Tadalafil (Cialis): Any advice to manage muscle aches?

You offer interesting info here that I had not been previously advised by my urologist, or in what should have been a more detailed read of the drug information paperwork for Tadalafil. I was given the post-op low dose, and after a couple weeks without effect, my doctor increased it to the 22mg dose. I still have not enjoyed the desired outcomes of the drug, although I have heard that it helps in "healing" as well as sexual function. But...your description of muscular pain is interesting. I have wondered why I get up every morning feeling like I had the workout of a lifetime...everything aches/hurts. That did not happen prior to my surgery...I was actually going to the gym 4-5 days/week, and the workouts should-have/could-have caused me pain, but I was in pretty good shape for a 70 year old man (no pain/aches). Since my surgery 17 months ago - and starting Tadalafil - I feel like I was used a punching bag most mornings. I just attributed it to a new phase of "getting older." Since the Tadalafil does not work for me, maybe I will stop taking it for a few weeks to see if these muscle aches subside. Thanks for the interesting post.

@rlpostrp

Couple of quick points:

• Physical recovery post surgery takes a lot of time. So, your aches and pains (and fatigue) may be post surgical recovery.

• Talk to your doctor about the Tadalifil. They can also prescribe Viagra or the other related PDE5 inhibitor drug (not at the tip of my tongue). They have a completely different side effect profile. You do need the assist from the increased blood flow to the region because you will not get erections for a very long time. So, encouraging blood flow will prevent atrophy and fibrosis. If those set it, it's likely that natural erections will not return properly. There are surgical options but if natural works, best to go that route.

• I just took two days off of Tadalafil and then started taking it in the morning. That solved my problem. So, that might be worth a try.

Finally, get yourself a sexual function doctor. I got a referral and its very helpful. Surgeons don't typically have all the knowledge you need for this type of followup care. So, a sexual function urologist is a smart move.

Good luck!

Thanks for that. I did not know that there are "sexual function doctors." I bought a Timm's brand manual pump literally yesterday per my doctor's recommendation a couple months ago. I was waiting for Tadalafil to be successful, which has not happened. My follow-up question to him will be "why he does not include the need for a pump in his "post-op instructions" issued that the time of surgery?" He didn't mention it until I brought it up after a year and finally reading here that quite a few men use a pump. I did not start reading and learning of the need to keep blood and oxygen flowing down there, to prevent atrophy and loss of function, until that time.
I am 17-months post-op and have "lost" those 17 months for optimal rehab due to lack of this knowledge. There have been so many things that I discovered on my own and then asked my urologist about. His comment/ response always stared with: "Oh ya..well...", like it was something he forgot or never thought important enough to mention/guide/instruct me on, immediately post-op when it could have made a difference. He has strung me out all of these 17 months on when I will "supposedly" regain my ability to achieve an erection for sexual intimacy. It was: "like most men, it should take you 3 to 6 months to regain your ability to get an erection." Then it became: "some men take 6-9 months," then "some men take up to a year", and finally "it can take some men up to two years, and some never regain their ability to get an erection." His wording was always slightly different, and in the affirmative, like it "will" happen. He never spoke in a "maybe/might" happen theme. So, I am still counting on it happening. I have been divorced 18 months (one month before my RP surgery). I have finally found a woman who I think could be long term and potential wife material. I have no idea when I should tell her that I had my prostate removed and "oh by the way, I can't sexually perform for you yet...maybe ever." She deserves to know that early so she has a chance to end things if she can't be supportive of my unfortunate reality. But...there is a still a chance that I might be able to please her, so I don't want to say anything yet. Total conundrum.