THERE WAS NO RESPONSE TO AN UPDATE REMINDER IN 2019 SO THERE IS NO UPDATE.
My brother was diagnosed at 53 and my other brother at 57. Both had their prostate glands removed with success. I suffered from depression for several years and my doctor was not diligent and I was not able to be my own advocate. I later learned I was in the top risk category.
I went to a urologist for a different matter and they sent me straight away for a biopsy. After the report on the biopsy I was scheduled for surgery five weeks later. The MRI was clear and the bone scan as well. The doctors predicted only doom and gloom. Because of the high grade of cancer, they chose to remove the lymph glands and the nerve bundle on the most infected side.
I am still at home recovering from surgery and I have just received the results over the phone and I was informed that there was no spread out of the prostate. I will need to go in for follow-up PSA levels regularly. I am told I could have ED.
I would like to share my story to give hope to others who have also had a very bad diagnosis. [Although Mark's view is understandable, his diagnosis cannot really be regarded as a 'very bad' one in the absence of any other poor diagnostic features]
It has been just over one year since my operation. My PSA levels have remained at 0.
The doctor left me with one nerve bundle, although the one he took was healthy. After surgery, I was placed on a low dosage of Viagra daily. [See Use It Or Lose It for some views on this approach.] The idea was to stimulate blood flow in the zone. It raised my blood pressure and it was either treat the blood pressure or stop the Viagra. I still suffer with ED and Viagra does nothing for me. I am pleased to know there are other ways to be intimate. However, I have not dealt with the whole issue as well as I could have.
I still suffer from depression and I gained 40 lbs. and I drink too much.
I am still happy to be alive.
My apologies for not updating my case earlier. I had a radical prostatectomy 2 years ago. The surgeon removed the lymph glands and one nerve bundle, all which proved to be clear. Murphy's Law. I take 20mg of Cialis a week and there is no consistency with arousal. I have had maybe 10 erections in 2 years and only 4 when needed. Recently I am having them while asleep and in an erotic dream. I hope this is a sign of a re-emerging libido. It reassures me that I can function, but need all the factors working. I have considered hypnosis or changing the dosage of medication.
I had surgery about 3 years ago. Lymph glands were removed and one nerve bundle. I suffered total ED for at least 2 years. I went between 20mg cialis weekly and 5mg daily. After 2 years I regained very limited erections, but now can become aroused about once every 2 or 3 months (6/7 on a scale of 10). The conditions must be right, especially the arousal process, and not thinking I have to produce then and there. I often will have a throb behind the head when I have not had an erection in some time. Also, the climaxes seem to have more of a burning sensation than pleasure. Knowing I can perform occasionally seems to be more important than the act itself.
Four years on and my PSA remains good <.001 . I can now have sex on most occasions. There is a way forward.
Levels are all ok. Cialis works marginally well.
I had my prostate removed surgically as advised by my doctor 7 years ago. I still leak a bit though mostly not, except if I drink alcohol. Then I lose a lot of control. I take Cialis regularly, which claims to aid in bladder control, as well. I believe it. About the ED, for maybe 3/4 years nothing. Since this is a site for total honesty, I was seduced by a younger woman and now I know I can perform, if I ever get a girlfriend. The size is about half, but I believe that would improve with exercise.
67 years old now and single, so sex is not an important issue. However, given the right situation, still possible.
Mark's e-mail address is: mark.alexander AT live.co.uk (replace "AT" with "@")
NOTE: Mark has not updated his story for more than 15 months, so you may not receive any response from him.