(Almost) 2 years on

Surgery 7/72005.

Latest PSA "undetectable, <0.02".

Incontinence still very good, but the odd drip may escape (once or
twice a month), mostly when I snuggle up to my wife without
consciously cinching up that sphincter and my subconscious thinks it
needs to let prostate secretions/lube start flowing, or if I try to
push some gas out when hunched over. IOW, I could be 100% drop-free if
I paid more attention, but the problem is so inconsequential, I don't
pay that much attention. I can run, jump, lift heavy objects, etc.
with no problems and I never have an issue in any normal social
context. The worst drippage I have ever experienced just made a tint
damp spot on my underwear.

ED really hasn't improved much since a few months after the operation.
Right now, I am using injections to overcome that. Fortunately a very
low does (0.2mL) of straight "Prostaglandin E1" (according to the
prescription) administered via a tiny 31Gx5/16"diabetic syringe with
the right technique* (all important for consistent results) gets the
job done more than adequately. Cost per dose is <2$ all-in. It's an
effort of will to stick a syringe into that part of myself, but the
rewards are worth it!

Compared to the vacuum pump and the cock ring (which I have also
used), the shots give a real erection that goes all the way down to
the root, more sensitivity, and less discomfort during orgasm. That
said, all approaches worked adequately.

* The right technique for me is to be as limp as possible beforehand
and use a cock ring as a mild tourniquet immediately after injection.
This minimises the amount I have to inject and gives the most
consistent results. If I am semi-engorged when I inject, the greater
blood flow seems to carry a percentage of the shot away, so I either
don't get a good erection or I have to use a higher dose, and that
gets unpredictable. Given I really don't enjoy either a floppy failure
or a 3+ hour hard-on, unpredictable is not what I want. Injection
location also seems to make a difference - the top 1/3 seems to be the
best area; I spread the wear out both sides and the needles are so
tiny that I don't think it matters that I am not spreading the hits
over a wider area.

Needle-related amusement: after years of denial ("allergies are
something other people have") I have been diagnosed with very severe
allergies to various grass & tree pollens plus dust mites. I am now
getting immunotherapy shots twice a week. Since it's a bore to have to
go down the hill to the allergist's office for those, I asked about
self-administration. The response was that yes, that is an option, but
was I sure I would I be able to inject myself (tiny needle just
subcutaneous anywhere I can find a fold of skin without many nerve
endings). I averred that I thought I could probably be very brave and
cope with doing that. :-)

--
Peter Headland

On 30 May 2007 11:04:04 -0700, Peter Headland <PHeadland@excite.com>
wrote:

>Surgery 7/72005.
>
>Latest PSA "undetectable, <0.02".

Congratulations! We all hope it stays there!

>ED really hasn't improved much since a few months after the operation.
>Right now, I am using injections to overcome that. Fortunately a very
>low does (0.2mL) of straight "Prostaglandin E1" (according to the
>prescription) administered via a tiny 31Gx5/16"diabetic syringe with
>the right technique* (all important for consistent results) gets the
>job done more than adequately. Cost per dose is <2$ all-in. It's an
>effort of will to stick a syringe into that part of myself, but the
>rewards are worth it!

Exactly like you, I also use 0.2ml to get a very usable erection.

I freeze the remainder (not advised by the manufacturer) for future
applications. I tend to get 4 shots out of one vial.


>Compared to the vacuum pump and the cock ring (which I have also
>used), the shots give a real erection that goes all the way down to
>the root, more sensitivity, and less discomfort during orgasm. That
>said, all approaches worked adequately.
>
>* The right technique for me is to be as limp as possible beforehand
>and use a cock ring as a mild tourniquet immediately after injection.
>This minimises the amount I have to inject and gives the most
>consistent results. If I am semi-engorged when I inject, the greater
>blood flow seems to carry a percentage of the shot away, so I either
>don't get a good erection or I have to use a higher dose, and that
>gets unpredictable. Given I really don't enjoy either a floppy failure
>or a 3+ hour hard-on, unpredictable is not what I want. Injection
>location also seems to make a difference - the top 1/3 seems to be the
>best area; I spread the wear out both sides and the needles are so
>tiny that I don't think it matters that I am not spreading the hits
>over a wider area.

