Question for prostate surgery recipients

gkoper
gkoper Member Posts: 173
edited March 2014 in Prostate Cancer #1
Is there any pc surgery survivor who has an erection as good as pre-surgery? Or in other words, a sex life as good? As a survivor with a diminished erection, I have heard many others say there's is half as good, or 3/4, etc. Can anyone truly say its as good as before surgery???
George
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Comments

  • lshick
    lshick Member Posts: 62
    #2
    ED or not ED
    I'll put up my hand. Yeah, as good.
  • gkoper
    gkoper Member Posts: 173
    #3
    ED
    You are fortunate Ishisk...anybody else???
  • shubbysr
    shubbysr Member Posts: 87
    #4
    No, Not Yet
    My surgery was May 1, 2009. Nothing yet, I had one that was, maybe half??

    Jim (shubbysr)
  • acslife
    acslife Member Posts: 12
    #5
    Question for prostate surgery recipients
    After two years, I have decided to live with about 75% sensation with generally firm erections and that is without Levitra, Viagra or Cialis. Give it time and follow your doctor's advice. Everyone is different it seems. I did the medications for about a year and decided to discontinue them.
  • rogermoore
    rogermoore Member Posts: 264 Member
    #6
    Answer to George
    Hand is up here! My erections are certainly as good as prior to surgery. However, I do notice a dimishing of length as I age. I am now 66 1/2.

    The sensation of ejaculation is just as spectactular.

    Roger
  • gkoper
    gkoper Member Posts: 173
    #7
    ED questions
    Thanks to all for your candid replys.

    Roger...how long did it take to regain your pre-op function?

    George
  • ismetals
    ismetals Member Posts: 69
    #8
    gkoper said:

    ED questions
    Thanks to all for your candid replys.

    Roger...how long did it take to regain your pre-op function?

    George

    holding pattern
    It's been 7 months or so and things seem to be improving. Now the wife is having issues (minor) but the therapy sessions have been put on hold. I'm shure that with more effort things will get back to normal. ? Did we really have a normal sex life before? None of us are envious of guys like Roger. It's the success stories that keep us all working towards full recoveries.
  • jnetc
    jnetc Member Posts: 19
    #9
    shubbysr said:

    No, Not Yet
    My surgery was May 1, 2009. Nothing yet, I had one that was, maybe half??

    Jim (shubbysr)

    No Not yet
    Nerves were not spared in our case.. Using the Trimix injections for Therapy two to three times a week as assigned by Doctor.. Is back to where we were before surgery..
  • virginian08
    virginian08 Member Posts: 8
    #10
    erectile function
    No erectile function in my case. I would like you to understand that it is not as important as it seems at your stage. Life is important.
  • gkoper
    gkoper Member Posts: 173
    #11
    ED
    I'm in accord with you Virginian, Life is sweet...only sweeter w/o ED...
  • graham791
    graham791 Member Posts: 1
    #12
    prostate cancer
    I had an operation for PC 3 years ago when I was 62 and enjoyed a good sex life.Followed by radiotherapy. I now feel ok physically ,but am left impotent with no hope of a proper sex life.Am not feeling good to put it moderately.
  • gkoper
    gkoper Member Posts: 173
    #13
    Count your blessings
    It is a drag not having a satisfying sex life anymore...but I have other things where I find bliss...music,food,drink,my grandkids,travel...and a good memory of all the great sex I had in the past.
  • dopplerjockey
    dopplerjockey Member Posts: 39
    #14
    No adequate, functional erections
    My surgery was on May 05, 2009, and apparently the nerves bilaterally were sparred. But, so far, even with nightly half doses of Cialis/Levitra, I do not develop nocturnal erections, as was the purpose of taking the nightly medications. And of course, no daytime erections at all. My urologist told me pre-operatively, that I might not recover erctile function, as I was dealing with some mild-moderate ED before the diagnosis of PC. But, I use the vacuum pump daily, and have tried the pump with restrictor bands, but even though that device will create what appears to be a functional erection, we have discovered that it is not, and that is most frustrating for me and my wife. In addition, the restrictor bands are painful when even attempting intercourse. So.....guess, I need to be patient and give it more time, but it is difficult to be optomistic at this juncture of my recovery. I'm not sure that I have found the sweetness of life that some of you discuss here having the knowledge that the surgery "might" have been a cure. We shall see.....!
  • ismetals
    ismetals Member Posts: 69
    #15
    dopplerjockey said:

