Guest guest Posted August 9, 2009 Report Share Posted August 9, 2009 Hi group!Here is my dilema where I would appreciate some comments:LRP (not daVinci) at Hopkins 10/08. Negative margins. 6mth PSA <0.1 next scheduled for 1yr.Currently 9 months out and still incontinent and impotent. Incontinence: I was completely continent and did not even have urgency issues before surgery. I have been through PT and strength of Kegels is very good (Sitting position better than any strenuous related movements). Primarily deal with stress incontinence but use 2 pads a day. Impotence: I have tried viagra, levitra and cialis. All have very unpleasant side effects such as flushing and more serious, a very bad indigestion/esophageal pain the day after taking them. Had significant shortening (not my imagination), semi erections primarily with one of the above pills, and pleasure but aching orgasms when masturbating. Prior to the surgery I was completely potent, making love very successfully up to 6 times a day, not bragging, just fact. I am trying the vacuum pump. I can bring the blood in but as soon as I release the pressure, down it goes. My PT says I should use the pump and masturbate as soon as possible after pumping. Not really interested in injections or implants at this point.I have reason to believe that the physician did not follow "good medical practice" in my surgery and may want to explore my surgery record, but as a surgeon, he was gone(physically and mentally) the day after surgery and the subsequent catheter removalThe closer I get to my anniversary the more discouraged I become. So my questions:1. Any others with this experience? Does?did it get any better?2. Should I explore the surgery record?3. Any additional follow-up recommendations of therapies and/or specialiats with good results in treating these problems?Thanks. I know I am not alone in this, so any feedback will be appreciated._,_._,___ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 9, 2009 Report Share Posted August 9, 2009 -- If you can see any shrinkage, you should _really_ go on a regular injection schedule. That means injecting every second day. The injections do a good job of bringing oxygenated blood into the penis, and keeping its tissues in good condition. Mulhall (and other people) say that injections are better than a VED for keeping the tissues in good shape. See: " Saving Your Sex Life: A Guide to Men with Prostate Cancer " -- Dr. Mulhall > . . . > Impotence: I have tried viagra, levitra and cialis. All have very unpleasant side effects such as flushing and more serious, a very bad indigestion/esophageal pain the day after taking them. Had significant shortening (not my imagination), semi erections primarily with one of the above pills, and pleasure but aching orgasms when masturbating. Prior to the surgery I was completely potent, making love very successfully up to 6 times a day, not bragging, just fact. I am trying the vacuum pump. I can bring the blood in but as soon as I release the pressure, down it goes. My PT says I should use the pump and masturbate as soon as possible after pumping. Not really interested in injections or implants at this point. > . . . > 3. Any additional follow-up recommendations of therapies and/or specialiats with good results in treating these problems? > > Thanks. I know I am not alone in this, so any feedback will be appreciated. > > > > > > > _,_._,___ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 9, 2009 Report Share Posted August 9, 2009 -- If you can see any shrinkage, you should _really_ go on a regular injection schedule. That means injecting every second day. The injections do a good job of bringing oxygenated blood into the penis, and keeping its tissues in good condition. Mulhall (and other people) say that injections are better than a VED for keeping the tissues in good shape. See: " Saving Your Sex Life: A Guide to Men with Prostate Cancer " -- Dr. Mulhall > . . . > Impotence: I have tried viagra, levitra and cialis. All have very unpleasant side effects such as flushing and more serious, a very bad indigestion/esophageal pain the day after taking them. Had significant shortening (not my imagination), semi erections primarily with one of the above pills, and pleasure but aching orgasms when masturbating. Prior to the surgery I was completely potent, making love very successfully up to 6 times a day, not bragging, just fact. I am trying the vacuum pump. I can bring the blood in but as soon as I release the pressure, down it goes. My PT says I should use the pump and masturbate as soon as possible after pumping. Not really interested in injections or implants at this point. > . . . > 3. Any additional follow-up recommendations of therapies and/or specialiats with good results in treating these problems? > > Thanks. I know I am not alone in this, so any feedback