Erection success - finally! - Personal stories - Prostate Cancer UK Online Community

User

Posted 18 Nov 2016 at 23:20

I had a radical prostatectomy in May 2013 and it went well with my PSA level dropped to undetectable ever since. Continence was fine and after a couple of months I was back to normal.

Unfortunately despite my surgeon preserving the nerve endings I have had problems with erectile dysfunction ever since.

I was started on a daily dose of Cialis which left me a bit red in the face and gave me a headache - but not much else.

Next I was prescribed a vacuum pump which wasn't easy to use, and caused pain with the rubber ring around the base of my penis. Plus, as my wife described, it was too clinical, and wasn't the ideal start to a night of passion! So I thought that was it. Plus as I had a hernia to deal with too, that was aggravated by me using the pump although I had the hernia repaired with mesh in August 2014.

Finally this year I had my last appointment with my urology consultant when he discharged me from his care, but I mentioned the ongoing problems with erectile dysfunction. At the age of 53, I don't want to give up on sex just yet.

Today I have been to see the nurse practitioner in the clinic at my local hospital and have been trained in how to inject myself with Caverject. I was a bit apprehensive about giving myself an injection paticularly as I'd had a panic attack the first time I self injected Clexane post op. But it was actually very simple - twist the end of the syringe to mix the solution and then set it to dispense 2.5mg, 5mg, 7.5mg or the full 10mg. She decided that I was best to start with 7.5mg so I succeeded in injecting myself under her guidance into one side of my penis.

And that was it. Expecting to have to wait in the hospital whilst the Caverject did its work, I was told I could go home about 15 minutes after I'd had the injection! This was great, except that for the first time in three and a half years, I was having an erection and having to travel home with it! Catching the bus back to the Park and Ride at the hospital wasn't easy and I realised it was too uncomfortable to actually stand upright as I got off the bus. The 30 mile drive home was interesting to say the least and I phoned my wife to say "guess what I've got!". I'd been told that it should last an hour, but if it lasted more than 4 hours I was to go straight to A&E - indeed I was given a handy letter from the nurse to hand in to reception at A&E to say that I'd got priapism so I didn't have the embarrassment of having to say it out loud. These ED nurses think of everything!

I arrived home an hour and a half after the injection, still erect, and unsure what to do. By two and a half hours it still showed no inclination to go away and I began to think I'd have to go to A&E. I rang to cancel a work appointment "due to the clinic at the hospital over running", and while my wife went to collect the children from school, I went to the freezer to find a bag of frozen peas.... This didn't do much other than make my still hard erection very cold!

Fortunately soon afterwards it began to go down of its own accord, but it did last for three and a half hours which is certainly longer than I ever managed in my youth! I have experienced a slight ache in my penis but it feels OK now, some 11 hours post injection. I will ring the nurse to get her advice on whether to reduce the dose to 5mg, but it's certainly been an interesting experience, and I was over the moon to get something that felt like a proper erection for the first time since my op three and a half years ago.

I still haven't told my wife about the peas though, especially as we had some for dinner....

User

Posted 19 Nov 2016 at 02:09

That's brilliant news - my guess is that she will suggest you try the 5mg next time and see how it goes. For future reference, climbing up and down the stairs, going for a brisk walk around the block or similar is likely to be more successful than a bag of peas - the point is to get the blood pumping and take the chemicals away from your penis.

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

User

Posted 19 Nov 2016 at 09:03

Fantastic news for you. Adjust the dose down next time. Also if the erection won't go take some decongestant liquid or cold remedy that contains phenylephrine. This is a temporary antidote until you get to hospital , or it may fix the problem itself.
I had terrible pain with caverject and viridal which are both a type of Alprostadil.
I've just used the Invicorp injection which was way superior for me results wise , and zero pain whatsoever. It's just becoming available NHS but I bought mine privately.
So pleased for you
Chris

User

Posted 24 Nov 2016 at 07:20

Caverject has ALWAYS had uk supply problems. A few of us on here were switched to Viridal. Exactly the same drug but diff manufacturer. Easier to use in my opinion also. You could always ask.

