Curious if anyone has gotten these to work for actual sex? I bought the vacurect recently and it seems to work great for rehab but not sure how it would work for sex. Everything pumps up great but as soon as you handle "it" a bit, it loses the pump. Scared to try too small of a ring. Didn't see much guidance how to get the ring off. When I tried a smaller ring the skin bunched up trying to pull it off, made me panic a little. So, if anyone has good VED stories curious what brand. For what its worth i'm 56yrs old 7 weeks post ralp.

I’m new on this journey and I am looking for a recently released book that emphasizes both of these topics.

I’m looking for an unbiased book that can give me a good introduction to the subject and the pros and cons of different treatments.

I find the posts here very informative, but I think I need a structured book for an introduction.

Diagnosed in February. Gleason 9. Eligard and Zytiga, plan is two years of hormone suppression. Completed my 5 weeks of daily beam therapy, and had brachytherapy Thursday. Catheter removed yesterday.

I'm a happy go lucky guy in general, and I've kept up a good sense of humor so far, but I'm at an all time low.

The urgency is SO bad. I can barely make it to the bathroom without pissing myself, then it's like two ounces. Wait 15-30 minutes and repeat. I'm sporting Depends and was dismayed to find they don't do fun characters like Pull Ups do. I was hoping for Deadpool red and black or something. But that's not the big thing.

I had sex just before my brachytherapy. Not mind shattering or anything but definitely good sex with my wife. I'm bogged down by the feeling that the brachytherapy puts an end to that. Frankly, I'm scared.

So just tell me you've been there and it worked out. Tell me the urgency and incontinence eases and you have a somewhat regular sex life. I can accept it gets worse before it gets worse, as long as at some point it gets better.

Thanks.

Ok, diagnosed 4x4 Gleason 8 back in 2014, just turned 50. Opted for hormone/brachys with 25 radiation treatments. Skated surgery & radiation with the only issue being radiation fatigue. Psa was creeping up slowly so had a psma/pet scan a month or so after the FDA approved the procedure. The scan showed 2 spots...one in the prostate area & one in the left pelvic. They didn't show up on a regular CT scan....

Fast forward to the present... my team scheduled a psma/pet scan as a "check in" for Monday. My question, after my psa test yesterday, how likely am I to start treatment now that my psa is at 4.52?

For starters, it was the first time since my prostectomy three weeks ago that I got to lay with her. I was in heaven. I obviously did some things for her and she was excited and she was ready for penetration if I could do it.

I could not. Nothing. Not concerned because it’s only been three weeks, but it still sucks.

Sort of gave up and we decided that that’s all part of the process just to play and see what happens without any stress. We will keep playing. I am not sure at what interval but man it felt good to try and make out.

The thing that surprise me was pelvic pain 15 minutes later. It’s almost like I’ve got blue balls. I think my body wanted her so badly. I feel all these cramps. I also had taken 10 mg of generic Cialis as instructed every morning. (Got 90 days worth prescribed by my doctor to take that dose every morning). Some of the aches and pains are coming from testicles and some of them are coming from just my pelvis.

Just thought I’d share. Any experience comments are welcome.

Hi everyone! Hoping someone can share any thoughts/ experience similar to my dads- unable to pee 6 weeks after TURP.

Background he’s 63yo male. Always had BPH that caused difficulty but he could just about deal with medication.

PSA
2021 1.2 - 2022 1.6 - 2024 1.5 - 2025 2.1

In July symptoms got significantly worse and it stopped him from sleeping. He finally had TURP early September.

Recovery was harder than he expected, ended up with infection and on antibiotics.

Histology on the removed TURP tissue came back <5% Gleason 6 cells. He has MRI scheduled for November and biopsy in December.

He took it easy and started to feel more like himself this week and back to normal life, peeing well at last (about 6 weeks post op).

However on Thursday night he couldn’t pee AT ALL. Got sensation like he wanted to go but it nothing came out. He said was v uncomfortable.

He went to urology and 340ml in his bladder.