You use the top 1/3 location for injection - this is the 1/3 closer
to the body, right?

I try to use both sides but find it particularly difficult to inject
one of the sides (some people use auto-injectors because of this).

In order to try avoiding scarring, which can lead to Peyronie's
disease, I press hard the injection location for some 5 minutes
(internal bleeding can contribute to scarring).

Just

"Peter Headland" <PHeadland@excite.com> wrote in message
news:1180548244.534027.29180@i13g2000prf.googlegro ups.com...
> Surgery 7/72005.
>
> Latest PSA "undetectable, <0.02".
>

Good to hear from you, Peter. And great to hear your PSA. I think of you
often... about every time I hear some talking head confuse "illegal alien"
with "immigrant".

Keep up the fight!


--
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 PSAD 0.19 years
EBRT 05-07/2002 @ 47
PSA .34 .22 .15 .21 .32 PSAD .056 years
Lupron 07/03 (1 mo) 8/03 and every 4 months there after
PSA .07 .05 .06 .09 .08 .132 .145 PSAD 1.4 years
Casodex added daily 07/06
PSA <0.04, <0.05
Non Illegitimi Carborundum

Hello Peter,
It is good to hear your story and related success and improvements.
Glad to see the PSA's where they should be also.
I admit a small minor drip every once in a long while....also
Nothing to be alarmed about.
Also Dr. Brooks gave me Prostaglandin for some time and I did use that for a
period of time.
I would suggest using viagra now and then to see if it works.......
It worked for me after about 2 years......Really well.
Use it in the morning on an empty stomach. Dissolve a pill, or parts of
one........100mgs too much.
50mgs strong. I use about 1/3 of 100mgs.....It started working for me
after 2 years.....
The pill itself when dissolved under the tongue acts quick and in 15 minutes
or so and can last for about 2 to 4 hours.
If you do get a partial erection this will help in that area to increase
it.....
I am glad to hear you are doing great, and realize the desire to get back to
normal in the ED dept....
Keep trying and do try Viagra........At first I got a terrible headache, and
think that it was from too much.
then I tried smaller amounts and was very happy with the results.
John Loomis.
Dr. James D Brooks (RP 1999)

"Peter Headland" <PHeadland@excite.com> wrote in message
news:1180548244.534027.29180@i13g2000prf.googlegro ups.com...
> Surgery 7/72005.
>
> Latest PSA "undetectable, <0.02".
>
> Incontinence still very good, but the odd drip may escape (once or
> twice a month), mostly when I snuggle up to my wife without
> consciously cinching up that sphincter and my subconscious thinks it
> needs to let prostate secretions/lube start flowing, or if I try to
> push some gas out when hunched over. IOW, I could be 100% drop-free if
> I paid more attention, but the problem is so inconsequential, I don't
> pay that much attention. I can run, jump, lift heavy objects, etc.
> with no problems and I never have an issue in any normal social
> context. The worst drippage I have ever experienced just made a tint
> damp spot on my underwear.
>
> ED really hasn't improved much since a few months after the operation.
> Right now, I am using injections to overcome that. Fortunately a very
> low does (0.2mL) of straight "Prostaglandin E1" (according to the
> prescription) administered via a tiny 31Gx5/16"diabetic syringe with
> the right technique* (all important for consistent results) gets the
> job done more than adequately. Cost per dose is <2$ all-in. It's an
> effort of will to stick a syringe into that part of myself, but the
> rewards are worth it!
>
> Compared to the vacuum pump and the cock ring (which I have also
> used), the shots give a real erection that goes all the way down to
> the root, more sensitivity, and less discomfort during orgasm. That
> said, all approaches worked adequately.
>
> * The right technique for me is to be as limp as possible beforehand
> and use a cock ring as a mild tourniquet immediately after injection.
> This minimises the amount I have to inject and gives the most
> consistent results. If I am semi-engorged when I inject, the greater
> blood flow seems to carry a percentage of the shot away, so I either
> don't get a good erection or I have to use a higher dose, and that
> gets unpredictable. Given I really don't enjoy either a floppy failure
> or a 3+ hour hard-on, unpredictable is not what I want. Injection
> location also seems to make a difference - the top 1/3 seems to be the
> best area; I spread the wear out both sides and the needles are so
> tiny that I don't think it matters that I am not spreading the hits
> over a wider area.
>
> Needle-related amusement: after years of denial ("allergies are
> something other people have") I have been diagnosed with very severe
> allergies to various grass & tree pollens plus dust mites. I am now
> getting immunotherapy shots twice a week. Since it's a bore to have to
> go down the hill to the allergist's office for those, I asked about
> self-administration. The response was that yes, that is an option, but
> was I sure I would I be able to inject myself (tiny needle just
> subcutaneous anywhere I can find a fold of skin without many nerve
> endings). I averred that I thought I could probably be very brave and
> cope with doing that. :-)
>
> --
> Peter Headland
>

