Impotence Support - Comparative Data Needed

Author

Comparative Data Needed

JensenA

2005-07-20, 12:44 pm

I'm looking for comparative data on Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra --
specifically the incidence, intensity, and duration of headache, upset
stomach, and flushing.

If anyone has an link or other reference, I'd appreciate a response.

-- JensenA

Paul H.

2005-07-20, 12:44 pm

JensenA wrote:

> I'm looking for comparative data on Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra --
> specifically the incidence, intensity, and duration of headache, upset
> stomach, and flushing.
>
> If anyone has an link or other reference, I'd appreciate a response.
>
> -- JensenA
>

To my knowledge there's never been a definitive double-blind or
side-by-side (pun intended) trial of these three by an unbiased source.
Most of the clinical trial reports tend to focus on the positive
attributes of the drug and relegate side effects to a "laundry list."

Ok Consumer Reports, have at it! Unpaid volunteers shouldn't be too
hard to find. <g>

I tend to think that you'll find honest comparisons right here in this
newsgroup. Your Urologist may be your best objective resource. The
Resident and nurse at my HMO Uro-clinic have gathered a wealth of
anecdotal info and have some solid opinions on how the meds work with
different guys. Remember though that any side effects are going to be a
highly individual thing.

You might also get better comparative information from gays. Gays are
in a better position to make objective comparisons of male sexual
responses with different meds so gay newsgroups might be a good bet.

One difficulty is that many users have medical restrictions that limit
their choice. I use an alfa-blocker so Cialis is out. I have to
separate my dose of Viagra 4 hours from when I take Hytrin. Levitra
requires an 8-hour separation so I use Levitra only after breakfast or
lunch. My early morning, before breakfast, encounters are always done
with Viagra. On an empty stomach, I think that Viagra has the edge on
"zero-to-sixty" time.

Over the long term (just over three years) my side effects have gone
from quite noticeable to negligible. This seems to have been true for
many of the users who post in this news group. Alcohol, curry, chili
and Niaspan all change my side effects--particular facial flushing.

I started using Viagra three years ago and aside from a sample of
Levitra I didn't start carrying a dual prescription until early this year.

My first month on 50mg of Viagra featured bluish vision, really stuffy
nose, sometimes mild headache, moderate facial flushing if I had taken a
Niaspan and, if there was just a fleeting thought of sex a solid,
booming erection 15 minutes after taking the pill--effects lingered for
up to four hours. (A 68 year-old behaving like 20!) A couple of times
in that first month I had a severe headache that lasted less than five
minutes. One was a stabbing pain just behind my left eye--I will
remember it the rest of my life. After the first two dozen doses of
Viagra, the side effects were not significant aside from continuing
nasal stuffiness.

Now, several hundred blue pills (100mg) have gone down the gullet.
Minor nasal stuffiness and just a hint of facial flush are all I
regularly experience. The erectile experience isn't nearly what it was
at the start. I now have to wait 30 to 45 minutes to achieve a solid
response and the duration isn't as long.

Four months ago my Uro started me on 20mg Levitra when I complained that
Viagra wasn't doing it anymore. (This seems to be a common ploy from the
local Uros). I carry both and choose between them depending on when I
ate and when I last took or will take Hytrin. Aside from a
psychological boost on the first couple of pills, I've not seen a
significant improvement in erectile response from Levitra; however, the
duration of the effect might be slightly superior to Viaqra. A couple
of times I've had the Levitra "hamstring woes" the morning after but
it's liveable. The visual effects are miniscule for me and what's there
seems the same for both drugs. I think facial flushing might a bit more
pronounced with Levitra. Nasal congestion is a minor thing with both meds.

I've never experienced nausea or any belly discomfort from either med.
Both meds loosen my bowels just a bit--about 8 hours after the dose.
Never had diahrea. I have no Cialis experience.

Being in a monogamous relationship I think there is Trimix in my future.
Aside from the nuisance of the needle it seems to be a better
solution. I'll quit flooding the whole body with a large dose of PDE5
inhibitor plus whatever else is in these pills. Trimix is a specific
compound aimed where it has to go.

Hope this helps........ Paul H.

avocet

2005-07-20, 12:44 pm

You won't find what you are looking for because each user of each of these
drugs brings to the experience a unique body chemistry. My advice would be
to ask your doctor to let you try them all to see which works best for you
with the least, or no, side effects.

I can't tolerate Levitra, for example, but many guys here crow about it.
You just have to try them out.

