FrankTalk.org

Hello to all the men out there with issues that interfere with our "normal" lives, primarily our ability to have great sex and the ability to control our continence, or lack of.

I am a new member as of today. I had a Robotic Assisted Radical Prostatectomy on April 20th, 2011. My PSA test in December of 2010 was 11+, and had been monitored for about 8 years as it steadily rose during that time. A biopsy in February revealed 1 sample in 12 of being cancerous, and that it was about the size of a BB (3mm). I was not expecting that news. My wife told be to not screw around with it, get it out. So surgery was scheduled with a young Urologist that had either performed or assisted on 37 previous RARPs.

My incontinence after 4 months is my major concern, wearing Depends and replacing liners 10 times a day. I have been pumping since less than a month after surgery, and has provided my wife and I with a sex life better than expected. I do think my penis is larger now than prior to surgery, maybe that's why she is enjoying sex more now, lol. But after reading some blogs here, it appears I need to make a few changes in pumping and use of the constrictors. I need to try to obtain normal erections more, and masturbate more often, without the use of the pump/constrictors. My incontinence? I don't know, everyone says be patient, it will take time.

Thanks for all the information.

basicdesires: Welcome to HW. You will find the guys here to be great. Sounds like your making progress in the ED area. I don't have much that I can comment on as to the leaking. I might recommend that you also look at healingwell.com in the prostate cancer section. There is lots of chatter about incontinence.

Im also a PCa guy but had open. Dry really early on but battled with the ED and it is still a struggle that I deal with. I have graduated to injections and very happy with them at this point.

Good luck with you quest to get dry. Join us in the chat room some times.

Cajun jeff

Basic;

Welcome to the clan. This is a good place and you will enjoy your time with us. I am also PCa with robotic surgery. I am very impressed with your ED progress since surgery! You don't mention your age but the penile rehab is going very well. As you suggested, taking matters in hand more often can be a good thing. The more we use him after surgery the better. Would also suggest some stretching while he is warm; I try to stretch while still in bed after I awaken and during/after a shower while he is warm. The stretching helps maintain/regain length while everything gets "reconnected". Besides it's fun.

Pumping is a great asset for us and yes there is usually an increase in size- both length and girth. For me the girth is really holding and seems permanent while the length is longer in the cylinder and with a ring but not, so far, without. Who knows. My goal is to regain my pre-surgery length and I'm having a lot of pleasure getting there. Penile rehab unlike other rehabs is fun! Are you also on a pill? If not, you might explore that option as an addition to the plan . I'm on Cialis or Lavitra and it does help.

Like Jeff, I did not not have any real incontinence issues so I can not offer any knowledge just support. I think you might consider a long talk with the doc next visit as you may be behind the curve in this area of recovery (I assume you had no issues before surgery). There are surgical options you may wish to explore at some point in the future.

If I can assist in any way please let me know.

Regards,

Dick

Have you said, Dick, where you get your Cialis and Levitra. I'm looking for a Canadian pharmacy. Even if you don't use Canadian, are you aware of any that friends use? I use both these, but I would like to use generic and save some money. I think shipping on the Indian company is a little expensive, too. Littlejohn

LJ:

I am one of the few guys here whose insc covers my ED meds although my copay did go up this year. But who knows about next year's coverage package. It is interesting that I have a Blue Cross plan and I think, don't know, would also cover an implant. Yet, other guys on BC get nothing but hassled.

At some point I hope the Foundation, when we are financially solid, can begin efforts towards addressing the discrimination guys face who have ED- regardless of the cause.

Regards,

Dick