never bother to prepare us for that loss! They seem to be unable to explain the result and want to move on to something else. There are things you can attempt to restore length and pumping would be one of those. Also stretching exercises to keep him limber and blood flowing. Penile rehab can be fun!!! I am trying to regain length- I lost more than an inch- but with the ED it difficult to know for sure. Would be glad to talk with you if you wish- let me know. I have found pumping a big help and now enjoy the effort.

My sex drive returned quickly and has continued to be on high as always. We are all different aren't we. You might talk with your Internists about the matter and do some tests, again there are things that can be done to help you.

Agree the lack of a "mess" is an adjustment but at least my Uro warned me and I've found, unlike many here, that I don't usually miss the "mess"

Please review the Treatments Section and the Discussion Forums as there is a lot of info for you. Join the chat room when you can. Sometimes there are a number of guys and at times, there is no one. Just depends.

I suggest you don't try to second guess your decision of surgery. The watchful waiting is for, in my opinion, older guys and we all have so much living to do. I did ask my Uro (also a PCa victim) what would happen if I watched and did nothing and he said I would probably be dead within11 years and the death would be awful and painful. Well, if you want to chance and go that way, OK. Now, like you, the PCa is gone- my mission is to learn my new normal for sex and regain as much of my lost as possible. This place has helped, supported and encouraged me a great deal. You will like these guys!

Regards,

Dick

[Cajun Jeff]

Heathman: so many of us are in the boat with you. I think many of us had some surprises after surgery. I sure did. Reduction is size was a big one for me. I really expected that with nerves saved heck I would be back in the saddle in no time. guess that was a surprise as well.

Dick is correct you can not second guess your decision. I did that for a while then realized that I was beating myself up for nothing. I now know that I made the right choice. I got rid of the C.

Join us in the chat room I think you will enjoy the exchange.

Cajun Jeff

[Holdonlessman]

....because they were never trained to operate in a holistic open informative capacity. It goes right back to medical school training.

How much of medical school is devoted to preventing disease? Nutrition? emotional well-being ?

I've been successfully preventing diseases such as prostate inflamation since 2005. Meditation, yoga, laughter, a range of locally grow organic (that term gets manipulated since the corporate take over of "organic" )food, a spiritual practice which includes really being grateful for everything, even negative energy in my life.
I have a blog with thoughts and links to the journey over the past few years.
http://holdonless.wordpress.com/category/service

The quality of our sex life has a great deal of influence from our own output of intentions, thoughts, fears.