The ED Pump.

User

Posted 19 Dec 2015 at 12:21

Hi everyone,first may i wish one&all the best Christmas&New Year that can be had.Im 8 weeks post De Vinci&recieved my vacuum pump on prescription last week,my doctor prescribed 100mg sildenfil 3 times a week(he wouldnt prescribe cialis as he said he wasnt able to prescribe more than 4 tablets each time but with viagra he could give as many as he liked).My question is on practising with the pump without taking any viagra im having not a lot of success acheiving an erection but on taking the viagra better results are acheived.Should the pump be expected to be able able to facillitate erective powers even without taking the tablets.On my last review with my surgeon 2 weeks ago i asked to be referred to an ED clinic(no appointment yet).I suppose thats the place to ask all the above questions but until that time i welcome your input.My continence is improving,my PSA was 0.09 &he told me i have clear margins.

Very best Christmas Wishes to you all.

Polarbear2.

User

Posted 09 Jan 2016 at 13:05

Happy New Year to all.So 12 weeks post op.Pretty much 100%continent.Had second blood test post op yesterday&going to see the surgeon next Thursday for review&results.Ive started running again(albeit slowly,can now run for 30 mins comfortably).Ive an appointment at an ED clinic in 2 weeks time,but have been practicing with the pump.I have had some success regards acheiving an erection.My partner&i are slowly getting used to using the pump when we are intimate together.I am looking forward to meeting the ED nurse,has anyone any ideas what she might want to discuss with me,should i take my pump with me(i have also to have a full fasting blood test prior to the appointment).Lastly the left side of my scrotum is tender,but im not in any pain,is this normal.Sorry to go on so much&i hope im not being too upbeat.

Best Wishes.

Polarbear2.

User

Posted 09 Jan 2016 at 13:46

You are NOT going on at all . My entire scrotum , though not discoloured was agony for 3m months at least . I have lost loads of sensation in my entire pubic area , and was told that it may return or not. Still have plumpness there at 7 months but my cancer is ongoing . The nurse will just be interested on how you are doing . If you persevere with the pump it can become second nature using it successfully . Not sure what the blood test is for ! Just promise yourself you will be honest with the nurse . They have seen and heard it all I assure you . If you want to try MUSE then ask for it , or Viagra etc etc . You have every right to ask AND get whatever you need. But also go by their advice obviously . Chase your own erectile recovery if that's what you want , or you could be left out in the cold like many other members ( excuse the pun ) .
Best wishes
Chris

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User

Posted 19 Dec 2015 at 12:56

Without any medication but lots of dedication I could achieve 100 percent of preop size, no strength at the base so it does not stand to attention. Trim the hairs around the base of the penis use a gel on the opening of the pump to get a seal between the pump and your body and stand up to start with an do not get your testicles in the tube. Do a few pumps then release do a few more pumps then. Release again until you build up to 100 percent.

Thanks Chris

User

Posted 19 Dec 2015 at 14:02

Yep, Chris is spot on ! I have no tablets whatsoever but can now easily achieve full pre op size in 5 minutes. If I'm exercising I leave it in the pump and keep releasing them creating the erection. If we want sex I use one or two of the bands. No firmness in the base but a good erection. Loss of sensation but it does the job and beggars .....
Great post op results Mr Bear.
Live long and prosper
Chris

User

Posted 19 Dec 2015 at 14:10

Merry Christmas to you too Polarbear2

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails

User

Posted 19 Dec 2015 at 14:13

I meant to say don't rush it to start with. Gently gently catchy monkey !! It took a few weeks to get him back to normal. Good luck

User

Posted 19 Dec 2015 at 17:09

Polarbear, what make is the pump and did you get a DVD with it?

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

User

Posted 19 Dec 2015 at 17:24

I could recommend some DVD's ........

Or is that not what you meant

Chris

Edited by member 19 Dec 2015 at 17:25 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 21 Dec 2015 at 20:58

Hi Lyn,the pump is a Soma Correct Extra(manual operationS15111).There is a DVD with it which i have watched&tried to follow.Prior to PC i was taking 100mg viagra&getting good results,but not a lot withoutShould i then expect the pump to give me an erection without any outside stimulus.Also ive been looking&am interested in alprostadl injections.I am practising with the pump.Ive not had any reply regarding the ED clinic,so am i going too fast for myself&should i be more patient.I see my surgeon next after blood test No2 post op on Jan 14th.which brings me to my next question,on the same day ive also to see an oncologist to discuss wether i wish to go on a RADICALS trial.If i needed further treatment i wouldnt hesitate to accept anything offered but if blood test No2 is as good or better than blood test No1(0.09)then am i putting myself through invasive radiotherapy or hormone treatment with all the side effects that may occur for no other reason than to further knowledge.Does this sound selfish.I really would like your input.Please give me an update on the situation with yourself&your family.

Best Wishes.

PB2.

User

Posted 22 Dec 2015 at 00:34

Almost everyone should be able to get engorged using the pump, the exception being men who have not had an erection for so long that the cells of the spongy tissue have died and scarred. Your surgery is too recent for that to apply to you but you mention using Viagra (a big dose it seems) before your op so how long is it since you had an erection? Are we talking months or years?

Assuming that you have had erections in recent years, it seems your pumping technique is the likeliest problem.

I think it would be a good idea to work out how to use the pump properly before you rush towards injections as you really need to be getting engorged a few times a day but would only be given maybe one injection per week.

