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Surgery recovery

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User
Posted 16 Jul 2022 at 08:40

Good morning, I am currently 3 months post surgery (Da Vinci Robotic Surgery). My recovery was a challenge in the first 4-6 weeks but has improved rapidly since then. I still have ED issues however I am the proverbial optimist and remain hopeful that things return to the new normal, whatever that is. I am posting here to discuss recovery with others whom are at a similar stage to myself. Diagnosis was Stage 2C, Gleason 7, (3+4), localised to capsule.

KR

Rogmartyn

User
Posted 16 Jul 2022 at 19:02

I'm at a similar stage to you (4 months post surgery). It was full nerve sparing on one side and partial nerve sparing on the other but needless to say erectile blood flow is still very limited. I keep using a vacuum pump religiously and I keep pushing for a Cialis prescription. Have you been given any advice by your medical team on ED?

User
Posted 17 Jul 2022 at 08:51

Hi Rogmartyn,

Similar diagnosis to yours, T2C Gleason 7.. but even with full nerve sparing it took 8 months before I could achieve penetration with what was a reasonable semi and plenty of lube. Two and a half years on and it's much more like pre op standard (with help of tadalafil). 

It can be a long slow process for nerves to heal, so I'd say keep trying and don't get disheartened.

I would also recommend injections, it's not as bad as it sounds and the results are great. 

Hope this helps.

Good luck. 

Kev.

Edited by member 17 Jul 2022 at 08:54  | Reason: Typo

User
Posted 17 Jul 2022 at 10:39
Time passed quicker than you think. It took me about 2 1/2 yrs to get fully back to normal and even then with very regular vacuum pump exercise , daily 5mg Tadalafil , and a small rubber penis ring. But it did all come back to full erections and great sex life. As said above I used Invicorp25 injections and it was good when I needed them. But use a pump for exercise at least 3 times per week. It’s VITAL you keep him stretched and healthy.

Good luck

User
Posted 17 Jul 2022 at 12:48

Chris,

your right about the passing of time. The catheter removal seems like yesterday and that was approx. 12 weeks ago. Most issues have now passed apart from ED but as you say its a long haul. Roll on 2023/24…

KR

Rogmartyn

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User
Posted 16 Jul 2022 at 12:38
With a staging of T2c, did you have full nerve sparing, partial nerve sparing or were all nerve bundles removed?
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 16 Jul 2022 at 19:02

I'm at a similar stage to you (4 months post surgery). It was full nerve sparing on one side and partial nerve sparing on the other but needless to say erectile blood flow is still very limited. I keep using a vacuum pump religiously and I keep pushing for a Cialis prescription. Have you been given any advice by your medical team on ED?

User
Posted 17 Jul 2022 at 07:10

Lyn,

Full on RHS, not sure how much the Surgeon salvaged on the LHS if any.

Edited by member 17 Jul 2022 at 07:19  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 17 Jul 2022 at 07:16

Chris,

I am currently on 5mg Cialis daily, the Surgeon wrote to my GP so I had no problems getting a prescription. It is not a wonder drug but there is hope. I also got the VED 2 weeks after catheter removal, I don’t use it as often as I should, 3/4 times a week. I have a bit of a way to go in that department but there is improvement.

KR

Rogmartyn

User
Posted 17 Jul 2022 at 08:51

Hi Rogmartyn,

Similar diagnosis to yours, T2C Gleason 7.. but even with full nerve sparing it took 8 months before I could achieve penetration with what was a reasonable semi and plenty of lube. Two and a half years on and it's much more like pre op standard (with help of tadalafil). 

It can be a long slow process for nerves to heal, so I'd say keep trying and don't get disheartened.

I would also recommend injections, it's not as bad as it sounds and the results are great. 

Hope this helps.

Good luck. 

Kev.

Edited by member 17 Jul 2022 at 08:54  | Reason: Typo

User
Posted 17 Jul 2022 at 10:39
Time passed quicker than you think. It took me about 2 1/2 yrs to get fully back to normal and even then with very regular vacuum pump exercise , daily 5mg Tadalafil , and a small rubber penis ring. But it did all come back to full erections and great sex life. As said above I used Invicorp25 injections and it was good when I needed them. But use a pump for exercise at least 3 times per week. It’s VITAL you keep him stretched and healthy.

Good luck

User
Posted 17 Jul 2022 at 12:43

Kev,

thanks for your message, appreciated. I maybe expecting too much too soon but that’s my nature. The more I read on this forum the more enlightened I become. 

KR

Rogmartyn

User
Posted 17 Jul 2022 at 12:48

Chris,

your right about the passing of time. The catheter removal seems like yesterday and that was approx. 12 weeks ago. Most issues have now passed apart from ED but as you say its a long haul. Roll on 2023/24…

KR

Rogmartyn

User
Posted 20 Jul 2022 at 20:30

Hi my name is Rob and today I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, Gleason 3+3=6. PSA 4.1 T1C. As I also have another issue of 3 lots of urine retention in the last 14 months I assumed the cancer was the cause of my retention but I have been told today that this is a separate issue. My dilemma is do I have surgery to sort out retention issue and leave the cancer for active surveillance or should I have a radical prostatectomy? Any thoughts or experiences would be greatly appreciated as I have a week to decide. Thanks

User
Posted 20 Jul 2022 at 21:51
Whoever told you that you have a week to decide should hang their head in shame - this is a big decision and you should take as much time as you need to gather all the information. Have you seen an oncologist to talk about whether radiotherapy or brachytherapy might be suitable? Urinary retention often rules these options out but may be the right way forward if you have the TURP first.

Also worth considering whether you want to ask for a second opinion.

Has the urologist told you where in the prostate your cancer is? If it is close to the urethra, the bulk of it may be removed during the TURP anyway.

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 20 Jul 2022 at 22:48

Well I had a catheter twice. The posts in this conversation talk about self catheterization. Which can make living with occasional retention very manageable.

https://community.prostatecanceruk.org/posts/t22995-Escaping-the-Catheter

Whether to have treatment for the cancer? Bare in mind I know nothing about your situation, and am in no way medically qualified. I'm going to say "leave it". My argument is that about half the male population of your age has got about this level of cancer and for 70% of those it will never be a problem. So treating you now will give you unpleasant side effects for something which may never be a problem.

This YouTube video is from a credible source. It is quite interesting for people with marginal diagnosis.

https://youtu.be/yNzQ_sLGIuA

I'm glad Lyn has chipped in because you need to hear a range of arguments and opinions. Some members might suggest go for an aggressive treatment right now, and their opinions are just as likely to be as right as what I'm proposing.

 

Dave

 
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