will be appreciated. > > > > > > > _,_._,___ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 9, 2009 Report Share Posted August 9, 2009 , Our biggest enemy while on this journey that we are all on is depression. Once you are depressed all things begin to fail. The erectile process starts and ends in the brain and when we are depressed that is the last thing that your brain will initiate. There is noting that will make you feel better about yourself then a good hard erection like before surgery, regardless of how you get it. If there is one thing that I've noticed over the past two years that I've been a member here is that almost everyone that eventually tries injections says that they are sorry they waited so long(me included). Once you get the confidence back that you can have an erection like before, that will last as long as you want, you'll be surprised how things will start to improve. Lets face it, whether we want to admit it or not, our ability to get and maintain an erection has a huge effect on our overall psychological health, and when that doesn't work it starts the whole downward slide, whether we use it once a week or six times a day(wow). As far as the issue of sticking a needle in your penis goes, after a while you don't even think about it. Think about it, I think it may help. Good luck, Rick To: ProstateCancerSupport Sent: Sunday, August 9, 2009 9:39:14 AMSubject: Your thoughts... Hi group!Here is my dilema where I would appreciate some comments:LRP (not daVinci) at Hopkins 10/08. Negative margins. 6mth PSA <0.1 next scheduled for 1yr.Currently 9 months out and still incontinent and impotent. Incontinence: I was completely continent and did not even have urgency issues before surgery. I have been through PT and strength of Kegels is very good (Sitting position better than any strenuous related movements). Primarily deal with stress incontinence but use 2 pads a day. Impotence: I have tried viagra, levitra and cialis. All have very unpleasant side effects such as flushing and more serious, a very bad indigestion/ esophageal pain the day after taking them. Had significant shortening (not my imagination) , semi erections primarily with one of the above pills, and pleasure but aching orgasms when masturbating. Prior to the surgery I was completely potent, making love very successfully up to 6 times a day, not bragging, just fact. I am trying the vacuum pump. I can bring the blood in but as soon as I release the pressure, down it goes. My PT says I should use the pump and masturbate as soon as possible after pumping. Not really interested in injections or implants at this point.I have reason to believe that the physician did not follow "good medical practice" in my surgery and may want to explore my surgery record, but as a surgeon, he was gone(physically and mentally) the day after surgery and the subsequent catheter removalThe closer I get to my anniversary the more discouraged I become. So my questions:1. Any others with this experience? Does?did it get any better?2. Should I explore the surgery record?3. Any additional follow-up recommendations of therapies and/or specialiats with good results in treating these problems?Thanks. I know I am not alone in this, so any feedback will be appreciated. _,_._,___ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 9, 2009 Report Share Posted August 9, 2009 , Our biggest enemy while on this journey that we are all on is depression. Once you are depressed all things begin to fail. The erectile process starts and ends in the brain and when we are depressed that is the last thing that your brain will initiate. There is noting that will make you feel better about yourself then a good hard erection like before surgery, regardless of how you get it. If there is one thing that I've noticed over the past two years that I've been a member here is that almost everyone that eventually tries injections says that they are sorry they waited so long(me included). Once you get the confidence back that you can have an erection like before, that will last as long as you want, you'll be surprised how things will start to improve. Lets face it, whether we want to admit it or not, our ability to get and maintain an erection has a huge effect on our overall psychological health, and when that doesn't work it starts the whole downward slide, whether we use it once a week or six times a day(wow). As far as the issue of sticking a needle in your penis goes, after a while you don't even think about it. Think about it, I think it may help. Good luck, Rick To: ProstateCancerSupport Sent: Sunday, August 9, 2009 9:39:14 AMSubject: Your thoughts... Hi group!Here is my dilema where I would appreciate some comments:LRP (not daVinci) at Hopkins 10/08. Negative margins. 