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Penile Rehab- Hit the Ground Running

User
Posted 05 Apr 2016 at 15:41

I'm late 50's , have had 3 major operations, spent some time on critical care and I've also had an unpleasant visit from the Black Dog a while ago.

I've had experience of preparing for an operation and both psychological and physical rehab / recovery.

I'm lucky . I had a Robotic Radical Prostatectomy seven weeks ago for a Gleason 7 , organ confined disease with clear margins and one and a half nerve bundles spared.

There is plenty of information around regarding preparing for an operation, eat sensibly, get as fit as you can and get your weight as near as you can to the ideal etc., which is what I have done prior to my RRP to optimise my recovery and like all men I want my erectile function and sex life to return to  as normal as possible as soon as possible.

In order to maximise my chances of this happening this is what I did.

I hope it helps someone and helps them feel some sense of control over what is happening to them. 

I should say that I have a fantastic wife (M) who is fully on board.

1)  After diagnosis and whilst waiting for the op I took Cialis 5 mg every third day and haven't stopped. This kind of turned the clock back 25 years with regard to frequency of erections and sustainability ,even if I was a bit tired. I made full use of these with or without M's help.

I wanted to get my penis as fit as possible ( just as I did the rest of my body) , training those nerves, reflexes, muscles ( including those around blood vessels controlling and producing erections).

Plus it was good for morale.

 

2) Post op and with the catheter in- I continued with the Kegel exercises altho had to stop for a couple of days when it became uncomfortable.

 

3) The day after the catheter was removed I had my first orgasm. It was a marathon effort and made my tennis elbow much worse ( should be called something else!). But it was great for morale. For the first couple of weeks or so I aimed to have a daily orgasm . I bought a rechargeable silicone masturbator which looks a bit like Darth Vader's helmet - but with the great advantage that it can be used flaccid. For £10 more they do one with an additional vibrating bit for M to control with a remote that we could use to good effect together, although I would always need some manual therapy too as there is quite marked reduced ( but improving ) sensation. It also takes a lot of the donkey work out of achieving an orgasm and is really quite pleasant.

During this time M and I set aside time most days for play and for her needs - we are in this boat together, which I found really pleasurable and took us back to when we first went out with each other exploring different techniques.

 

4) The Vacuum device. I started using one at least daily at week 3 post op. It was uncomfortable and I didn't really think it was going to work however it became easier , the discomfort negligible and it was a hell of a lot easier achieving orgasm with an almost erect penis. This has been a fantastic morale booster. It took about three weeks gradually reducing the size of the ring until I got to a size that was comfortable and gave me a serviceable erection enabling full intercourse.

Work and kids back form Uni has got in the way a bit but I'm using the pump at least once daily and have incorporated it into my routine of shaving ( as mentioned by others it can rest on the sink if its the right height) , relax and then again whilst cleaning my teeth.

Still ensuring that there is some daily stimulation with or without the aid but with time constraints ,intimacy with M and orgasms have reduced a bit.

No indépendant action at all yet, but it is early days.

I have been very lucky indeed.

I hope this post is reassuring to those about to embark on their journey.

Cheer RD

 

 

 

 

User
Posted 05 Apr 2016 at 15:41

I'm late 50's , have had 3 major operations, spent some time on critical care and I've also had an unpleasant visit from the Black Dog a while ago.

I've had experience of preparing for an operation and both psychological and physical rehab / recovery.

I'm lucky . I had a Robotic Radical Prostatectomy seven weeks ago for a Gleason 7 , organ confined disease with clear margins and one and a half nerve bundles spared.

There is plenty of information around regarding preparing for an operation, eat sensibly, get as fit as you can and get your weight as near as you can to the ideal etc., which is what I have done prior to my RRP to optimise my recovery and like all men I want my erectile function and sex life to return to  as normal as possible as soon as possible.

In order to maximise my chances of this happening this is what I did.

