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To save or sacrifice nerves?

User
Posted 31 Oct 2017 at 11:45

Hi Peggles


As Lyn posted : 


""*There is a member here who has regained natural erections after non nerve sparing but this is extremely rare and the urologist thinks that possibly a few nerves were left behind.""

The above may have been gleaned from my profile (I haven't posted  a great deal on ED specifics).


Hopefully you have a date booked now and made decision, you seem 'similar' profile to me.  We took decison from MDT.


We were realistic and well informed  :  Expect the worse, and we hoped for the best as we say: plenty of options if ED.   A friend of a friend had an penile implant on NHS ! (not for me though)


However nearly 3 years post op,   progressing very well last few months.  Briefly, Kegel must help and use it or loss it .  Try not to give up and try various solutions.   ie PDE5 inhibitors (tried various for  few months, first 12 months,  no use if no nerve signals - gave up - headaches also ). Alprostadil (Vitaros cream)  - thanks to Chris (very informed member) who told me about this.    Used to minimal effect and gave up on that.  However erection lasting longer and stronger, so we kept positive.


Yes, agree it's all a palaver and cross the bridge as you need to.  Nerves and blood vessels will be severely traumatised and need 2 to 3 months to fully recover.   We were more concerned re. urethral anastomosis / stricture and continence, so anything else was a real bonus. 


As an aside - urine flow has been better than before, control great.  I was probably very lucky (see profile for more detail).  Very occasionally  climacturia, although this subsiding.    


All the best


Gordon

Edited by member 31 Oct 2017 at 11:47  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 31 Oct 2017 at 21:10
Thanks Gordon No we haven't got a date yet but hopefully sooner rather than later. You do worry about what the cancer's doing in the meantime especially the Gleason 4 element.

Of course everybody wants a cure, full continence and erectile function. If only it was that easy. One day the treatment(s) may make this a possibility for all and no surgery involved. However presently in the here and now we can only make an informed choice and hope that we are lucky.

Tony hasn't quite decided yet re the nerve sparing but is leaning towards them going
as we both think the surgeon being able to take a wider margin may give a better chance. He really dreads the idea of having to go down the Radiotherapy/ hormone route afterwards although there is never any guarantees that could happen nerves spared or not.

It would be great if he can eventually pee properly again as he's suffered from an enlarged prostate for many years.

Regards
Ann
User
Posted 31 Oct 2017 at 22:36

John had problems peeing and was on medication from the age of 35. In his own words, post ok he could per over a barn door. It was one of the few benefits of getting cancer!

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard
User
Posted 01 Nov 2017 at 18:25
Thanks Lyn. Hope that's the case with Tony. Would certainly save the constant searching for toilets when we are out and about.☺
User
Posted 12 Mar 2020 at 05:37
Reported to moderator !
 
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