6mth PSA <0.1 next scheduled for 1yr.Currently 9 months out and still incontinent and impotent. Incontinence: I was completely continent and did not even have urgency issues before surgery. I have been through PT and strength of Kegels is very good (Sitting position better than any strenuous related movements). Primarily deal with stress incontinence but use 2 pads a day. Impotence: I have tried viagra, levitra and cialis. All have very unpleasant side effects such as flushing and more serious, a very bad indigestion/ esophageal pain the day after taking them. Had significant shortening (not my imagination) , semi erections primarily with one of the above pills, and pleasure but aching orgasms when masturbating. Prior to the surgery I was completely potent, making love very successfully up to 6 times a day, not bragging, just fact. I am trying the vacuum pump. I can bring the blood in but as soon as I release the pressure, down it goes. My PT says I should use the pump and masturbate as soon as possible after pumping. Not really interested in injections or implants at this point.I have reason to believe that the physician did not follow "good medical practice" in my surgery and may want to explore my surgery record, but as a surgeon, he was gone(physically and mentally) the day after surgery and the subsequent catheter removalThe closer I get to my anniversary the more discouraged I become. So my questions:1. Any others with this experience? Does?did it get any better?2. Should I explore the surgery record?3. Any additional follow-up recommendations of therapies and/or specialiats with good results in treating these problems?Thanks. I know I am not alone in this, so any feedback will be appreciated. _,_._,___ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 9, 2009 Report Share Posted August 9, 2009 ,You raise some interesting points. I am 1 year removed from my DaVinci. My PSA has been labeled 0.0 ever since. I continue to do my Kegels, although they have not produced "perfect" results. I am still incontinent (down to 1 pad a day if I do not over exert myself) and have gone to the "mini pads at that. I also strained myself a month after surgery which did some nerve damage and now have developed RA (rheumatoid arthritis). I take 20 mg Cialis every 3 days (insurance only allows 6 pills per month, which I am still fighting with them over). My incontinence is less on the days I use the Cialis. I masturbate 3 times a week with only mild erections. Doc wants me to visit the ED specialist and start the VED and injections, which I will gladly do. Thinking of trying out a treatment from Memphis men's clinic and see if it works (heard on the radio often). BTW, I am 57 and in relatively good health.As far as the surgery record, you have a right to any part of your medical file. Request it.Best wishes in your journey. Mine has been a ton of fun!Steve S in ArkansasTo: ProstateCancerSupport Sent: Sunday, August 9, 2009 8:39:14 AMSubject: Your thoughts... Hi group!Here is my dilema where I would appreciate some comments:LRP (not daVinci) at Hopkins 10/08. Negative margins. 6mth PSA <0.1 next scheduled for 1yr.Currently 9 months out and still incontinent and impotent. Incontinence: I was completely continent and did not even have urgency issues before surgery. I have been through PT and strength of Kegels is very good (Sitting position better than any strenuous related movements). Primarily deal with stress incontinence but use 2 pads a day. Impotence: I have tried viagra, levitra and cialis. All have very unpleasant side effects such as flushing and more serious, a very bad indigestion/ esophageal pain the day after taking them. Had significant shortening (not my imagination) , semi erections primarily with one of the above pills, and pleasure but aching orgasms when masturbating. Prior to the surgery I was completely potent, making love very successfully up to 6 times a day, not bragging, just fact. I am trying the vacuum pump. I can bring the blood in but as soon as I release the pressure, down it goes. My PT says I should use the pump and masturbate as soon as possible after pumping. Not really interested in injections or implants at this point.I have reason to believe that the physician did not follow "good medical practice" in my surgery and may want to explore my surgery record, but as a surgeon, he was gone(physically and mentally) the day after surgery and the subsequent catheter removalThe closer I get to my anniversary the more discouraged I become. So my questions:1. Any others with this experience? Does?did it get any better?2. Should I explore the surgery record?3. Any additional follow-up recommendations of therapies and/or specialiats with good results in treating these problems?Thanks. I know I am not alone in this, so any feedback will be appreciated._,_._,___ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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