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Somaerect Pump - can I learn to use it?

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User
Posted 27 Apr 2024 at 21:05

Hi

I had a RARP in Oct 2023 and everything is going great. Although I fall under Bedford Hospital I had the procedure at Addenbrookes in Cambs. The nurses at Addenbrookes were keen for me to get a Somaerect device but I needed my GP to prescribe it.

He was happy to do so but having no experience of usage he wrote to Bedford Hospital for guidance. The nurses at Addenbrookes even wrote to the GP saying they had done over the phone training with me to try and change his mind.

Nothing came of this and after I chased the GP wrote to Bedford again. They have now given me an appointment in the Urology ED dept for 9th December, 7 months away.

I am thinking of just buying one myself now and telling them 'thanks but no thanks'. I just worry about whether I will be ok with using it on my own.

Can anyone give me some help? Should I wait until December?

Richard 

User
Posted 28 Apr 2024 at 02:16

The annoying thing is you really only need a pump clinic, where the iMEDicare rep demos the pump on you and selects the size you need, and that probably doesn't have anything like a 7 month wait. You leave with a sheet of paper which tells your GP which parts to prescribe. You could try explaining you are only after a pump clinic at this stage and see if that can be done sooner.

The NHS prescription part numbers your GP needs to prescribe are 15019 (pump and accessories) and 15222 (3 spare Surefit constriction rings). The 15222 would ideally be on a repeat prescription on demand. You could try asking your GP to simply prescribe these, if he/she will. The constriction rings are not used for penile rehab, only for having sex.

15019 is the large size. The pump comes in two sizes, large or extra large. I don't know the extra large part number off-hand, or what dimension erect penis requires it.

iMEDicare will provide free training for anyone who gets the pump via them, privately or NHS prescription. If you don't get a pump clinic session in person, they can do it over a video call if you have the pump at that stage. Their training is very good, much better than I've heard of some ED nurses.

User
Posted 28 Apr 2024 at 13:11

Maybe they used to, but no one ever ordered the small and medium.

I remember getting home and noticed my GP was told to order me the large size. Fantastic I thought. Only later discovered it came in Large, or Extra Large ;-)

User
Posted 29 Apr 2024 at 17:38

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

The pump comes in two sizes, large or extra large. I don't know the extra large part number off-hand, or what dimension erect penis requires it.

Large or extra large, is this to boost men's egos. 😄

My wife said why don't they do them in the usual men's sizes.

S.........Small.

M.......Medium

L.........Liar.

 

So what’s XL then? Fantasist and Single maybe?

User
Posted 30 Apr 2024 at 12:28

Hi Richard

I have been using Somaerect and similar pumps - but not Vacurect which I don't recommend - for over 12 years. I had no opportunity for training so it was a matter of suck it and see (the pun wasn't intended, honestly!). Because we use VEDs for our bedroom adventures, I had to think seriously about how to incorporate a pump into our love making sessions. Obviously you need to be able to achieve strong, reliable and lasting erections quickly. If you or anyone is interested please private message me and I will send you a short video - recorded during a love making session - showing my short-cut approach to achieving an erection in about three minutes; obviously boasting here! Also if for any reason you find the usual methods - PED5 inhibitor, injections, implants etc - not suitable for you a VED is certainly worth considering. Incorporating a vacuum pump in a love making session is tricky; it is an unwelcome threesome! I have a thread here which may be of interest to some new members:

https://community.prostatecanceruk.org/posts/t28948-Re-establishing-Sex-Life

My apologies to fellow members who must be bored with my going on about how great VEDs are!! I have no shares in any VED manufacturing companies.

Edited by member 30 Apr 2024 at 12:31  | Reason: Not specified

 'Physics is like sex: sure, it may give some practical results, but that’s not why we do it.'                    Richard Feynman (1918-1988) Nobel Prize laureate

 

 

User
Posted 30 Apr 2024 at 12:58

Hi Jed

Excellent summary. The only thing I would add is that if you are going to put a constricting ring on it is best to shave your pubic hair otherwise it would be very painful when taking the ring off. Also For those about to have prostatectomy it is best to shave your hair. It makes it much easier for keeping the genital area clean. I had to keep my catheter in place for over five weeks and I wish someone had advised me to shave.

Edited by member 30 Apr 2024 at 12:59  | Reason: Spelling

 'Physics is like sex: sure, it may give some practical results, but that’s not why we do it.'                    Richard Feynman (1918-1988) Nobel Prize laureate

 

 

User
Posted 01 May 2024 at 19:41

I seem to be a lone wolf with my choice of VED. However unlike most, I can say categorically, I do have both the SomaErect and the Vacurrect. For me, the Vaccurect wins hands down, I am very ham fisted and have no patience putting things together, the SomaErect for me was very frustrating and sucks the joy of love making. However, with the Vacurrect, I am up and running in a matter of 1-2minutes - 1 quick visit to the bathroom, and I have an erection, no need to sit down to apply, the device is so simply made, and I think it was made for guys like us!

