Do Injections Limit Implant Success

[Julios]

I will have a radical prostatectomy July 7th by Dr. Fagin. I have a Gleason score 9, and will have only one nerve bundle spared at best. Dr says I'm unlikely to ever have natural erections again, and wants me to try intracavernous injections instead of going right to an inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP). I've heard from at least one of you that the injections only complicated the IPP. An IPP seems like the best, ultimate solution for me and my wife, and am wondering if others have had injections that complicated implant surgery. I'm also wondering if anyone was able to "short-circuit" the process of going through the first-line, then second-line of ED treatments before finally getting to the ultimate implant.

[franglais]

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[Julios]

Thanks Mike, that is very encouraging to hear the positive results once you get there. When you say injections made you feel too "tight", did the erections cause some discomfort? Did you tend to have sex less frequently as a result? Do you get harder erections with the IPP than you did with the injections? How many pushes of the button to get it fully erect?

[franglais]

x

[Julios]

Mike, thanks alot for all this info.

Well, the surgery is behind me now (three weeks ago). Had catheter for one week. The good news is I was continent from day one after removal. Of course now I'm dealing with ED. I get to start pumping in one week. I will definately try to move through the the other methods quick as I can to move on to an implant, assuming viagra alone doesn't work. I really laughed at your description of your new erctions: I so remember the days of being able to hang a wet towel after a shower. I WANT THAT AGAIN!!

Here's to making good use of that!

[Frank Talk Admin]

Julios
You're done with the hard part. let's hope the ED stuff works well for you. Everyone is so different, you just never know. Keep us posted! Are you on penile rehab right now? The first orgasms are odd, but they get better.
Paul

[jackpTenn]

I am the guy that injections made worse. I have also been in contact with several others that had the same problem. In my case they caused corporal fibrosis. I know several that they caused peyronies (bent penis). Most men that try injections quit within less than a year.

My suggestion would be VED thearpy to keep your penis healthy. That is what worked best for me the year I had to wait for my IPP.

Like Mike my doctor was Dr. Milam at Vanderbilt. My surgery was over 21 months ago. I agree with MIke 1000000000% best erection I have had since I was 18, even better will stay hard as long as you and/or she likes. Ejaculate and keep on going. The wife and I used it for over an hour and a half the other night. WOW she wore me out.

Good luck on your journey. You need a great Doctor not a general practice urologist, a Male Sexual Function Specialist.

Jack

[Julios]

Jack, and all the other responders;

Thanks for your input, this really helps. I have to start radiation in about a month, and am at least 6 months from being a candidate for an implant. I'm not having much success with the pump. I can get a pretty hard erction but the ring hurts and causes enough of a distraction that I can't reach orgasm. That has tempted me to try the injections, but I have heard enough horror stories that I'm reluctant.

[jackpTenn]

Julious

Constriction rings for sex are very hard to get used to. I tried several of different brands and finally found the Osborn rings. They are a little more comfortable than the others because of there special design. (I still hadte the d@$% things).

My venous leakage and corporal fibrosis was so bad that I had to use the very tight "D" pink ring. I could only stand to ware it for about 20 minutes, but that was all I had for over a year so the wife and I made the best of it.

Myself and a lot of others I have chatted with used a single cylinder VED daily exercise for penile health. Dr. Milam recommended that I keep doing it until the day before surgery. That is one thing I believe helped me have a great outcome.

You have to be careful with the VED exercise and not hurt your penis. I have posted it somewhere in the Pump Section. It is also posted in the peyroniessociety.org under the VED thread. If you can not find it or have questions send me an email to jwp10@att.net and I will forward it to you.

I was getting off subject. Yes, penile injections can cause corporal fibrosis and/or peyronies and make an implant more difficult. The first doctor that tried my implant punctured my ureathra because of it. That is when I got serious about research and found Dr. Milam at Vanderbilt. There are several men on this forum that have traveled a long distance to have Dr. Milam do there IPP. All with great results.

At the time I tried injections they were not FDA approved and had to sign a waiver. I do not know if they are approved now or not.

Good Luck, any question just let me know.

Jack

[Paul-Mod]

Julios,
Injections are different for every guy. some guys use them for years with great results, others have real problems almost immediately. There are tons of guys who love them. They are a very viable treatment, but not for everyone. Take it all in moderation and do what feels best for you.
While an implant may be the way you ultimalely go, it is not a quick process. I would certainly suggest that you try the injections. They will give you a good, successful erection and kick start your love life. Take it slowly and if problems develop, discontinue using them. It would seem that only if you develop extreme problems (brought on by ignoring early problems for a long time) will it adversely affect your candidacy for an implant.
Have an appointment with an implant doc and ask him this question. But don't be so cautious that life passes you by. Get in line for an implant, but use the injections now, would be my thought.
Paul