1. Community
  2. Cancer
  3. Prostate Cancer

One month after prostate surgery good news and bad news

Posted , 16 users are following.

mark_fastco
mark_fastco

I am 56 years old and I just had a prostatectomy nerve sparing hopefully. Incontinence looks like it won't be an issue at all now thank God. However down below there is absolutely no reaction and I fear no hope and that scares me to death. It is deader than dead and shorter I might add , all of this I had knowledge of beforehand as a possibility but of course I was hoping that it would not happen to me. My question to anybody out there in this forum would be ... is there anyone with similar experience as me and similar age with some sort of timetable of successfully regaining sexual function. I need something to hold onto. I need hope

0 likes, 109 replies

109 Replies

Next
  • Tybeeman
    Tybeeman mark_fastco

    Posted

    Mark I am 57 and had my prostatectomy in February so I am about 7 months ahead of you. As soon as they give you the go for sex I would get on injections. You may find that your orgasms are more instanced then before which is a good thing. I would also start a pump therapy as soon as they give you the OK. Using the pump every day for the last 7 months and now injections I think I have got my size back close to where it was. There is a great support group on cancer forums under prostate cancer of course. Ask me any question s you have I wish I would have had someone 7 months ago.
    • mark_fastco
      mark_fastco Tybeeman

      Posted

      Thank you that helps a lot. So you are having regular sex with outside help?
    • Tybeeman
      Tybeeman mark_fastco

      Posted

      NO but I can have an orgasm with help. I am having pain problems with the injections so they are playing with the mix but it has been getting pretty hard and have had sex with it a couple time but really not hard as I want. I think unless you are a few 15% sex without help is out the question for at less a year to 18 months. I hope you have a supporting wife or girlfriend. But if you don’t just masturbate as much as you can. There are a few cheap toys out there that can help you.
  • geoff90305
    geoff90305 mark_fastco

    Posted

    Hi Mark,

    Well so far so good. PCa, Tick(we hope), Incontinence, Tick. Now from what I see here on this forum and others, the last item on our wish lists is sexual function return. It seems to return often much later on, 3-6-12 months. Maybe with a bit of viagra etc to get things working, then hopefully, solo.

    Geoff

    • MK51151
      MK51151 geoff90305

      Posted

      Geoff,

      could you please elaborate with your experience on  incontinece and how bad it was? Did you do kegel excercise before surgery? How long ago did you have your prostate removed? What was your recovery experience?

      I am 51 and scheduled for surgery on 11/2.

      Thank you,

      MK

    • geoff90305
      geoff90305 MK51151

      Posted

      Hi MK, I am one of the lucky ones...so far. My only issue is a rising PSA, 2.4 avg to 13 at last test. But, other than the PSA test, I am symptom free, and everything like it was when I was 18. My MRI says nothing to report other than age related BPH. Seeing my urologist this week to see if we can resolve the high PSA.

      Geoff

    • mark_fastco
      mark_fastco MK51151

      Posted

      I started pelvic floor exercises a month before surgery. My surgery was on August 30th my catheter was taken out September 7th I wore a few pads for a couple of weeks and now I wear no pads and incontinence is not an issue. I am very happy with that
    • et0hman
      et0hman geoff90305

      Posted

      Prostate infection and prostatitis (inflamed prostate) can trigger PSA numbers going up.  That is what I thought about my numbers.  My MRI showed a tumor (which you got an all clear signal).  You may need to have a semen culture to see if you have an active infection.
    • geoff90305
      geoff90305 et0hman

      Posted

      One week into my 6 week session on cipro, and if no reduction in PSA, then we may need to be a tad more aggressive and work out the best way of seeing what is wrong with the prostate. Urologist has stated a biopsy is the next course of action. I may need some convincing of this.

      Geoff

  • andrew68876
    andrew68876 mark_fastco

    Posted

    Hay mark, I just had mine done on 8-16 2016 and I am experience the same promblem. Hope I get the feeling back soon, I'm hoping that the feeling will come back soon because I'm only 47. Can some one shed some light on this issue for Mark and I??? Please!!

