Tips and advice for any sexual side effects of treatment
I was told pre-surgery I would not be able to acheive an erection again. Post surgery, I was advised that all the nerves were severed and I had a 95-100% chance I would not acheive another erection. Despite this advice, I was given sildenafil to see what happened. I am still at the early stages of trying this ( as previous advice had all been negative ), and was pleasantly surprised to find some response. This has increased with continued use, much to my surprise.
How this treatment impacted my life the most
My principal concerns are the sudden need to have a wee. It's difficult to assess how much there is. However, when I've got to go, I've got to go. This is still causing concerns, despite pelvic floor exercises which I've been doing for 6 months now. This is further complicated by my much shortened penis, which is more difficult to get through my fly. To be safe, I need to remove everything that could get wet from the front of me, making using public toilets quite difficult.
Why did I give this answer?
I was only offered one alternative to RARP, and that was Hormone+Radiotherapy. This would have invoved at one point 20 trips of over 20 miles in each direction up a road that is notorious for blockages and delays, as well as accidents, some of which can be extremely severe. I might have fared better if I'd chosen another hospital, though I really cannot complain about the treatment I received at the one I did go to.