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User
Posted 28 Apr 2024 at 02:16

The annoying thing is you really only need a pump clinic, where the iMEDicare rep demos the pump on you and selects the size you need, and that probably doesn't have anything like a 7 month wait. You leave with a sheet of paper which tells your GP which parts to prescribe. You could try explaining you are only after a pump clinic at this stage and see if that can be done sooner.

The NHS prescription part numbers your GP needs to prescribe are 15019 (pump and accessories) and 15222 (3 spare Surefit constriction rings). The 15222 would ideally be on a repeat prescription on demand. You could try asking your GP to simply prescribe these, if he/she will. The constriction rings are not used for penile rehab, only for having sex.

15019 is the large size. The pump comes in two sizes, large or extra large. I don't know the extra large part number off-hand, or what dimension erect penis requires it.

iMEDicare will provide free training for anyone who gets the pump via them, privately or NHS prescription. If you don't get a pump clinic session in person, they can do it over a video call if you have the pump at that stage. Their training is very good, much better than I've heard of some ED nurses.

User
Posted 28 Apr 2024 at 09:19

If you're thinking of buying one, I'd say do it.

I started using a cheap pump from lovehoney a couple of months after my operation. In the meantime it took months and months of trying to get something organised through the ED department. Covid and cancelled appointments added delays. I even managed to get injections before the pump materialised. But when the demonstration appointment eventually came through, it was with a very professional and friendly representative. Probably too late as by that stage I had muddled through on my own with my cheap pump, and my erections were improving by that time. 

Buying one yourself and taking their training, I think, will save a lot of time.

Good luck. 

Kev.

User
Posted 28 Apr 2024 at 09:49

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

The pump comes in two sizes, large or extra large. I don't know the extra large part number off-hand, or what dimension erect penis requires it.

Large or extra large, is this to boost men's egos. 😄

My wife said why don't they do them in the usual men's sizes.

S.........Small.

M.......Medium

L.........Liar.

 

User
Posted 28 Apr 2024 at 13:11

Maybe they used to, but no one ever ordered the small and medium.

I remember getting home and noticed my GP was told to order me the large size. Fantastic I thought. Only later discovered it came in Large, or Extra Large ;-)

User
Posted 28 Apr 2024 at 20:22

Hi Richard Warriner,

As others have advised, I would suggest that you do not wait months for a SomaCorrect device to be prescribed.  A cheap one from (e.g.) Love Honey (other providers are available) would do for now, while you wait for the real thing.  The pumps come with basic instructions.  Put some lube inside the tube and on the top rubber seal.  It is advisable to pump slowly,  then allow the penis to engorge (there is a slight time delay), then after about a further minute or so, release the air pressure and then pump again.  Hopefully, each round of pumping will create a firmer erection.  It is also advisable to trim your pubic hair as it can get caught in the vacuum, which is uncomfortable.  Similarly, pull down on your testicles slightly to ensure that they don't get sucked in to the pump, which is also uncomfortable.  You'll soon get the hang of it.

Good luck.

JedSee.

User
Posted 29 Apr 2024 at 17:38

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

The pump comes in two sizes, large or extra large. I don't know the extra large part number off-hand, or what dimension erect penis requires it.

Large or extra large, is this to boost men's egos. 😄

My wife said why don't they do them in the usual men's sizes.

S.........Small.

M.......Medium

L.........Liar.

 

So what’s XL then? Fantasist and Single maybe?

User
Posted 29 Apr 2024 at 17:52

It really is important to get the correct size of cylinder. I got the Somacorrect which was to correct my Peyronie’s disease….this is supplied with small, medium and large cylinders. The small is useless unless you have a micro!

I had real trouble in getting the right size, none of them seemed to work for me, they also seemed too tight at the base which prevented me from getting fully erect. I even bought the extra large cyclinder but that didn’t work. In the end I discovered the problem was that there was too much skin getting sucked into the bottom of the cylinder jamming it and preventing it working properly. Even trying to hold everything tight around that area with the other hand didn’t help.

In the end, I found that using the medium size inside the large was just about right for me. It IS a tight fit but that is good for correcting the Peyronie’s.

User
Posted 29 Apr 2024 at 21:07

I bought one soon after my RP and started to use it. It took over a year get to see a clinical specialist in the sexual health clinic so glad I just got on with it once I got the OK from the clinical team. Honestly, easy enough to use but your first couple of goes you might find a bit awkward. My came with decent enough instructions. If you have a lot of pubic hair you might want to cut them back a bit gives a better seal. I use my pump therapeutically to keep the old fella as he should be. Used it every day until I finally got prescribed with Tadalafil, which gives natural erections for at least 36 hours. Still use the pump on none Tadalafil days.

User
Posted 30 Apr 2024 at 11:41

Using the Somaerect Pump is pretty simple, but picking the right cylinder size is really important. It can be tricky to find the perfect fit, but getting it right is essential for it to work well and feel comfortable.

User
Posted 30 Apr 2024 at 11:53

I think this is only an issue for the SOMAcorrect, for fixing Peyronie's curvature, where a more precisely sized cylinder is used to force the penis straight.