User

Posted 26 Dec 2016 at 23:57

Caverject has always had supply issues. Viridal is the exact same medicine and easier supply. NICE guidelines are 4 per month but GP will supply 8 if you have a strop ( lucky you , twice a week :-)) ))
Cialis 5mg daily is my best spontaneous fix , but I'm now privately using Invivorp injection for special occasions. Massively better in my own case and zero pain.
Almost 65% of men drop out of injection therapy. It's novelty wears off !! Caverject and Viridal gave very mixed and Unguaranteed response and a shed-load of pain. Invicorp has been spot on for 3 times now , zero pain. Keep trying brother !!

User

Posted 22 Jan 2017 at 10:31

I've read about it on the imedicare U.K. site which supplied my SomaErect pump. Very expensive and I don't really think enough evidence available on the net or forums to warrant it. I think if you are going to recover then you will but it's a long haul and you have to use the pump daily and stick your neck out for the relevant drugs and injections etc
Good luck

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User

Posted 19 Nov 2016 at 02:09

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

User

Posted 19 Nov 2016 at 09:03

User

Posted 23 Nov 2016 at 23:52

There was I getting all excited - but the dispensary at our local surgery tell me their suppliers are out of Caverject and it'll be at least a week.

Grrr!

Edited by member 23 Nov 2016 at 23:53 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 24 Nov 2016 at 07:20

Caverject has ALWAYS had uk supply problems. A few of us on here were switched to Viridal. Exactly the same drug but diff manufacturer. Easier to use in my opinion also. You could always ask.

User

Posted 26 Dec 2016 at 23:41

The first prescription for Caverject took 10 days to arrive and when it did it was a box containing just 2 doses. About 10 days later I went back for a repeat prescription only for my local surgery (which has a dispensary as the nearest chemist is 5 miles away) to advise that none of their suppliers could supply until the New Year so it would be at least 2 week wait. However I took the prescription to a branch of Boots ten miles away and whilst they didn't have it in stock, they got it in 24 hours so I got it in time for Christmas!l

I told the doctor that at this rate I would permanently have a prescription on order, and indeed the nurse practitioner at the hospital told me that the usual allowance was 4 doses per month, but if I told the doctor it was 'causing distress' then 8 doses a month could be allowed.

Has anyone any advice on the supply problems with Caverject please? How many are normally supplied?

Edited by member 26 Dec 2016 at 23:41 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 26 Dec 2016 at 23:57

User

Posted 22 Jan 2017 at 09:42

Thanks for this great thread. I am a beginner treating ED and learning all the time. I do think the psychological effect of it 'won't' happen no matter has been my main problem but have tried the pump once and surprised myself!! I always thought my penis had a mind of it's own but now I know it was just being lazy. I've had a great nurse who has helped me understand that it's a 'use it or lose it' scenario but I think my JT has it's own idea's and I need to get him to snap out of it and that's what will happen.

User

Posted 22 Jan 2017 at 09:51

Has anyone had any experience or heard about Viberect http://viberect.com.au/?

Thanks

Chris

User

Posted 22 Jan 2017 at 10:31

User

Posted 25 Jun 2017 at 18:13

Does anyone have an opinion on penile implants....inflatable tubes in penis, pump in scrotum... I've been asked to think about it.

Edited by member 25 Jun 2017 at 18:15 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 26 Jun 2017 at 14:38

Paul

My urologist talked about penile implants with me but did warn that it irreversible. After trying the other drugs I tried Invicorp on Chris's suggestion and it worked a treat. Not sure what you have tried.

