erectile stirrings post RRP

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mountainguy1958 - 09 Dec 2006 16:56 GMT

After a nerve-sparing radical removal of prostate on 11/17/2006, there
have been a few occasions when I've had partial erections; not adequate
for intercourse, but better than nothing - at least in terms of
progress.

Can anyone who's been through this procedure confirm for me whether the
fact that I've had "partial" erections on a few occasions since surgery
means that as healing continues that I will, in all likelihood, be
restored to my former glory?

According to the surgeon, both nerve bundles appeared to be intact at
the conclusion of the operation. I am 48 years old and pre-surgery
erections were satisfactory. I know that these factors weigh in my
favor.

My question is, does the fact that I'm getting *some* response now mean
that it *will* continue, or is there an equal likelihood that this
might be it for the next few months to a year at best?

Thanks.

Tom

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RML - 09 Dec 2006 17:07 GMT

I think each of us is so individual your questions can not be
answered, despite them being a great source of anxiety. I can only
give my example:

I had the same surgery 9/18, age 54. While the cath was in I was able
to get some response. After removal I was on Viagara 100mg every other
day/2 weeks, and tried to work Willie out close to every day. Erection
size grew slowly, where currently they get about 75-80%. With 50mg
Viagra I am just as before surgery, 100%. Pleasure sensations are at
least as good if not better than prior surgery.

>After a nerve-sparing radical removal of prostate on 11/17/2006, there
>have been a few occasions when I've had partial erections; not adequate
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
>
>Tom

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Steve Kramer - 09 Dec 2006 18:02 GMT

> After a nerve-sparing radical removal of prostate on 11/17/2006, there
> have been a few occasions when I've had partial erections; not adequate
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> that it *will* continue, or is there an equal likelihood that this
> might be it for the next few months to a year at best?

Tom,

I was 46 when mine was removed. I had varying luck with Viagra and shots.
After 2½ years, I had a usable erection without assistance.

However, I never had that "former glory" thing.

Note: I recently posted a 1½-year erection. I just checked my records and
it was May 12, 2003, not 2002.

Signature

PSA 16 10/17/2000 @ 46
Biopsy 11/01/2000 G7 (3+4), T2c
RRP 12/15/2000 G7 (3+4), T3cN0M0 Neg margins
PSA .1 .1 .1 .27 .37 .75
EBRT 05-07/2002 @ 47
PSA .34 .22 .15 .21 .32
Lupron 07/03 (1 mo) 8/03 (4 mo), 12/03, 4/04, 09/04, 01/05, 5/05, 10/05,
2/06, 6/06
PSA .07 .05 .06 .09 .08 .132 .145
Casodex added daily 07/06
PSA <0.04
Non Illegitimi Carborundum

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Glassman@work - 09 Dec 2006 19:02 GMT

> After a nerve-sparing radical removal of prostate on 11/17/2006, there
> have been a few occasions when I've had partial >
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> Tom

You are very early to be seeing anything substantial. I saw very real &
constant small improvments up to 3 years after the surgery. My guess is that
with response this early, you'll be using it for the real thing, with
vitaminV, in a matter of months.

Signature

JK Sinrod
www.SinrodStudios.com
www.MyConeyIslandMemories.com

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mountainguy1958 - 09 Dec 2006 22:02 GMT

Thanks. I just read through the similar thread initiated earlier this
week by Gary, which I had missed.

As I mentioned in a post a week or two back, the nurse who counseled me
following the removal of my cathetar instructed me to "stimulate"
myself regularly between now and mid-January when I'll see my surgeon
again, in order to "have something to talk about." That day, on the
first attempt, I had an unusually intense (even for pre-surgery) orgasm
which left me out of breath for a few minutes afterward.

Since then, I haven't had another intense orgasm like that, but I have
had a few partial erections and one less intensive orgamsm.
Unfortunately, I haven't been able to get any physical response "down
there" with my wife yet, though I hope to soon. At least something. At
the same time, my incontinence is also improving and, once I'm
completely dry (I'm being optimistic), I think I'll have more sexual
confidence in bed. As it is, I feel self-consious, since my wife is a
very clean and hygienic person, about leaking urine on her. (I know all
about urine ostensibly being sterile, as long as there's no bladder
infection. Still, she does not find urine appealing or sexy.)

By the way, one thing that I think may be helping reduce my leakage is
that I started taking Cymbalta this week, which is not only approved as
an antidepressant (replacing the Lexapro which I've been on for a few
months), but also for urinary incontinence and relief of chronic pain.

My internist (a woman) suggested I wear a condom if I'm worried about
leakage during, but wearing a condom generally requires an erection
first. She's usually right on target with suggestions, etc., but she
sort missed the mark on this one.

I've also decided to give acupuncture a try, specifically for sexual
potency, continence, depression, and whatever else ails me. But I told
the acupuncturist (an MD who is board certified in internal medicine
and pathology) that the main issues that brought me to her office were
the first two I just issues listed. She expressed confidence. We'll
see. Might help; can't hurt, I figure.

Like Gary and others here, I suspect, the reason for my post in this
thread is hoping for anxiety relief and perhaps some reassurance. I
really do appreciate the supportive and informative replies.

