Viagra, Cialis, or Levitra?

[RidesLikeNew]

I wonder if this has already been posted... I guess I should have looked.

What experiences have you had with different ED drugs?

We have only tried Viagra and Levitra. In our experience, Viagra works a lot faster (Mrs. jokes to Mr he should try just sniffing it, or maybe taping it to his arm), but Levitra is more likely to be effective for multiple attempts. Not for 36 hours, necessarily, but definitely for 3-4 hours apart.

Also, Levitra definitely doesn't work instantly (maybe 15-30 mins foreplay time required, what's wrong with that?) as does Viagra.

Just one couple's experience... what's yours?

[NandT]

Well, guess what guys?

I WAS IN THE DRUG TRIALS for Viagra with Pfizer! I was featured with a quote in Time magazine and was on NBC national nightly news with Tom Brokaw! I got a lot of publicity over that; all my friends called and wanted to try it.

I have not found much difference among the three drugs, and in fact I don't really like the side effects, headaches, stuffiness (imagine being stuffed up when you really need to breathe!) and facial flushing, as well as "blue" streaks in my vision. Also, I found that the pills worked best on an empty stomach, and you're not supposed to drink alcohol either. It was just too restrictive.

I have settled on injection therapy, which is not as dramatic as it sounds, and gives an extremely firm erection for 2-3 hours!

Anyone who wants a copy of an article I wrote that was published regarding my experiences with the pills, surgery and the injections just let me know and I'll email or mail it to you. it's quite interesting!

[good times]

I have tried all three, so here is my take on it. From talking to others it is clear the everyones experience differs, so I don't know that this discussion is every useful for those trying to decide what to try. Basically I think each person has to try them for themselves to find out how they react.

Viagra, works best for me, other than a slight stuffy nose and mild headache I haven't experienced any other side effects. If taken on an empty stomach it usually starts working in about an hour and the effects last about 12 hours for me, tapering off gradually after 4 hours.

Levitra, I might as well have taken a sugar pill as it didn't work at all for me. (I tried it three times to be sure)

Cialis, works good for several days, never the strong erections one gets from Viagra, but reliable over a long weekend. The only problem with it is the side effects can be rather severe. If you drink any alcohol (even just a couple of sips of a beer) at all for three days after taking it you get rather severe muscle pain for several days afterward, like when you have the flu. Otherwise, the side effects are about the same as Viagra for me.

One thing I have to say about these drugs that go against what others often say on this forum is that if you are having performance anxiety problems when swinging, I have not found these drugs to help at all. I mainly take them because I don't have as hard an erection as I once did in my younger days, and as most swinging takes place late in the evening, by that time I am usually pretty tired and can't keep an erection as long as I would like. It also makes my recovery time much shorter, if I take a Viagra I can usually be ready to go again in 15 or 20 minutes, whereas, normally I am "once and done" for several hours. For those things, Viagra or Cialis work great, on the other hand, if I am nervous and can't get it up as sometimes happens with a new partner, a whole bottle of the stuff wouldn't make any difference.

One other thing, all of the above that I tried came from my doctor and is the real thing. I once decided to save a little money and order the aftermarket Viagra copies you find on the internet. That was a total waste of money as they didn't work even remotely as well as the real thing.

[couplewanting50]

Originally Posted by NandT

Well, guess what guys?

I WAS IN THE DRUG TRIALS for Viagra with Pfizer! I was featured with a quote in Time magazine and was on NBC national nightly news with Tom Brokaw! I got a lot of publicity over that; all my friends called and wanted to try it.

I have not found much difference among the three drugs, and in fact I don't really like the side effects, headaches, stuffiness (imagine being stuffed up when you really need to breathe!) and facial flushing, as well as "blue" streaks in my vision. Also, I found that the pills worked best on an empty stomach, and you're not supposed to drink alcohol either. It was just too restrictive.

I have settled on injection therapy, which is not as dramatic as it sounds, and gives an extremely firm erection for 2-3 hours!

Anyone who wants a copy of an article I wrote that was published regarding my experiences with the pills, surgery and the injections just let me know and I'll email or mail it to you. it's quite interesting!

Do you get scarring with the injections?

That could be fun, having a non-stop erection for 2-3 hours. It would be really great in group situations.

[couplewanting50]

I had posted this in another thread that managed to be hijacked by this issue. It is good that you started this thread.

The only way for an individual to learn of the differences between Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra, is for that individual to try all three. If you read enough personal comments, you will find entirely mixed opinions.

Have your doctor give you a prescription for 10 of each. The pharmacist will give you some lecture about the idea that you can't take them all at once, and may even phone your doctor, as was the case with me, but when you explain that you are just taking them at different times for comparison, they accept.