Hello, Peter:

That's very good news about the low PSA. I hope i'm a lucky two years
from now, and I hope you have many more years of low PSAs.

I'm still not ready to think about injections yet for my ED -- the
idea of injecting myself in th epenis gives me the willies! Any
suggestions about how to overcome that?

All the best,

charlie

On Wed, 30 May 2007 19:49:05 +0100, Just <here@there.com> wrote:

>On 30 May 2007 11:04:04 -0700, Peter Headland <PHeadland@excite.com>
>wrote:
>
>>Surgery 7/72005.
>>
>>Latest PSA "undetectable, <0.02".
>
>Congratulations! We all hope it stays there!
>
>>ED really hasn't improved much since a few months after the operation.
>>Right now, I am using injections to overcome that. Fortunately a very
>>low does (0.2mL) of straight "Prostaglandin E1" (according to the
>>prescription) administered via a tiny 31Gx5/16"diabetic syringe with
>>the right technique* (all important for consistent results) gets the
>>job done more than adequately. Cost per dose is <2$ all-in. It's an
>>effort of will to stick a syringe into that part of myself, but the
>>rewards are worth it!
>
>Exactly like you, I also use 0.2ml to get a very usable erection.
>
>I freeze the remainder (not advised by the manufacturer) for future
>applications. I tend to get 4 shots out of one vial.
>
>
>>Compared to the vacuum pump and the cock ring (which I have also
>>used), the shots give a real erection that goes all the way down to
>>the root, more sensitivity, and less discomfort during orgasm. That
>>said, all approaches worked adequately.
>>
>>* The right technique for me is to be as limp as possible beforehand
>>and use a cock ring as a mild tourniquet immediately after injection.
>>This minimises the amount I have to inject and gives the most
>>consistent results. If I am semi-engorged when I inject, the greater
>>blood flow seems to carry a percentage of the shot away, so I either
>>don't get a good erection or I have to use a higher dose, and that
>>gets unpredictable. Given I really don't enjoy either a floppy failure
>>or a 3+ hour hard-on, unpredictable is not what I want. Injection
>>location also seems to make a difference - the top 1/3 seems to be the
>>best area; I spread the wear out both sides and the needles are so
>>tiny that I don't think it matters that I am not spreading the hits
>>over a wider area.
>
>You use the top 1/3 location for injection - this is the 1/3 closer
>to the body, right?
>
>I try to use both sides but find it particularly difficult to inject
>one of the sides (some people use auto-injectors because of this).
>
>In order to try avoiding scarring, which can lead to Peyronie's
>disease, I press hard the injection location for some 5 minutes
>(internal bleeding can contribute to scarring).
>
>Just

May I add that I have a "little problem" regarding injections:
I get a strong erection that lasts frequently over one hour with just
0.2ml.

If I stay lying down afterwards, the erection tends to last
significantly longer (but it varies each time). On the other hand, if
I walk around afterwards, the erection goes away more easily.

Because of this, and to avoid going to sleep with an erection (could
not control the risk of priapism) I switched to having sex in the
morning. But I really do not appreciate this. For me, sex is sooo much
nicer at night...

I would love to have a solution for this quandary...

