Jere's Journey

[jeremc]

Jere’s Journey, the beginning.
I was diagnosed with high blood pressure at the age of 40. It took several years of trying different medications before we got it under control. Over the years, my erections were getting farther and farther apart, till the point that I couldn’t keep one for more than a few minutes.

In my late 40’s I ask my Primary Care Physician for Viagra. At first it worked great, I could keep an erection for up to two hours. This was a new beginning for us and we loved it. As time moved on, it was hit and miss with Viagra. I started getting really bad side effects from it. Headaches, backaches, nausea and heartburn with no erections. I told my doctor about it and he changed me to Cialis. Like Viagra, it worked great at first. Then the same side effects started. At this point I was getting really frustrated.

I started seeing an Urologist in March 2011 when my PSA went from 1.6 (March 2010) to 9.3. He gave me some more Cialis and said to take for two days at a time. I tried that, and had the same side effects for 48 hours instead of 24 hours. That didn’t last long. He then gave me some samples of Staxyn. He said it was new and similar to Lavetra, but this melts on your tongue. Same thing! I called a few days later and told his nurse, she made me an appointment to come back in. He told me we could try shots or pumps, but said in case, he would recommend an implant. This was the first week of September 2012. I was surprised at the “Fast Track” I was now on.

I started searching for information on Penile Implants. I saw lots of videos of the surgery and don’t have a problem with that. Looks like a pretty simple procedure. Then I started looking for blogs and groups. I found the Yahoo group, but I didn’t get much from that. I found a blog, but it looks like no one has been there in years. Then I found FrankTalk, don’t remember how, but glad I did. I have learned so much here, thanks to all of my new friends. My last Urologist visit, I told him about FrankTalk and what I have learned and he should recommend it to his ED patients’. I also told him that I wanted the AMS 700 LGX, with mid line scrotal approach. He told me that I HAVE done my homework, and he would give me whatever I wanted. It took days for my smile to go away.

I get excited when I chat with you guys and hear your success stories and how much you love your new equipment.

I want all of you to go to the General Discussion Forum viewforum.php?f=3
And go to “Can you help ED Foundation Win recognition?” Read what Paul is asking for us to help with, and then click on the link http://www.greatnonprofits.org/reviews/ ... ted-awards

Let Help Paul Jump Start FrankTalk.org. Thanks everyone! Jere

[radiodec]

HEY! That PSA number scares me! Especially with the sudden jump. Has your urologist eliminated the prostate cancer possibility?

Pardon the shouting, but I am just a little sensitive to Prostate Cancer. It killed my father at age 69, I was diagnosed at age 53 and the urologists originally thought that it was going to be an ugly case (it wasn't though). The highest my PSA went was 5.5 and that was one taken just before surgery. The one that triggered a prostate ultrasound and biopsy was only 5.0. That 9.3 is well into the OMG region. Have you had it checked more thoroughly?

Radiodec

[jeremc]

Thanks for writing radiodec:

What you read is not the whole story. I get re-tested next Wednesday 10/17. 9/13 my PSA was 14.2, which is good, because it was 21.7 on 9/4. This is a huge swing in only nine days. July 2nd was 5.3. As you can see, I’m all over the chart with my PSA. Biopsy is neg., prostate feels normal. No problem with going to the bathroom. My Urologist said he has one patient with a PSA over 300.

I’m sorry to hear about your father, I lost mine to lung cancer. I too, am sensitive to cancer.

Thank you my friend, Jere

[SteveTex]

Having had PCa and losing a brother to it, your high PSA readings would scare me. You mention a biopsy was done. How many cores tested? You also indicate prostate feels normal. Digital rectal exam is only test for the feel and they are terribly inaccurate. I had neg DRE up until the biopsy.

Not to scare you, but I'd consider getting a second opinion.

[buckster]

It does seem odd to me that your uro isn't being more aggressive about finding out why your PSA numbers are so erratic. The first time my PSA went up 2 points in one year my DRE was perfect and I had no symptoms at all. I had a 12 sample biopsy that was negative. My uro gave me antibiotics and my PSA was stable at 5.xx for the next year visit but 2 years later it shot up to 8.xx. Still no symptoms or signs. Another 12 sample biopsy was positive 10 out of 12 samples with a Gleason score of 8. I had open RP because the uro wanted a hands-on surgery. He was concerned about the aggressive nature of my PCa. He was right. The pathology determined the margins were to close to call so I had to have radiation as well.

Read all you can. Talk to your uro. If you still can't get good answers, get a second opinion.

Buck

[jeremc]

Steve & Buck:

My PSA readings are scaring the hell out of me. The biopsy was 12 core samples. I passed out after the 12th sample. Due to my PSA being all over the charts, I’m seeing several Urologists; they’re both on the same page, “wait and see”. I am doing the PSA test at least once a month, sometimes every two weeks. I have taken anti-inflammatory before, and that has brought my PSA down.

Steve: sounds like your well on your way with your new toy! Congratulations.

Jere

[buckster]

Steve & Buck:

My PSA readings are scaring the hell out of me. The biopsy was 12 core samples. I passed out after the 12th sample. Due to my PSA being all over the charts, I’m seeing several Urologists; they’re both on the same page, “wait and see”. I am doing the PSA test at least once a month, sometimes every two weeks. I have taken anti-inflammatory before, and that has brought my PSA down.
Jere

Sounds like you're on top of it. Hopefully it's just an inflamation that can be controlled with meds.
I understand the passing out thing. Not fun when the doc puts a gun up your ass and shoots you 12 times.
Buck

[jeremc]

Picture before Implant Surgery

[jeremc]

Picture before Implant Surgery

[jeremc]

Seven Days to Go…..

And the rug has just been pulled out from under me.
Got a call yesterday from the Urologist office, my PSA came back at 21.7. So he wants to do a biopsy next Wednesday, and put the implant on hold until we get the results back.

It has been so frustrating being on this PSA roller coaster. This one is an 8 point swing in only two weeks.

With seven days to go, and I was so excited about getting the LGX, now this. You can imagine how depressing news like this can be. I know a lot of you have had set backs and have gotten over them. I’ll get through this too. Setbacks can be horrible, especially when you’re so excited about getting your love life back.

Thanks guys, Jere