Hello everyone, this is probably a question that has been asked many times :(

My husband’s consultant told him that under no circumstances should he buy one online and to wait for his referral to the ED clinic.

He's been damaged enough without risking buying off the Internet.

Yes I would agree with that. Having been a user of one for 7 months I understand it is essential to get the correct equipment - size, accessories, etc. I am certain that can only be determined by an expert in such matters. Get it wrong and it will not work or not work very well. There are also different ways in which the vacuum is formed (pump and water) and also the one I have, which may not be provided in the cheaper ones, is a vacuum relief valve. That is essential if something goes wrong. Maybe worth speaking to IMEDicare to find out what they think the best approach is within your area to ensure you get one prescribed. The guy I spoke to was very helpful and after all it is in their interests to get a sale. The one I have is relatively expensive to purchase. On top of that you need water based gel. I use KJ jelly which is much cheaper than the proprietry one. Also the rings and size reducers will need replacing from time to time. They also are very expensive. My originals are still fine but you may also be able to get these under the NHS.

Thank you for your response. My husband has been referred to the ED clinic and is waiting for an appointment. I'm not sure whether or not there will be a charge for anything supplied, but even if there is we'd rather pay £200 for a safe device than risk buying from ebay.

I've just read a story about a woman who bought a pair of second hand trainers off vented and she caught scabies and who's to say that devices sold on the Internet haven't been tried and returned along with any infections or other nasties.

I won't tell my husband about the sizing cos he'll be wondering if he has to be measured up for it and the dignity he lost during diagnosis and surgery is starting to return.

Sizing is most important. There are various sizes of tubes and rubber inserts (comfort inserts) for the tubes. I had two different size tubes and started off with the smaller one but that would be too small now. I think probably the penis is smaller initially due to general damage and the urethra is pulled back when the prostate is removed. I was never measured while I was awake and I assume it must have been done during the operation rather than them just guessing as the size of my pump kit has proved to be just right. I lost my dignity and inhibitions the day I realised there were two young nurses present during my biopsy. I was really conservative before then in what I would display because of embarrassment and also say about 'private' matters. I remember filling out a questionnaire before the biopsy and wondering whether I really needed to include my sexual habits. Now it does not bother me. I'm a changed man, in more than one sense

Hello Static

I fully understand your comments about dignity in two weeks I went from

* The Doctor saying she was going to perform a DRE and I said in amazement - "What! You are going to insert your finger into my back passage?"

to

* Walking down the hospital ward (male ward) naked to be told by the young nursing staff to "Put your giblets away!"

Just like you I didn't like to get my kit off for anyone  - now it doesn't bother me - but at the end of the day it's for my benefit and the staff have seen it all before.

Best wishes - Brian.

I was thinking that they may come in small, medium and large, and wondering what the definition of each is, cos we all know that some men don't know the difference

My husband didn't get a form to fill in about his sexual habits. The only form he filled in was about his waterworks and I sat there shaking my head at the answers he gave because he was in denial. When we went in to see the consultant it was obvious by his line of questioning that he'd been rumbled and he said ,'ask her'. What I told him was verified by the printout of his flow test. 

He's also a changed man, in that he knows that he can't pull the wool over my eyes and if I tell him that he needs to see a Dr it's because I know him better than he knows himself. 

Don't take this the wrong way - But Mrs Millibob could have written that. - She made my initial appointment to start my journey - as "there's nothing wrong with me". She's also been to every meeting and although I know what's wrong - she's asked the right questions. She's a retired A & E nurse.

Bless her - 44 years married - I must be a "keeper". (or she's not found a dishy Greek bloke - see other thread!).

I think most wives could have written it. Although I've never been a nurse I've worked in hospitals, including one in an establishment providing bed and board for men, similar to the one in Manchest referred to as the big house by Jim Mcdonald when he was in Corrie. The stories I could tell, but I'd have to shoot you after .

I'm quite a light sleeper so I wake with the slightest noise and I once woke up to her a bang in the bathroom and my husband wasn't in bed. I found him unconscious on the bathroom floor and it transpired that he'd had an allergic reaction to pseudoephodrine in some cough remedy he'd taken. He can never remember what it is so me being at his appointments results in him looking at me to answer the question about allegies. He always forgets to mention trees, which is another long story. 

He on the other hand could sleep through an earthquake and I've told him that if I ever have a medical emergency during the night I'm done for cos he won't notice until morning  which could be anytime before 12 noon.

Bless him, coming up to 50 years of marriage. That's twice my life sentence at that big house

Mrs Millibob is dule qualified and is RMN ans well as RGN.

Where she worked in Manchester did the "take" for Manchester's big house. The handcuffs on the beds there were not the pink furry ones!!

Yes I know the feeling, she has told me a few tales - without names of course. I think bring married to a nurse you have a different view of the NHS. This is where the difference between a job and a vocation stands out.

I have been sat on the toilet at our place in Turkey when we had an earthquake at 8.00am one morning. I think I broke the 20 metre world record - sitting down on the toilet to outside. Luckily it didn't do any damage but the "earth moved" for me!!.

I think we'll need to go to Turkey to get experience the earth moving, or buy a ripple/vibrating bed cos it ain't happening any other way.