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How long does it take for normal sexual function to return

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Prostate Cancer
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SebringR
Regular Member
Joined : Oct 2008
Posts : 29
Posted 10/12/2008 11:06 AM (GMT -8)
I had the robotic surgery on April 14th.  I have recovered what I felt was good.  I was without the pad by the end of June.  But it seems like I have lost sexual ability over the last couple of months, not progessed.  I get a slight bit of erection using ED drugs but nothing like it used to be.

PS: how do you enter all the details at the bottom I have seen on others profiles.

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livinadream
Veteran Member
Joined : Apr 2008
Posts : 1382
Posted 10/12/2008 12:02 PM (GMT -8)
go to the control panel and then edit profile then it will give you the opportunity to create a signature.
I think you will find that many men heal at different rates. I am 18 months into it and I have no erection at all, of course I am HT still. Just take you time and try not to expect to much to soon. Sounds like the surgery went well, so relax and enjoy the life, the finer things will come back in due time.
Welcome to the forum

peace and love
Dale
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Piano
Veteran Member
Joined : Apr 2008
Posts : 847
Posted 10/12/2008 12:11 PM (GMT -8)
Even with nerve sparing, recovery of erectile function is very variable. Some lucky few recover immediately, but for most it is many months. It can take up to two or more years. It is not uncommon for function to decline for a time, but the important thing is to continue with your prescribed rehab and not give up.

If you have stopped doing Kegels, start those up again too -- they supposedly help with ED, and are a cheap treatment wink
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R&PK
New Member
Joined : Jan 2008
Posts : 17
Posted 10/12/2008 2:17 PM (GMT -8)

Don't give up the ship.   Everyone heals differently.   My husband had so many "issues" I thought we'd never get through it.  

He just recently, 2 weeks ago, went to the urologist who has changed offices, b/c he too was having difficulty with ED.   In fact,  Dr. Chin was hired, as he said, at the Urology Dept. at Hackensack Univ. Hosp. to specifically help ED issues of all kinds including post robotic surgery.   Because I believe, this surgery is becoming so much more common, this created a need as they were seeing so many more men with ED after robotics. 

Anyway, Dr.  Chin said take 1/2 viagra everyday and when you want to have relations take a full viagra on a empty stomach.   We don't have a full hard erection but it works enough to JO w/the right movie and all the other whosie whatsa stuff.  (You know what I mean).

He also was skeptical about getting meds from overseas, i.e., AllDayChemist.  We have been using "Manly", but stopped.   Psychologically, my husband is better when he follows the doctors advice.

We did not go to the surgeon; we went back to the original urologist, Dr. Chin.  

Do not get discouraged.   As the doctor said, "If this doesn't work, we'll move on to the next step".   There are many options.   But I think at this point, you should address your concerns with your urologist.   He may tell you the same thing as was told to my husband.

Good luck and stay positive!!!!!!!!

Pat

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Bootheel
Regular Member
Joined : Oct 2007
Posts : 300
Posted 10/12/2008 3:56 PM (GMT -8)

I am about 8 months post-op with ED issues.  I take 50mg viagra a day plus the VED 2X daily.  I have been on this regimen since the catheter was removed.  I have been using bimix injections 3 month post-op with great results.  It bypasses the normal channels and provides a natural erection for me. There are lots of options.

Just a thought.

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SebringR
Regular Member
Joined : Oct 2008
Posts : 29
Posted 10/12/2008 4:00 PM (GMT -8)
Thanks everyone for the encouragement.  I had no idea the Kegels might help the ED.  I quit those after I was dry, looks like I need to do more than watch TV at night.  It has been an intersting trip so far.  I have had a great surgeon.  Honestly the worse part of all of it was I was sore from the time of the biopsy in December until the surgery in April, it was all down hill from the surgery.

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Frank1205
Regular Member
Joined : Feb 2008
Posts : 311
Posted 10/12/2008 7:17 PM (GMT -8)
I am 6 months post op. I experienced what my Doc called ED bounce. He is seeing this more and more with his surgical patients. While the cath was in I had an erection. After cath was out I was doing good without Viagra and very good with it. This early success slowly started to decrease for several months and now at 6 months I am seeing improvement with viagra. I was for a period of time having issues with urine on completion. This was very dissapointing when it occurred and now it has stopped. I use a restrictor ring and that seems to aid in maintaining.

Its an understatement to say we are all different. But one point everyone agrees is that in most cases, with time things get better.

Frank
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Paul1959
Veteran Member
Joined : Nov 2007
Posts : 598
Posted 10/13/2008 4:56 AM (GMT -8)
Frank,

Are there any numbers, studies or anything at all to the ED bounce?  It happened to me and has happened not infrequently to others on here. My surgeon insists that it was extrememely rare - almost to the point of it being my fault.

Any info at all where I could send him for more info on this growing phenomenon?  I agree with the earlier post that with the prevalence of DaVinci, there are a whole host of issues coming to light and an industry will grow up around them. Meanwhile, there is very slow, but steady improvement after the initial slide downhill - but in some ways it feels as if we are behind the guys who did not experience the bounce.  Are there guys out there who did the bounce - slid backwards - then made good recovery?  I am more than happy to use drugs the rest of my life, but right now, they are pretty dicey at best.

thanks

Paul

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M. Kat
Veteran Member
Joined : Jul 2006
Posts : 715
Posted 10/15/2008 3:56 AM (GMT -8)
Sebring - it is so different for every man that it is hard to say when or how. after 2 years, Jeff is still seeing improvement in his erections. so as others have said, enjoy life, relax and stay intimate.

Chas - I'm sorry you are having that problem. hey - you used to have semen during an orgasm, now it's urine. I'm sorry that it bothers your wife. If you have sex in the shower it won't seem so bad. :)

yes, life can be a challenge with you're fighting cancer, but life is better than the alternative! take care....kat
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James C.
Veteran Member
Joined : Aug 2007
Posts : 4464
Posted 10/15/2008 5:23 AM (GMT -8)
chas, have you tried the penis rings to cut off the flow of urine during sex? A good tight fitting ring, combined with conscious practice to clamp down and hold in during orgasm might be the ticket. A ring can be worn up to 30 minutes. That may be what it takes to keep the urine contained.
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