First cycle challenges

[CowtownSlim]

Day 33 AMS 700 Tenacio. Went to urologist for cycle training. With pump slipping with no capsule, mild carpal tunnel (generally not limiting), and VERY stiff bulb compared to model, could only get mild erection. Typical in any way? Does the warm bath water trick work? I had healed well and was confident. Jinxed it.

[LGXDownunder]

Day 33 AMS 700 Tenacio. Went to urologist for cycle training. With pump slipping with no capsule, mild carpal tunnel (generally not limiting), and VERY stiff bulb compared to model, could only get mild erection. Typical in any way? Does the warm bath water trick work? I had healed well and was confident. Jinxed it.

You will get there mate, you haven't jinxed anything. Remember that the model pump they give you is not inside your scrotum, so it's much easier to manipulate. I have the older style MS pump and it was also really stiff to operate initially. I suspect the Tenacio properties would be similar.

Eventually you'll find your own preferred methods and it will become second nature. For now I'd suggest washing both hands and ball sac before pumping and making sure everything is completely dry if you're only pumping for cycling purposes. Very simple thing but likely to help give the best grip possible. For sex do the same and don't apply any lube until fully pumped. Go slowly and feel around for the pump parts so it becomes instinctive where they are and the best place to grip the bulb.

Also using two hands to pump might help, especially if the carpal tunnel becomes an issue. Quite a few guys on here have reported needing two hands to pump at first. Initially I was mostly cycling in the shower using fairly hot water. I don't think the hot water is any help with grip, but it does reduce discomfort from being fully pumped for an extended period. The pump bulb will soften with use, so the more you are able to pump the quicker that will happen. But it can be frustrating for a while, hang in there.

[cbinspok]

cow town, you will get there brother!
enjoy the healing, the warm bath does work, just not recommended early after surgery by most doctors. at 33 day should be fine.
in a year you'll be forgetting much of this , you'll be thinking about much more fun things.

[GoodWood]

This all sounds completely normal.

There is a learning curve to this. But you will get the hang of it.

The pump is DEFINITELY very stiff at first. It WILL get better. It will get softer. You will become better at pumping.

You haven’t jinxed anything. This is all expected.

Hang in there. It gets better.

[Old Guy]

My Titan pump bulb was very solid feeling at first. I use both hands/fingers to pump up.

[CowtownSlim]

Can’t use two hands yet because I have to use one hand to stabilize the device from above. My understanding is that a capsule forms so that the bulb is less elusive. A little better today. I think if my urologist said that this was absolutely fine and expected, I would’ve felt better about it. He did a great job, but he just said “you’ll be fine.” He didn’t realize how neurotic I am and I needed more reassurance.