Hi all, not posted before but have read posts with interest and thought it about time to take the plung!
I was diagnosed last year from annual PSA as my father and grandfather both had prostate cancer and my father at nearly 81 has survived 21 years post surgery although forgoing the ability to get an errectiin after his first injection left him with severe stomach cramps for several hours!
Myself at 48 despite a fairly early diagnosis had surgery 6 and a half months ago with no nerve sparing as recommended by the surgeon with my scores. My treatment and help all the way has been fantastic it has to be said. I had the pump demo with the very same lovely lass as someone else here several months back and whilst it plays a very important role in rehab and maintenance for me has not been successful in use with my partner. It does enable some fun and dry orgasms but after hearing about it here have also tried with success the same in a flacid state.
I am currently building my way up on cavajet injections which despite increased doses can have varying success or nothing at all. First dose of 5 mg had a half reaction and yet my last dose of 20 mg had no affect other than aching balls for 2 hours. Errections or the discomfort whatever their state tend to last for between 2 and 2.5 hours. I get the odd woosy feeling when I inject but think this is more sociological than anything to do with the injection lol.
Even using the pump has its issues and had to have a larger sized cylinder to accommodate things adequately and find I need to build things gradually when I use it and pull down on my scrotum farly hard to prevent everything else being sucked in which is not comfortable to say the least! The lass who went through the operation of it was truly fantastic but it can take a while to find a way that works for you. Apparently in normal life us guys get up to 16 or more detections daily (mostly while we sleep) and this is how the body naturally maintains the muscle tone down there lol.
I bought a cheap version to start with but it's totally inferior to the prescription version as well as being a bit on the narrow side for me! The problem I have with the pump is that once you get to your full size and slip on the ring (makes you sinse first time and shaved is definitely the way to go!) It's only hard from the ring up. My partner Who I must say has been the most supportive I could ever have wished for, how do I put this has a very snug fit when everything worked previously and now this causes issues with achieving penetration. I am hopeful that the injections will eventually resolve the problem despite the drawbacks but either way it will not stop us having intimate time even if it is restricted. I fully intend getting out there and leading my life to its full.
One thing that is very apparent from reading everyone's individual cases here is that we are all very different in how we react and deal with stuff. My dad was dry from day 1 when they removed his catheter and I am still working on it but mostly dry after 6 months. Last year was not one of my best with this, my mother passing away and going (still am) through a divorce,selling and moving house in the next month all has an effect but I will not be knocked back and will do whatever I can to make the most of my life.
In some ways I see this as a blessing to give me that much needed boot up the back side and get on with my dreams!