My own experience, which is not offered as an answer for you, and perhaps revealing individual differences, is that I did not find Levitra to be all that good. Yes, Cialis does last longer, but for me, Viagra has much more punch, works better. And, in my case, I can tell that I get benefits from Viagra for as long as 12 hours. A disadvantage I found with Cialis is that if you take it for a number of days in a row, it causes leg muscle pains, which is listed in the literature, and mentioned by another poster in this thread.

One thing I did for a while, though I am not now, due to cost, since insurance won't pay for any of this, is I would take a Viagra Friday night, and then take a Cialis Saturday night, which should be good for Saturday night and Sunday. Again, your mileage may vary.

Ignoring time lapse, I did not find Cialis as effective as Viagra, and if you took Cialis every other day, it was even poorer.

My general choice is Viagra. I have been using it for several years now. In the beginning I did get quite a bit of the blue vision, and not so much of the nasal congestion. Now I really never get blue vision, and only 5% of the time get an nasal congestion. It is not uncommon, however, to awaken with a headache the next morning from it. I don't view that as bad, given how it enhances erections.

You need to try them all yourself, with a good number of them, not just one or two. This delightful experimentation will take a month or two, probably.

[purpletiger]

I've tried Viagra and Cialis. I have to echo goodtimes and couple.

Viagra side effects for me are pretty severe headaches the next morning (and I rarely have headaches) - as bad as a sever hangover.

I've had no side effect from Cialis.

I like the effects of Viagra better overall but I hate the headache afterward.

Also, I agree with goodtime, if your having performance problems because of the anxiety of the situation, it doesn't always help.

[crazi429]

I am new to ED and being 45 with type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure(taking meds) I suddenly realized I had problems. I talked to the Doc and he prescribed Viagra at 50 mg. 1st time I tried it I felt next to no results and no side effects. I talked to doctor he said to try 2 pills. So I tried it things did work better but still not what I expected. I had talked to Doc about trying different ED meds but he said they all work the same way so if one doesn't work then none will work. I will try again as last time I had drank some and ate shortly before taking the Viagra. This will tell me if the alcohol had a effect on the results. Other wise I will be talking to my Doc again.

[good times]

It has been said here before but not emphasized enough for its importance. Take Viagra on an empty stomach or at least 1 hour before or 4 hours after eating. Certain foods totally counteract the effects and make it useless (they say fatty foods, but most foods have something in them that messes it up in my experience). If that isn't enough incentive to follow directions, it gets worse, even though it doesn't work very well or at all when taken with food, the side effects are the same. Nothing sucks worse than a headache and runny nose but still no good woody.

With Viagra drinking seems to make the headache worse. A good rigorous sex session and orgasm seems to make the headache go away for me. I never have had a headache the next day though.

[RidesLikeNew]

As a matter of fact, Mr. Rides was in a Viagra trial too... one where they were trying to get it labeled for treatment of Beningn Prostatic Enlargement. He took 100 mg a day for 90 days! Then they gave him 30 100's for a parting gift. Big fun!

[NandT]

Do you get scarring with the injections?

That could be fun, having a non-stop erection for 2-3 hours. It would be really great in group situations.

No, I have not had any scarring or lumps or bumps from the injections. Again, the needles are micro thin, the same as diabetics use, and are almost totally painless. I usually alternate left/right for the injection site, (near the base of the penis, NOT near the head!) and hold the alcohol swab with slight pressure for a few minutes. I have probably injected about 150 times in about a 2 year period (ok, everyone, do the math......) and have not had any adverse effects.

Haven't had the PLEASURE of any group situations yet, just another couple, and we soft swing anyway. But it is great to sport such a full erection for 3 hours when in the hot tub! A big benefit is that the erection is maintained, and is even stronger after orgasm! So even after coming there is still enough for more playing! I'll tell you though after 3 hours or so I'm almost begging for it to go down, it can start to be a little painful. You have do be very careful with the dose, otherwise you can get a "priapism," an erection that lasts longer than 4 hours can damage the tissues in the penis and prevent further erections!

I really urge any men who have erectile dysfunction issues to check into this therapy. Anyone near Boston can check with Boston University Medical Center, Center for Sexual Medicine. Other large medical centers must also have similar programs!

