Mike

Old Rip Van Winkle is waking up.  Maybe it's that new bed spring.  Did
you find one yet?

Dale

This is from the handout I got at the "Sexual Medicine Program" at Memorial
Sloan-Kettering: "The patients are initially tried on oral medications for
erectile dysfunction.  Realistically, about 20% of men respond to such drugs
within 3 months of surgery, while 60% respond at approximately 18 months."

You might be one of the later responders, but this reaction must be a great
relief to you.  Good luck!

On 8/21/04 7:41 AM, in article 0bJVc.28360$5s3.25304@fe40.usenetserver.com,

Hello Mike,
   Funny how it takes time for nerve damage to heal.  I remember I was in a
similiar boat so to speak, and after about 2 years the sail was up and with
a little wind
I was a sailing........
Yes, now about 30mgs. of Viagra really help.
Keep trying.  Things do get better.
John Loomis

Congratulations!!!! I know you've been struggling with this, lord
knows I have too. My surgery was 2 years ago and me and my wife are
still waiting. I am really happy for you!

Take care and keep us posted.

Tom

*I've moaned and groaned to all of you about the ED aftermath of my
LRP that
*was done 21 months ago.  I do appreciate you all reading and putting
up with
*me.  Intellectually, I know I should have moved past this point by
now...
*gotten the grieving out of the way... but I'm just not as strong as
some of
*you guys here, I guess.
<snip>

Hey, no sweat! It's good news to hear. That's a worthy achievement to
regain some resemblance of an erection, after what we've all been
through or are going to go through. I appreciate you feeling
comfortable sharing the news!!

Al
Please be quiet if replying via email,
flames will be deleted promptly.
I won't even read the whole message...

Yippee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
;-)
Bev

Mike:
   That is great news.  I hope you continue to improve and can get back to
normal erections soon.
   So far no sign of life for me at 12 months :( .
   Take care.
   Thank you.
David

Great news!! More and more indications are that 1.5 - 3 years are not
uncommon lengths of times for post-RP erections to suddenly arise!!
;P. That is why, even after failed attempts with the various meds, one
should not give up, but keep trying them or at least return to them
after a hiatus.  Even though i had no nerves spared, but did have a
nerve graft, the doctors predicted i shoul dsee "results" in 6 months
or so based on nerve regeneration rates. For me it was over 18 months
before my first post-RP "woodie". Other postings, even from those with
nerve sparing surgeries have documented extended times till erectile
function resumed. So take heart.

THe PCAI group has had some very serious, enlightening discussions
recently on the ED issue, so i recognize that time does not heal all
wounds be they physcial or emotional.

Peace to all.....Bill

Some prostate cancer treatments may affect the nerves or arteries responsible
for erections; others may affect libido, or sex drive.

The bundles of nerves sitting on either side of the prostate send messages to
the penis to initiate erections. Even if the nerve bundles are not removed
during radical prostatectomy, they may still sustain damage and are very slow
to heal. However, even if the bundles are not injured during surgery, some
men will be experience erectile dysfunction afterward; the reasons are
unclear.

Another common reason for difficulty with erections is that the veins in the
penis may have suffered trauma during surgery and are unable to keep blood
trapped inside the penis.
Erection problems can also result from injury to the blood vessels in the
penis, although this is extremely rare in radical prostatectomy.

Sildenafil Citrate is an oral prescription medication, brand name Viagra,
that has revolutionized the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Free samples
are often available at http://www.mensgenerics.com 
It works by relaxing smooth muscles in the arteries of the penis, allowing
more blood flow to produce an erection. Viagra does not improve sex drive; it
only improves erections. It may cause mild side effects, including headaches,
flushing and indigestion.

Candidates for Viagra or Sildenafil: Studies have shown that men with
erectile dysfunction after prostatectomy respond well to Viagra if the nerve
bundles on both sides of the prostate have been spared. However, Viagra is
not effective when one or both nerve bundles have been damaged.