The pump

jhagerup
jhagerup Member Posts: 68
edited March 2014 in Prostate Cancer #1
Wondering about everyone's experience with the pump. Just got mine in the mail a few days ago ($500, covered by insurance). Although it takes a little work to set up, it seems like the best way to get back in the game the earliest since it doesn't rely on the nerves (like cialis and injections do). I'll be trying it out in the next few days but I'm wondering why it's not receiving "good press" (or any press) on this forum.

Comments

  • NM
    NM Member Posts: 214
    #2
    good thing to hear about
    Let me know if it works. My doctor said wait at least 8 weeks before penile rehab other than viagra so I am interested in it. And what kind of a pump is it?

    Thanks... Nick
  • lewvino
    lewvino Member Posts: 1,010
    #3
    I've not had to go the pump
    I've not had to go the pump route yet. I've been having erections that have been barely usable with Levitra. This past week I bought a penis ring at the 'adult' store. That did the trick for me by holding the blood that was getting to the penis where it belonged! When I had that first huge erection I was pleasantly surprised. I had my surgery Aug. 12, 2009.

    Larry (age 55)
  • dopplerjockey
    dopplerjockey Member Posts: 39
    #4
    Pumps
    Well..... I have two pumps, one I purchased prior to surgery, as recommended by my Uro. Doc. It is a "adult store" model, that was cheap, but really worked well prior to surgery. It has no constrictor band system, it just pumps it up with suction. Before surgery, obviously once I broke the suction, the erection remained. Nowadays, that is a different story, but I still use it daily to improve venous blood flow into the penile tissues. The other pump, which was more expensive to purchase does have restictor bands, and I do occasional use it. But.... the problem is the "hinge" effect, wherein, you pump it up, slide the band off to the base of the penis, and then the inflated organ just hangs down, "hinged" if you will, which is not satisfactory for sexual intercourse. On top of that, all tissue downstream of the restrictor band get very cold to the touch, and a true purple in color. My wife and I have not enjoyed sexual intercourse with the more expensive pump, and have pretty much abandoned it for sexual relations. So much so, that I am now on penile injections utilizing Bimix. Once we get the dosage of that medication and get rid of the pain associated with it, we hope that it will be a solution to the ED issue.

    Best of luck with your pump, and remember that daily use is reported to be necessary to avoid fibrotic tissue development within the penis following radical prostatectomy.
  • txbarton
    txbarton Member Posts: 89 Member
    #5
    Pump
    My surgeon recommended the pump for rehab and said I could start using it 4 weeks post-op. Which is next Wednesday.

    I get some almost useable erections without Viagra and useable ones with Viagra. I plan to use it fo blood circulation rather than intercourse but am subject to change my mind.
  • novaguy
    novaguy Member Posts: 76
    #6
    I'm 3 months from da vinci
    I'm 3 months from da vinci and can only get 50-80% erections with cialis. But I don't really like taking the pills because of their side effects of stuffiness, headaches, etc. So I got a pump off the internet, paid around $70, as well as a soft ring that helps keep the suction. It also has a pressure gauge so you can repeat the pressure setting and not over pump.

    I've only tried it for a week, and so far I find the feeling very uncomfortable. The manual says to use 10 and not more than 12 (I think it's psi), but I find that 3-5 is the most I can do without it being more uncomfortable than I can stand. As far as erection, it only helps a little bit, about the same as with the pill, not really enough for intercourse. So I'm only using it for rehab, to keep the blood flowing.

    This week I'm seeing my doc for a first psa, so I will ask his advice.
  • jhagerup
    jhagerup Member Posts: 68
    #7
    novaguy said:

    I'm 3 months from da vinci
    I'm 3 months from da vinci and can only get 50-80% erections with cialis. But I don't really like taking the pills because of their side effects of stuffiness, headaches, etc. So I got a pump off the internet, paid around $70, as well as a soft ring that helps keep the suction. It also has a pressure gauge so you can repeat the pressure setting and not over pump.

