PDEF5 for SFPN

Here's an update from the previous article you shared in another discussion which was an article from Feb 2017 tested on diabetic mice. From what I have read, it's safe to take for ED but not ready for prime time for neuropathy and needs more testing with randomized controlled trials.

"Discussion and conclusion
In animal models, PDE5 inhibition appears to decrease oxidative stress and reduce some of the micro- and macrovascular complications associated with diabetes. However, data from human trials are limited and largely inconsistent, highlighting the need for adequately powered, randomised-controlled trials in diabetic cohorts in order to fully assess the benefits of PDE5i in this group of patients."
--- Nov 2022 - The efficacy of PDE5 inhibitors in diabetic patients:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/andr.13328

John, thanks for your comments and literature links. I am so glad to see that this is still being researched in 2022. I have had some patients who have anecdotally had excellent relief of their SFPN neuropathic pain with daily low dose PDE5 utilization. It will be interesting if anyone else in the neuropathy community comments on their experience. Thanks

Ummm…. You are looking for comments from this community on a discussion. It appears that both of you posters, so far, have a working medical background, whereas most of the rest of us do not. Or maybe I should just speak for myself? I have no idea what you are talking about when you use letters like “SFPN” and “PDE5” to stand in for… I don’t know what! Yes that is a lot to type out each time but perhaps you can type it out the first time so that we/I will know what you are talking about and then use the alphabet form of the “words” next time.
I don’t mean to be impertinent, just looking for clarification.

Hi Judy @judyingenes, Acronyms can be a little overwhelming, especially in the medical field. I have no medical training or background. When I run across a new acronym the search is on for me to find out what it is. I didn't know what PDE5 was before either until I found the link in my earlier post.

Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (PDE5i) and SFPN is small fiber peripheral neuropathy which is one of the conditions I have.

Hope this helps

Most of us here

Hi John and thanks for the meaning of those acronyms.(yes, I did know what they were. My attempt at humor failed miserably, I see). It’s true that acronyms, not in your field, can be irritating. In Special Needs Education (SNE) there is an IEP in the LRE to be sure there is FAPE. But I digress.
I tend to want to read posts etc. such as we have available on Connect for the content of information and help that is given at the time that I am looking for it rather than as a reference to “Search “further. But that’s me…
Again, thanks for helping me out.

But you didn't fail! I have a smile on my face now 🙂 Years ago I retired from IBM and though I knew it was International Business Machines it also had a few other internal meanings, one was I've Been Moved. Actually fit my career as I went from California, to South Dakota and then to Rochester where I retired.

Dear judyinjeans, I would like to extend my apology to you for my posting about PDEF5 inhibitors and the number of technical terms that I used. I assume there are different degrees of knowledge in reference to those who participate here, but certainly did not mean to make it difficult. PDEF5 inhibitors are medications used to treat erectile dysfunction in men. There have been a few studies utilizing these medications for SFPN (small fiber peripheral neuropathy in men and women. There has been some success with some patients, but as John points its not ready for prime time use yet. The reason for my post was to see if anyone in our community has been involved in any of those studies or has used this, and what was their experience. Once again, please forgive my in sensitivity. Any further posting from me will be crystal clear. Thanks