They decided to insert catheter to drain and failed twice because it was so tight like there was a blockage. They managed to get it in on third attempt but said it’s quite unusual for it to be that difficult to insert after TURP.

He has that in for a week and should have supervised catheter removal next week.

There was no like, investigation of what could have caused it - I Just wondered if anyone else has had this situation where there was sudden blockage this far into recovery after TURP?

What could be causing it? What should next steps be? He’d had some alcohol Thursday night but that seems unlikely to cause full on blockage??

My dad was diagnosed in 2020 with Gleason Score 4+4, Stage 4a, 30% involvement.It had spread to lymph nodes and PSA was 98 and later 380.

As it had spread to lymph nodes, doctor ruled out the surgery.

We started with Radiation -28 fractions while on Zolodex (ADT) every 12 weeks

Stabilized and PSA was negligible till about 2022.

We then added Apalatuamide for another year it stabilized

Then in late 2024 PSA was rising again. After investigation we found out it spread to Lungs into right hilar region.

We conducted SBRT and added another tablet Enzalutamide.

Then after a year or so in Feb we noticed recurrence. We started on chemo with Docetaxel 6 rounds but was ineffective.

We then started with Lutetium 177 PSMA one round. There was some side effects around lungs and he had breathing problems due to which the treatment has been discontinued. Doctors are treating pumonary problems as disease progression than simple pneumatic side effects of Lu177 or another infection.

Now doc has started him on Honvan (an outdated hormonal drug that seems to be upping Estrogen). I am not so sure of this line of treatment correct.

Should we start him on Chemo with Cabazitaxel? Any one here had better results with Caba after Docetaxel failed?

Tested negative for the common immunotherapy variants

Any other option (Actinium will have similar issues as Lu177), any clinical trials or hospitals i should look into? We are in India but have US Visa but is also kinda broke but can still afford to travel if say the trial itself is paid for or is cheap.

Title: 42M, PSA 3.2, Likert 3 MRI, PSA density 0.11 — biopsy or monitoring?

Hi everyone,

I’m 42 and recently had a prostate MRI following a mildly elevated PSA. I received my results today and am trying to decide whether to proceed with a biopsy or monitor my PSA.

My results:

Age: 42
PSA: 2.55 in March 2023, approximately 3.2 in July 2026 and 3.1–3.2 in September 2026
Prostate volume: 29cc
PSA density: 0.11
MRI: Likert 3/5 (equivocal)
Findings: Diffuse bilateral peripheral-zone changes, with inflammation suggested as a possible explanation
DRE: Normal on two occasions
Family history: None known
Other MRI findings: No reported extracapsular extension, suspicious lymph nodes or bone lesions
I’ve experienced occasional urinary hesitancy and some intermittent discomfort after ejaculation, which makes me wonder whether chronic prostatitis could be contributing.

The consultant has reviewed my case and considers either a biopsy or repeating my PSA in three months reasonable. I’ve been given until Wednesday to decide.

I’m particularly interested in hearing from anyone who had Likert 3 / PI-RADS 3 findings with a PSA density around 0.10–0.12, especially where the MRI suggested diffuse inflammation rather than a clearly defined lesion.

Did you choose biopsy or monitoring? What influenced your decision, and what happened subsequently?
I’m not looking for a diagnosis, just hoping to hear experiences from people who’ve been in a similar position.

Thanks!

Hey all, I’m 57 and I had a radical prostatectomy in November of 2021. Nothing has worked in terms of getting an erection except for Trimix and that was actually painful because I fear I have Peyronies. My wife has been very understanding and that part of our relationship has had to be cut back severely. Fast forward to May of this year and my PSA rose to a level where radiation was advised. I’ll be doing my final of thirty on 10/19. I’m not going to miss going to the hospital every weekday morning. 😆 I got the Lupron injection the day before I started treatment and those damn hot flashes started after about 3 weeks. Anyway my question is if anyone has had a similar history as I have is there any hope for “re-booting” the erections when I start to produce testosterone again. I’m guessing it’s a no as that’s what the Doctors have pretty much said. Thanks for taking your time to read this.