Edited by member 22 Dec 2015 at 00:36 | Reason: Not specified

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

User

Posted 22 Dec 2015 at 07:33

Pre surgery(from 2008)i used to take 100mg viagra whenever we wished to be intimate.From 1979 to 2008 i was on a dose of 100mg attenolol per day to control hypertension(i was having regular checks&blood pressure was good+a lot of running&a good diet)I was eventually weaned off them in 2008,at that time i was was finding that my erective powers were not great.So im now on Ramipril&amlpodopine&with the viagra good results were acheived.So the advice is practice practice practice,i will endevour to do so&thanks for your advice.Did anyone have an opinion about the RADICALS trial.

Regards.

PB2

User

Posted 22 Dec 2015 at 08:27

Yep, practice and practical things
- trim your pubic hair as short as you can
- smooth some of the KY jelly or Osbon lubricant around the edge and up the inside of the tube
- place the tube firmly against the pubic bone
- start to pump, a few pumps then rest, a few pumps then rest, etc
- to begin with John could only get up to the first E but as time went on and he got better at it, he would use the third E as the marker
- once you are as engorged as you think possible, release the vacuum by tipping the tube away from your skin
- then start again
- if you are pumping but not engorging, you probably aren't holding the tube against the skin firmly enough to create the vacuum
- it used to take J about 20 minutes to get engorged but in the end, with practice, it was only 5 minutes
- forget about the rings until you have got the technique right

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

User

Posted 22 Dec 2015 at 08:28

Radicals - personal view but why try to decide before you have discussed it with the doctor? Your next PSA test will help with the decision I think

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

User

Posted 22 Dec 2015 at 10:01

PB2

I have seen posts from quite a few men who struggle to get going with the pump. As Lyn has said just take your time to perfect a technique that works for you. Several men say they do not use the rings at all. I guess it is all down to what works and what feels comfortable for you.

As for the radicals trial well you have still got plenty of time to think about that. 22 weeks post surgery is the deadline date.

I would do a bit of research first (there is a radicals trial.org Web page) if you think you are eligible and might want to join it ask what your consultant thinks when you see him.

Things you may want to consider ...

The RT/HT additional treatment brings with it more side effects, albeit temporary, if your surgery appears to have done the job would you want to subject yourself to that?

There have been some earlier trials in USA that have had improved remission rates for the Men who participated, however they were small numbers and started over 5 years ago. The increased awareness, earlier diagnosis and improved surgical procedures could have contributed too.

I'm sure someone who is already signed up or who has considered it will post for you soon.

My very best wishes

User

Posted 23 Dec 2015 at 12:46

Thankyou one&all for your helpfull suggestions on all topics,i found out yesterday from a specialist nurse that the hormone side of the RADS trial stopped in June this year,so only the radiotherapy to pondor on.

Happy Christmas to you all.

PB2.

User

Posted 24 Dec 2015 at 13:35

Lyn,what to say but thankyou so much for your step by step guide to using the ED pump.I did all you said&acheived good results straight away without any medication at all.Im so gratefull,you are an extremly knowledgable person.I cant believe it,i was trying so hard&getting nowhere.It just shows we can all benefit from advice.

Merry Christmas to you.

PB2.

User

Posted 25 Dec 2015 at 00:13

:-) Happy Christmas then x

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

User

Posted 09 Jan 2016 at 13:05

Best Wishes.

Polarbear2.

User

Posted 09 Jan 2016 at 13:46

User

Posted 09 Jan 2016 at 20:38

Hi Chris,thankyou very much for your advice.Please keep me up to date with your progress.

Best Wishes.

PB2

User

Posted 09 Jan 2016 at 22:37

PB2

your post has made me smile a little from inside for several reasons...

12 weeks post op and continent ...tick

running again ....tick

Got ED clinic appointment but not just waiting, partner and you are getting used to the pump when being intimate ....tick actually tick tick (well done to your partner too)

Looking forwrad to meeting the ED nurse ...another tick ...but unless you know otherwise she could be a he and as your partner seems to be really keen to work with you, then take your partner along too if you can.

I know nothing about these meetings, a lot of men only get their pump at this first meeting so I guess you have nothing to lose taking it with you.

all the very best

User

Posted 10 Jan 2016 at 06:00

Good luck Polar bear

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails

User

Posted 17 Jan 2016 at 15:15

Brilliant news - take your partner with you if at all possible. Our ED nurse was as much a source of support to me as to John

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

User

Posted 17 Jan 2016 at 20:18

Hi Lyn,Happy New Year to you both.Hope things with John are going ok(yourself as well)just to say my latest PSA was 0.08(12 weeks post op)first one after 6 weeks was 0.09.I saw the Oncology Doctor first, she explained i fell into the RADS trial criteria the options now are early radiotherapy or watchfull waiting,as you may already know the hormone option has now been discontinued,i then saw the registrar who assisted in my operation,he said that they had no plans to give me any radiotherapy until my PSA rises to a figure they deem not safe.i go again to see him in 3 months for another review.All this is really me saying im not subitting myself for the trial,im running again,im continent&i want to acheive as much as possible on the ED side with the help of you good people,the ED clinic&my own persistence.The side effects of radiotherapy for the sake of it puts me off&i will be glad when they ring me so i can tell them my decision.I do apologise for going on so much about myself,i do realise that others are going through a really bad time,but you have given me good advice before so i thought i would explain my thoughts to you.

Very best wishes to both yourself&John.

Polarbear2.

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