  • ES28567
    ES28567 mark_fastco

    Posted

    Mark,

    Listen to Tybeeman. He has gone through this and is an excellent resource for you. The sooner you can get stimulation to that area (with doctors approval) the better the results tend to be. Do the injections and if you can't (psychologically or physically) do them to yourself, have someone (trained) do them for you. Do the pills as soon as you are given the ok by the doctor. The pump is a great suggestion. Studies show the sooner you are proactive, the better the results tend to be.

    • mark_fastco
      mark_fastco ES28567

      Posted

      Thank you that sounds encouraging thank you for your reply
  • alfred5
    alfred5 mark_fastco

    Posted

    Hello. I am the partner of someone with prostate cancer. He went for brachytherapy not prostate removal. But having read up quite a bit on prostate cancer, I like the uk prostate cancer community forum.

    There are many stories on there of men that have gone down the removal route. Many go on to having things return to normal in that department, but it takes time, a year or so. Others never regain the use. The younger you are it seems the better.

    From what I have read it is hard work, including using a pump several times a day. Not for sex, but to get the blood flow into it, for rehabilitation. Also medication, like cialis to help with the flow down there.

    Wishing you all the best and I hope you are successful.

  • MK51151
    MK51151 mark_fastco

    Posted

    To Mark and All,

    So far I did not have my prostatectomy but I am scheduled for surgery on November 2nd. Diagnosed with prostate Ca in August Gleason 7 (4+3). My question for all of you is: Did you guys regretted having surgery? I am terrified of surgical side effects as be incontinent and impotent for the rest of my life. Even being scheduled for surgery I am still fighting with my self thinking that I already made wrong decision.

    I do not know what to do, proceeding with surgery or back up and do nothing while enjoying meaningful life.

    I appreciate any response and please tell about your good and not so good experience about regaining continence and your sexual life back.

    i don't mind hearing bad experience also.

    God bless you all,

    MK

    • andrew68876
      andrew68876 MK51151

      Posted

      Mk, I don't regret any thing. My Gleason was a 9, and I had my prostate taken out on the 16th of last month the only thing I'm worried about is down below that I'm able to perform again, hopefully soon...

    • MK51151
      MK51151 andrew68876

      Posted

      Andrew,

      what was your experience with urinary incontinence? How long it took you to regain it? I can't believe you have full urinary control after just 45 days.

      if that is right than you are the luckiest person in the world.

      i am only 51 and all this worry me to death.

      Thanks for your response.

      MK

    • andrew68876
      andrew68876 MK51151

      Posted

      Mk, it's only been 2 1/2 week since my operation . I don't have full urination control but it's getting much better...the healing process is going very well. my only concern is being able to perform in the near future... there is no activity down there....

    • ES28567
      ES28567 MK51151

      Posted

      Is your cancer isolated to the prostate and only in one or two areas?
    • Tybeeman
      Tybeeman MK51151

      Posted

      MK Who is doing your surgery? There are some great doctors out there that have done thousands of prostatectomies. I live in Georgia and had Doctor Patel do mine in Celebration Florida. I was only there a week.

      Do you research there is a lot of therapy you will need to do before and after surgery. In most cases if the cancer is contained to the prostrate the continence will not be an issue. Now the sex part is a different situation. I had my surgery 7 months ago and have no feeling down there. But as I have said my orgasms are a lot more instanced than before. I started injections that I have not been able to get right mix but working on it. I am 57 and I figure worst case I will get an implant.

      At 51 why would you take the chance of leaving that cancer in you. If you go with the chemical treatment you will never have the removal option. You are doing the right thing.

    • MK51151
      MK51151 Tybeeman

      Posted

      Tibeeman,

      my surgery will be with the doc who only performed about 300 robot assisted prostatectomy and that number includes his cases as a resident. He is very young and I doubt he has much of experience. I can not go out of my insurance group of providers and facilities. Very limited number of docs that are employed directly by the group. I have no coverage outside of that group.

      to be honest, I don't know if I am risking more with surgery or with doing nothing?

      i

      I do not see light at the end of my tunnel.

