Slow Deflation During Sex

[texasmate]

Hi Everyone. This is my first time posting on the forum. I am having an issue with my AMS device, which was installed ~18 months ago. It is slowly deflating during intercourse, and has been for about the last few months. I went to see the Physician's Assistant for the doc who performed the surgery, and he didn't really notice anything wrong with the prosthesis. Has anyone else had this happen? Is it more likely that we are accidentally hitting the deflate on this guy? I am inclined to think that the valve is not holding up against the pressure of our, admittedly, vigorous sex! Any thoughts or similar experiences? I am thinking about pressing my doc for a revision, but I don't want to get ahead of myself. Thanks for your help!

[Lost Sheep]

Welcome to the forum and thanks for giving us the chance to help (and increase our knowledge base at the same time).

Does it deflate if you pump up and don't have sex? Does it deflate if you pump up and simply squeeze the implant? How quickly does it deflate under any of the foregoing three conditions (vigorous sex, squeeze, just sitting)? Does it seem to be different if you are standing or laying down, seated, etc?

Try cycling the inflate/deflate button several times. Sometimes the valve get sticky and cycling it back and forth frees it up. What you describe is not unheard of.

If that does not work, call AMS and talk to the patient liaison. That is what they are there for. This may save you some money and a doctor's visit.

Good luck.

[texasmate]

Thank you, Lost Sheep. So it's a little strange and nuanced. When I inflate to 100%, the device seems to deflate to about 85% on its own within a minute (this is when I am not having sex). It seems to be the most noticeable when I am sitting or standing, and not as much when I am laying down. I used to have the types of erections with the device where you could "hang a towel" and now it's not nearly as rigid (but still very much usable) when I am all by my lonesome. I also noticed that I no longer feel the same pressure / aching when I pump to 100%. To me it feels like I am losing volume and rigidity. Is that normal? Something that is just in my head?

When it comes to sex, the above still applies and so I start off around 85%, and then during sex it goes to 80%.. 75%.. 70%.. stop and repump.. then it's the same thing over again. That part is frustrating, but then occasionally (about 1/4 of the time) the device seems to reach a point where it begins to deflate most of the way on its own, as if I had hit the deflate button. It may be that during my mid-session repumps I am hitting the deflate, but I really don't think so. I am normally pretty careful and aware of the device location.

Inflation and deflation ease seems to be normal, and I don't feel any parts noticeably sticking. The only comment I will make is that the pump is now Very Very easy to squeeze. It's probably just an effect of me having the thing for 18 months and it getting broken in.

Admittedly, I have become used to being close to a sex God (haha) and this deflation thing is jolting because I feel like I am no longer carefree during sex (which sucks!). I'll most certainly take your advice and call the AMS folks. And anything else you can tell me would be greatly appreciated.

If anyone else has had a similar experience, I would love to know about it and how you handled it, too. Thanks for welcoming me to the board.

[newbie443]

Do you still have your DVD? If so try the trouble shooting resets in it. Squeezing the ends of the deflate block is one I remember.

[Lost Sheep]

Thanks for that advice Newbie443

It is definitely NOT normal for auto deflation as described.

It sounds very much as I imagine a leaky valve body would behave. If manipulation from outside the scrotum does not resolve the problem, (which likely will succeed), replacing the valve and pump unit is not very involved.

So, that is the good news. The bad news is very unlikely to be of concern. So, be happy. The solution is very likely an easy one.

[texasmate]

Hopefully it's something relatively minor and easy to fix, as you said. I am also inclined to think it's a valve issue. Newbie, I have gone through the all the procedures from the DVD (thank you for the advice), but nothing has really changed.

[newbie443]

[quote="texasmate"]Hopefully it's something relatively minor and easy to fix, as you said. I am also inclined to think it's a valve issue. Newbie, I have gone through the all the procedures from the DVD (thank you for the advice), but nothing has really changed.[/quote

Sorry it didn't work but at least you can tell the AMS rep and your doctor you have already done those steps. Have you called your AMS rep? You most times have to leave a message for them to get back with you. And that can take a day or 2 or 3. Hopefully that will get your problem solved but if not ask the AMS rep how to approach this with your doc or for help with your doc if the doc is saying there is nothing wrong.

[newbie443]

Just checking to see how things are going?

[texasmate]

Hi Newbie,

I went to see my surgeon, and he believes it is a bad valve. We discussed doing a valve/pump replacement, which we both agree will fix the issue. I plan on contacting the rep from AMS very soon, to get another opinion and talk about options. I self-pay and, needless to say, the cost is very high. I'll keep you posted on everything.

Thanks!

[newbie443]

Definitely give the AMS rep a shot at it first. All it cost's is a little time. Chances are good you will be kicking yourself for not making that call sooner.