    No adequate, functional erections
    My surgery was on May 05, 2009, and apparently the nerves bilaterally were sparred. But, so far, even with nightly half doses of Cialis/Levitra, I do not develop nocturnal erections, as was the purpose of taking the nightly medications. And of course, no daytime erections at all. My urologist told me pre-operatively, that I might not recover erctile function, as I was dealing with some mild-moderate ED before the diagnosis of PC. But, I use the vacuum pump daily, and have tried the pump with restrictor bands, but even though that device will create what appears to be a functional erection, we have discovered that it is not, and that is most frustrating for me and my wife. In addition, the restrictor bands are painful when even attempting intercourse. So.....guess, I need to be patient and give it more time, but it is difficult to be optomistic at this juncture of my recovery. I'm not sure that I have found the sweetness of life that some of you discuss here having the knowledge that the surgery "might" have been a cure. We shall see.....!

    don't give up
    It's been ten months for me now and things are finally starting to work. The pump works but is just plain not fun to use. The pills are working and I don't have any side effects from them. I'm getting closer to a natural erection and will keep up with efforts in all these areas. I did have a great sex life before and am convinced I will again. I only had one nerve bundle spared so for you with two and patience I'm shure things will improve.
  • shubbysr
    shubbysr Member Posts: 87
    #16
    dopplerjockey said:

    No adequate, functional erections
    My surgery was on May 05, 2009, and apparently the nerves bilaterally were sparred. But, so far, even with nightly half doses of Cialis/Levitra, I do not develop nocturnal erections, as was the purpose of taking the nightly medications. And of course, no daytime erections at all. My urologist told me pre-operatively, that I might not recover erctile function, as I was dealing with some mild-moderate ED before the diagnosis of PC. But, I use the vacuum pump daily, and have tried the pump with restrictor bands, but even though that device will create what appears to be a functional erection, we have discovered that it is not, and that is most frustrating for me and my wife. In addition, the restrictor bands are painful when even attempting intercourse. So.....guess, I need to be patient and give it more time, but it is difficult to be optomistic at this juncture of my recovery. I'm not sure that I have found the sweetness of life that some of you discuss here having the knowledge that the surgery "might" have been a cure. We shall see.....!

    Sweetnees of life and adequate functinal erections
    I agree, it is been almost 3 months for me. So far, my wife is being patient. We had a fantastic sex life pre surgery (sweetness of life).
    Not much success yet, I know we are told it takes time, remember when your parents told you "wait till your older . . "

    Jim (shubbysr)
  • Peter51
    Peter51 Member Posts: 29
    #17
    Almost five years after Radical P
    I had nerve sparing radical prostectemy in October 2004. I had just turned 50. I had great erections prior to surgery. It was six months before there was even a tingling down there. Almost a year before I had a respectable erection so we are not all the same. I suggest patience. It is somewhere between half and 3/4 of the pre surgery size. Rather an embarrasement but my girlfriend thinks I'm wonderful. I also suggest the 1/4 dose of Viagra every 48 hours. Another thing, I have a mild case of peyrennnes (SP?) disease as a result of the surgery. I remember reading that a high percentage of RP patients get this as a result of the surgery. Another surprise I was not warned about. It was several years before a doctor specializing in ED told me I had a lot of scar tissue and that I needed 1600 units of vitamin E to help work on the scar tissue. I did that for about nine months and frankly didn't see a difference.

    I can have erections without Viagra but sometimes go limp in five minutes or so. Viagra has been the only thing that can give me a lasting erection. It seems to take a long time to kick in. Even though I was told an hour before, it works best for me about six hours before and still seems to wors 18 to 24 hours later. A specialist in this area at a men's clinic in Boston told me I need to plan way ahead. It was frustrating because no one told me this early on. I simply thought Viagra just didn't work well for me. I dont have near the ejaculation sensation as prior. I don't mean to sound so negative I am truly ecstatic that five years out my PSA is still undetectable. It was 13.6 at the time of my surgery. Gleason 7.