I hope it helps someone and helps them feel some sense of control over what is happening to them. 

I should say that I have a fantastic wife (M) who is fully on board.

1)  After diagnosis and whilst waiting for the op I took Cialis 5 mg every third day and haven't stopped. This kind of turned the clock back 25 years with regard to frequency of erections and sustainability ,even if I was a bit tired. I made full use of these with or without M's help.

I wanted to get my penis as fit as possible ( just as I did the rest of my body) , training those nerves, reflexes, muscles ( including those around blood vessels controlling and producing erections).

Plus it was good for morale.

 

2) Post op and with the catheter in- I continued with the Kegel exercises altho had to stop for a couple of days when it became uncomfortable.

 

3) The day after the catheter was removed I had my first orgasm. It was a marathon effort and made my tennis elbow much worse ( should be called something else!). But it was great for morale. For the first couple of weeks or so I aimed to have a daily orgasm . I bought a rechargeable silicone masturbator which looks a bit like Darth Vader's helmet - but with the great advantage that it can be used flaccid. For £10 more they do one with an additional vibrating bit for M to control with a remote that we could use to good effect together, although I would always need some manual therapy too as there is quite marked reduced ( but improving ) sensation. It also takes a lot of the donkey work out of achieving an orgasm and is really quite pleasant.

During this time M and I set aside time most days for play and for her needs - we are in this boat together, which I found really pleasurable and took us back to when we first went out with each other exploring different techniques.

 

4) The Vacuum device. I started using one at least daily at week 3 post op. It was uncomfortable and I didn't really think it was going to work however it became easier , the discomfort negligible and it was a hell of a lot easier achieving orgasm with an almost erect penis. This has been a fantastic morale booster. It took about three weeks gradually reducing the size of the ring until I got to a size that was comfortable and gave me a serviceable erection enabling full intercourse.

Work and kids back form Uni has got in the way a bit but I'm using the pump at least once daily and have incorporated it into my routine of shaving ( as mentioned by others it can rest on the sink if its the right height) , relax and then again whilst cleaning my teeth.

Still ensuring that there is some daily stimulation with or without the aid but with time constraints ,intimacy with M and orgasms have reduced a bit.

No indépendant action at all yet, but it is early days.

I have been very lucky indeed.

I hope this post is reassuring to those about to embark on their journey.

Cheer RD

 

 

 

 

User
Posted 06 Apr 2016 at 18:03
R

That is one hell of routine, I have seen some studies that use simalar activies that report favourable outcomes. A few questions, How is your continence ? Was this routine all done under the supervision of your medical team, what county were you treated in, do not name doctors.

"2) Post op and with the catheter in- I continued with the Kegel exercises altho had to stop for a couple of days when it became uncomfortable."

Generally the advice is don't do PFEs with the catheter in.

I think I am in a good area for treatment but first ED appointment was not until six weeks post op and then another 4 weeks to get the pump.

For various reasons oral medication was a bit hit and miss.

The support from your OH is great to hear, you can't get that on prescription. Look forward to hearing your progress.

Thanks Chris

Edited by member 06 Apr 2016 at 19:32  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 07 Apr 2016 at 21:28

Thanks Chris,

My younger brother had a RRP about 18 months ago. He's been on cialis or viagra but has had no erection. He also said his penis had shrunk a bit and frankly he didn't seem that bothered. It is only now that he has been referred to the ED clinic. I don't know the latest.

I didn't get myself tested for a year or so, but when I found that I had PCa I wanted to do all I could to prevent me from following exactly in his footsteps and I found some research which showed that using both a vacuum device and cialis/viagra type drugs reduced the risk of your penis shrinking.

It was 3 months between diagnosis and operation so I had plenty of time to do the PFEs I was virtually dry 2 or three weeks post op, and padless after 6. If I strain bending forwards I can feel something starting to leak but immediately contract the pelvic floor and I'm actually completely dry.