Hi, colegas, 28/28 VMAT, termine con sonda, anemia y neutropenia, ahora a recuperarse, fuerza y voluntad

Good news! I stink!
I had recently changed to soap a friend recommended. In the last couple weeks I noticed I had a bit of body odor, especially armpits. I swapped back to my old soap and it didn’t fix it. Well, I was thinking about it today and did a quick inquiry. I am at 7 months since getting my last 3 mo. ADT shot of my 2 year course. This is the proper window for my testosterone to start returning. A side effect of this is a sharp return of body odor that I hadn’t realized was absent these last ~24 months. Kinda icky, but exciting news to me. (Luckily, the smell is supposed to lessen out after some time)

Anyone looking at this for cancer removal? I know their doing studies on it. Just wondering if anyone has joind one of the studies. Thanks

Has anyone had a total hip replacement after radiation therapy (SRBT)? If so, how long after? Any issues? TIA

Had a trans perineal biopsy on Wednesday of this week. I felt great afterwards and through most of the day yesterday. I was a bit active late yesterday for about two hours before bed. Nothing crazy strenuous, just on my feet doing stuff. My urine has been bloody off and on since. Just wanted to check in for some relatable experiences. They let me know that I’d see some blood potentially. The first time it was bright red at the very end of the urination. Nothing when I woke up today, then my last visit there was some blood at the beginning. Thanks for the support.

I wrote an article for a prostate cancer support group a few years back. It discussed how those with prostate cancer remind me of the Apollo 13 mission in NASA history.

Just two weeks ago, I began working with a man who is a mechanical engineer who assisted with the Apollo 13 mission. He also had his prostate removed 18 years ago for cancer. This guy lost his wife to ovarian cancer one year ago and his urinary incontinence increased due to grief.

We are working together to help decrease his pad usage. Yet he is the person helping me as his pelvic floor PT. When he speaks of the details that occured during the Apollo 13 mission, I am taken back in time of when the space program was in its infancy. I marvel at what this man and so many have lived through in terms of history alone. I also am soothed by the fact that this man has not allowed cancer to take away the success he has enjoyed - even his wife's passing has not vanquished his spirit. This is an important lesson for all of us! Here is the article I wrote about guys with prostate cancer and how they remind me of the Apollo 13 mission: 5 Things I Have Learned About People with Prostate Cancer | ProstateCancer.net https://share.google/QV35fkeT49q8mFzlB

The roller coaster keeps rolling. I was shocked when my 6 PSA became Gleason 8, but relieved when my urologist said any spread was unlikely. More bad news. It’s spread to lymph nodes.
From the report
Prostate: Uptake in the posterior and left prostate, matching the biopsy-proven cancer. It's very avid (SUVmax 21.4), so PSMA PET is detecting this tumor despite its ductal features. That eases the earlier concern about ductal tumors being invisible.
• Two small pelvic lymph nodes read as nodal metastasis: a right perirectal node (0.4 cm, SUV 8.4) and a left external iliac node (0.6 cm, SUV 8.8).
I won’t see my urologist until Monday but looks like surgery is out and radiation and ADT are in. I’m in shock. At 71 years old I’m in the best shape of my life. In the last year I decided I needed to get in shape so I could enjoy my senior years. I’ve lost 35 pounds, work out regularly and eat healthy. On the bright side I know this will help with whatever treatment I need.
I’ve already have appointments scheduled with radiation oncologist.

Hi Fellas and good morning. This is a simple post about rewarding oneself and perhaps a little more positivity.

Diagnosed a little over a year ago with my Dr. telling me, “Welcome to the Club”, now go to Dr. Soandso at Advent Health and get it removed.

I canceled that surgery two weeks after an Angel told me to visit Moffitt.

5 months later I’m now 1 week post IRE.

When I told my Dr. Urologist I was going this route, and why didn’t he “suggest” other options, his reply was, “Is your insurance covering it?”. Then went on to tell me that Dr. Soandso at Advent is so good, he’s holding a Formal Dinner celebration in Miami to celebrate his #### procedure.

