Erectile dysfunction (ED) treatments: What works for you?

Posted by Jim, Volunteer Mentor @jimhd, Feb 12, 2020

I've been seeing a urologist for a couple of years. The reason for my first appointment was mostly about urinary urgency and frequency. Oxybutinin has reduced the frequency, but not the urgency. At my last appointment, last week, we focused more on ED.

He listed 4 options for treatment. #1 was Viagra and its siblings. Done that and they quit working. #2 was a pump, which I tried. It's great for masturbation, but a real mood killer when used during intimacy with my wife. Even so, part of ED is the inability to maintain an erection. #3 is injecting a drug into the penis. Doesn't that sound like fun? But I know that it works for lots of men. That leads to #4, a penile implant. An implant has the highest success and satisfaction rate.

I'd like to hear what has worked best. I can read the articles online, but I'd rather hear about what your experiences have been.

Jim

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Hi @jimhd, thank you for sharing your experience and questions.

I'd like to tag @hodagwi and @glenner075 have experience with erectile dysfunction, some with these options, and may be able to share their experience.

Here are two articles that include video from a Mayo Clinic physician discussing ED treatments:

Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/mens-health-1/newsfeed-post/treatment-for-erectile-dysfunction/
Online Treatments for Erectile Dysfunction - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/mens-health-1/newsfeed-post/online-treatments-for-erectile-dysfunction/

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@ethanmcconkey

Hi @jimhd, thank you for sharing your experience and questions.

I'd like to tag @hodagwi and @glenner075 have experience with erectile dysfunction, some with these options, and may be able to share their experience.

Here are two articles that include video from a Mayo Clinic physician discussing ED treatments:

Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/mens-health-1/newsfeed-post/treatment-for-erectile-dysfunction/
Online Treatments for Erectile Dysfunction - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/mens-health-1/newsfeed-post/online-treatments-for-erectile-dysfunction/

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Thank you, Ethan.

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@jimhd
Sorry Jim but I just now saw this and I thought I would reply. Nothing like being a day late and a dollar short huh.

I have ED due to my epilepsy & the 300,000 seizure meds I've taken.
Just wanted to let you know that I use the drug TriMix and inject it. The injection may not be at the top of the list of fun things to do but if you do feel the injection at all it’s not as bad as you probably think. When I first heard about it I said “there’s no way I’m going to do that.” I know it sounds painful, that’s what I thought too when I talked to a man who was using it. He said at most it’s no worse than a pin prick. In fact there have been several times I injected it when I never felt a thing, believe it or not. I feel it less than when I go to the lab to have blood drawn. The needle is very small. Don’t let the fact that it’s an injectable scare you off. Works great and works fast, in about 5-10 minutes but I have read it's recommended to wait 20 minutes after injection however no physician ever told me that.
Take care,
Jake

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@jakedduck1

@jimhd
Sorry Jim but I just now saw this and I thought I would reply. Nothing like being a day late and a dollar short huh.

I have ED due to my epilepsy & the 300,000 seizure meds I've taken.
Just wanted to let you know that I use the drug TriMix and inject it. The injection may not be at the top of the list of fun things to do but if you do feel the injection at all it’s not as bad as you probably think. When I first heard about it I said “there’s no way I’m going to do that.” I know it sounds painful, that’s what I thought too when I talked to a man who was using it. He said at most it’s no worse than a pin prick. In fact there have been several times I injected it when I never felt a thing, believe it or not. I feel it less than when I go to the lab to have blood drawn. The needle is very small. Don’t let the fact that it’s an injectable scare you off. Works great and works fast, in about 5-10 minutes but I have read it's recommended to wait 20 minutes after injection however no physician ever told me that.
Take care,
Jake

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@jakedduck1

Hi, Leonard. I hadn't noticed your name lately.

Trimix was one of the options my urologist talked about. It would surely be less invasive than a penile implant. I'm not sure why we didn't pursue it. As soon as surgery can be scheduled - who knows with covid19 running the show - I plan to have the implant, also called a prosthesis. The recovery sounds pretty painful for the first couple of weeks, and I'm not good at dealing with pain, even though I live with chronic neuropathy pain. But it seems to be the definitive treatment for ED.

