Trimix injection good or bad idea?

Posted by jasonfarmer @jasonfarmer, Sep 17, 2023

59 years old. prostatectomy just over 3 months ago. Take daily 5mg tadalafil or 100mg sildenafil before intercourse . Successful only 2 times without vac pump. I am considering Trimix injections just not sure when or if I should. I would appreciate some insight from men who have used and when they started. No other treatments for cancer needed. Presently cancer free. 0 psa 2 blood test so far. I am thankful for what I have just want the best I can achieve. Thank you for any shared experiences good or bad.

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@jasonfarmer

I pay 150 for a bottle of Trimix this includes FedEx overnight shipping with cold pack from a sterile compounding pharmacy. It is @ 15 injections . I did not have insurance that would cover it. It is well worth the cost to me. I do get a pack of 10 syringes included with order.

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Well worth it; thank you.

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@spino

I also use the trimix. I've done it somewhere around 130x now. I keep a chart listing batch, date, time, location of injection (I inject at 9,10,11, 1,2,3 o'clock and 2 or 3 fingers from the base), maximum hardness, length of erection to half life (half as hard as maximum) and satisfaction. Moving around and alternating sides lowers risk of scarring.) I hate needles but I've persevered. The chart helps me to adjust dosage. This means I can keep the half life 30-90 minutes, with 45-75 being the desired range. If I'm still hard at 90 minutes I take two sudafed (psuedoephedrine) and two more in another 30 minutes, also if needed. This eliminates the danger of priaprism and I keep the med on hand for this purpose. I've only needed that a few times, mainly at the beginning before I titrated the dose down from the initial MD guideline. (While cleanliness is important with any injected med, it keeps well in the refrigerator, but does gradually deteriorate about 20% in effectiveness over 6 months. The pharmacy says they can only "guarantee" cleanliness for one month, but at about $100 a vial, I enjoy spending < $20 a month rather than >$100.) I also located a local compounding pharmacy instead of using the mailorder pharmacy. They only compound it when I arrive to pick it up and provide a packet of ice for the ride home, and it's even slightly cheaper.
Regarding the injector, I haven't tried it. After 20-30 doses I was freaking myself out with the needle, even though I use a RestoreX device to hold the penis for injection. My primary care MD recommended two things: shake while injecting (it is a distraction and also variable insertion pressure) and practice on hot dogs. I never got around to practicing on the hot dogs. 100 doses later I'm doing okay, and the biggest problem with injections is that people get frustrated and quit.
Surgeons market penile implants, so most of the online "seminars" on injections are half seminar and half marketing. (The penile implants have an effective life of about 10 years and have their own side effect and complications profile.) I wish sildenafil or taladafil worked for me, and I still try them about once every six months to see. So far I don't tolerate it well and it doesn't work anyway. If you want links to videos I can look up a couple that might be helpful. There are also a couple books.

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So far since starting 11 days ago I'm 2 and 2. At 25 units and 30 units on the right side, I only experienced about 40% erect which was insufficient for sex. At 35 units and 35 units on the left side I had a full erection and it was great. The first time on 35, I was still fully erect at 3 hours so took 30mg of Sudafed and a hot shower, which worked. The second time on 35 I took a hot shower at 90 minutes and still standing firm.
SO my questions to the group are:
1. Do you find that small increments in your dosing have dramatic results? In other words, can bumping up to 30 be effective without the 3 hours of discomfort?
2. Any other strategies for reversing the effect? I have tried the hot shower but not exercise yet. I'm reluctant to push too much Sudafed because of the adverse effect on BP -- with pure autonomic failure I typically have orthostatic hypotension (low BP when standing) and supine hypertension (high BP when lying down) so I have to be careful about taking it at bedtime.
3. Have you noticed any difference in effectiveness when injecting the left side versus right side?
I'm really early into this therapy and testing what works and does not.

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@kcarmack99
Good morning,
I have taken Trimix since I believe 2018. It is more effective on my right side. Not sure if you’re aware there is an injectable antidote if the sudafed isn't effective. When I got Trimix near San Francisco they always included 2 prefilled antidote syringes and some Sudafed. I always let the erection go down at its own pace except when the erection lasted 4 hours. I had to take 2 doses of Sudafed and use both antidotes before it went down.
I don't find that small increases make any difference for me. I have found there is a difference in how it's formulated. When I got it from a San Francisco based clinic it was more effective. My new doctor supposedly ordered a stronger strength and wants me to use 10 cc instead of my previous 40 cc but that isn't working so I went up to 20cc then 30cc then 40cc. I used to pay $35.00 per injection which and used 40 cc to work. Now I pay about $140 instead of $350. The new place doesn't send antidotes. Maybe they have to be ordered separately and cost heaven knows what. But since I switched suppliers and now get it from somewhere in Florida, it doesn't seem to work as effectively so I guess you get what you pay for. If I am paying less but using more, is it really any cheaper? Has anyone else paid less and had a less-than-effective reaction? They say to use a smaller dose to avoid a prolonged erection but you have to take enough to get an effective erection. If the erection is prolonged so be it as long as it doesn't exceed 4 hours. You mentioned “discomfort.” I haven't noticed any discomfort. Do you mean discomfort as in pain or inconvenience?
Good luck,
Jake

