erections post surgery

USA1 · New User Joined: 18 Jun 2007 Posts: 4

I am at 7 weeks post-op from radical prostatectomy.
I am 53 years old and had a PSA of 2.7 and a Gleason of 3+3=6.
The surgery went well and my recovery seems to be on tract but, during my recovery I was told not to lift anything so, I didn’t however, I did play some golf on the 4th week after. I have had no pain or strain and feel darn good considering. My main issue now is having an erection. I can have an orgasm but without an erection. To me this seems pretty odd and I am concerned that I may have screwed something up by not listening to the Doctors orders. He did tell me to be active so….I am.
He told me he would put me on Viagra therapy, (what ever that means) but I have not yet been given a prescription.
My question is, did I screw something up? God, I hope not. Will Viagra help?

brainman · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 1:41 pm Post subject: Re: erections post surgery

Hi USA1,
Did you screw something up? Probably not. Erection problems post Prostate surgery are common. The Viagra might help, it just depends on the extent of the surgery. Your medical team should be able to help you with this question. Good luck.
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USA1 · New User Joined: 18 Jun 2007 Posts: 4

Boy, I hope you are the brainman.
I guess patience is a virtue and time will tell.
It's just scary and it's something I never anticipated this early in life.

johnw100 · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 7:17 pm Post subject: Re: erections post surgery

Doctors have recently suggested viagra every 2nd day very soon after surgery to help the healing process, not necessarily for sexual activity.

Be careful: some men do not tolerate large doses well, so start with a small dose of 25 size. You can get 100 size tablets and cut them up to start with, which might also be the cheaper option.

If that does not overcome the ED over time, there are other options like injections or pump to try.

John

USA1 · New User Joined: 18 Jun 2007 Posts: 4

[quote="johnw100"]Doctors have recently suggested viagra every 2nd day very soon after surgery to help the healing process, not necessarily for sexual activity.

Be careful: some men do not tolerate large doses well, so start with a small dose of 25 size. You can get 100 size tablets and cut them up to start with, which might also be the cheaper option.

If that does not overcome the ED over time, there are other options like injections or pump to try.

John[/quote]

Thanks for the encouragment.
The Dr. hasn't prescibed viagra yet but, he said he will so, I need to be patient I suppose.

sequoiaranger

In the full-functioning male, as libido rises, so does the penis, and at orgasm an ejaculation occurs. Without the prostate and seminal vesicles (assuming you had those taken out--I did) there is no discharge, and without the "boner nerve" near the prostate there is no erection. However, a "dry" orgasm can still occur. My orgasms are maybe 1/10th the intensity of when I had everything intact, but they still can occur. The feeling can build and vanish before getting to orgasm, too, unfortunately (an almost feminine trait).

As it is now, I am on hormone therapy that suppresses the cancer but totally wipes out libido, ANY thought of sex, and complete malfunction of the "system"--the price for living without cancer rather than dying with a boner. I really do feel a "loss" of one of life's true pleasures, but it is worth it to be writing this, and to anticipate my upcoming trip to New Zealand rather than a hospital.

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