    I've only tried it for a week, and so far I find the feeling very uncomfortable. The manual says to use 10 and not more than 12 (I think it's psi), but I find that 3-5 is the most I can do without it being more uncomfortable than I can stand. As far as erection, it only helps a little bit, about the same as with the pill, not really enough for intercourse. So I'm only using it for rehab, to keep the blood flowing.

    This week I'm seeing my doc for a first psa, so I will ask his advice.

    Thanks for the input guys.
    Thanks for the input guys. I'm a little surprised how ineffective the pump sounds. The salesman said it works for over 90% of guys (I know, salesman are supposed to say that). Anyway, I'm armed with a pump, needles and pills so I guess one or more should work. The pills are horribly expensive and although the injections worked for me before surgery, I had a hard time doing them (talk about killing a mood - for me anyway). I was hoping the pump would work since it's cheap and relatively easy to use.
  • William Parkinson
    William Parkinson Member Posts: 60 Member
    #8
    jhagerup said:

    Thanks for the input guys.
    Thanks for the input guys. I'm a little surprised how ineffective the pump sounds. The salesman said it works for over 90% of guys (I know, salesman are supposed to say that). Anyway, I'm armed with a pump, needles and pills so I guess one or more should work. The pills are horribly expensive and although the injections worked for me before surgery, I had a hard time doing them (talk about killing a mood - for me anyway). I was hoping the pump would work since it's cheap and relatively easy to use.

    On the subject of pills
    I am wondering if anyone has petitioned their insurance for the various phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (e.g, Viagra, etc.). My insurance said they would probably cover it, but only if my surgeon would write a letter of medical necessity. My surgery is not until Nov. 17th, so I can't say yet if they will actually cover it as they say on the phone. Has anyone tried to do this yet and did it work? Jhagerup is right, the pump sounds disappointing. However, it is very good at slowing or maybe even stopping 'penile shrinkage' after surgery. Dalkin (U. of Washington), Mulhall (Memorial Sloan-Kettering) and Zippe (formerly at the Clevland Clinic), all say it helps according to their research, so I am still going to get one. Good luck to all of us!!
    Cheers
    Bill
  • txbarton
    txbarton Member Posts: 89 Member
    #9
    William Parkinson said:

    On the subject of pills
    I am wondering if anyone has petitioned their insurance for the various phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (e.g, Viagra, etc.). My insurance said they would probably cover it, but only if my surgeon would write a letter of medical necessity. My surgery is not until Nov. 17th, so I can't say yet if they will actually cover it as they say on the phone. Has anyone tried to do this yet and did it work? Jhagerup is right, the pump sounds disappointing. However, it is very good at slowing or maybe even stopping 'penile shrinkage' after surgery. Dalkin (U. of Washington), Mulhall (Memorial Sloan-Kettering) and Zippe (formerly at the Clevland Clinic), all say it helps according to their research, so I am still going to get one. Good luck to all of us!!
    Cheers
    Bill

    Insurance and Viagra
    My insurance, Tricare, approves 6 ED pills/month. My rehab calls for 1 every other day, 15/month. They told me on the phone they would likely approve the increase if my doctor wrote a letter of medical necessity. He did and they denied the claim. His business manager said most of the insurance companies say on the phone they will approve it with the letter but most still deny the appeal.

    I bought the Osmon pump @ $500. I get to start trying it this Wednesday. I'll let the board know my thoughts on it.

    VB
  • William Parkinson
    William Parkinson Member Posts: 60 Member
    #10
    txbarton said:

    Insurance and Viagra
    My insurance, Tricare, approves 6 ED pills/month. My rehab calls for 1 every other day, 15/month. They told me on the phone they would likely approve the increase if my doctor wrote a letter of medical necessity. He did and they denied the claim. His business manager said most of the insurance companies say on the phone they will approve it with the letter but most still deny the appeal.

    I bought the Osmon pump @ $500. I get to start trying it this Wednesday. I'll let the board know my thoughts on it.