Jim

"JensenA" <Jenny6833A@aol.com> wrote in message
news:1121613092.766941.4370@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> I'm looking for comparative data on Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra --
> specifically the incidence, intensity, and duration of headache, upset
> stomach, and flushing.
>
> If anyone has an link or other reference, I'd appreciate a response.
>
> -- JensenA
>

JensenA

2005-07-20, 12:44 pm

> Hope this helps........ Paul H.

Paul,

Yes, it does help. I'm flying a bit blind here, looking for info. It
sounds like what I want isn't available.

-- JensenA

JensenA

2005-07-20, 12:44 pm

avocet wrote:

> You won't find what you are looking for...

Very possibly.

> ... because each user of each of these
> drugs brings to the experience a unique body chemistry.

I asked for data covering a large population with full knowledge that
such data might not apply to me. Nevertheless, it would be a good
starting point.

For example, a news article from last May claimed, "Almost 15% of men
on all three drugs report headaches. The other complaint is flushing;
3% on Cialis and 10% of men on Viagra and Levitra report facial
flushing."

Two points: 1) that data was excerpted from some survey, and I'd like
to find it; 2) if the data is accurate, and if flushing was my major
concern, which it isn't, it would tell me to start with Cialis.

> My advice would be
> to ask your doctor to let you try them all to see which works best for you
> with the least, or no, side effects.

The difficulty there is that everyone observes that side effects
diminish over time. I'd have to use each of the three for a long time
to find the point at which the side effects level off.

> You just have to try them out.

Some prior knowledge of the kind I quoted above would nevertheless be
helpful.

-- JensenA

William Koloff

2005-07-20, 12:44 pm

You are being too analytical. Just try each product and see what works
for you. It is that simple.

Paul H.

2005-07-20, 12:44 pm

While I hesitate to use the words "drug tolerance," my impression is
that a form of tolerance is what's happening the longer I'm exposed to
Viagra. When I started Levitra, the body didn't "start over" with a new
drug. The effects and side-effects of Levitra were closely comparable
in quality and intensity to what I'd been experiencing with Viagra.
Levitra wasn't a new "magic bullet."

I think that any primary effect differences are minor. Side-effect wise
I did experience some hamstring "hangover" with Levitra but I was
probably looking for it.

JensenA wrote:

============= snip =============
avocet wrote:
>
>
>
Yeah verily !
>
> Two points: 1) that data was excerpted from some survey, and I'd like
> to find it; 2) if the data is accurate, and if flushing was my major
> concern, which it isn't, it would tell me to start with Cialis.
>
The problem here is that surveys aren't really controlled studies and if
there is a "tolerance" factor, users would tend to be influenced by
where their body was over the long term. To get this even close, we'd
have to rotate the three drugs on a very regular basis and standardise
the encounters, nutrition, other substances etc. etc.
>
>
>
>
Absolutely !!
>
> Some prior knowledge of the kind I quoted above would nevertheless be
> helpful.
>
Just leap in and enjoy.
> -- JensenA
>
============ snip ==============

I've less total months on PDE5 inhibitors than Avocet but my experience
makes me subcribe to his thinking. I've only known four Uros so far but
each has been amenable to supporting trials of each drug as long as they
are compatible with my other meds.

Here's what I'd suggest. Make your first choice based on lifestyle
preference. Cialis if you value long term readiness, Levitra if you
want fairly fast performance after a large meal, Viagra if you want
quick "empty stomach" response. If the side effects are annoying, make
a change.

After six months (once you've started developing a "tolerance" to the
drug), switch to one of the others and observe the change in primary
effect and side-effect. And remember, your mileage may vary -- not only
from that of others but as time goes on.

Paul H.

JensenA

2005-07-24, 5:53 pm

Paul H. wrote:

> I think that any primary effect differences are minor. Side-effect wise
> I did experience some hamstring "hangover" with Levitra but I was
> probably looking for it.

What is "hamstring hangover"? That's a new term to me.

-- JensenA

Paul H.

2005-07-24, 5:53 pm

JensenA wrote:
> Paul H. wrote:
>
>
>
>
> What is "hamstring hangover"? That's a new term to me.
>
>
> -- JensenA
>
When Levitra first arrived on the scene, some early adopters in this
newsgroup complained of hamstring pain the morning after. It's argued
that this is just a normal reaction to extended activity or use of an
unusual position. A couple of golfing buddies coined the "hamstring
hangover" term. While it could be psychological, I think it's a side
effect of Levitra that I don't get from Viagra.

Paul H.

JensenA

2005-07-25, 6:15 pm

Thanks to all for the info and advice. Off I go to see the uro!

JensenA