I don't know exactly what has caused ED. It could be tied in with the # of meds I take, though not 300,000. I take a couple of anti-seizure meds for depression. It's possible that the problem is, partly at least, psychological. I've never talked with a therapist about that possibility because none of them have been qualified to address it.

Hope all is well with you.

Jim

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@jimhd

@jakedduck1

Hi, Leonard. I hadn't noticed your name lately.

Trimix was one of the options my urologist talked about. It would surely be less invasive than a penile implant. I'm not sure why we didn't pursue it. As soon as surgery can be scheduled - who knows with covid19 running the show - I plan to have the implant, also called a prosthesis. The recovery sounds pretty painful for the first couple of weeks, and I'm not good at dealing with pain, even though I live with chronic neuropathy pain. But it seems to be the definitive treatment for ED.

I don't know exactly what has caused ED. It could be tied in with the # of meds I take, though not 300,000. I take a couple of anti-seizure meds for depression. It's possible that the problem is, partly at least, psychological. I've never talked with a therapist about that possibility because none of them have been qualified to address it.

Hope all is well with you.

Jim

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@jimhd
Hi again Jim,,
I just had a thought, have you ever considered trying the tri-mix before you have the surgery just to see if the less invasive method might be effective.
I thought the implant was procedure of last resort, only recommended when all other treatments fail. I guess I’m more old fashion and behind times than I thought. One potential benefit, it may be cheaper in the long run. I remember when I tried Cialis it was $60 a pill.
if your mind is made up do you have the surgery fingers crossed that you don’t have any complications.
Take care Jim,
Jake

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@jakedduck1

@jimhd
Hi again Jim,,
I just had a thought, have you ever considered trying the tri-mix before you have the surgery just to see if the less invasive method might be effective.
I thought the implant was procedure of last resort, only recommended when all other treatments fail. I guess I’m more old fashion and behind times than I thought. One potential benefit, it may be cheaper in the long run. I remember when I tried Cialis it was $60 a pill.
if your mind is made up do you have the surgery fingers crossed that you don’t have any complications.
Take care Jim,
Jake

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@jakedduck1 After I read your message, I did some looking and found the reason I opted not to do the injection $$$. And not covered by Medicare. That would make for expensive sex. I'm not really excited about the surgery or the recovery, but I am tired of living with no libido and no erections - for more than 3 years - and my wife isn't very happy about it either.

I'm putting the whole ED discussion on my agenda for my next therapy appointment on Wednesday. I don't think we'll be able to cover it in 1 session, but it has already come up, so I guess it will be a continuation of the subject.

Have a good week, Jake.

Jim

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@jimhd
Good morning Jim,
Have you ever seen an endocrinologist Jim? Might not be a bad idea if libido issues exist. There are so many factors that could be at play here. Although ED can sometimes cause libido problems, if that’s the case your surgery should fix it.
You’re certainly right about the cost. It can be staggering depending on frequency. My medication has to come from a compounding pharmacy, a sterile compounding pharmacy at that. I get mine from San Diego not exactly the Walmart of cities.
Have a great day,
Jake

REPLY
@ethanmcconkey

Hi @jimhd, thank you for sharing your experience and questions.

I'd like to tag @hodagwi and @glenner075 have experience with erectile dysfunction, some with these options, and may be able to share their experience.

Here are two articles that include video from a Mayo Clinic physician discussing ED treatments:

Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/mens-health-1/newsfeed-post/treatment-for-erectile-dysfunction/
Online Treatments for Erectile Dysfunction - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/mens-health-1/newsfeed-post/online-treatments-for-erectile-dysfunction/

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Peyronies has eliminated the treatment of my E.D. with meds! Similar problem with injection and pump. My only option is surgery and Prosteties (?). Disappointing totally! Where do I go from here at age 77.

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@glenner075
Hello,
Has your doctor mentioned Xiaflex as a treatment? It’s an injectable medication. I believe it basically desolves the scar tissue. Do you feel any bumps? One downside is it’s cost, I understand it’s more expensive than surgery.
Good luck,
Jake

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No input from my Urologist! No mention from Doctor about Xiaflex. Does it allow for the straightening of the Penis? Would you guess that the injection of Xiaflex would be more expensive than Surgery? Thanks much for your input and your suggestions.

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