[NandT]

Originally Posted by crazi429

I am new to ED and being 45 with type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure(taking meds) I suddenly realized I had problems. I talked to the Doc and he prescribed Viagra at 50 mg. 1st time I tried it I felt next to no results and no side effects. I talked to doctor he said to try 2 pills. So I tried it things did work better but still not what I expected. I had talked to Doc about trying different ED meds but he said they all work the same way so if one doesn't work then none will work. I will try again as last time I had drank some and ate shortly before taking the Viagra. This will tell me if the alcohol had a effect on the results. Other wise I will be talking to my Doc again.

You really should check into the injection therapy! See my previous posts and if you want I'll send you my article. Your life will change and you will be 18 years old again!

[MrsPandMe]

OP:

I have been taking Cialis occasionally. I'm 35 and have no remarkable health issues that would effect an erection, so my problem is purely psychological.

My experience is that Cialis will help me to maintain an erection. Though it does not directly solve the "performance anxiety" issue, I have found that it is EASIER to get an erection with the Cialis, which does wonders for putting your performance anxiety fears to rest, so though the solution isn't direct, it does make a difference, if that makes sense.

That being said, if you're just not with the program, the pill isn't gonna get you there. It has no effect on libido whatsoever. I had a "failure" last week on Cialis because I was just exhausted and wasn't feeling all that great (slight injury from a run earlier that day was bothering me alot). I DID get a usable erection that day, but it wasn't one of those "confident" erections, if you will. I'm sure if I went and attempted to negotiate a condom I wouldn't have been able to keep it up, so we just soft swapped that night.

Anyway, NandT, I'd love to look into the injection therepy. Guess I'll tell my doc the pills marginally worked but the side effects are killing me..That ought to work. What one are you using? In terms of portability and ability to be discreet, how do you do it? Also, you only inject ONE side, right? You don't have to hit both sides?

Thanks!

Mr. P

[jedi6942]

I've tried both Viagra and Levitra. Viagra worked somewhat; but, gave me a headache for several hours. Levitra worked better (still not as good as I wanted); but, gave me an absolutely killer headache that lasted for 12 to 24 hours. I was planning to try Cialis and two things stopped me.

#1) My doctor said that it would be less effective in maintaining an erection and the headaches would most likely return, lasting as long as the drug was suppose to be effective.

#2) My wife saw an ad for Boston Medical Group. I went to see them and discovered injections. Now, I'll never go back to any pill. Just like NandT said earlier, the injections give me a strong erection that gets stronger after I ejaculate and last as long as I want. I've had them last for even longer than the 2-3 hours NandT mentioned. How strong of an erection? I swear I could almost poke holes through drywall with it! Sometimes I ejaculate, continue play and then ejaculte again 40 minutes later. This stuff is amazing. The only negative side effect I've experienced so far is that I get a bit sore from too much action and it can hurt a bit if it stays hard too long.

The Boston Medical Group has offices all around the country and even internationally. Their web address is: http://www.bostonmedicalgroup.com

If you go to the web site you will find enough information to help you decide if you'd like to pursue it further. (no I'm not affiliated with them)

I formerly had really bad issues with both erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. Not anymore!

[NandT]

Originally Posted by MrsPandMe

OP:


Anyway, NandT, I'd love to look into the injection therepy. Guess I'll tell my doc the pills marginally worked but the side effects are killing me..That ought to work. What one are you using? In terms of portability and ability to be discreet, how do you do it? Also, you only inject ONE side, right? You don't have to hit both sides?

Thanks!

Mr. P

The medication I am using is called "Trimix" because it is a mixture of three drugs, papavarine, phentolamine, and prosoglandin E-1. They make this mixture in various proportions depending on your situation. I have "Mixture #5" whatever that is. Your urologist will decide wht's best for you.

The medication comes in a tiny bottle, I get 2 ml at a time because I only use .08 ml per injection, that gives me about 25 does per bottle ($60 each, real inexpensive!) and it must be kept refrigerated or it starts to break down. If I'me travelling I have a small thermos bottle that i carry it in, also you need the syringes and alcohol pads.

I'm married so I discretion is not really a problem, but when swinging, and we've only soft-swung with a few close couples, I usually either tell them about it in advance or if I need to be secretive I'll fill a syringe in advance and keep it in a small bag if ice till needed, and just excuse myself to the bathroom. Even though we've only soft-swung, I still like to have a firm erection in any activity we take part in, mostly in our hot tub.

If I was single and this was a dating situation, I think it would be a bit more problematic, but any worthy partner should very very understanding and thankful if you confided this to them.

Yes you only inject one side, since the blood vessels between the two sides of your "corpus cavernosa" and intertwined and the medication gets dispersed throughout your penis.

If you want my full article just email me and I'll send it!

Good Luck!

[MrsPandMe]

Outstanding, thanks!

You've gots mails!