Ed - first visit to my GP

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User

Posted 18 Jan 2016 at 17:19

I'm a year away now from completing RT and am still on HT. I'm also ready emotionally to consider my sex life again.
No one in the medical world has mentioned ED to me at all which on reflection I find surprising given all the conversations I've noticed on this site.
I have not had RP.

I am seeing my GP this week to discuss this and wonder if anyone has been in a similar position.
If so what should I ask - or expect - or even demand ?
I have a good rapport with my doctor and she's been fantastic throughout my cancer treatment.

As a fail safe I have an Onco appointment at the end of this month if she can't help me , but I want to just get going now.

Thanks.

User

Posted 18 Jan 2016 at 18:16

Surr, do you actually feel randy? If you have no libido there isn't any treatment for that. With no libido, tablets like Viagra and Cialis won't work so your only option would be injections or pellets/gel, or a vacuum pump. Ideally, you should have had a vacuum pump to use throughout your hormone treatment to help prevent permanent shrinkage.

If you are one of the fortunate ones who still have sexual feelings while on HT but are not able to get an erection, perhaps due to radiotherapy side effects, then it is worth asking for Viagra, Levitra or Cialis AND a pump - tablets for an event and pump for maintaining penile health.

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

User

Posted 18 Jan 2016 at 18:18

PS it is important when talking to the GP and onco to be clear about whether you are suffering loss of libido or erectile dysfunction

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

User

Posted 18 Jan 2016 at 18:47

Lyn,

Yes, I'm finding that I have some sexual feelings. I was surprised by this and had a horrible thought that the HT was no longer working.
I'll find out at the end of the month when I see the Onco!

It's twofold.
Firstly for penile health and secondly for an event.

I've discussed this fully with my wife . She is happy for me to go along and ask to satisfy my understanding of the situation (s).
However she does not want me disappointed and subsequently upset if nothing works. She'd rather wait until I'm off HT and let the side effects wear off.
It's been really nice having the chats with her - it's difficult enough for a spouse trying to live through this. I think she appreciated me being open with her and we've been able to speak honestly about how we feel about each other and this horrible disease .

Thanks for your advice. It will help me with my appointments.

John

User

Posted 18 Jan 2016 at 19:13

As long as you are always honest with each other you'll work something out.

If there are disappointments then there is always next time, or something else to try.

Never give up, but don't beat yourself up over it either if it all takes longer than you hope.

You're wife understands, most of us do I'm sure, because we want to help our other halves in any way we can.

I'm sure you are both very patient with each other, but for you - just give your body time to adjust.

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

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