My 12 Year Update

It's been about 6 years since I was last on and thought I'd provide an update of my progress.

I was diagnosed with low grade prostate cancer in Jan 2010 (Gleason 6, PSA 4) that probably wouldn't even be treated but just subject to "active surveillenace" now.

After doing some research on the available options, I was one of the early adopters of CyberKnife radiation treatment which I received in September 2010 at the UCSF Medical Center.

There was a concerning bump in my PSA level after 1 year but that scare passed and my PSA level has dropped consistently since then seems to have leveled over the past 2 years at 0.059 and 0.058. So, I may have finally reached a nadir.

One of the reasons that I chose CyberKnife (which was the most precise method of radiation delivery available at that time -- and still may be) was because of the promise that I would not suffer ED and incontinence so common following surgical removal of the prostate. Brachiotherapy was also an option available to me but I didn't like the idea of those radioactive beads sitting forever in my prostate, as well as because of the possibility of ED, incontinence and collateral tissue damage associated with them.

I have never had any incontinence following Cyberknife treatment. I did have a urinary frequency problem before the treatment which continued afterward. I was prescribed a variety of meds, including Flowmax, which were designed to treat BPH but it turned out that I never had BPH . It took me 10 years to find that out, when I was finally prescribed Mybetriq to treat what was diagnosed as simply an "overactive bladder. The Mybetriq is working well for me and I stopped taking Flomax a year ago.

However, one of the side benefits of the incorrect BPH diagnosis was that I was also allowed to receive a regular prescription of daily 5mg cialis (tadafil) to also treat it. There was a constant fight w/my insurer (United Health) to get it approved because it's normally prescribed for ED but eventually no further appeals were required and the prescription was routinely renewed.

When I started taking daily cialis, I don't think I really needed to take it because I was still able to get it up normally but, over time, I do think the daily cialis helped to prevent ED from being noticed.

Unfortunately, whether due to age or possiblly the Cyberknife treatment or a self induced injuary caused by use of a vacuum tube device, about 2 years ago the daily cialis stopped working well and about 6 months ago it stopped working entirely and I stopped taking cialis too.

So, not one to just sit on his hands, as I did for prostate cancer, I did some research and discovered (or more accurately, was reminded of) penile implants -- aka an "inflatable penile prothessis" (IPP)-- as a remedey for ED and I just had one implanted in me 4 wks ago on Jan 24th.

The surgery went well and I've already been approved to have sex and engage in other physical activity again but I'm still healing and recovering and, like any surgery, I don't expect to be fully "myself" again for at least 6-12 months but the worst of it has past and (at least for me) it wasn't all that"bad;" just some discomfort and soreness that I still feel but nothing that I'd call "pain."

Getting old sucks but at least I can now still "get it up" and still "feel like a man" even if I don't have anyone to use it with (which I don't at the moment) but that's ok.

As for prostate cancer, there are many treatment choices that have to be made before deciding what kind of IPP to get. So, if there's anyone who has become impotent following his prostate cancer treatment and would like someone to talk to about it, feel free to contact me by PM.

I don't plan on logging in here regularly (this was a one-off post update) but I am still logging in regularly in the Implants Forum on Frank Talk where you'll find me under the user name: sgt1372. So, I'd suggest anyone who want to chat w/me do so there instead of here.

This is where you can find it: https://www.franktalk.org/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=6&sid=462550a60e124d3d9ad1489b326d373f

You'll also find various info about IPPs there as well but it's disorganized and in some respects scary and off-putting because, as with prostate cancer, the people who post the most often are those who have the greatest concerns and problems. However, I'd be happy to provide anyone who asks w/a greater context and broader perspective.

Best wishes and good luck to everyone!