Just

On Fri, 01 Jun 2007 02:46:20 -0000, chasjac <chjacobson@elmira.edu>
wrote:

>Hello, Peter:
>
>That's very good news about the low PSA. I hope i'm a lucky two years
>from now, and I hope you have many more years of low PSAs.
>
>I'm still not ready to think about injections yet for my ED -- the
>idea of injecting myself in th epenis gives me the willies! Any
>suggestions about how to overcome that?
>
>All the best,
>
>charlie


Hi Charlie!

Injecting your penis is +/- as injecting an orange you have in front
of you: you do not feel a thing! And if / when you feel something, it
is a mild, brief pain.

I urge you to try it. Injections are by far the best approach if V
does not work properly.

Initially I had the same concerns as you have now. I regret now the
time I lived without "proper" sex when there was a good solution at
hand...

Just

Just wrote:

> Because of this, and to avoid going to sleep with an erection (could
> not control the risk of priapism) I switched to having sex in the
> morning. But I really do not appreciate this. For me, sex is sooo much
> nicer at night...

I would bet (could lose that bet) that those who initiate love making in
the morning after waking rested and refreshed enjoy it more that those who
initiate physical contact at night when they're tired and grouchy and
aching.

Charlie wrote and asked:

> I'm still not ready to think about injections yet for my ED -- the
> idea of injecting myself in the penis gives me the willies! Any
> suggestions about how to overcome that?

How about having your partner injecting you?

My wife has been injecting me (with another Rx for AS and RA) once a week
for 18 months. Nothing to it! This week she was finished and cleaning up
before I knew she had started. <g>

Long, long ago it was recommeded that the woman unroll and apply the
prophylactic as part of foreplay. Why not use the same reasoning for
injecting?

"california_chief" <Fire_Chief@Jamacha_Junction_FD.ca.us> wrote in message
newsT28i.173462$nh4.57929@newsfe20.lga...


> My wife has been injecting me (with another Rx for AS and RA) once a week
> for 18 months. Long, long ago it was recommeded that the woman unroll and
> apply the
> prophylactic as part of foreplay. Why not use the same reasoning for
> injecting?

I agree! Back when I had a libido and no erection, my wife refused to
inject me (among other things she's refused to do), but it would have been
so much better. For one reason, the first few times you try it, it is
really difficult to scrunch your face, squeeze your head and inject
simultaneously. If you have a belly, it's not all that easy to see what
you're doing. If your wife is handling your member, it is likely to present
her with a little more surface area to inject that when you're handling it
yourself.

Injections are not nearly the problem one might imagine, but it would be a
lot better with a participative wife.


--
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 PSAD 0.19 years
EBRT 05-07/2002 @ 47
PSA .34 .22 .15 .21 .32 PSAD .056 years
Lupron 07/03 (1 mo) 8/03 and every 4 months there after
PSA .07 .05 .06 .09 .08 .132 .145 PSAD 1.4 years
Casodex added daily 07/06
PSA <0.04, <0.05
Non Illegitimi Carborundum

i've enjoyed morning wood long before the surgery.
it's still a good thing.


"california_chief" <Fire_Chief@Jamacha_Junction_FD.ca.us> wrote in message
newsT28i.173461$nh4.171811@newsfe20.lga...
> Just wrote:
>
>> Because of this, and to avoid going to sleep with an erection (could
>> not control the risk of priapism) I switched to having sex in the
>> morning. But I really do not appreciate this. For me, sex is sooo much
>> nicer at night...
>
> I would bet (could lose that bet) that those who initiate love making in
> the morning after waking rested and refreshed enjoy it more that those who
> initiate physical contact at night when they're tired and grouchy and
> aching.
>
>
>

Thanks to everyone. The wife is willing to help out -- a lot of our
current intimate fun comes from mutual experimentation.

Our last such R&D was yesterday morning, and resulted in something a
little bit above horizontal. (By that, I mean when I stood up, it was
not pointing straight out, but a little bit toward the ceiling.)
Since it has been not quite seven months, I thought that was pretty
good. It was Viagra-assisted. Not usable yet for intercourse, but
every time it's a little bit closer. So. maybe I'll have no need for
the injections at present.

