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User
Posted 14 Jul 2019 at 20:09

i was diagnosed with prostate cancer in oct last year i am 59 years old and had my prostate removed in january this year by robotics, i had no idea i had cancer and my gp was reluctant to do a psa test as i had no symptoms, but after blood tests/mri and biopsy i was told i had cancer which was a real shock, my psa test are at zero for the last 2 tests and i am only slightly incontinent using just 1 pad a day, my gp has put me on a antidepressant as i had to give up my job for now which has helped, we have also tried various types of viagra sildenafil vardenafil and now tadadafil but nothing seems to work and has also suggested a pump which i will be getting this is my biggest fear as not being able to get a erection, with the viagra i can get semi erect so I'm hoping the pump will work as i didn't realise you should use it daily as i thought you only used it before intercourse any help or advise would be great as i feel low and scared, i also have just last week had a blood test for testosterone as it can be linked to low labido and depression thanks in advance

User
Posted 22 Jul 2019 at 23:04

I've found post op it does nothing without manipulation and was the same when I temporarily tried tablets, Cialis 20mg.

It also seems the more you do it the better it gets and the more desire there is.  The less you do it the worse it all gets.  I find if I don't do it I could probably never do it again but usually there is something telling me get it going even if I feel like I can't be bothered. Then suddenly it's a goer.

It also works best when standing upright or near upright.  Lying down it does very little.  In reality it's temperental but is getting quite a bit better.  After two and a half years.

If you've had one small erection there is hope and with time it should improve. Tablets, vac pumps and working at it should help.  If it is mental then perhaps there is something for that.

User
Posted 14 Jul 2019 at 22:13
It’s still very early days. Did you have nerve sparing surgery? If so cialis is often prescribed too aid nerve repair. The pump should be used for rehabilitation purposes to keep the blood flowing. There’s an old saying on here ‘use it or lose it’. It can take a year or more in some cases to get back to full function. My best advice is to keep working at it with the use of the pump, medication and your partner. Hopefully you will get there

Bri

User
Posted 15 Jul 2019 at 13:42

No mate but I think I do I will ring the hospital and make a appointment thanks 

User
Posted 15 Jul 2019 at 15:25
What is the name of the three ED tablets you have been given? Sildenafil, which is generic Viagra?

Cheers, John.

User
Posted 15 Jul 2019 at 18:45

If you aren't taking any of the other sex event medications, also ask for daily low dose (5mg) tadalafil. These will help with blood flow too, even if they don't give you an erection. GP might refuse (they're around £25 a box and not all CCG's will pay), but worth asking.

User
Posted 22 Jul 2019 at 20:57
Being diagnosed with cancer and undergoing treatment can mess with anyone's head, not just prostate cancer patients, so loss of libido is not that surprising really. Tablets like Viagra will not work if you are not feeling randy.
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 22 Jul 2019 at 21:10
It’s also the case that the libido can be there in one sense but the gremlins under the bonnet play merry hell due to the trauma we’ve been through and cause issues “in the moment”.

It’s not the right place to bang on about how the NHS is cheapass about mental health care but suffice it to say I suggest you seek out some private therapy in this area to see if it helps.

User
Posted 12 Oct 2019 at 23:23

I have now got a pump and seen the ED nurse, she has recommended using it daily and taking tadadafil twice a week and doubling up when we fancy a bit if you know what I mean, I also spoke to my surgeon and he said I had nerve sparing surgery, my erections are improving and I think with the pump will be a lot better, any advice on the pump would help the ED nurse said only use the rings when having intercourse or should I put a ring on when in the shower would that help thanks in advance 

User
Posted 13 Oct 2019 at 07:40
I only used a ring for intercourse. Instead I used the pump every other day whilst shaving just to achieve and maintain an erection for 10 mins. Just don’t don’t don’t give up. It will pay you huge returns in the long run lol. I’m now 4 1/2 yrs post op and STILL use it whilst shaving , even though with daily Tadalafil I can get great natural erections on demand. Just give it time and be patient. My plan is that even if I have to have HT etc in the future I will still have a healthy chappy down there that can be used with rings should I get the urge.
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User
Posted 14 Jul 2019 at 22:13
It’s still very early days. Did you have nerve sparing surgery? If so cialis is often prescribed too aid nerve repair. The pump should be used for rehabilitation purposes to keep the blood flowing. There’s an old saying on here ‘use it or lose it’. It can take a year or more in some cases to get back to full function. My best advice is to keep working at it with the use of the pump, medication and your partner. Hopefully you will get there

Bri

User
Posted 15 Jul 2019 at 00:16

The fact that the viagra works partially shows you have some nerves working now, which is a good sign.