    VB

    Good luck!
    Hi Vb. I hope that my insurance will come through on my claim when the time comes. I am sorry to hear that your insurance did not come through for you. I am very interested in what you will expecience with this pump. Let us all know about it when you use it. Frankly, I never knew something like this could come close to 500US. For that price it ought to clean my dishes and walk my dog!!
    Cheers
    Bill
  • lewvino
    lewvino Member Posts: 1,010
    #11
    jhagerup said:

    Thanks for the input guys.
    Thanks for the input guys. I'm a little surprised how ineffective the pump sounds. The salesman said it works for over 90% of guys (I know, salesman are supposed to say that). Anyway, I'm armed with a pump, needles and pills so I guess one or more should work. The pills are horribly expensive and although the injections worked for me before surgery, I had a hard time doing them (talk about killing a mood - for me anyway). I was hoping the pump would work since it's cheap and relatively easy to use.

    I filed an appeal with my
    I filed an appeal with my Insurance Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tn. They rejected appeal even with the Doctors note. I get my Levitra off the web at All Day Chemist. Its generic but is way more resonable in price.

    Larry
  • jhagerup
    jhagerup Member Posts: 68
    #12
    William Parkinson said:

    Good luck!
    Hi Vb. I hope that my insurance will come through on my claim when the time comes. I am sorry to hear that your insurance did not come through for you. I am very interested in what you will expecience with this pump. Let us all know about it when you use it. Frankly, I never knew something like this could come close to 500US. For that price it ought to clean my dishes and walk my dog!!
    Cheers
    Bill

    $500
    Indeed, $500 seems quite high. It's a well made device, but still expensive. On top of that, I have to buy tubes of water based lubricant periodically. Hope those are cheap at least. However, if it works (jury still out), it will be worth it to me since a measly 6 cialis pills cost me over $100.
  • handeman
    handeman Member Posts: 2
    #13
    NM said:

    good thing to hear about
    Let me know if it works. My doctor said wait at least 8 weeks before penile rehab other than viagra so I am interested in it. And what kind of a pump is it?

    Thanks... Nick

    the pump
    I'm also interested to know more about this pump. I've heard mixed reviews Does your erection stay after what? pumping? can you penetrate how does it work?
  • 142
    142 Member Posts: 169
    #14
    txbarton said:

    Insurance and Viagra
    My insurance, Tricare, approves 6 ED pills/month. My rehab calls for 1 every other day, 15/month. They told me on the phone they would likely approve the increase if my doctor wrote a letter of medical necessity. He did and they denied the claim. His business manager said most of the insurance companies say on the phone they will approve it with the letter but most still deny the appeal.

    I bought the Osmon pump @ $500. I get to start trying it this Wednesday. I'll let the board know my thoughts on it.

    VB

    Osmon pump
    Any update on this? I'm just now considering the options.
  • shane59
    shane59 Member Posts: 86
    #15
    txbarton said:

    Insurance and Viagra
    My insurance, Tricare, approves 6 ED pills/month. My rehab calls for 1 every other day, 15/month. They told me on the phone they would likely approve the increase if my doctor wrote a letter of medical necessity. He did and they denied the claim. His business manager said most of the insurance companies say on the phone they will approve it with the letter but most still deny the appeal.

    I bought the Osmon pump @ $500. I get to start trying it this Wednesday. I'll let the board know my thoughts on it.

    VB

    The pump
    I got 1 from the local adult shop $69 I will try it this week , as I can get useable erections without pills now thank heavens for that almost 10 m0nths on .I did try cialias succesfully also viagra and livitra dont like the side affects just hope the pump helps improve size and blood flow .$69 sounds sexy in itself lets hope it works I think your brain needs stimulating as well ,good luck guys and gals
  • trfouts
    trfouts Member Posts: 14
    #16
    lewvino said:

    I filed an appeal with my
    I filed an appeal with my Insurance Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tn. They rejected appeal even with the Doctors note. I get my Levitra off the web at All Day Chemist. Its generic but is way more resonable in price.