Who do you think is invited? Hint: Not the Patients.

Well, I’ve fired Dr. Urologist and cannot tell you how amazing Moffitt Cancer Center is.

To celebrate this milestone, and I’m a Watch Guy, here’s my reminder:

Omega Seamaster 300 Heritage Summer Blue

I couldn’t think of a better Colorway to always remember this time in my life: If you know, you know.

Bless all of us‼️

Had RALP 4 months ago and urologist has me on 5mg daily Cialis. Bilateral nerve sparing was performed. Gleason 7 with cribriform pattern unfavorable intermediate was the diagnosis. Pre surgery I had some mild Ed issues and would take cialis only before sex. Now it is very difficult for me to get hard and maintaining an erection is near impossible. Still getting used to the dry orgasm and not sure if I ever will. My doctor says just give it time but I feel like i had some immediate improvement then plateau at a place that is not where I would like. Have not experimented with any other ED/penile recovery methods. Anyone else in a similar age range who has dealt with or is dealing with ED post op?

Newly diagnosed and every damn thread on here has tons of acronyms which might be fun for you but really suck for anyone new. GAGABF (Give a guy a break, folks.)

EDIT: found this helpful https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/prostate-cancer-related-abbreviations-what-acronym-would-you-add/

Dr said nerves were spared and everything went well (vague, he reported to family, had 3 and I was first of the day) but I didn't see him. Follow up after removal of catheter (i catch the second weekend on day 10, fml).Just had a few questions from your experiences. For reference 44yo gleason 6, 5/12 cores high percentage and intermediate decipher. No spread.

About how long until you received post op pathology?

When do PSA tests come and what am I looking for? .01 or .001?

Did you have these symptoms and when did they subside?

Blood in urine.... Days/weeks?

Feel like I have to go #2 today but afraid to push in the slightest? Feel like im waiting for it to fall out. Have taken mirolax x2 thus far. Going as normal ok or slightest strain a no?

Had awful lower back pain yesterday and this morning. Has subsided. Was the only pain on dilodid. Sent me home day of with tylenol and ibuprofin. Now it's mostly gas or air pain that can suck, pain that travels to back and shoulders (stress?) and very little pain in lats (6 cuts).

Catheter is an annoyance, assuming it gets worse.

All in all not too bad day after.

TIA

Can someone post the proper name of the Squeeze App they recommended and maybe a picture of the icon? There seem to be so many...

I had a yearly routine PSA test and it went up from 2.4 to 3.7. I already had been diagnosed with an enlarged prostate.

Had to wait 3 months to get an appointment with a urologist. They had me do an isoPSA, Total PSA and Free PSA. DRE no lumps

IsoPSA 12.1 PSA 2.7 Cleveland Diagnostics
Free PSA 25.2% PSA 2.4 Quest

Have a meeting next week with the urologist.

My isoPSA indicates an increased likelihood of finding high-grade prostate cancer.

I’m guessing the next step will be a MRI to determine if a biopsy is required.

I guess it’s good to find the problem early, but if I didn’t have that one PSA spike I’d be fat dumb and happy till it spiked again.

This subreddit is wonderful with all the great posts. I’ve been reading people’s journeys trying to choose between surgery and radiation. Unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be one best answer. I never knew how many people suffer with prostate issues. Having an anonymous site to discuss it is great.

Had a prostatectomy at the end of June and my PSA has leveled off at .04 - we started ADT, a six month course, a week ago and will be going into radiation treatment pretty soon. My doctors have suggested we add Abiraterone, a two year course, to the mix to make the largest impact possible right away.
I’m leaning towards it but I understand treatments are complex I just don’t want to make this complicated by doing too much. They say this is an abundance of caution and not a complete necessity at this point - I’m wondering if anyone might share their experience with this drug? Thanks for your input.

Does anyone have experience with Emory Wincship Cancer Institute? Recommendations based on experience? Or do you have another recommendation in Georgia area?

I'm still deciding on which path to take, but slightly leaning toward Proton Therapy if it is an option. If not, then I am looking at RALP (or similar option).

Workouts?