Is 76 too old for prostate cancer surgery?

I had RP at 71 PSA 43 Gleasons 7-9 Left me a eunuch (ED) in a perpetually very wet diaper, (this was BY FAR the worst SE from the surgery) really no other choice as my PSA and Gleason scores were so poor. Recovery was O.K. A week with wound drain tube and urine bag and catheter. Uncomfortable for sure but only for a week. I was very fit after over 40 years of Rugby. No other health problems at all. "Sportin Wood" is a thing of the past. Bummer!
Best
SW

So sorry to hear that you have bad experience with side effects : (. How long ago was your surgery, if you do not mind me asking ? Did you consider restoring urinary control through procedures like male slings or the artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) ? There is also new method called ProAct.

Also, if you go through posts on this forum you will find a lot of advice about possibly solving ED problem.

I really hope that all will get better with time .

My RP was done May 2019. Those products you suggest are 1) some kind of valve or AUS implanted pressure point to control stress incontinence caused by lifting, sneezing, ccoughing. It's really just artificial plumbing. Quoting my oncologist: How many pads a day do you use? Pads? Well doc"I just use a trash can liner and wear it as a kilt". Stress incontinence? Ha! mine is more like a slightly running faucet all the time except slightly less when laying down. 2)Others suggested are just really heavy duty vinyl diapers, as above just loads of Depends with paper towels as a back up. I have also found it wise to check ahead at any upcoming social venue to make sure seating is plastic or vinyl. Just the best live in girlfriend 12 years now. No woman would tolerate an impotent old geezer leaking all the time.
My reality, coupled with the horrors of Lupron, I now know what hell is like
SW

I can imagine how challenging it is and I am truly sorry that you have to endure that :(.

Did you ever have chance to talk to very competent urologist, somebody who specializes in correcting incontinence ?

Urologist and oncologist? Yes on both counts. I have learned while both are full of suggestions which are pretty much the same as you stated. Really nothing can be done, I just carry on and try to not let the rage of my condition overcome me. Very sorry to sound so bitter. You have been so kind in your posts.
Best and leaking on,
SW

You have full right to feel upset, it is very uncomfortable and limiting condition. Maybe you can go and visit Mayo clinic to see what they can offer since I hear that they have many unusual and innovative treatments for about anything under the sun. Also, maybe you can try one of the above mentioned treatments and at least get to "stress incontinence" level for the beginning ? I guess it would give you much more freedom than having to worry about it 24/7 ? 🙁 There was one member here that mentioned AUS recently, I am sorry I forget who it was but he was very happy with it. He also had other surgeries done to help with mobility ( I think knee replacement and hip replacement) - sometimes we are dealt bad set of cards but we have to push forward, if nothing just "to spite" bad circumstance.. You mentioned that you were into sports - an athlete in you is still there, I am sure of it ! You can push thru this hurdle - don't give up looking for a solution. Just find really competent surgeon that specializes in this particular problem. Every specialist has "sub specialty" that he likes to pursue. Are you close to any big and well known medical center ?

This is, a very clean and simply put definition of surgery vs radiation proceedures. Diagnosed with cancer in 2021 the yr I retired, and active surveillance for 3 yrs +. All was fine, until my last MRI revealed = Margin: Lesion is 2mm anterior capsular bulge. Now I have opted for surgery. 69yrs old, I want to live and enjoy my retirement without all this on going worry, worry, worry. Thanks for your post. You sound like a professional,, maybe are. I have a box in my garage full of info on the prostate, prostate cancer. Confirms a lot of what you said simply. A big box of Worry I put in my garage. Off to see the Robot coming up soon! Thanks for the post!

Any negatives to your implant? I start Trimix tomorrow but feel the implant would make me feel normal, how long after surgery will it take for me to get back to offshore tuna fishing? I’m mentally prepared to set up surgery in January

No negatives for me. I let the surgery heal and than added another two weeks to make sure. Then it was great. I have NO side effeccts, pain, or even feel it there, but it sure has. made my sex life wonderful and my wife is much more satisfied. Wish I'd had it 40 years ago! good luck with your decision.

@barclay49, these discussions may be what you're looking for:

- Faced with a treatment decision: Brachytherapy vs high dose radiation? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/faced-with-a-treatment-decision/

- Why do some only need 5 proton beam sessions and others more?https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/why-some-one-only-need-5-sessions-other-need-dozens-of-therapy/