Yes, you need to use the pump until you can get full erections, to protect the erectile part of the penis from damage due to lack of erections. Daily low dose Tadalafil 5mg also helps with this, even if it doesn't generate erections, but you shouldn't take it with viagra. (A viagra daily low dose doesn't work for protecting erectile part of penis, as it's lost from your blood too fast to last for much of a day.)

User
Posted 15 Jul 2019 at 13:11

I am a bit confused the three tablets I have been given I thought were viagra as it’s says on packet use 60 minutes before sexual activity nothing about taking daily 

User
Posted 15 Jul 2019 at 13:41
I was prescribed 5mg of cialis to take daily to help the nerves recover. Have you been referred to a erectile dysfunction nurse

Bri

User
Posted 15 Jul 2019 at 13:42

No mate but I think I do I will ring the hospital and make a appointment thanks 

User
Posted 15 Jul 2019 at 15:25
What is the name of the three ED tablets you have been given? Sildenafil, which is generic Viagra?

Cheers, John.

User
Posted 15 Jul 2019 at 15:56
It's still early days so don't get too disparaged yet!

Get your GP to refer you to and ED clinic AND if you still need a pad a continence clinic too. You should then get some more focussed professional help for these two remaining side effects.

User
Posted 15 Jul 2019 at 17:59

I was given sildenafil first which didn’t seem to work by the surgeon then my gp gave me vardenafil now I’ve been given tadadafil by my gp all was to take before sexual activity and after seeing the surgeon a couple of weeks ago he has recommended a pump which I now have to get my gp to prescribe for me, but will be making a appointment with the Ed nurse 

User
Posted 15 Jul 2019 at 18:45

If you aren't taking any of the other sex event medications, also ask for daily low dose (5mg) tadalafil. These will help with blood flow too, even if they don't give you an erection. GP might refuse (they're around £25 a box and not all CCG's will pay), but worth asking.

User
Posted 22 Jul 2019 at 17:05

I got my testosterone blood test results back and apparently normal which is strange as I just don’t feel the urge perhaps it’s just all in the mind, the doctor is going to phone me Tomorrow and I think I might ask him if I should take something daily as well as prescribe me a pump 

User
Posted 22 Jul 2019 at 20:57
Being diagnosed with cancer and undergoing treatment can mess with anyone's head, not just prostate cancer patients, so loss of libido is not that surprising really. Tablets like Viagra will not work if you are not feeling randy.
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 22 Jul 2019 at 21:10
It’s also the case that the libido can be there in one sense but the gremlins under the bonnet play merry hell due to the trauma we’ve been through and cause issues “in the moment”.

It’s not the right place to bang on about how the NHS is cheapass about mental health care but suffice it to say I suggest you seek out some private therapy in this area to see if it helps.

User
Posted 22 Jul 2019 at 23:04

I've found post op it does nothing without manipulation and was the same when I temporarily tried tablets, Cialis 20mg.

It also seems the more you do it the better it gets and the more desire there is.  The less you do it the worse it all gets.  I find if I don't do it I could probably never do it again but usually there is something telling me get it going even if I feel like I can't be bothered. Then suddenly it's a goer.

It also works best when standing upright or near upright.  Lying down it does very little.  In reality it's temperental but is getting quite a bit better.  After two and a half years.

If you've had one small erection there is hope and with time it should improve. Tablets, vac pumps and working at it should help.  If it is mental then perhaps there is something for that.

User
Posted 23 Jul 2019 at 00:30

"I find if I don't do it I could probably never do it again but usually there is something telling me get it going even if I feel like I can't be bothered. Then suddenly it's a goer."

Sounds like me when I am behind with reports :-/

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

User
Posted 12 Oct 2019 at 23:23

I have now got a pump and seen the ED nurse, she has recommended using it daily and taking tadadafil twice a week and doubling up when we fancy a bit if you know what I mean, I also spoke to my surgeon and he said I had nerve sparing surgery, my erections are improving and I think with the pump will be a lot better, any advice on the pump would help the ED nurse said only use the rings when having intercourse or should I put a ring on when in the shower would that help thanks in advance 

User
Posted 13 Oct 2019 at 07:40
I only used a ring for intercourse. Instead I used the pump every other day whilst shaving just to achieve and maintain an erection for 10 mins. Just don’t don’t don’t give up. It will pay you huge returns in the long run lol. I’m now 4 1/2 yrs post op and STILL use it whilst shaving , even though with daily Tadalafil I can get great natural erections on demand. Just give it time and be patient. My plan is that even if I have to have HT etc in the future I will still have a healthy chappy down there that can be used with rings should I get the urge.
 
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