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anyone returned to previous sexual status they had before surgery

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Posted 1/17/2009 5:27 PM (GMT -8)
 

 How many guys have been able to return to their old sexual status, that they had before surgery, without the use of the blue pill or injections anymore? Also is anyone having  at least the same quality, or better orgasms and erections than before their surgery, or are we doomed to take the blue pill or injections for the rest of our time? It`s a tough question, but its certainly a reality for us

Fred

Posted 1/17/2009 11:02 PM (GMT -8)
Not there yet but pretty close. A heck of a lot better than I thought I would be nine months ago when I went under the knife. I get a good erection naturally but with 10mg Cialis I am there and then some. Cialis dose lasts in me for about 3 days allowing spontanous sex. I have seen  the constant improvement since my first post op erection five days later with the catheter still in. The feeling of penetration and orgasm are just as great if not better than pre op. Just not as messy.
Posted 1/17/2009 11:21 PM (GMT -8)
Hi Fred,
It's a question everybody should ask their doctors before treatment. The fact is that most treatments will suffer some kind of affect regardless of modality. I am quoting a urologist for the second timem today: You are always at your best in health and performance before you start treatment.

For me the answer is complicated. Mostly because of all the treatments combined particularly hormone therapy. When we stop the HT, it will be good fortune to return to anywhere close to normal.

Tony
Posted 1/17/2009 11:35 PM (GMT -8)
Fred, I sure hope so. I have not had an erection since DaVinci surgery on Nov 3rd. I know it's still early, but this is very frustrating. I am taking a quarter to half Cialis everyday and using the pump daily as instructed, but have not achieved more than about 35% hardness, clearly not enough to work with. I start injections next week. I too, am wondering if I will have to use injections, pills & pumps forever. I will say that the orgasm is back, and strong but I for one miss all the mess, maybe just because it was always part of the experience. I look forward to the day that I can achieve that erection and actually have good old fashioned spontaneous sex with my wife.
Posted 1/18/2009 1:32 PM (GMT -8)

Depending upon your age and medical history, I don't think that you can return to ever not taking the pills or injections. I started on Viagra when I was 53 due to hypertension medication. Had the RP in May of 2008. The Edex injections work fine but the pain is something else so I plan to switch to Trimix soon.

However, I have noticed the noctural erections returning lately. And after doing an injection, I am semi-hard for days afterwards which I take to be encouraging. I'm also taking viagra on an every other day basis.

Based on my recovery so far, I expect to be completed with the injections in another year. Then it will only be the Viagra or Cialis.

PSA jumped to 10 in one year

Gleason score of 4+4=8

Biopsy was 50% maglignant

RP in May of 2008, all cancer removed.

Posted 1/18/2009 6:22 PM (GMT -8)

One part did get back to normal I forgot to mention.

My wife still gets occasional headaches.  Maybe it wasn't me after all. turn

Tony

Posted 1/18/2009 7:23 PM (GMT -8)
Age 59, surgery in Oct 2007, started out to be robotic, but problems changed that to regular.  Don't worry, the scar is fading a lot.  Erections have been possible since right after, but cialis puts a little more lead in the pencil.  The climax feels better than before and also lasts longer.  If you want to look way, way back (about a year or so) you can find the whole story, but I will just say that I am a strong advocate of surgery and the sooner the better!  I am cancer free with no chemo or radiation, but the doctor says that without the surgery I would have had maybe five years, even with other treatment.  That's just my experience.--the Riviera guy
Posted 1/19/2009 6:31 AM (GMT -8)

Fred,

I was not 100% before surgery so I would have to say I am better than I was before surgery for I never took a little blue pill. And now with the pill wow.  I would like to be able to cut back to 50 mg instead of the 100 mg but I dont know.  I leak sometimes during sex but just sometimes, cant figure it out.  When you stand back and look at things ,  the cancer,  my chances of a cure,  continenance,  and my sex life,  I feel truly blessed right now.  Total recovery a little slower than I thought but man I am happy just the same.

Frank

Posted 1/19/2009 6:56 AM (GMT -8)
Frank

What kind of side effects do you get taking Viagra?

Fred
Posted 1/19/2009 8:41 AM (GMT -8)
The good and the bad effects vary greatly for me. When I take the 100 mg long after a meal I get good effects. Just after a big meal no so good just like they say. The pill seems to work fairly quickly and its not a problem. In fact I like the pill days.

The bad effects are that I can get a slight headache, flush feeling in my face, stuffy nose but these dont last long at all. Sometimes I seem to have gotton back and pelvis pain that last for a while. That seems to be less as of the last couple of months.

I truly feel like I am still healing and getting better even at 9 months maybe I'm crazy but it feels like it.

One thing I will stress is that, I screwed this up, take the pill when your told during your initial recovery. I would take mine when I would expect to have sex and then it wouldnt happen for one reason or another . If your told to take it every other day do so. It helps the healing process for that I am sure.