    Larry

    Appeal
    My insurance company (Humanna) Denied both my pump and medication.I was looking online for meds and am going to adult bookstore for pump in the next couple of days. I will check out All Day Chemist
  • griff 1
    griff 1 Member Posts: 114
    #17
    trfouts said:

    Appeal
    My insurance company (Humanna) Denied both my pump and medication.I was looking online for meds and am going to adult bookstore for pump in the next couple of days. I will check out All Day Chemist

    appeal
    darn i was considering the pump. i have humana also i guess i,ll find out. i hope its worth it. (the pump) do they really work?? thanks griff
  • worriedwife
    worriedwife Member Posts: 15
    #18
    griff 1 said:

    appeal
    darn i was considering the pump. i have humana also i guess i,ll find out. i hope its worth it. (the pump) do they really work?? thanks griff

    Pump
    My husband opted for the penile implant after surgery as I am 14 years younger.
    The insurance covered it and it also helped with leakage he had post Radical Prostatectomy.
    He had no leakage for almost 7 years with it but that is another issue.

    As for the implant it works fine. Can pump to any size and holds with no problems.
    He pushes a button on the inside to pump and release. He got used to it very quickly.

    He never lost feeling at all. 10 years ago surgeries were a bit more complex from what
    I have been reading and this has worked out fine for us. He had the RP in 2000 and the
    implant in 2003. It is 2011 and so far no problems at all.

    I hope this can help someone else.
  • stepjnsj
    stepjnsj Member Posts: 18
    #19
    The Pump
    I recently recieved the pump and I have yet to have an erection that I been able to maintain for a period of time and it is not very comfortable at all however I an not taking any Viagra or Cialis at this time but will continue to use pump for a while.
  • worriedwife
    worriedwife Member Posts: 15
    #20
    stepjnsj said:

    The Pump
    I recently recieved the pump and I have yet to have an erection that I been able to maintain for a period of time and it is not very comfortable at all however I an not taking any Viagra or Cialis at this time but will continue to use pump for a while.

    The Pump
    Just to let you know. What I was referring to was not a store bought pump.
    My husbands surgeon had done implant surgery. It is nearly invisible and my
    husband even plays softball with no complications. Whenever he likes he can
    use it and everything is on the inside. Not sure any medical way to say it
    but it is like just having 3 sacs instead of 2.

    He has not had any pain either. Initially done to help with incontinence but
    works just fine. Doesn't need any other medication.

    I hope this helps you to maybe talk with a medical doctor about it.
    He may be able to explain more to your understanding. His insurance
    paid for it as it was done to cut down on incontinence.

    Good Luck. It is worth asking a doctor.
  • jacksonholeguide
    jacksonholeguide Member Posts: 4
    #21
    worriedwife said:

    The Pump
    Just to let you know. What I was referring to was not a store bought pump.
    My husbands surgeon had done implant surgery. It is nearly invisible and my
    husband even plays softball with no complications. Whenever he likes he can
    use it and everything is on the inside. Not sure any medical way to say it
    but it is like just having 3 sacs instead of 2.

    He has not had any pain either. Initially done to help with incontinence but
    works just fine. Doesn't need any other medication.

    I hope this helps you to maybe talk with a medical doctor about it.
    He may be able to explain more to your understanding. His insurance
    paid for it as it was done to cut down on incontinence.

    Good Luck. It is worth asking a doctor.

    The Pump
    My uro recommended The Pump and even sells them for $150. My surgery was 8/19/2010. I bought the pump on my visit about a month after surgery. My uro basically recommends the pump for rehabilitation not so much intercourse. What I do is as I watch TV at night I use the pump for about 10 minutes. I have found that if you stand up and dangle your penis down into the cylinder it gets a little more elongated at the beginning and from there when you pump it expands it to about 90% of its old self. If you push the valve that releases the vacuum it immediately goes soft. I usually apply the vacuum and release it repeatedly. It is really just putting blood in there which is supposedly healthy for it.

    The other thing my uro recommends in addition to the pump is MUSE. Not a lot of fun to supposit but it does tend to get some juices flowing down there. However, at 250 mg have not had anything near a usable erection.

    Had my surgery at 62 years old. Am a little worried that my sex life may be behind me, but I am trying to be faithful to my doctor's recommendations and hopefully things will improve.

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