question for swimom

2busymom

Regular Member

Joined : Nov 2006

Posts : 118

Posted 3/14/2007 6:34 AM (GMT -7)

Hey swimom,

Jeff and I are looking in to purchasing a vacuum device. He's tried Levitra, Viagra and Cialis, and they all cause severe headaches for him, and not enough results to make it worthwhile. We tried a low dose of Muse, and are going to try a higher dose. Our dr. wrote ua a prescription for a pump, and when Jeff went to the Medical supply store what they had was the Osbon ErcAid Esteem model - about $450.00, and we have a high deductible. I's remembered there was quite a lengthy post about these devices, with lots of suggestions on use, so I read through most of it. I believe you had mentioned you guys have used both the vacurect and the erecaid. Can you tell me what you did/didn't like about each product? I know I can find something cheaper than what we paid for, and have looked online at sights mentioned in this forum. But I don't want to scrimp, either. Thanks for your help -

bec

husband Jeff 45 years old, diagnosed 8/25/06
PSA 2.1, 2 of 12 samples at 3% & 4%, involving 1 side of prostate
Gleason 3+3=6 in both samples
laparoscopic radical prost. 10/17/06
cancer in both sides of prostate, positive in one area of margin
first PSA results 1/07 <0.01%

Swimom

Veteran Member

Joined : Apr 2006

Posts : 1732

Posted 3/14/2007 10:00 AM (GMT -7)

Bec,

The SOMA is just as expensive as the Osbon. Paul tried both and preferred the Esteem...pinched less so he gave away his SOMA. I understand ErecAid has a store model made of slightly thinner material though. The Vacurect is an easy to use model. Paul likes this one for its size and ease of use. The vacurect uses less lube also. None of them are difficult as far as I am concerned..just different.

Rejoyn also makes a decent pump somewaht cheaper. Check out their site too. Lastly... contact a company named Danmar Products on Jackson Rd. in Ann Arbor Michigan. They have a wonerful customer service person who answers every question one might have. Danmar also sells reconditioned pumps....Yeah, sounds weird but for those who have no other great options, a pump is actually a piece of hard medical equipment therefore can be refurbished. Hope this helped a bit.

Swim

2busymom

Regular Member

Joined : Nov 2006

Posts : 118

Posted 3/14/2007 9:39 PM (GMT -7)

Thanks, that helps a lot!

bec

B&B's World

Regular Member

Joined : Mar 2007

Posts : 120

Posted 3/17/2007 7:39 PM (GMT -7)

Swim, You are an excellent source of information. I bet everyone here is thankful for your input. Becky Age 51 Gleason 3+3 PSA from 3.2 to 4.3 in one yr Biopsy 11/06 DRE negative 4 of 12 cores positive, one lobe, less than 10% Inflammation only second lobe Stage T1C Clinical Dx PSA prior to surgery: 3.9 Da Vinci Prostatectomy 2/27/07: PCa in BOTH lobes 5-10% of gland Gleason 3+3 Negative tissue margins Bladder, seminal ves, vas deferntia negative Two inguinal hernia repairs Catheter removed 1 wk after surgery Full continence (no pad needed) 1 wk after surgery Full potency, 12 th day after surgery

Swimom

Veteran Member

Joined : Apr 2006

Posts : 1732

Posted 3/17/2007 10:42 PM (GMT -7)

Thank You Becky,

I can't say enough about all the help this forum has been to myself and Paul. It's a good feeling to give back to those have been our rock!

God Bless, Swim

djhouston

Regular Member

Joined : Jan 2007

Posts : 68

Posted 3/19/2007 2:56 PM (GMT -7)

Absolutely, Swimom is great!

I use a ReJoyn; got it at Walgreen's when they sold them in stores (they stopped for some reason), and they were $100. Now, on their site, I think they're $130 or $140. If you don't have insurance coverage for a pump, this one is much less expensive and does a reasonable job. ReJoyn also sells these penile sleeves, that are kind of like splints that rigid-ize you so you can have some kind of sex.

By the way, Swimom, I went just now for my second post-op PSA, in preparation for an appointment next week to see the testosterone specialist doc in my urologist's group. I am getting so fat, sluggish, and depressed, I'm really hoping the PSA is nil, not only for the cancer, but so I can get on T. This is about 7 months post surgery.

Waiting to exhale,

dj's stats:

PSA (10/04): 2.9; PSA (2/06):4.4, on Androgel (serum T about 450) at age 56; negative DRE, no symptoms.

PSA (5/06):5.7 with a free PSA% of 8, OFF Androgel (serum T 163).

Biopsy (5/06): 4/12 samples positive; postitive samples only on right side; max Gleason 4+3=7 (in 2 of the 4 -from area nearest bladder. One was 40% of sample, the others less than a mm. thick.

DaVinci robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy + bladder lift + Right nerve plastic surgery (8/23/06).

Catheter out 4 weeks postop, due to internal pinhole leak at bladder-urethra junction.

Pads-Not needed after about 2 weeks post-cath, but gotta go a lot more often.

Final pathology report:T2c-both sides,but in capsule; neg. margins, neg. lymph nodes, neg. seminal vesicles; final max Gleason still 4+3=7.

1st Follow-up PSA (11/7/06): <0.008 !!!; serum T: 195 - still OFF Androgel (at present). Low T may delay return of erectile function (in presence of one damaged nerve).

biker90

Veteran Member

Joined : Nov 2006

Posts : 1464

Posted 3/19/2007 3:14 PM (GMT -7)

Hey dj,

I will watch your progress with your doc and T therapy with great interest. I am in the same low T boat as you and am now on Prozac to combat the depression. It helps but I am not my usual optimistic self by a long shot.

Hope you are successful...

Jim

Age 72. Diagnosed 11/03/06. PSA 7.05. Stage T2B Gleason 3+3.

RRP 12/7/06. Nerves and nodes okay.

Pathological stage: T2B. Gleason 3+4. Cancer confined to prostate.

PSA on 1/3/07 - 0.04. Next PSA on 4/4/07.

"Cancer feeds on fear - starve it to death."

Swimom

Veteran Member

Joined : Apr 2006

Posts : 1732

Posted 3/19/2007 4:18 PM (GMT -7)

I'm waiting with my toes and fingers crossed DJ...so is Biker :>) Good Luck and stay well.

Swim

djhouston

Regular Member

Joined : Jan 2007

Posts : 68

Posted 3/21/2007 3:24 PM (GMT -7)

Hi all,
Swimom, my lab must use the ultra sensitive PSA-o-meter that you mentioned in one of your posts, because the first time the result was reported as less than 0.008, but this second post-op time, the result was reported at LESS THAN 0.003!!!

WHEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW (exhaling!). Thank you, Swimom and Biker, so much for your thoughts, prayers, and extremity crossings! The PSA results came back in one day, but the T score went to another lab, so I don't know it yet. Appointment in a week with the T doctor.

Thank you, Thank you , Thank you!
dj