Ulsterman

User

Posted 27 Jun 2017 at 16:04

Hmmm - I'll never think the same about frozen peas again! Seriously though, I have tried Sildenafil (Viagra) and Cialis - very little effect. The pump works giving me an erection, but I ca't get on with the rings, or the process when it comes to having sex. Having a stone cold penis was also a passion killer!. I am hoping to try caverject at my next ED clinic (12th July). Last chance saloon for me, I definitely don't fancy implants.I am 55 and had no nerve sparing, hence the struggle. I hope I have the same success as yourself.

Oh - Ulsterman, your private inbox is full so you can't receive private messages. Just thought I would let you know.

User

Posted 27 Jun 2017 at 17:12

If you didn't like having a cold penis or the mechanical process of using pump + rings, an implant is not the right next step as you are likely to find penetration with a soft penis just as off putting and just as cold. It seems you haven't tried levitra yet - which is definitely the best result in our house - and there is still Muse and Invicorp to try. Be aware that caverject dual chamber is still almost impossible to get in some parts of the country due to licensing / production issues.

I would also want to be sure you had tried everything else correctly before you go for the surgical option as there is no turning back if it fails.

Edited by member 28 Jun 2017 at 21:38 | Reason: Not specified

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

User

Posted 27 Jun 2017 at 17:14

PS viagra and cialis need nerves

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

User

Posted 28 Jun 2017 at 21:03

Levitate? Haven't heard of that one. I haven't got a problem with the pump, it's maintaining an erection. I found some rings that together that seemed to hold a good erection. However when I tried to perform sex I found in a very short time that I had 'gone soft', well at least not hard enough to continue sex. I made 4 or 5 attempts with no satisfactory results.

The cold penis was not a problem for me but put my partner off.

I too understood that after no nerve sparing that viagra and cialis would have no effect. My surgeon and ED clinic insisted I tried though. There was some minimal effect, but nowhere enough for the desired results.

Caverject is the next step I think.

Thanks Lyn

User

Posted 28 Jun 2017 at 21:43

Ha ha ha - damned predictive text - Levitra (but Levitate would be a great name too) - however, I forgot you had no nerves so Levitra is pointless.

If rings didn't hold the erection you were using the wrong size. If partner found the ringed penis a turn off you will need to have some very honest conversation if you do go down the implant route as the implant does not create an erection with any girth or firmness. So fingers crossed the injections, cream or pellets do the trick.

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

User

Posted 28 Jun 2017 at 22:10

Would just like to add that even with a pump and rings , certain positions are more favourable to maintaining a position than others. Gravity has a part to play !!! Me lying on my back soon put paid to anything I had. Me on top much better. Me stood up best results of all.

User

Posted 28 Jun 2017 at 23:37

Just too add to the good advice already given, you don't need an erection to have vaginal intercourse and if you can get the technique right it is out of this world for both of you.

Google flaccid insertion and you should come across the subject " making love is the best medicine", there is an extract from a book that describes the technique.

Thanks Chris

User

Posted 03 Jul 2017 at 16:34

Some very interesting comments.... I have been using Cialis 5mg one every day tablet without any effect for 18months now.
Also use the vacuum pump and restricting ring... with some effect but not ideal. I can relate to the " cold penis" and " mechanical process" but that in itself is not an issue for either of us.. but I still find I get soft far too soon...
Consultant has recommended the implant treatment and tells me it has 95% satisfaction rate... I'm very tempted.... but have another meeting in a few months time with him.
I can agree with Chris, laying on your back is not a good position.. gravity has a lot to answer for !!

Thanks all....

User

Posted 14 Dec 2017 at 12:11

Over the Years I have tried all the Pills ,Vaccuum Devices and Caverjet 20

I also read in the Harvard Medical Review regarding Erectile Dysfunction about External Penile Support Devices --A google search revealed one Made in the USA Which I bought for around $350 US Dollars and another which I bought Made in the UK .Both are Great !.I could not face an Implant Operation especially at 70 Years of age.Sex is now a pleasure to Me and My Wife again

User

Posted 28 Aug 2018 at 11:45

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