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Hi all, I had my ileostomy, bowel, and anus removal on Friday, 13th October 2006. It's a good job I'm not superstitious. As I started to improve after the operation, I found that I had erectile dysfunction, so I went back to see the surgeon who told me that sometimes the nerve gets damaged but it could take up to 3 years to rectify itself. I've been widowed for 5 years, so it didn't really matter at the time. Now, three years later, I have met a lady who is also an ostomate, and we can talk openly about anything, so I decided to get some advice from my gastroenterologist consultant, who I see every 6 weeks as I also have a blood disease called Vasculitis. However, he first asked if I had any signs of erection first thing in the morning before urinating (in our younger days, we used to call it a piss proud); yes, I do, but it doesn't last long when I finish. He told me that the nerve healing process seemed to be okay and the problem could now be in my mind and suggested that I see my own doctor for some Viagra. This is where the fun starts. After explaining everything to him, he said I didn't qualify under the NHS as there are certain criteria you have to meet, but I could pay for them, so I said "Just a minute, Doc, I've never paid for sex in my life, and I don't intend to start now, so what's the criteria?" He said he would have to look it up in his guidebook, so I folded my arms, sat back in the chair, and said, "I'll sit here until you look it up." He threw me a dirty look, picked up the book, and found a section on pelvic operations, which he said would do, gave me a free prescription as I'm over 60, and off I went feeling like a recycled teenager, so it pays to stand your ground for what you want!! Will keep you informed if ever I get the chance to use them, as the scouts say, "Be Prepared." All the best, Tony
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