I did talk it over with my uro some weeks back, who suggested waiting
on those types of ED treatments for the moment.

--charlie

I, too, don't have to use that much of my "trimix" solution to obtain a
usable erection (less than 2ml/1st notch). However, the injection process
can sometimes be rather painful for me - especially when I'm trying to use
it 2 days in a row). I'm using AccuSure U-100 30 gauge (5/16" long)
needles... and, I note that some of you have access to 31 gauge - which I
understand is thinner. What brand are you "user" (lol) guys using - and,
have any of you found a difference in pain between various brands/gauges???

Charlie, I had to apologize out here in this great NG for saying at year
one, "I'm not gonna stick a needle in my dick no matter how much I would
like and erection." Because when I was nearing two years w/o erections
(sex candies only gave me blue vision and headaches, and pumps made me feel
like a porno star) - I bit the bullet (literally) and went back to my Uro
for instructions... Best move I've made since RP. Sex will never be like
it was pre-RP - but, it's soooo much better with an erection.

Having pretty much filled up my first bio-hazard bottle with used needles
since December, I resurrected and modifying a relatively old crude joke used
on the opposite sex: "If I had as many needles on it as I've had in it - it
would look like a porcupine."

Good luck to all,

Paul

Age: 65
10/04: PSA = 10.4,12 needle biopsy - Gleason 7 (“in a few samples”), T1C
11/04: RP “looks like we got it” - sparing one and a half bundles of nerves
07/06: PSA = less than 0.1
1/07: Good bladder control - STILL no erections w/o “injections”

On Mon, 4 Jun 2007 14:57:46 GMT, pmoore11@columbus.rr.com wrote:

>I, too, don't have to use that much of my "trimix" solution to obtain a
>usable erection (less than 2ml/1st notch). However, the injection process
>can sometimes be rather painful for me - especially when I'm trying to use
>it 2 days in a row). I'm using AccuSure U-100 30 gauge (5/16" long)
>needles... and, I note that some of you have access to 31 gauge - which I
>understand is thinner. What brand are you "user" (lol) guys using - and,
>have any of you found a difference in pain between various brands/gauges???
>
>Charlie, I had to apologize out here in this great NG for saying at year
>one, "I'm not gonna stick a needle in my dick no matter how much I would
>like and erection." Because when I was nearing two years w/o erections
>(sex candies only gave me blue vision and headaches, and pumps made me feel
>like a porno star) - I bit the bullet (literally) and went back to my Uro
>for instructions... Best move I've made since RP. Sex will never be like
>it was pre-RP - but, it's soooo much better with an erection.


Hi Paul!

I use Caverject. They recommend using no more than three times a week
(with a minimum of 24 hours in between). I would suggest you follow
these instructions to minimize the risk of scarring.

I am using the following needles: BD Micro-Fine, U-100, 1 ml, 0,33mm
(29G) x 12,7 mm. I find it comfortable to use...

Some time ago I used 0,5ml, 0,30mm (30G) x 8mm. They are significantly
thinner than 29G (and even easier to apply) but I gave up on them
because I read somewhere that there was an increased risk of breaking
(and you don't want a needle to break inside your penis...).

Just

> some talking head confuse "illegal alien" with "immigrant".

Yeah - as a documented, tax-paying and totally legal immigrant, you
can imagine how happy it makes me when they do that...

--
Peter Headland

> I would suggest using viagra now and then to see if it works.......

Good suggestion - it has been quite a few months since I last tried
that; time to have another trial.

--
Peter Headland

> I freeze the remainder (not advised by the manufacturer) for future
> applications. I tend to get 4 shots out of one vial.

I got a 25ml pot (the kind with the rubber cap that they use for
vaccines). Kept in the fridge, at the rate I use it it should last a
year. ISTR it cost around $200 as a kit with wipes, needles, etc.

> You use the top 1/3 location for injection - this is the 1/3 closer
> to the body, right?

I was talking about after the shot has done its work, so I meant the
1/3 nearest the tip.

> In order to try avoiding scarring, which can lead to Peyronie's
> disease, I press hard the injection location for some 5 minutes
> (internal bleeding can contribute to scarring).

