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My Erectile Dysfunction

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User
Posted 03 May 2021 at 10:31

Hi 

My story - for years had higher PSA results (17+). This all started about 12 years a go. Had biopsy done - evil person did this - really evil! Felt horrible before and after!!! Weeks later told by another evil consultant no problems detected. However, did have some further PSA tests from time to time and they remained high but I ignored this. 

My partner was ill and to cut along story short he died of aggressive type of cancer in 2020 - we had been together for 23 years.

I am trying to move on but I really don't things are going to work well for me as now matters have changed since February 2021.

Recently, Feb this year had a biopsy done under local anaesthetic.  Result some weeks later I have cancer of the prostate - low grade GLEASON 3+3=6 (amazing maths!) I have been put on active surveillance by the hospital (the same evil hospital as years a go). Now they want to do a more thorough prostate biopsy. Put me to sleep and poke around without me knowing about what they do to me! No date been set and judging by the NHS situation it won't happen very soon. 

However, have a trouble in getting erections or if I do get erection it soon disappears! More so than before in recent months. I don't drink a lot so not the problem there! No partner! Porn has little affect and when I do get to some sort of satisfaction there's still blood in the semen (assumed from biopsy in February). This ED has been around for a while so, I tried some methods to help! Penile pump, so-so result. Pills 2.5 then 5 tadafil daily have some effect on some occasions and get some satisfaction. However, still not great like it used to be with my erections! They used to be firm now it's a struggle. Seems there's advice for men after  operations/treatment but not for those before treatment!!!!!! Why? 

Sign of bad things to come and I am not happy with it. Seems though I have to consign myself to the probability thinks will never be the same and no sex at all as I cannot perform! Also, thee's possibility further trouble with the prostate cancer being worse, as yet not known!

Talking to a doctor is well impossible as they not interested these days in seeing you or even speaking to you unless on their terms! Sad sign of the times over the last few years.

Oh such a sorry tale :-(

 

Edited by member 03 May 2021 at 19:57  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 03 May 2021 at 15:19

Keith, I'm really sorry to hear about your partner.

With regards to the ED, you should ask to be referred to Andrology or Urology to be checked out. ED can be an early sign of many other things, and you want to get those ruled out, or fixed before they become serious. Of course, prostate cancer can also cause it, but it sounds like yours is probably too low level at the moment.

The Tadalafil dose you tried is very low - I would ask if you can try 20mg, which is the event dose. Tadalafil is often the preferred PDE5 inhibitor if you can get but not retain an erection, although that can be driven by psychological factors too.

If you aren't getting any joy from your doctor, can you ask to see another one at the practice?

User
Posted 04 May 2021 at 15:08

Hi,  Sorry to read about your partner.   Do you think that has had some effect on your ability to get an erection.  It could be unrelated to your prostate and perhaps you could see your GP.   Although sometimes the GP will say if you're already referred to Urology it should be handled by them.

I don't know your age but age can also effect the ability to perform.  As could the biopsy so there are a few possible factors in this.

It often seems it's on the doctors terms but nowadays they're meant to take in patient opinions and with Prostate Cancer they usually ask the patient to choose from the treatment options available.

A template biopsy under anaesthetic was offered to me but from what I'd been told there was no doubt it needed treatment so I went for surgery.  With a 3+3 they're doing a more thorough check that they didn't miss something as you could be on surveillance for a long time if all's well.

Another option is to ring a nurse from Prostate Cancer UK or if you have a Specialist Nurse at the hospital, perhaps a Macmillan Nurse.

All the best, Peter

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User
Posted 03 May 2021 at 15:19

Keith, I'm really sorry to hear about your partner.

With regards to the ED, you should ask to be referred to Andrology or Urology to be checked out. ED can be an early sign of many other things, and you want to get those ruled out, or fixed before they become serious. Of course, prostate cancer can also cause it, but it sounds like yours is probably too low level at the moment.

The Tadalafil dose you tried is very low - I would ask if you can try 20mg, which is the event dose. Tadalafil is often the preferred PDE5 inhibitor if you can get but not retain an erection, although that can be driven by psychological factors too.

If you aren't getting any joy from your doctor, can you ask to see another one at the practice?

User
Posted 04 May 2021 at 15:08

Hi,  Sorry to read about your partner.   Do you think that has had some effect on your ability to get an erection.  It could be unrelated to your prostate and perhaps you could see your GP.   Although sometimes the GP will say if you're already referred to Urology it should be handled by them.

I don't know your age but age can also effect the ability to perform.  As could the biopsy so there are a few possible factors in this.

It often seems it's on the doctors terms but nowadays they're meant to take in patient opinions and with Prostate Cancer they usually ask the patient to choose from the treatment options available.

A template biopsy under anaesthetic was offered to me but from what I'd been told there was no doubt it needed treatment so I went for surgery.  With a 3+3 they're doing a more thorough check that they didn't miss something as you could be on surveillance for a long time if all's well.

Another option is to ring a nurse from Prostate Cancer UK or if you have a Specialist Nurse at the hospital, perhaps a Macmillan Nurse.

All the best, Peter

 
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