Prostatectomy and erections

User

Posted 14 Oct 2015 at 23:32

Well it's now 16 months from my prostatectomy and still not had any ercections ,Haad all the norm like vigara cialis cream pellets pump.none worked ,Been hospital today been told it's unlikely that I'm to get any now at this point and this leaves me with the dreaded option of the injections .If this fails or don't like the use of it then it's a penis implant which ofcause can be a nightmare if rejected or infection.Im starting to wish I never had this prostatectomy and choose another option.I had both the nerves saved and all looked good,I'm now suffering from anxiety and really down in myself.I did have double nerves saved .

Edited by member 15 Oct 2015 at 19:49 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 16 Oct 2015 at 00:47

Sadly, if a man finds that nothing works - Viagra, Cialis, Caverject - then it is very unlikely that he will recover natural erections. Generally, doctors say however you are at 2 years, that's as good as it is going to get. Some of you will know that in our case, it was year 3 where we saw the huge progress and problems resolved but (and this is an important but) it was clear from early on that he was physiologically capable of getting an erection (with tablets, injections and the pump) but his psyche was preventing his body from performing.

There is a huge difference in likelihood of recovery between men who get some response (even if not firm enough for penetration) and men who get no response at all.

Michael, I am fascinated that you are reluctant to consider injections but willing to contemplate an implant - what bothers you about it? John didn't like sticking a needle in his willy but the idea of placing a bendy plastic tube inside or having a motor in his scrotum would have freaked him out!

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

User

Posted 16 Oct 2015 at 11:03

Hi, I understand how you are feeling as I am in a similar position. I had my op in Jan last year and have been trying cialis, using the pump, and creams - all without great success. I have maintained my interest and enthusiasm so it has been very frustrating in all sorts of ways to have no 'natural' response. Eventually I tried caverject and it works in providing erections and is not nearly so painful or difficult to do as I anticipated. There is a technique to be mastered, but it is simple. The base of the penis is not particularly sensitive and the needle is so sharp that it really is not more than a little uncomfortable. I would commend it to you as worth trying but, I have to point out that getting it i.e. the pharmacist supplying it once prescribed, is not easy as it is in very short supply.
Sadly even with this my sensitivity with part nerve sparing is well short of the pre-op situation. I have been told not to give up hope but around the two year mark seems to be the time when the situation tends to become as good as it gets. Personally I would not contemplate an implant so am having to face up to life with limited sexual function. Like you I wonder if I chose the best option but remind myself that I am cancer free at the moment and that might not be the case with other options. I do feel very low at times, particularly as I have continence issues as well. There is no easy way to keep positive and buoyant but I try to focus on the plus points of my situation and avoid dwelling on the negative aspects.
Hope things improve for you.

User

Posted 16 Oct 2015 at 23:01

Michael,

It appears to me that at this stage you may have an option. Get used to the (fact) possibility that "post op" your Sex Life may be different, or non-existent?

Instead of looking at the pump as an obstruction, why not incorporate it, and involve in your play or foreplay? It is an attitude of mind.

dave

All we can do - is do all that we can.

So, do all you can to help yourself, then make the best of your time. :-)

I am the statistic.

User

Posted 20 Oct 2015 at 19:27

Don't take ANYTHING alongside it !! I was told not to use the pump either in case it pulls blood or chemical from the injection site. I think you may find success by the sound of it. I'm on 17.5mg but still not proper erection. Desperately hoping 20mg will do it. From what I hear about supply problems you'll be lucky to even get one per week !! All the best
chris

User

Posted 20 Oct 2015 at 19:29

Glad that you have had some success, and nice to hear a "happy sound" in your post.

Onwards and upwards, hopefully literally!

atb

dave

All we can do - is do all that we can.

So, do all you can to help yourself, then make the best of your time. :-)

I am the statistic.

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User

Posted 15 Oct 2015 at 11:21

Hello Michael
I posted on another chat for you . I feel so sorry for you and I'm in the same situation as you although only 4 months post op. It's awful isn't it and it hits at the core of being a man. I've not had a flicker despite double nerve spare yet appreciate your anxiety being a year further on than me. I would go for the injections. Give it a try. Not everyone's cup of tea but just might work for you.
Take care and chat anytime
Chris

User

Posted 15 Oct 2015 at 13:36

Hi Michael,

You don't mention if you had any nerve sparing. From what I read it can take up to two years or probably more in some cases.

Flexi

User

Posted 15 Oct 2015 at 15:40

Hi Michael,

My LRP was May 2013 with partial nerve sparing.

I've had no erections to date and like you I was told it could take 2 years or more. Obviously more in my case.

I've used Cialis, Viagra, pump and injections. The first 2 may or may not have helped blood flow to those areas but nothing significant.

The pump has been quite good but having a fairly large rubber ring around your penis is rather unnatural and the process is less than intimate (hold on dear I'll just get the pump, can you wait 5 minutes)! But what choice do you have.