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@jasonfarmer
May I ask where you get your Trimix filled?
Thanks,
Jake

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@kcarmack99

So far since starting 11 days ago I'm 2 and 2. At 25 units and 30 units on the right side, I only experienced about 40% erect which was insufficient for sex. At 35 units and 35 units on the left side I had a full erection and it was great. The first time on 35, I was still fully erect at 3 hours so took 30mg of Sudafed and a hot shower, which worked. The second time on 35 I took a hot shower at 90 minutes and still standing firm.
SO my questions to the group are:
1. Do you find that small increments in your dosing have dramatic results? In other words, can bumping up to 30 be effective without the 3 hours of discomfort?
2. Any other strategies for reversing the effect? I have tried the hot shower but not exercise yet. I'm reluctant to push too much Sudafed because of the adverse effect on BP -- with pure autonomic failure I typically have orthostatic hypotension (low BP when standing) and supine hypertension (high BP when lying down) so I have to be careful about taking it at bedtime.
3. Have you noticed any difference in effectiveness when injecting the left side versus right side?
I'm really early into this therapy and testing what works and does not.

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My answers to your questions:
1) Effect of small increments in dosing? Yes, dosing matters. That's why I track it closely. My MD started me on 20 units, but by tapering that I got erections that last more appropriately (I keep it in the 45-90 minute range.)
2) Strategies for reversal? The sudafed has worked for me. I note in my chart when I've used it and usually make a dosage adjustment for the next time based on that. I also remain at rest for a period of time, usually one to two hours, less if I am comfortable moving sooner.
3) Difference between sides? I probably have too much OCD, but I use my chart to alternate sides and locations. I have 12 guidepoints--1,2,3, and 9, 10, 11 where 12 is vertical on a virtual clockface, at 2 or 3 finger widths above the base. I do notice some difference between locations and there have been a few occasions where I have "missed the mark". Missing the mark probably means it did not go into the "Corpus cavernosum smooth muscle (CCSM)", perhaps do to a bent needle, diverted insertion, or even a fibroid mass. When the mark is missed I sometimes note a longer but much more mild effect, so perhaps the drugs are arriving but not in the timing and dosage required for effective erectile function. Because of the small number of misses and the variety of positions for insertion, I have not noted a particular pattern.
4) Bonus question: Indicators dose is high? In addition to duration (which I measure to 50% decline, not total deflation,) I notice that higher doses are associated with more pain and sensitivity at the tip. I have not noted discussion of this anywhere or by anyone. Erectile Hardness Scale: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7475665/ https://www.drlove.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/erection-hardness-score-new.pdf [I actually use a 1-10 scale where 10 is max and 0 is nada, with 6 being the minimum required for penetration. I aim for 7-9 combined med + stimulation. Initially stimulation contributed nothing but over time that has increased but still not enough for penetration in my case.]

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@kcarmack99

So far since starting 11 days ago I'm 2 and 2. At 25 units and 30 units on the right side, I only experienced about 40% erect which was insufficient for sex. At 35 units and 35 units on the left side I had a full erection and it was great. The first time on 35, I was still fully erect at 3 hours so took 30mg of Sudafed and a hot shower, which worked. The second time on 35 I took a hot shower at 90 minutes and still standing firm.
SO my questions to the group are:
1. Do you find that small increments in your dosing have dramatic results? In other words, can bumping up to 30 be effective without the 3 hours of discomfort?
2. Any other strategies for reversing the effect? I have tried the hot shower but not exercise yet. I'm reluctant to push too much Sudafed because of the adverse effect on BP -- with pure autonomic failure I typically have orthostatic hypotension (low BP when standing) and supine hypertension (high BP when lying down) so I have to be careful about taking it at bedtime.
3. Have you noticed any difference in effectiveness when injecting the left side versus right side?
I'm really early into this therapy and testing what works and does not.

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KCar I do have discomfort after injection but gets better after sex is started. After sex discomfort again but cold shower then recline in recliner helps with discomfort and helps errection go down a little faster and usually 60 to 90 minute errection. Have had 2 hour sometimes. 32 units is my favorite not 30 and not 35. A few units does make a difference to me. Injection on right side is usually less discomfort but I alternate anyway.

