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Couple ED questions

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Posted 10/23/2008 7:07 AM (GMT -8)
I've been trying to perfect the pump use; so far I'm able to get an erection sufficient for sex but not as rigid as pre op; the erection is a little floppy; I find it distracting and at time technically challenging. My question is: is that as good as you can get with a pump, or should I keep pumping till I'm pre-op rigid? Currently I'm pumping 5-6 times past the point where it starts to be uncomfortable, although the discomfort goes away as soon as I take off the pump.

Second question: Any one had a problem with hearing from viagra/cialis? I had a scare last week when I noticed ringing in my ears (gradually increasing over several weeks) and suddenly decreased hearing in one ear. I saw and ent right away and it turned out to be mechanical--had too much wax (blush) that wasn't coming out with regular hygene. The hearing test was fine once i was cleaned out but the ringing is still there but much less; the ent thought it would probably go away in a couple days. But just wondered if anyone had any hearing difficulties attributable to the ed meds (there was a FDA warning about this) and if so was it hearing as well as ringing?

Thanks!
Paul
Posted 10/23/2008 10:29 AM (GMT -8)
Paul, good questions. Second one first, I do notice more noticeable ringing in my ears when using Cialis. I have a low level constant ringing , so can differentiate when the Cialis induced ringing is going on.

The pumping issue is one that is harder to answer. If you are using a medical grade pump, it has a build-in high vacuum release valve. It sounds like you are in my situation. My vienous valves haven't recovered and started working enough yet to hold the pumped blood in, even with the pump provided penis rings applied. I have to use the next to smallest ring available in my pump kit (Vacurect) to hold the blood in while pumping and add an additional silicone ring in the smallest size to keep enough blood in for a firm enough erection for attempted sex. Even then I can lose it with over-exuberant use... rolleyes I suggest you get some additional silicone rings, of varuious sizes and experiment with using them in conjunction with your pump and normal rings, to see if you can reach the stage where you can have a rigid penis that will stay that way for sex. Here's a link to the site I use to order from. The first one- the Encore Impo ring kit is the one I use, it offers a varied size selection at a reasonable price, with ease of application and removal. The smallest one even can be put on your pump, by hand, and is easy to removal after use. A word of caution, though. It would be a good idea to trim back the hair before using...

http://www.vitalitymedical.com/Catalog/Replacement-Tension-Bands---Penis-Rings-1176-.html
Posted 10/23/2008 12:08 PM (GMT -8)

When I tried the pump(Vacurect) about six weeks after my surgery the results I got were about the same as what you describe.  It never did get any better after several weeks.  I believe because the spongy material you are sucking blood into is only from the ring to the tip of your penis you can never get firmness where the penis is not floppy.  At least that was my case.  Some of the spongy tissue does go up into the penis toward your body beyond where the rings are at.  It is when this material fills with blood that a firm sticking out erection is obtained.  I stop using the pump and went to injections.  I now get an erection that stands out and is very close to the erection I got prior to surgery.  This is an option for you if you can get passed the fear of the injection. 

Tamu

Posted 10/23/2008 1:56 PM (GMT -8)
As Tamu said, a part of your penis is inside the body -- something like 40%. The cavernosa (cavities that fill with blood) run back there too. With a natural erection, or one induced by injection, the whole cavernosa are filled, and this results in an erection that sticks out.

With a pump, you fill only the outside parts of the cavernosa, and not the inside parts. This results in a "hinge" effect -- an erection that droops if you stand. It will be quite floppy behind the constriction ring(s). No amount of pumping will fill the parts of the cavernosa behind the ring(s) so you will always have that droop. (Unless, I imagine, you have some natural erectile function returning.)

For constriction rings, I have had good success with small office rubber bands -- double them over and apply as many as you need.
Posted 10/24/2008 3:31 AM (GMT -8)
Paul, Jeff had very similar erections with the pump. they were usable for intercourse, but not as rigid as pre-op. It has gotten much better with time, but even now there are times where the erection is not much, other times very hard with no chemical inducement. Jeff tried different rings but never did like the pump very much. He said it hurt a lot. We always used to say in an Arnold Schwarzenegger voice "I'm going to pump you up!" hey, you have to laugh at some of this or else you'd cry.

regarding side affects, Jeff already has hearing issues so he never mentioned that. he did have more side affects from Viagra than Cialis, and even less with Levitra.

best wishes and keep doing it....it'll only get better, kat
Posted 10/24/2008 3:47 AM (GMT -8)
I will never pump again without remembering that. "We're going to pump (clap) YOU UP!
Posted 10/24/2008 4:21 AM (GMT -8)
Thanks all for the comments. I guess I'll keep trying with the pump till I can try the injections. I understand about the "pivot" point underneath the band at the base of the penis, but it seems like the shaft above the band isn't firm enough; it's certainly the same size as my erections pre-surgery, just not as rigid; and the band is holding the erection well; I guess I'm just lacking a few more oz of blood to get to that rigid stage.
Paul
Posted 10/24/2008 2:30 PM (GMT -8)
Keep pumping then! It's a good sign that Viagra is working at least occasionally -- you may find that some natural erection kicks in while pumping.
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