    May 2009 is quite recent. Be patient. Your wife's cooperation in experimenting is also needed. Keep working on it and good luck with not only this horrible side effect of the surgery but the ultimate conquest of your cancer.

    Peter
  • NM
    NM Member Posts: 214
    #18
    Peter 51
    Thank you for your comments, I have yet to have any surgery and am leaning heavily towards it. Its so good to hear from someone whos had surgery a while ago. I right now just want no incontinence and am not worried about the rest but maybe I should be after reading these comments.
  • dopplerjockey
    dopplerjockey Member Posts: 39
    #19
    Peter51
    Hey, thanks for the words of encouragement. And thanks for sharing your history on this subject. Yes, being only out 3 months from surgery, I realize that I am expecting way too much. But, as you no doubt understand, it is difficult to be patient with this issue. From what I have read on the subject both in this forum and other areas, it is difficult to be optimistic, and that is where my real fear lies. Fortunately for me, my wife is wonderful and very supportive, probably realizing better than I that this will take time.
  • Peter51
    Peter51 Member Posts: 29
    #20
    NM said:

    Peter 51
    Thank you for your comments, I have yet to have any surgery and am leaning heavily towards it. Its so good to hear from someone whos had surgery a while ago. I right now just want no incontinence and am not worried about the rest but maybe I should be after reading these comments.

    Decision for treatment is difficult at first
    Hello NM,

    Welcome to this forum. I noticed you just joined. I don't log on much anymore as my situation is stable. You are doing the right thing at this time by joining here and researching as much as you can now. Search the web. Also see several specialist for several professional opinions. Try connecting with a prostate cancer support group in your area. In the end you will make the right decision for your situation and comfort level. I am not pleased with my ED outcome but I am pleased with my cancer outcome. When I had to chose, I was led to believe the treatment with the greatest chance for survival for my stage was RP (Radical Prostectemy). In making my decision, my biggest concern was being here for my young children. I made my decision to accept certain risks in order to see my kids grow up and be able to support them in every way. Reflecting back, I made the right choice for me.

    Good luck and contact me if you wish to.

    Peter
  • Peter51
    Peter51 Member Posts: 29
    #21
    dopplerjockey said:

    Peter51
    Hey, thanks for the words of encouragement. And thanks for sharing your history on this subject. Yes, being only out 3 months from surgery, I realize that I am expecting way too much. But, as you no doubt understand, it is difficult to be patient with this issue. From what I have read on the subject both in this forum and other areas, it is difficult to be optimistic, and that is where my real fear lies. Fortunately for me, my wife is wonderful and very supportive, probably realizing better than I that this will take time.

    Hang in there
    You have a lot on your mind right now. It is wonderful your wife is so supportive. You are lucky for that. I missed that during that time. As far as your optimism, or lack therof, I know that every day that things don't seem to work are scary. I've read about the guys that have had erections so soon after the surgery and I am so delighted for them. I also believe that most men are in our catagory where it takes a longer time. I also think that most of us in the latter catagory DO REGAIN. Since you can't undo the surgery and you want most to be free of cancer, you need to focus every day returning to a normal, healthy and productive life that you had prior to surgery. Stay close to that great wife. She has it right and understands that time will heal.

    Follow all your doctors instructions. I may be wrong about a few but I suspect that most doctors that operate on us are good souls that are bent on treating and curing us of cancer. I take my hat off to them for their devotion. I am not so sure they are as focused about our quality of life after the surgery. It is not too soon to meet with a doctor that specializes in ED. I suspect you have been prescribed the 25mg dose of Viagra every 48 hours. I wish in my case I had taken a daily high dose of vitamin E starting right after the surgery instead of two years later. The ED doctor is a good bet for you at this time. He may suggest ways to insure you heal better in this other important area.

    Welcome to you too for recently joining this forum. Although I don't log on much these days, it helped me a great deal after my surgery.

    Peter

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