Tom

> You are very early to be seeing anything substantial. I saw very real &
> constant small improvments up to 3 years after the surgery. My guess is that
> with response this early, you'll be using it for the real thing, with
> vitaminV, in a matter of months.

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I.P. Freely - 10 Dec 2006 02:48 GMT

> once I'm
> completely dry (I'm being optimistic), I think I'll have more sexual
> confidence in bed. As it is, I feel self-consious, since my wife is a
> very clean and hygienic person, about leaking urine on her. (I know all
> about urine ostensibly being sterile, as long as there's no bladder
> infection. Still, she does not find urine appealing or sexy.)

Get a jacuzzi and fugheddaboutit. The solution to pollution is dilution.

> My internist (a woman) suggested I wear a condom if I'm worried about
> leakage during, but wearing a condom generally requires an erection
> first. She's usually right on target with suggestions, etc., but she
> sort missed the mark on this one.

Then she might be even more surprised to learn that some surgery pts
squirt ounces of urine with a great deal of force during orgasm. It hits
the mark, all right -- the opposite shower wall -- but the resulting
splatter hits MANY marks.

I.P.

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mountainguy1958 - 09 Dec 2006 22:02 GMT

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I.P. Freely - 10 Dec 2006 02:13 GMT

I began stirring within weeks of my surgery 25 months ago (nerves spared
on one side, if I remember correctly). It's still improving very
slightly, but will never be the stuffable swizzle stick it was 26 months
ago. I perceived no improvement with Viagra, so my stirring days are
probably over. But my orgasms are better than they were a decade ago, so
there are tradeoffs.

I.P.

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Glassman@work - 19 Dec 2006 20:02 GMT

>I began stirring within weeks of my surgery 25 months ago (nerves spared on
>one side, if I remember correctly). It's still improving very slightly, but
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> I.P.

I had perceptable improvements up to almost 4 years, so you still have
plenty of time for "growth".

Signature

JK Sinrod
www.SinrodStudios.com
www.MyConeyIslandMemories.com

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kh - 10 Dec 2006 12:29 GMT

> After a nerve-sparing radical removal of prostate on 11/17/2006, there
> have been a few occasions when I've had partial erections; not adequate
> for intercourse, but better than nothing - at least in terms of
> progress.

...

> My question is, does the fact that I'm getting *some* response now mean
> that it *will* continue, or is there an equal likelihood that this
> might be it for the next few months to a year at best?

I don't think anyone knows. It sounds like a good sign to me. This
is not to say that we haven't heard of guys who have been limp as an
overcooked noodle and then after 6 months or a year, began to perk up.

My guess is that most of us have to expect a year to two years to heal.

Since I had radiation, I'd like to hear from the radiation gang.

Diagnosis, treatment, QOL situation. How long and what happened?

For me, the two 4 month Lupron shots took away both libido and
erections for 8 months plus another 6 months making a total of just
over a year of mycox-a-floppin'.

What was weird was standing around in social situations near
dressed-to-impress women, and thinking, "I hope they don't look my
way."

At about 6 months after the Lupron, if I imagined real hard, pulled
hard, I could get up enough to piffle-piffle-drip. Not very
satisfying.

I'm at 25 months past the seeding (I had IMRT 3 weeks before the seeds)
and at 22 months after Lupron.

Erections without Vitamin-V are 80%, nothing to brag about but a little
more than stuffable.

With Vitamin-V, I have both the ability and the confidence. Last
week, I managed about 9 minutes of penetrative sex, It was almost
like old times again. This was after sucking a crumb off a 20 mg
Levitra.

So, what's it like for everyone. How are you doing. I especially
wonder about those who went radiation. I'm hoping to keep improving.
I'm 59 and there is a lot of living to be done.

-kh

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Peter Headland - 20 Dec 2006 18:16 GMT

> Can anyone who's been through this procedure confirm for me whether the
> fact that I've had "partial" erections on a few occasions since surgery
> means that as healing continues that I will, in all likelihood, be
> restored to my former glory?

Sorry, but early stirrings are not really a reliable indicator of final
outcome. I had good response after my surgery almost 1.5 years ago, but
progress since then was slow at first and recently non-existent (I can
get enough of an erection to manage intercourse with a "cock ring", but
it's marginal - I plan to try the injections in the new year). Others
are totally limp at first then get great results after a year. Some
have to wait well over two years. Often guys make progress in a series
of steps rather than a steady improvement from one week to another. You
just can't tell where this will go in any individual. No reason to be
pessimistic, but don't be disappointed if progress is erratic.

Signature

Peter Headland

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dave perry - 20 Dec 2006 18:48 GMT

I too had stirrings early on, in fact I recall a 2/3 erection while
having one of my first bm's post catheter removal. Since then, now
over three years, I've had a couple of full-blown erections during and
after an erotic dream so at least the electrical system works, one or
two with vitamin V, lots of limp orgasms, but rarely enough response
when I need it for intercourse although I was having some problems
along these lines pre-op. I think your progress will be unique to you
and looking on the bright side, most guys eventually return to some
usable function although our "former glory" might be just out of reach.
Don't forget about the psychological components too. A lot of this is
in your head (the one on your shoulders) and an eager partner helps
too.
Dave Perry

> After a nerve-sparing radical removal of prostate on 11/17/2006, there
> have been a few occasions when I've had partial erections; not adequate
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
>
> Tom

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