Erections

Howdy,

There is no cause for concern even if it's been 19 weeks. One thing to remember is that EVERY person heals differently, at different speeds. The luckiest among us are able to have full sexual relations again in a matter of weeks, but probably the great majority must wait longer.

It is NOT uncommon for it to take 2-3 YEARS before the nerves fully recover from the trauma they receive in being prodded off the prostate (even though they are spared). The skill of the surgeon is also a factor here.

But typically it can be one or two years, or longer, before the nerves finally reawaken from the surgery. There is one guy who posted, a while back, that he had given up after having absolutely NO hint of erection since his surgery.

Then, one morning, he woke up with a very hard erection -- but dismissed it as a fluke. But, later that day, he became very erect again and realized that he had finally, fully recovered -- 3 years, 9 months after surgery.

So patience is something that must be observed as one waits for the big awakening without knowing exactly when it will take place.

Another thing is that, while sexual function should return in the vast majority of nerve sparing patients, their sexual ability, post-op, will not be to the same level as however it was before the surgery.

Wishing you the best,
Chuck

Resident of Highland, Indiana just outside of Chicago, IL.
July 2011 local PSA lab reading 6.41 (from 4.1 in 2009). Mayo Clinic PSA Sept. 2011 was 5.7.
Local urologist DRE revealed significant BPH, but no lumps.
PCa Dx Aug. 2011 at age of 61.
Biopsy revealed adenocarcinoma in 3 of 20 cores (one 5%, two 20%). T2C.
Gleason score 3+3=6.
CT of abdomen, bone scan both negative.
DaVinci prostatectomy 11/1/11 at Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN), nerve sparing, age 62.
My surgeon was Dr. Matthew Tollefson, who I highly recommend.
Final pathology shows tumor confined to prostate.
5 lymph nodes, seminal vesicles, extraprostatic soft tissue all negative.
1.0 x 0.6 x 0.6 cm mass involving right posterior inferior,
right posterior apex & left mid posterior prostate.
Right posterior apex margin involved by tumor over a 0.2 cm length, doctor says this is insignificant.
Prostate 98.3 grams, tumor 2 grams. Prostate size 5.0 x 4.7 x 4.5 cm.
Abdominal drain removed the morning after surgery.
Catheter out in 7 days. No incontinence, occasional minor dripping.
Post-op exams 2/13/12, 9/10/12, PSA <0.1. PSA tests now annual.
Semi-firm erections now happening 14 months post-op & VERY slowly getting a bit stronger.

Thanks for your respones. Made me feel a whole bunch better. Guess it's not right to whine when so many other people probably have it much worse then I do, but needed to hear from real people if you ever get back to even near normal. You learn to live and survive with everything. My PSA was 0.0 and that is some wonderful news. I can't imagine what it must be like to get numbers on your postop tests. Thanks to you veterans for your advise and support.
This is a strange thing to have happen to a man because no one really wants to talk about the whole process. I gather it is because of the ED thing mostly. Who the heck wants to be discussed as the guy who can't get it up any more. I've heard people talk of having lost their functions and I know I have looked at them differently after that conversation as well. So we need support when it happens. Thanks again. Any more advise would be great on how to heal faster.

I'm at 4 months post-LARP today (all nerves spared). Total ED, still, which is to be expected. I use bimix injections, which are very successful for me.

-Gedman

 

James

  My nookie days aren't over and I hope they never are. This is the way it appears to me . Having sex with your significant other is the best thing there is in life really. I mean my children come close, golf comes close, but sex with someone you like or love hey what else is there accept maybe food and booze. So if someone told me that great we are going to cure your brain cancer but you won't be able to see anymore -- well thats a heck of a trade off. It's just been very encouraging to hear it takes time. I just remember the day after my surgery when I was walking the halls with my IV roller and looking at the eyes of the other guys doing the same -- they looked like someone stole their being--- Maybe I'm wrong but dam this is a tough thing for men to face --- I've been a soldier, athelete, father, husband, and Grandfather-- but through it all I had my trusty pecker and now it's gone ---sounds childish, maybe some would scoff at it but its a hell of a trade off--- God bless every man that has gone through this-- Godbless those who have to face even more trouble beyond--- and thank you guys for being around..

I remember ask my RO when I could have sex again after radiation treatment. He asked that I wait till I got home...

Today it really requires the help of little pills and a lot of, um, 'stimulation'

Bigal- I loved your reply post. You summed up a lot of my feelings. I have been one of the lucky ones but I remember the look in every mans eye that had my surgery. I sense from your posts that you are putting a tremendous amount of pressure on yourself. Even when I was in my prime I couldn't perform my best when I placed undo amounts of stress on myself. I found that exercising at the gym and running helped me get my body back in shape. This helped me mentally as well as physically. Also having a supportive wife that loves me sure helped to put the final touch on my Ed recovery. I'm having relations with my wife of 30 years better now than ever!! I wish you the best in your journey.

When I was diagnosed I was more scared of never being able to make love to my wife than the cancer.

Agree, Buddy. It's why I made the choice that I did.

It's not just how the nerves were handled, also how the deep dorsal complex was taken care of. Blood flow, blood flow, blood flow!!

It will get better. Give it time. I had some mild ED before surgery, so this is not as big a deal to me as it is to some. We already learned to adjust to it long before this. We engage in other activities besides intercourse and we still have fun.

At 2 months out, I have nocturnal partial erections (not every night) and some morning activity, but not fully recovered back to pre-op function yet. Doc started me on 5mg Cialis daily and a VED as soon as the catheter came out.

Enjoy each other and have fun. Be creative. At the risk of being too crude, I get more head now than I ever did before surgery. My wife likes the "rehab" as she calls it. The dry orgasms make it easier for her.

Use it however you can and keep active at it.