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Okay, this is my first time on the Board.  I had PC and had a nerve sparing radical prostatectomy in Aug 06.  Am still having what I think are many side effects. ie.  minimal erections, 'major shrinkage', if you know what I mean! some leakage, no sex drive and pain in orgasm.  The medicines I know of like viagra, levitra and cialis do not seem to work and their side effects like major nasal congestion and headache only deflate any sexual appetite I try to muster up.   My urologist thinks I am depressed, duh, so am now on antidepressants and gaining weight and although my problems now seem minimal, never the less they are still there.  I do not know how to deal with them.  If any other survivors of this surgery would be so kind as to share some experience I would be  thankful. 

On 10/3/2007 seisman wrote:

Okay, this is my first time on the Board.  I had PC and had a nerve sparing radical prostatectomy in Aug 06.  Am still having what I think are many side effects. ie.  minimal erections, 'major shrinkage', if you know what I mean! some leakage, no sex drive and pain in orgasm.  The medicines I know of like viagra, levitra and cialis do not seem to work and their side effects like major nasal congestion and headache only deflate any sexual appetite I try to muster up.   My urologist thinks I am depressed, duh, so am now on antidepressants and gaining weight and although my problems now seem minimal, never the less they are still there.  I do not know how to deal with them.  If any other survivors of this surgery would be so kind as to share some experience I would be  thankful. 

 Hi, my hubby had surgery this year. I don't have the info or support you need, but I know the perfect website that can give you some help. Go to http://www.yananow.net/ 

It is a wonderful website that will give you many answers and the guys are more than willing to correspond with you! Best wishes. 

I did not have surgery but I continue after 4 months to experience E.D.   I had HIFU with TURP.  I spoke a few weeks ago with a urologist who principal treatment procedure is surgery but whose training included some limited experience with HIFU in Germany .  He recommends Cialis after treatment, taken every other day and preferably just before bed.  I tried it now for a brief period and cannot say it has been much help to date.  I, too, have a headache and when I ask my internist/cardiac specialist about continuing it, he said to take Tylenol for the headache.  This is based on his knowledge of my specific physical condition so I shall continue and take the pain reliever when I feel too uncomfortable.  I have had two semi erections sufficient for penetration but nothing to write home about.

On 10/3/2007 seisman wrote:

Okay, this is my first time on the Board.  I had PC and had a nerve sparing radical prostatectomy in Aug 06.  Am still having what I think are many side effects. ie.  minimal erections, 'major shrinkage', if you know what I mean! some leakage, no sex drive and pain in orgasm.  The medicines I know of like viagra, levitra and cialis do not seem to work and their side effects like major nasal congestion and headache only deflate any sexual appetite I try to muster up.   My urologist thinks I am depressed, duh, so am now on antidepressants and gaining weight and although my problems now seem minimal, never the less they are still there.  I do not know how to deal with them.  If any other survivors of this surgery would be so kind as to share some experience I would be  thankful. 

Yup, I know exactly what you mean.  I'm in very similar circumstances.

I would never expect a urologist to diagnose and treat my emotional state, and I think he's done you a disservice. In my understanding, antidepressants are for helping you to deal with a mildly abnormal combination of brain chemicals. But it seems to me you are completely normal -- for 15 months, you've been going without something that's rather fundamental to your identity, and you're deeply unhappy about it. I see no malfunction of brain biochemistry; I see a perfectly normal trajectory of frustration and mourning.

First off, I'd strongly advise you to see a counselor and/or a psychiatrist, and urge you to consider the idea that you should get a second opinion (or at least think twice) before taking psychiatric drugs prescribed by a nonpsychiatrist.

Secondly, it's long past time for you to try out a VED (vacuum erection device) and/or the injectable medications like Caverject, bi-mix, and tri-mix. Since your urologist hasn't thought to suggest these things himself, fire him and find someone who specializes in ED. Here's one place to start:

  http://www.prostatepointers.org/pcai/ed.html