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Viagra/Cialis and penile health

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Posted 12/19/2008 5:12 AM (GMT -6)
My surgeon at City of Hope told me there is a theory that Viagra might be useful in the following way: healthy men have nocturnal erections that promote regular blood flow to the penis. This blood flow helps keep it healthy. Following surgery, daily viagra can reproduce the regular nocturnal erections, thus helping the penis return to health and stay healthy. So they wrote me a prescription, warning that insurance doesn't pay for it since there still aren't any conclusive studies.

I did a little forum and web searching and haven't found any such studies(yet). Anyone else heard of this? Or even is trying it out?
Posted 12/19/2008 5:26 AM (GMT -6)

Yes, Viagra and similar is often used soon after surgery to promote blood flow and assist the healing process.

BE AWARE that some men experience adverse side effects if they use the large dose often prescribed: start with a small size or cut a large one into smaller sizes to begin with.

Posted 12/19/2008 5:37 AM (GMT -6)
My surgeon at City of Hope told me there is a theory that Viagra might be useful in the following way: healthy men have nocturnal erections that promote regular blood flow to the penis. This blood flow helps keep it healthy. Following surgery, daily viagra can reproduce the regular nocturnal erections, thus helping the penis return to health and stay healthy. said... My surgeon said the exact same thing. Viagra and a pump can help keep little pee wee heathy which increases the odd of getting past ED. Hitting your Doc up for samples is a good thing
Posted 12/19/2008 8:52 AM (GMT -6)
My doctor said the same thing and started me when the catheter was removed.  I used 25mg (pill split 4 ways) for the first 6 months daily, then 50mg since daily.  I buy them from alldaychemist.com, as does almost all of the guys here do.  Here's some further reading, if you're interested.

http://seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Sex/2007/7-08-16-UseItOrLoseIt.htm

http://www.aarp.org/health/conditions/articles/harvard__prostate-disease_6.html

http://www.clevelandclinic.org/ReproductiveResearchCenter/docs/agradoc196.pdf

http://www.springerlink.com/content/n302r2h79r173724/

http://www.edguidance.com/treatment/drug-treatment.html

Posted 12/19/2008 7:31 PM (GMT -6)
There are studies under way in several areas of the country and in Europe / Canada involving post-treatment use of PDE5 drugs. I figure the studies will be "complete" just about the time Pfizer introduces a new version of Viagra :>) If my guess is right the new version is going to contain LArginine, an NO precursor.

Paul couldn't enter the multi institutional study in 2005 because of his previous TCa history.

Swim

Posted 12/19/2008 7:43 PM (GMT -6)
Sure enough. I already have a script of Cialis for after surgery. They also told me, if I remember correctly, that this will also help you get out of the "turtle club" as it will assist in pulling the urethera to in turn pull down the bladder into the space where the prostate was.
Posted 12/19/2008 7:44 PM (GMT -6)
Sure enough. I already have a script of Cialis for after surgery. They also told me, if I remember correctly, that this will also help you get out of the "turtle club" as it will assist in pulling the urethera, to in turn pull down the bladder into the space where the prostate was.

Bob
Posted 12/19/2008 7:57 PM (GMT -6)
Thanks guys.

I also keep forgetting to ask--my doc gave me a prescription for Flomax. I did ask the nurse what it was for, and he admitted that he didn't know. He said he did wonder why one would give a drug for enlarged prostate to someone whose prostate has been removed. But he thought the doc must know what he's doing.
Posted 12/19/2008 8:18 PM (GMT -6)

The Flomax is a new to me - I note that it is commonly given to those who have undergone radiation theraphy.  Your comment brought to mind one positive note of post surgery blessing.  I can eliminate myself like I could when I was 12 years old.  I could put out most fires!  Flomax is not required.  Doc may be having a senior moment.

Posted 12/19/2008 8:22 PM (GMT -6)

My doctor also said to start on Viagra as soon as the catheter was out. He asked last week if I was using it at least twice a week. I was only using it a little more than once a week and he wasn't too happy. Said get back to at least two or more. He feels it really helps. Also suggested a pump as that can help also.

I had no erection problems after surgery but then got an infection in the surgery area and ED set in. Now that the infection is gone the ED is almost gone too!

Nice holiday present for me!

Posted 12/19/2008 8:26 PM (GMT -6)
Ditto that. My doc told me it wouldn't be necessary after surgery since I wouldn't have a prostate anymore. I took it before the biopsy for swollen prostate, and still take it, so I can can now pee across the street rather than dribble on my shoes.

Bob
Posted 12/19/2008 8:37 PM (GMT -6)
If Flomax helps you produce a stronger stream, then it makes sense. For the half day I was off the catheter, I was only making a weak dribble. It got weaker and weaker before finally shutting off. Maybe I should ask for more Flomax.
Posted 12/19/2008 9:25 PM (GMT -6)
Flomax is usually a short term medication just prior to and for a few days following cath removal to aid in easing urinary flow. U of M does this. Not sure how often this is a prescribed medication in general.


Swim
Posted 12/20/2008 4:52 AM (GMT -6)
Hmm...Since I had to have my catheter put back in, maybe I should have gotten more Flomax? I'll see if I can ask. Too bad it's the weekend.
Posted 12/20/2008 11:04 AM (GMT -6)
Hi DJ,
It shouldn't matter you can call CoH on the weekend. If the Nurse Practitioner (Erwin?) is in he can call the surgeon and get it. I found CoH to be very accessible. Was your surgeon Kawachi or Wilson?

Mine was Wilson, but I understand both are great surgeons...

Tony
Posted 12/20/2008 12:07 PM (GMT -6)
Hi Tony,

I called as you suggested and talked to a woman with a strong accent. My experience with the Triage number has really been a mixed bag. The first person I talked to last week, Amy, was a life saver, as she was the one who put my catheter back in when it was sorely needed. But when I called back a couple days later, I got transferred 3 times and wound up with an oncology nurse even though I pressed "2" for surgery. She did take a message and said someone would call me that afternoon. No one did, so I called again, and called again, and and finally got someone at 6:30 pm, who (at first) asked me to call back during the day. But I told her I had done that first, and she wound up being very helpful.

While I was typing this, the nurse called back and said I don't need any more Flomax.

Sorry about the boring details. My doctor was also Wilson. Seems like a good guy, though maybe overworked. Very easy to talk with. Nursing care when I was in for the surgery was really good.
Posted 12/20/2008 1:47 PM (GMT -6)

Hi Guys ,

That is what my Uro suggested as well, he gave me the godie  bag  2 weks after m Cathetar was removed , i used th Viagra on a once a week basis  but  since it  showed no progress even whil masterbating i got a bit discouraged and waited till 6 months to start using the Pump and some more of the  Oral therapy , howevr it too me about 10 months to start seing  some improvement , i regret the fact i was not more agressive at  the begining , especially with the VED  an Oral medication  snce i feel it would have brought me a faster recovery , i am at my 18 months mark , an experience an 80% erection naturally an at 90 to 95% with oral meds and the right woman ....however i am not using any meds on a regular basis or the VED  at present , i am thinking maybe i should get back to a more agressive therapy for the next 6 months at least to improve  natural erections....

Hope all of you doing well and it does require patience  and time to heal ... 

reading those lonks above are a grat help and encouragement....

GB smilewinkgrin

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