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@jakedduck1

@jasonfarmer
May I ask where you get your Trimix filled?
Thanks,
Jake

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Leonard it is Dothan Al.
Doctors Center Pharmacy

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I just found an interview (and transcript) that discusses erectile dysfunction after PC, and specifically vacuum devices and shots. It also includes a link to a site where a free book is downloadable. (I got it off the site @kujhawk1978 directed me to a while back.) I found it helpful and I intend to download and read the book as well. https://www.urotoday.com/video-lectures/asco-2023/video/mediaitem/3501-understanding-erectile-dysfunction-patient-education-and-personalized-treatment-jeffrey-albaugh.html
One takeaway: I had earlier noted that a research study in NZ required massage of the penis after the shot. I've been doing this since and finding it helpful. I also do some muscle tensioning (in my case planks and leg lifts) immediately after. Jeffrey Albaugh suggests this is helpful to keep the injection in the penis--I thought it was to distribute the injection more evenly through the corpus cavernousa (penile smooth tissue.)
Another: He suggests using the vacuum erection device like I used the RestoreX for penile rehabilitation after surgery. I think the vacuum erection devices are cheaper and more available, and I wish I had been aware of that option. They work slightly differently than the RestoreX--the RestoreX is focused on muscle tensioning while the vacuum erection devices focus on increasing blood flow (as described by Albaugh). I may still try it, even though I'm two years out from RALP--today!

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@spino

Hi back at you, Phil. Yes, what you are saying was what I had been going on when i started freezing it. The first time worked fine. The second time not so much. I agree with your comments about technique. I haven't had any trouble with trimix escaping or bubbling when I do it as you indicate. I'm glad trimix is available, and while not perfect, it's been a valuable aid, although my wife did comment last night that she wasn't worried about me getting too aggressive with her because I didn't have a shot nearby.... We both found it funny in an ironic sort of way. Life's journey has lots of unanticipated lessons to teach along the way.
Regarding the loss of potency, it turns out there is only one of the three chemicals in the trimix that loses its potency and that is fairly measured, like 20% over six months when kept consistently refrigerated at a temp between 40F and 32F (normal for food storage). I am at around 200 shots now over 21 months and am 2 months into using my fourth vial. At $100 a vial, that's a lot more cost effective than using a vial every month, and ultimately it's just a short term effect each time. Of course, safety is paramount.

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Hi Spino,
It’s always great to communicate with and share valuable, helpful information with men who truly find some kind of assistance and value from it.
It sounds like you are having a successful, consistent and satisfying sex life with your wife averaging sexual intercourse about 2.5 times per week. That’s great my friend. Frankly, that’s about where my wife at both 69 years of age each currently find ourselves, Admittedly, when.we’re on vacation and she doesn’t have near the amount of regular amount of stress and work we are ever more playful than that. The most important thing thing is to
always pay attention to the overall importance a healthy sexual attitude and participation is in any successful, happy and prospering relationship is.
Additionally, I certainly realize that both the desire to have and enjoy sexual intercourse with one’s spouse can vary over time from week to week and month to month. Speaking from my own personal experience, If I have a strong erection than I automatically “rise” to the occasion to have a strong, powerful, penetrative sexual desire to make love with my wife. No doubt about it. My wife prefers a really strong, erect and durable erection for some vigorous sexual pleasure and enjoyment. We also enjoy some slow, intimate, romantic and sensual sexual intercourse as well with a mixture of everything in between. The nicest thing is to let the overall mood, quality and consistency of the moment and erection determine whatever you want to do, play and equally meet you mood and desires with. “NO LIMITATIONS!”
Keep enjoying and growing your intimacy with your wife. More than ever, it’s something I will never take for granted and appreciate forever.
Best wishes and enjoy the “RIDE!”
Phil

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Hello to all of my fellow “TRIMIX” users. The dosage definitely makes a difference in terms of the strength and rigidity of the erection and the length of time your penis remains erect. I find that it also makes as difference if you experience an orgasm or not. My erections always go away more quickly after having an orgasm. However, if my wife and I are in the mood, I can still maintain a strong erection to continue on to “Round Two” should we both desire. If she has already experienced her orgasm or multiple orgasms and I haven’t done so………….and my erection is still very hard and definitely needs a “release” as they say. Fortunately, my wife is very understanding and willing to assist me at my time of “need!” We have some more fun together and I go for obtaining and enjoying my orgasm and then my erection will start to dissipate more quickly, If my erection still persists longer than I like than I simply chew a few Sudafed tablets and my erection is usually totally gone after about 10-15 minutes! I find that the length of time my Compounded TRIMIX has been in and out of freezer storage for use and reuse definitely has an effect on its overall strength and potency. Additionally, if I’ve been traveling with it or has it just been at home in my freezer during most of its usage etc, can also affect its efficacy. After starting TRIMIX about 7 months ago I find that a average dosage of between 40-60 unit works best for me. Using 35-40 units doesn’t always work or provide the strength and rigidity of the erection I am seeking. I have never gone above 60 units. Again, if the TRIMIX is nearing its expiration date then the overall potency is certainly less effective and weaker than when it was first compounded by my pharmacist. Like most therapies, medications and treatments etc, things can change over time requiring appropriate changes in dosages and usage to always get the the optimum results you are striving for. Personally, I am very thankful that TRIMIX is available and is so effective and consistent.
Best wishes to all of my fellow Prostate Cancer Brothers out there and may all of you seek and discover the most effective therapies available while pursuing your total recovery.
Kindest regards,
Philip Snowdon

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