I think the time has come to explore the injections??

User

Posted 28 Feb 2024 at 12:21

Hi all looking for some advice on which way to go next?
3 years post RP that was supposedly nerve sparing ! Some signs of life in the erection department but nowhere near the recovery I was expecting or hoping for. I use the pump 2-3 times a week but only as exercise, tried the rings and they hurt and don’t seem to work that well unless I use the frighteningly small one that just about holds things there long enough but its no fun so I don’t bother.

Natural erections are are much improved with the durex ring, but nothing really good enough or long lasting for intercourse without the addition of medication.
I have tried all 4 tablets now and unfortunatley they either don’t work that well, give me really bad side effects or both.
Sildenafil and Spedra (avanafil) both give me a banging headache and a really funny dizzy feeling with only mediocre results. Vardenafil (Levitra) doesn’t seem to work at all and has a similar headache. The only one the seems to work well is tadalafil but this gives me really bad heartburn, pain in my lower back and really achey thighs and calf’s !
In Tadalafil ive tried the one off 10mg event dose, the 5mg daily and the smallest 2.5mg daily
I’ve taken the 10mg on 4 or 5 occasions and the whilst the results are good(not great) the side effects are the worst.
Tried both the 5 and 2.5mg for a 2-3 week period before I decided the gain wasn’t worth the pain - I’ve tried this 2-3 week period a couple of times for each dose and given up each time.

Im 54 and don’t want to give up just yet, so I think now is the time to try the injections
I believe like the tablets there are a number of different alternative brands/types - that from what I have read are stored/used/mixed & work in slightly different ways.
So my questions to those that have tried the various brands
- Is there one make that appears to work better than the others ? If I get offered a choice which do I try first ?
- Is one easier to administer / has less issues and problems with it ?
- Will I be able to get it sorted through my GP? Or will I need a referral to the hospital to see the Urologist/ED Nurse specialist?

As a side note is it worth trying the creams and/or pellets first ?

Thanks all

User

Posted 28 Feb 2024 at 12:38

Definitely try injections.

In my case I was referred to the ED department via my urologist. I used Viridal Duo first and then Caverject. I was advised to start with 2.5 mcg and only use a larger dose if needed. Others on this site find it painful and swear by another brand called Invicorp.

Injecting your penis isn't as bad as you would imagine, it's a bit weird but I think the results are well worth it.

As for the tadalafil causing heartburn, can you take something for that?

Good luck.

Kev.

User

Posted 28 Feb 2024 at 13:21

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Injecting your penis isn't as bad as you would imagine, it's a bit weird but I think the results are well worth it.

The results are well worth it to me, but I'm not sure the wife would agree. 😁

I'll add a link to my Invicorp thread. https://community.prostatecanceruk.org/posts/t29845-Hooray-for-Invicorp

User

Posted 28 Feb 2024 at 13:23

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

As for the tadalafil causing heartburn, can you take something for that?

Good luck.

Kev.

I have tried to combat it with perscription - Omeprazole and gallons of Gaviscon ! They help but not enough to keep taking the Tadalafil - I still have the heartburn days after taking the tablet :-(

User

Posted 29 Feb 2024 at 10:58

I tried the VED but couldn't get on with the rings so have been prescribed Caverject (called EDEX here in France). It's very easy to use - you screw the needle onto the syringe, push the plunger in so that solid pellet and liquid mix - they go clear after 10-15 seconds and then you push out as much as you don't need. The syringe holds 10mcg but you start with 2.5mcg which is what you should get from the nurse/doctor for the first injection. After 10 minutes you should have a stirring.

You use 2,5mcg for the first 3 injections to see how it works for you - massaging slightly after the injection improves matters for me but I switched to 5mcg for the 4th onwards which perfect results - it's just the right size, no pain and usable for about 20 minutes.

I have heard people going straight for 10mcg and suffering pain - I can only imagine! Your penis is only meant to inflate to a certain size and too much will have it trying to enlarge bigger than it's natural erect state and that's where the pain originates.

From reading various reports, 63% of men can use Caverject successfully but the rest then get to try Invicorp which uses two different drugs. Unfortunately for some, that's not approved for use in France.

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