Frank
Posted 1/19/2009 9:18 AM (GMT -8)
While eradicating the cancer has been a struggle I have had no problems sexually speaking and I am pretty much the same as I was before the surgery and salvage radiation.  I am coming up on a year since I finished the salvage so I may not be totally out of the woods sexually so to speak but so far so good.
Posted Today 4:27 AM (GMT -8)
you can see from below what Jeff's recovery has been. we think he'll have to take pills the rest of his life, but that's OK. it's a small price to pay for being cancer free.

Tony - yes, we wives do still have headaches! you're too funny...
Posted Today 5:35 AM (GMT -8)
M. Kat,
Your husbands stats look real good for almost being 2 1/2 years out. Congrats to him.
Posted 2/5/2009 3:31 PM (GMT -8)
Prince, that sounds like a pretty good report you have going there. Much of your general advice is right on track, would apply to anyone having surgery and post surgery. My only negative thought, is that one can not always "will" themselves out of a medical situation. I believe in the spirit of that statement, but there are some, myself included, that had setback beyond our control, and all the wanting and wishing didn't change a thing. Sometimes what it takes is extra patience and endurance. Your remarks on the catheter sound right on too, for a seven day voyage If you followed my saga in the past, try dealing with one for 66 days, and having it put in and taken out 5 times. Not saying that for sympathy, but just trying to make a point. The final 35 days of cath time was due to complications after the fact. The first 31 were at the surgeons advice because of surgical complications.

I think you are doing great, and you do have a good attitude. Many can learn from your tips, I appreciate them too. My best to you brother of the PC.

David in SC
Posted 2/5/2009 3:56 PM (GMT -8)
Prince of the prostate.....Great D
Posted 2/6/2009 8:08 AM (GMT -8)
Purgatory,

Thanks for your reply and good wishes. I agree that one cannot always "will" oneself out of a medical situation. That's why I said, "Will yourself to have a positive attitude and resolve to better your situation in all aspects of your health *that are in your control.* " Catheter for 66 days in and out 5 times? Ouch!!!! I wish you only the best, which you truly deserve.

Best,
Michael
Posted 2/8/2009 5:01 PM (GMT -8)
Yup. Here I am 7 weeks since surgery and I have exactly the same sex life as before surgery. None. wink

My wife had BC late 2005 and is now on 5 years of estrogen blocker. She has no sex drive and her "plumbing" isn't working. So my current ED is not much of a problem. cool
Posted 2/8/2009 5:16 PM (GMT -8)
Michael,
Its amazing what one can adapt to, if you have too. The last 26 days of my cath time was easier to endure than the first 40, because by then, I had two blockages, one ER visit, etc., and as much as I despised the catheters, I learned through severe pain that there were much worse things. I hope you do very well in the weeks and months ahead.

David
Posted 2/8/2009 6:13 PM (GMT -8)
Looking at what David and Dan said, yes it is amazing at what you can adapt to.

DJ
Posted 2/8/2009 6:46 PM (GMT -8)

I have a slightly different sex life than before. I can basically do whatever I did before, just maybe not as frequently. But when I do, it is MUCH better than before. I can last as long as I want and climaxes are times better. If I suppliment with a 1/2 of a Viagra (50mg) it is whenever I want and mucho better still. And even though I didn't think I could stand not ejaculating  shocked   I like that better now too!

Posted 2/9/2009 6:47 AM (GMT -8)
one year out for me, and with 100mg of viagra, sex is just about back to normal. taking a pill is just not that big a deal. Anytime I feel like complaining, I just remember the guys in my PCa support group who are dying. One benefit of using a pump is that it does seem to increase size! Most guys in my group say that it takes about a year but it keeps improving well beyond that point.
Take heart.
Paul
Posted 2/9/2009 8:16 AM (GMT -8)
Hey Fred, I had my surgery last July and have had pretty good success with Levitra. Like many here I am still waiting to have spontaneous erections. I do get the occasional partial nocturnal erection now and again but nothing like the good old days. The Levitra produces a usable erection about 1 in 3 times for me. I of course would like to see improvement on that :) Time will tell. All my nerves were spared but some of us just need more time than others to recover. I have not been using a pump but am considering it. Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated!

Chris
Posted 2/9/2009 8:32 AM (GMT -8)
Chris, sounds like you may be on the edge of recovery. A pump will help in the rehab. No guarantees that it will provide an immediate recovery, but it will greatly aid in infusion of oxygen/blood into the tissue, as well as stretching and expanding the penis, to keep it from atrophying. Here's a link to a suitable, low cost model that will do the job as well as the $500 jobs do. I've recommended that model to several here and had no negative reports back.

www.vitalitymedical.com/Product/Encore-Impo-Aid-Manual-Vacuum-Erection-Device-OTC-44010001.html
Posted 2/9/2009 1:26 PM (GMT -8)
Thanks James! I'll check it out!
Posted 2/9/2009 1:43 PM (GMT -8)
James, the exercise down below does seem to make a big difference. After my surgery, and during the long 2 months plus of catheter time, I was convinced my weiner was half the pre=surgery length, but I guess it was like in a coma during that recovery and cath time. Now that I am beginning to have some results on my own and giving it the occasional work out so to speak, it looks healthier, and the length even flacid appears to be about the same as before, or close to it.

David
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