I then tried injections last year and that was quite successful. I was worried about sticking a needle in there but the needle is so small you get fairly used to it. There are people on this site that think it's fantastic. I think it's a good option but you need to get the dosage right for you. When I used it last I was only using half the injection (10mcg) (there is a measure on the side of the syringe so it’s easy) otherwise you can get an erection that won't go away and it’s not enjoyable!!!

Good luck,

Roger

http://community.prostatecanceruk.org/editors/tiny_mce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif

Edited by member 15 Oct 2015 at 15:41 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 15 Oct 2015 at 19:50

Thanks Chris,You have a long way to go yet and hopefully all will work out for you,Great to chat and keep updated on your recovery.mike

User

Posted 15 Oct 2015 at 19:55

Had mine the end of June 13", saved all nerves and just took it for granted that I would be OK concerning elections ,I still manage to enjoy a sex life but can't be bothered at time with all the messing about to get me there,So I'm really thinking on a implant but there is a lot to think about if all don't work out well.They say there is unlikely to be any improvement for me now even tho they say two years,mike

User

Posted 15 Oct 2015 at 20:31

I was told up to 2 years full recovery , but if not seeing obvious improvements within 10 months then that is a bad sign .

User

Posted 16 Oct 2015 at 00:47

There is a huge difference in likelihood of recovery between men who get some response (even if not firm enough for penetration) and men who get no response at all.

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

User

Posted 16 Oct 2015 at 11:03

User

Posted 16 Oct 2015 at 12:56

Wow thanks for sharing all that information about yourself.Your in the same position as I am,I too think about the whole thing as you do same feeling and of cause I'm up and down with emotions some times so hard to control and at times I lose myself and have to get myself on track,Every day is a hit a miss kind of day regarding how I feel.Great chatting thanks.mike.

User

Posted 16 Oct 2015 at 23:01

Michael,

It appears to me that at this stage you may have an option. Get used to the (fact) possibility that "post op" your Sex Life may be different, or non-existent?

Instead of looking at the pump as an obstruction, why not incorporate it, and involve in your play or foreplay? It is an attitude of mind.

dave

All we can do - is do all that we can.

So, do all you can to help yourself, then make the best of your time. :-)

I am the statistic.

User

Posted 20 Oct 2015 at 19:13

Well been hospital today and had some success from the injection only the lowest dose.Wow fantastic response got to go back and try 7.5 mg ,I'm positive this will be it.But I can only be supplied at the rate of one a week.Anyone know if it's safe to take anything along side it.cheers.

User

Posted 20 Oct 2015 at 19:27

User

Posted 20 Oct 2015 at 19:29

Glad that you have had some success, and nice to hear a "happy sound" in your post.

Onwards and upwards, hopefully literally!

atb

dave

All we can do - is do all that we can.

So, do all you can to help yourself, then make the best of your time. :-)

I am the statistic.

User

Posted 01 Dec 2015 at 19:04

When I had my prostate removed in April this year my most important guidance to the surgeon was, I do not care about anything in particular but I would not like to be incontinent. He duly obliged, I was incontinent at first but am now back to 'normal', not perfect but I am happy with the end result.

What I did lose however was the ability to get an erection. I thought it would bother me but strangely it doesn't? I believe that its not worth being secretive about this matter so if asked, I'm up front with the truth and its proved to be a good conversation piece in the pub, especially among people of a certain age (70) like me. People also buy me a beer now, they never used to.

I still find it odd that I can look at women and 'admire' them in my HEAD but NOTHING happens where it used to! Trying to explain this is so difficult, for me its similar when I try to explain to people that I can see colours, but I am also colour blind as well.

The other 'side effect' which I find positive is that since having my prostate out my energy levels and wanting to do more on a day to day basis has risen. It almost feels that I have traded off an erection for a new lease of life, its crazy I know, but I am really enjoying my life at the moment. I recently did three days camping in the Lakes, the rain came down in buckets, it was so dark so early but I had a great time! Only once did I have problems, I went out and had three pints in a Keswick pub and then had great difficulty finding my tent again! Walking through a dense wood at 10.00pm in November was an experience in itself!

I now just have to get a hernia repair out of the way (Dec 8th) then wait awhile to recover to feel confident that it will not repeat itself and then hopefully resume my life 'without a truss'! If all is well by 1st January 2016 I plan to hike, hike and hike again, in the UK and in Europe as well.

User

Posted 01 Dec 2015 at 19:43

For the lowdown on implants, contact Doug (username DT3993). His was fitted in 2014, and he is getting on well with it. Also look for posts by user RugbyDave. He kept a blog about his implant together with (don't look if you are having your tea) pictures.

URL to RugbyDave's Blog

Edited by member 01 Dec 2015 at 19:49 | Reason: Not specified

Tony

TURP then LRP in 2009/2010. Lots of leakage but PSA < 0.1 AMS-800 Artificial Sphincter activated 2015.

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