    • Tybeeman
      Tybeeman MK51151

      Posted

      Relax you will be fine. Just make sure your doctor gives you everything you need for recovery
    • MK51151
      MK51151 Tybeeman

      Posted

      Thank you for your kind response.

      Could you please shed some lights on your recovery and how log it took you to regain continence? I would like to hear first hand experience not sugar coated answers from doctors. Doctors especially surgeons will never tell the truth to any question without sugar coated answers. Side effects per doctors are always very minimal and their percentage don't make sense.

      MK

    • mark_fastco
      mark_fastco MK51151

      Posted

      I know you didn't ask me but I had my surgery on August 30th took the catheter out on the 7th . At that time I bought a crapload of incontinence supplies not having any idea what to expect and expecting the worst. I wore pads for a couple of weeks and slowly stop wearing them and now I have gone 5 days without wearing any pad whatsoever. I started pelvic floor exercises a month before my surgery and continued them and I will always continue them. This I believe help a lot. And I, like you was terrified before of basically urinating uncontrollably forever. I am happy with my recovery of my incontinence

    • andrew68876
      andrew68876 mark_fastco

      Posted

      Mark, I'm having similar experience with my recovery but are u having any stimulation in that department yet??

    • mark_fastco
      mark_fastco andrew68876

      Posted

      I have tried what I can and there is absolutely nothing and that is depressing. But it is only been a month and I hear it is normal to take many months . I have a follow-up appointment with my doctor soon and plan on having a plan of attack with whatever it takes injections pills vacuum pumps whatever will help in my recovery
    • mark_fastco
      mark_fastco MK51151

      Posted

      You need to get all the information that you can so you can make an informed decision. I was worried about having incontinence the rest of my life and I had surgery like I said just a month ago and incontinence is not an issue at all. I did have to go a couple of weeks wearing pads. The loss of sexual function is scary and hopefully signs of recovery will be soon. I did not like the slightest possibility of the cancer spreading and I am happy to be alive. And I am happy with my decision to die of something else besides prostate cancer
    • andrew68876
      andrew68876 mark_fastco

      Posted

      Question for anyone. I am 3 week out of surgery, and I'm feeling much better down there but of course the is no stimulation going on. Is it to early to try the pill yet??? Just curious...

    • Tybeeman
      Tybeeman MK51151

      Posted

      MK don’t worry about the continence. I went for my 3-month checkup and they asked me why i was wearing a very small pad. Took it out and have not put one in there since. I will tell you if you enjoy a little wine or beer you will get a little leakage so it is nice to keep those small pads around
    • ES28567
      ES28567 MK51151

      Posted

      Hi MK,

      I talked to the doctor who performed my HIFU procedure and based on your age, Gleason score, and cancer in only one area, he said you would most likely be an excellent candidate for the procedure.

      I don't know your financial situation. Some insurance companies are starting to cover a portion of HIFU but in general insurance does not cover the procedure. The cost is about $25,000. I got a loan to help pay the balance and now I have a 2nd job to help pay it off. The main factor when I was deciding what action to take was the fact that any decision would impact the rest of my life (and quality of life) so it was totally worth it for me. But every man must decide for himself which option is best for them.

      Because it looks like you would qualify for the HIFU procedure, If you would like, you can talk to my doctor (at no cost). He will even review your medical records (at no cost) and talk with you and answer all your questions. (My doctor and I had several phone conversations before my procedure as I came up with additional questions). We agreed on an action plan and I now, 6 weeks post procedure, I feel like I have a new lease on life.

      If you are at all interested (even if it's just to learn more without any commitment) I will private message you his personal cellphone number.

      If you are not interested, that's completely fine with me. (This is not a contest to convince men to do any particular procedure). I only offered to share this information with you because I have had such an amazing and positive outcome (and more importantly) because you expressed some doubts that surgery may not be the right option for you.

      Regardless of the final decision you make, whether it's HIFU, FLA, prostatectomy, active surveillance, radiation...the absolute best advice I can give you is to thoroughly research all the good and bad side effects associated with each option and pick the best skilled doctor for that procedures. Then and only then will you be able to take some comfort in your decision.

Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.