Impotence after radical prostatectomy

Submitted by student on Wed, 08/05/2009 - 8:24pm

Would You Gui Wan be an appropriate remedy for treating impotence after the removal of the prostate and a round of chemo for a 53 year old?  The MD's are no help except to give viagra or the equivalent of a pump .

The surgery was 5 years ago and did not remove all the cancer , then chemo was administered.

thank you

 
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Comments

Chad Dupuis's picture
Submitted by Chad Dupuis on Sat, 08/08/2009 - 7:47am.

This would depend on whether

This would depend on whether or not there is any physical function left after the surgery.  If he can obtain an erection without the pump (i.e. only viagra), then it may very well be helpful for him.  If not, the nerve damage may be so that he would need other treatments, perhaps acupuncture, before herbal medicine would be very useful.  That said, as a general kidney energy tonic, You Gui Wan, would be harmless to try and is beneficial overall outside of any impact it may have on the ability to achieve and/or sustain an erection.

Chad J. Dupuis, L.Ac.
Yin Yang House Acupuncture and Wellness Center

student's picture
Submitted by student on Wed, 08/12/2009 - 8:46pm.

Here is a little feedback.

Here is a little feedback. He began the herbs Thursday evening and found them to be effective after 3 days of use. Questions:

  1. How long can one take the herbs? 
  2.  Is there a protocol to taking them; i.e 5 days on, 2 days off  or 3 weeks on, 1 week off?
  3. Will these herbs "fix" the condition after x amount of time or will they need to be taken for the rest of his life?  Is the "x" amount of time determined by health?
  4. Are there side effects to the herb?
  5. Would you also recommend a therapy (acupuncture, tai chi, yoga, exercise, better diet to go with the herbs, tong ren? The mind set is to let the herbs fix  without the person having to make any other changes - will that provide long term change? Or will there always be a dependency on the herbs? Even if this is a leftover from cancer, not simply an erectile dysfunction?
  6. Is there a need to maintain a theraputic level in the bloodstream to maintain efficacy - like in pharmaceuticals?  He stopped taking them Monday and reported difficulty Tuesday.

Thank you for your insight and guidance.

Chad Dupuis's picture
Submitted by Chad Dupuis on Fri, 08/14/2009 - 2:01pm.

I'm glad to hear that he

I'm glad to hear that he found the formula effective.  I've answered your questions inline below:

1. 1-3 months at full dose would be considered a therapeutic dosage.  For fertility, where we most often use this formula, generally they are on for 3 months.  If there continue to be issues, it would 1 month off and then another 1-3 months.

2. Generally with herbs it is good to take a break from time to time.  I would recommend in this case to take for a complete month and then take at least 1-2 weeks off to see if the issue returns or not.  Then repeat in that order until the herbs are no longer necessary.  If the herbs remain necessary then acupuncture or other therapies would be required.

3. The goal is certainly to create a permanent change in the condition as opposed to managing the symptoms.

4. Not with this formula, this is a pretty standard and safe formula for the conditions listed.

5. See #2 above.  Yes, if the herbs alone are not effective and/or not leading to a permanent resolution.

6. Yes, herbs, particularly in patent formulas like you gui wan, are in very low doses.  They should be taken at full dosage for a period of time regardless even when they are effective.  After a period of time many formulas can be taken symptomatically or a day or so at a time for effect, but initially they should be taken on a consistent basis.

 

Chad J. Dupuis, L.Ac.
Yin Yang House Acupuncture and Wellness Center