Prostate Cancer Support Group

Needless to say, the cost of healthcare is a sore subject here in the US, but for the sake of not engaging in a political discussion on this site, I won't say anything more. I'm just thankful that I have insurance and that it paid (most of) the bills.

Well said, Mr. D.

Its even worse than that, if you don't have insurance you pAy the top line without any discount. So the poorerst who can't afford health insurance pay the most!

DVW,

Thanks for "not going there"

I think it is enough just to read Bumbleboo's example of care in another country. It speaks for itself.

kapm

I understand the passion and value of discussing issues related to insurance and medical care. However this thread was started to discuss our sexuality after surgery. I'm wondering if we can get back to this topic and start a separate thread to discuss the health care system.

I don't know about anyone else but 15 months post surgery I'm not even close to where I thought I'd be, and I'm still struggling with issues no one every discussed with me, meaning leaking urine.

My libido is no where near where I hoped it would be, and I can't help but wonder if some of these changes will be permanent.

SP,

Yes there is dripping/leaking in all phases. Additionally there are spurts of urine when excited or during orgasm. No amount of going to the bathroom helps.

I never heard of leg raising exercise, helping with bladder control, only kegels. Where did you hear about leg raising exercise for this issue?

Here's my experience with penile rehab:

1. No response to ED meds

2. Started penile injections-they stopped working after 3 months

3. Viagra-Migraine headache so painful I'd give up sex before I'd go through that pain again

4. Cialis-Didn't work-and back pain so severe it became difficult to walk without a cane

5. Livitra-Sometimes works sometimes doesn't.

Sex is more than the quality of erections, but not knowing if I'll get hard, or how much urine I'll leak truly interferes with my ability to associate pleasure with making love.

A few months back I had a few night time erections and I thought this was the beginning of my nerve bundles beginning to heal. But like my response to ED meds, this wasn't consistent. I haven't had a night time erection in months. I never thought 15 months after nerve sparing surgery my sexuality would be impacted so severely. It could be all these issues have effected my desire for sex, or that could be s separate issue on it's own. As I've googled the topic many men have reduced libido after surgery, but it's not clear whether that's because of men wanting to avoid sex because of erectile difficulties, or some other issue is also at play.

Rick

Post edited by: RickRed40, at: 06/23/2012 09:00 AM

I find it amazing the things we didn't know about our body and sexuality. Without an erection you can have an orgasm

Rick ...... and without a prostate and ancillary organs there is no ejaculate! I didn't know about the orgasm possibility tell me more?

I have a consultation with my Uro on Friday to discuss the penile rehab. and injections!

Post edited by: Bumbleboo, at: 06/25/2012 10:46 AM

I"m not sure what else there is to say. After prostate surgery you have dry orgasms unless you end up leaking urine like I do.

Penile injections are the way to go. There is a choice between bi-mix and tri-mix. I found bi-mix much easier to tolerate, some men find it the other way and find tri-mix easier.

I also discovered I found it difficult to get the needle in all the way so I preferred to use an auto injector. Here again some men find the injector much more painful, I found using it almost pain free. So you have to find what's good for you.

Feel free to ask more questions as they come up.

Rick

Yes, Bumbleboo, there is no ejaculate after prostate surgery. My wife actually prefers this to the old scenario; much less messy. Some guys swear the sensation isn't the same, but I have not found that to be true.