For the SOMAerect pump, most people fit the large size without any problem, and I can't see any issue with the cylinder being too large, As previously mentioned, they don't even do medium and small ones (only for the SOMAcorrect).

User
Posted 30 Apr 2024 at 12:28

Hi Richard

I have been using Somaerect and similar pumps - but not Vacurect which I don't recommend - for over 12 years. I had no opportunity for training so it was a matter of suck it and see (the pun wasn't intended, honestly!). Because we use VEDs for our bedroom adventures, I had to think seriously about how to incorporate a pump into our love making sessions. Obviously you need to be able to achieve strong, reliable and lasting erections quickly. If you or anyone is interested please private message me and I will send you a short video - recorded during a love making session - showing my short-cut approach to achieving an erection in about three minutes; obviously boasting here! Also if for any reason you find the usual methods - PED5 inhibitor, injections, implants etc - not suitable for you a VED is certainly worth considering. Incorporating a vacuum pump in a love making session is tricky; it is an unwelcome threesome! I have a thread here which may be of interest to some new members:

https://community.prostatecanceruk.org/posts/t28948-Re-establishing-Sex-Life

My apologies to fellow members who must be bored with my going on about how great VEDs are!! I have no shares in any VED manufacturing companies.

Edited by member 30 Apr 2024 at 12:31  | Reason: Not specified

 'Physics is like sex: sure, it may give some practical results, but that’s not why we do it.'                    Richard Feynman (1918-1988) Nobel Prize laureate

 

 

User
Posted 30 Apr 2024 at 12:39

Andy

If I remember when I bought my first battery-operated SOMA erect many years ago it had three vacuum cylinders. To find the right one for me I tried all three. The most suitable one was the medium size. The problem with the large one is that when you pump it is quite difficult to stop sucking in the scrotum and the surrounding skin.

 'Physics is like sex: sure, it may give some practical results, but that’s not why we do it.'                    Richard Feynman (1918-1988) Nobel Prize laureate

 

 

User
Posted 30 Apr 2024 at 12:53

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Andy

If I remember when I bought my first battery-operated SOMA erect many years ago it had three vacuum cylinders. To find the right one for me I tried all three. The most suitable one was the medium size. The problem with the large one is that when you pump it is quite difficult to stop sucking in the scrotum and the surrounding skin.

That was my problem Pratap. The problem is that before you get erect the large is too big and sucks in the skin. Stopping and releasing pressure freeing the skin then starting again quickly as you’re more erect can help with this I find.

I actually think that the Soma could be made with a better sleeve. The one on my Lovehoney cheap pump is better because it creates a seal when small, then stretches as you become erect.

Edited by member 30 Apr 2024 at 12:55  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 30 Apr 2024 at 12:58

Hi Jed

Excellent summary. The only thing I would add is that if you are going to put a constricting ring on it is best to shave your pubic hair otherwise it would be very painful when taking the ring off. Also For those about to have prostatectomy it is best to shave your hair. It makes it much easier for keeping the genital area clean. I had to keep my catheter in place for over five weeks and I wish someone had advised me to shave.

Edited by member 30 Apr 2024 at 12:59  | Reason: Spelling

 'Physics is like sex: sure, it may give some practical results, but that’s not why we do it.'                    Richard Feynman (1918-1988) Nobel Prize laureate

 

 

User
Posted 30 Apr 2024 at 13:00

It comes with a couple of different sized rubber seals to reduce the opening hole size.

User
Posted 30 Apr 2024 at 13:07

Hi Decho

The sleeve can be a problem. Presently I am using a battery-operated PRIMUS (German). It comes in just one size and I found that once erect it is very difficult to pull the penis out! So I use it without the sleeve and provided there is some lubricant on the cylinder, or some lubricant at the base of the penis, it is possible to can a perfect seal.

Edited by member 30 Apr 2024 at 14:12  | Reason: spelling

 'Physics is like sex: sure, it may give some practical results, but that’s not why we do it.'                    Richard Feynman (1918-1988) Nobel Prize laureate

 

 

User
Posted 01 May 2024 at 08:36

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

It comes with a couple of different sized rubber seals to reduce the opening hole size.

Unfortunately that doesn’t work for me, having the medium insert inside the large one and using the large cylinder makes no difference…the only combination that works is the medium cycle de inside the large cylinder and then the large seal(only).

I guess everyone is different so if it’s not working for you, experiment or maybe give iMedicare a call.

User
Posted 01 May 2024 at 19:41

I seem to be a lone wolf with my choice of VED. However unlike most, I can say categorically, I do have both the SomaErect and the Vacurrect. For me, the Vaccurect wins hands down, I am very ham fisted and have no patience putting things together, the SomaErect for me was very frustrating and sucks the joy of love making. However, with the Vacurrect, I am up and running in a matter of 1-2minutes - 1 quick visit to the bathroom, and I have an erection, no need to sit down to apply, the device is so simply made, and I think it was made for guys like us!

 
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