When I asked my urologist at diagnosis what I could do to improve my chances of an early recovery, he suggested that I could try 5mg cialis every third day pre op. I don't think there is any research evidence for this but logically it could help. I asked my GP, and he prescribed it for me.

I won't mention the county , if you don't mid Chris , as it would in be pretty easy to deduce the hospital and hence the doctors names.

I asked my urologist after the operation if I could continue with PFEs and he said yes.

In view of the above I wanted to start using a vacuum pump as soon as I could- whether an early start makes any difference I don't know. I went onto the usual disreputable websites and thought about emailing them for advice on which pump to get, it was here that I saw the silicone Darth Vader. I asked PCUK if they could recommend one to buy, they couldn't recommend one but did give me some information of which pumps were prescribable.

When I had my catheter out I asked the nurse how soon I could start using a pump and was told it would be OK at three weeks. My GP prescribed the pump- I was quite prepared for him to decline in which case I would have bought some kind of one. I haven't actually had an ED appointment.

Having the pump has been hugely reassuring.

Once again I appreciate that I have been very fortunate.

Chris, Thanks for your pm- I'll respond when permitted by the mods.

Cheers RD

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

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User
Posted 06 Apr 2016 at 18:03
R

That is one hell of routine, I have seen some studies that use simalar activies that report favourable outcomes. A few questions, How is your continence ? Was this routine all done under the supervision of your medical team, what county were you treated in, do not name doctors.

"2) Post op and with the catheter in- I continued with the Kegel exercises altho had to stop for a couple of days when it became uncomfortable."

Generally the advice is don't do PFEs with the catheter in.

I think I am in a good area for treatment but first ED appointment was not until six weeks post op and then another 4 weeks to get the pump.

For various reasons oral medication was a bit hit and miss.

The support from your OH is great to hear, you can't get that on prescription. Look forward to hearing your progress.

Thanks Chris

Edited by member 06 Apr 2016 at 19:32  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 07 Apr 2016 at 21:28

Thanks Chris,

My younger brother had a RRP about 18 months ago. He's been on cialis or viagra but has had no erection. He also said his penis had shrunk a bit and frankly he didn't seem that bothered. It is only now that he has been referred to the ED clinic. I don't know the latest.

I didn't get myself tested for a year or so, but when I found that I had PCa I wanted to do all I could to prevent me from following exactly in his footsteps and I found some research which showed that using both a vacuum device and cialis/viagra type drugs reduced the risk of your penis shrinking.

It was 3 months between diagnosis and operation so I had plenty of time to do the PFEs I was virtually dry 2 or three weeks post op, and padless after 6. If I strain bending forwards I can feel something starting to leak but immediately contract the pelvic floor and I'm actually completely dry.

When I asked my urologist at diagnosis what I could do to improve my chances of an early recovery, he suggested that I could try 5mg cialis every third day pre op. I don't think there is any research evidence for this but logically it could help. I asked my GP, and he prescribed it for me.

I won't mention the county , if you don't mid Chris , as it would in be pretty easy to deduce the hospital and hence the doctors names.

I asked my urologist after the operation if I could continue with PFEs and he said yes.

In view of the above I wanted to start using a vacuum pump as soon as I could- whether an early start makes any difference I don't know. I went onto the usual disreputable websites and thought about emailing them for advice on which pump to get, it was here that I saw the silicone Darth Vader. I asked PCUK if they could recommend one to buy, they couldn't recommend one but did give me some information of which pumps were prescribable.

When I had my catheter out I asked the nurse how soon I could start using a pump and was told it would be OK at three weeks. My GP prescribed the pump- I was quite prepared for him to decline in which case I would have bought some kind of one. I haven't actually had an ED appointment.

Having the pump has been hugely reassuring.

Once again I appreciate that I have been very fortunate.

Chris, Thanks for your pm- I'll respond when permitted by the mods.

Cheers RD

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 
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