Good tip!

--
Peter Headland

> If I stay lying down afterwards, the erection tends to last
> significantly longer (but it varies each time). On the other hand, if
> I walk around afterwards, the erection goes away more easily.

Yep, that's what I found, too, and I recall John Loomis saying very
much the same thing. I have an exercise bike, about 10 minutes in the
saddle gently pedalling knocks it down fairly well.

--
Peter Headland

> What brand are you "user" (lol) guys using - and,
> have any of you found a difference in pain between various brands/gauges???

BD Ultrafine 31G x 5/16". The kit came with 30G x 1/2", but I wanted a
shorter needle. These are really just not an issue in terms of
discomfort.

--
Peter Headland

> Our last such R&D was yesterday morning, and resulted in something a
> little bit above horizontal. (By that, I mean when I stood up, it was
> not pointing straight out, but a little bit toward the ceiling.)

If you can get it that far and your partner will tolerate some
fumbling, try stuffing it in - you might be pleasantly surprised! If
you use one hand to squeeze around the base (make a ring with finger
and thumb) you can get some temporary extra stiffness while the other
hand does the stuffing. You may also find the Actis Venous Flow
Controller (http://www.vivus.com/main.taf?p=2,2 - about $20 mail-
order) will help.

I have been able to manage penetration unaided a few times in the past
year or so, but it's too uncertain to be really worthwhile - the
erection tended to go away halfway through.

--
Peter Headland

"Peter Headland" <PHeadland@excite.com> wrote in message
news:1181062866.785802.324890@z28g2000prd.googlegr oups.com...
>> some talking head confuse "illegal alien" with "immigrant".
>
> Yeah - as a documented, tax-paying and totally legal immigrant, you
> can imagine how happy it makes me when they do that...
>
> --
> Peter Headland


Someone ought to give them a card.

The following words and phrases due not exist:

Irregardless
Aint
Undocumented Immigrant
Illegal Immigrant
Honest Journalist (you can substitute Louisiana Politician for Journalist)

etc.

UNBELIEVABLE DIFFERENCE!!! Since the top of this thread I asked my trimix
pharmacist to get me some of those BD Ultra-Fine II (31 gauge) needles -
and, I'm so happy to report that they made a HUGE DIFFERENCE - virtually no
pain! As I was injecting (almost couldn't wait to get home (lol) last night
I kept waiting for the usual difcomfort, but until right at the end (got to
make sure I'm through that layer of tissue or it "won't take") there was no
pain. And, that pain was minimal....

What a difference one gauge made... Thanks, Just....

Paul

> I have been able to manage penetration unaided a few times in the past
> year or so, but it's too uncertain to be really worthwhile - the
> erection tended to go away halfway through.

Well, would you believe it - no sooner had I written those words...

Last night, we snuggled up (no injections, pills, rings, etc.
involved) and after a few minutes I thought "that feels awfully firm",
took a look, tried to bend it, and there it was - a real honest-to-
goodness very usable erection with no assistance of any kind required.
And, yes, it lasted plenty long enough, thank you...

Break out the champagne, boys!

--
Peter Headland

> I have been able to manage penetration unaided a few times in the past
> year or so, but it's too uncertain to be really worthwhile - the
> erection tended to go away halfway through.

Well, would you believe it - no sooner had I written those words...

Last night, we snuggled up (no injections, pills, rings, etc.
involved) and after a few minutes I thought "that feels awfully firm",
took a look, tried to bend it, and there it was - a real honest-to-
goodness very usable erection with no assistance of any kind required.
And, yes, it lasted plenty long enough, thank you...

Break out the champagne, boys!

--
Peter Headland

Well, there ya go!

It must be all the randy messages we've been writing here. Nothing like
clinical discussions of injections, rings, and other doodads to get a
person in the mood. :-)

Congratulations to you and yours.

--charlie

--
6/2006 PSA 5.2
DRE suspicious
7/2006 Biopsy
2 of 10 positive
Gleason 7(3+4)
11/2006 LRP
Clear margins
1/2007 PSA < 0.01
3/2007 PSA < 0.01
so far, so good