Cialis

[Evianers]

Does anyone please have any experience with the drug "Cialis"?

We were at the hospital today for what will be the last check-up for this year = DG!

The urologist prescribed the above but it seems to have some rather nasty side-effects.

If anyone has experience, please feel free to share, for which, many thanks in advance.

[andrew44]

Surprised no-one has replied !

Cialis is one of the treatments for ED (erectile dysfunction) together with Viagra and Levitra. It"s known as the weekend treatment, because its effect allegedly lasts longer than the others.

I don't know why you have been prescribed it, but a google search will tell you all you need.

HTH

@+

Andrew 44

[sid]

Swallow it quickly or you'll get a stiff neck.   [:-))]

 

 

[NormanH]

I wouldn't recommend it for anyone with heart or blood pressure problems looking at the side effects.

I didn't reply because I have never used it.

[Evianers]

[quote user="sid"]

Swallow it quickly or you'll get a stiff neck.   [:-))]

 

 

[/quote]

Thank you Sid, but we didn't find this remark either particularly helpful, or funny.

The drug has been prescribed post-operatively after a radical prostatectomy following cancer.

We have one or two rather serious reservations about taking the drug.

Thank you for the other sensible replies.

[cooperlola]

I think the thing to bear in mind with potential side effects of drugs is that they are just that - potential.  Not everybody reacts in the same way and the medics dealing with Mr E's case will understand all this and will surely monitor use as you go along.  If it helps to give you both a better quality of life then why not give it a go?  Nobody says he has to take it forever and if the side effects appear then he can always stop taking it.

[suein56]

[quote user="cooperlola"]I think the thing to bear in mind with potential side effects of drugs is that they are just that - potential.  Not everybody reacts in the same way ... [/quote]

Agreed; though when my rhumatologue prescribed a certain drug I hesitated and consulted my own doctor. She said there was no way I was to take that particular drug. There were numerous reasons for her decision, which she explained to me ... based on her knowledge of me and my particular form of arthritis.

If in doubt talk to a qualified second party.

Sue

[sid]

I apologise for the frivolous remark.

I find it odd that people are prepared to discuss stuff like this on a forum, when you probably wouldn't talk about it in a room full of friends or family and where you don't really know who you are talking to here, or whether anyone has the qualifications and particularly when there is a lot of information available in the public domain (Google brings up enough to keep you occupied for weeks), and more importantly when a medical practioner has precscribed a drug specifically for you or your spouse. Surely you should be discussing your questions and reservations with him (her)! It's not exactly like asking whether to use a 16A disjoncteur or a particular size of copper piping or what you need for a driving licence.

My brother-in-law has been through a very similar procedure to the one you describe and he appreciated my attempt at levity. He's made good progress by the way.

[Evianers]

It is because you don't know to whom you are talking that it is so much easier.

If you had to discuss such intimate matters with friends or relatives, it would not be so facile.

We need to have input. Peoples' experiences vary widely and it is this which we hope to find.

That said, we accept your apology but maybe you should think a little before posting fatuous

remarks. Quite frankly we have been through hell during the last 8 months cancer in any form

is unbelievably difficult to cope with, which is why we are asking for recommendations on an

open forum - don't want to make a serious mistake.

[Daft Doctor]

My simple professional opinion is that Cialis (Tadalafil) is a very good drug for ED, certainly an improvement on Viagra, given its longer window of action and shorter time to be effective, even in the presence of food.  It has (like any drug) the potential for side effects, but in my experience as a GP it was usually well tolerated and much appreciated by those who had need to use it.  To take it or not is of course a personal choice. 

[Evianers]

Once again, our thanks to all contributors.

This morning called in to our local pharmacy, who have, throughout been absolutely marvellous, only to find that the cost, which is not in any way reimbursed by either CPAM or the Mutuelle for one month's supply is a cool €105.-- which has come as a huge shock. So we are still deliberating.....

[idun]

I mentioned on another thread that some things are not reimbursed by anyone in spite of them being prescribed. It happened to us a few times over the years.

So what is a month's supply? As we all have different levels of sexual desire, then a month's supply may only be enough for a month, or be enough for two months, maybe even a year or more for some?  I do not need or want to know any personal details, just something that you may have not taken into account when paying out so much money.

[andrew44]

Hello Evianers,

Firstly, I'm sorry that when I first replied on page 1, I had completely forgotten about your dreadful experience with prostate cancer. Concerning side effects, if your doctor has prescribed it, he/she has certainly taken your medical history into account, so no major concerns about heart problems etc. but they are described here                              http://www.cialis.com/Pages/home.aspx

I know that Cialis is prescribed for treatment of benign enlarged prostate, as well as ED - see http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm274642.htm

I've followed up all these pills having experienced some problems linked to restricted circulation - principally narrowed arteries in the legs, and carotids. All that, thanks to years of dissolute living, excess cholesterol and smoking ! I've since been operated on...

Concerning the cost, yes, it's ridiculously expensive thanks to pharmaceutical companies and their patents. However, I'm sure I heard somewhere - probably Brigitte Lahaie on RMC - that there was reimbursement in the case of prescription following procedures such as your husband's. You may wish to enquire about that.

Also your doctor's prescription of Cialis rather than Viagra. They all function in the same way, but as mentioned, Cialis lasts longer,(and I think is more expensive !) thus making it more suitable for 'spontaneous' relationships, hence the 'weekend' tag. I don't know about your relationship of course, but in ours, spontaneous weekend flings or adventures are out of the question !

So my question would be why not Viagra, which lasts about 4 hours, and is fine for 'planned' occasions, and I'm pretty sure it's cheaper ! The Pfizer patent was supposed to expire this year, but apparently has been extended to 2020 ! However, generic versions exist and can be obtained online, but I don't suppose I'm allowed to tell you about that !

I have absolutely no professional knowledge of this, only personal interest and common sense...

I sincerely hope that this can help you in your decisions and future research.

Best wishes,

Andrew 44

@+

[idun]

Andrew44, that was interesting to read that Brigitte Lahaie was discussing this. Did you know that she is a former porn star? She used to be on tv discusstion programs from time to time years ago discussing sexual matters. If she is still as well informed as she used to be then it would be worth Evianers asking about getting reimbursed for this. IF the CPAM will pay, then I would imagine that the mutualist would probably make up the rest.

[andrew44]

Yes indeed, idun. It's well known about Brigitte and the media say 'elle assume totalement'. And she does. She has a daily weekday radio show 14h to 16h  on RMC info where she invites a selection of specialists - sexologues, gynécos, pédiatres.... - and patiently runs a phone-in about all sorts of subjects, including les problèmes d'érection, what she calls 'le plaisir rapide' for gentlemen, even les femmes fontaine !

You are surely right about possible reimbursements - I'm sure I didn't dream it !

@+

Andrew 44

[Evianers]

[quote user="idun"]If she is still as well informed as she used to be then it would be worth Evianers asking about getting reimbursed for this. IF the CPAM will pay, then I would imagine that the mutualist would probably make up the rest.[/quote]

If any kind contributor knows how to go about this before we have the prescription dispensed, would they please urgently let us know how to go about it, especially DD who seemingly lives in our region.

Our profound thanks once again and we are grateful for your kindness and help.

[andrew44]

I can only suggest contacting your urologist for information about different solutions.

I wish you every success,

@+

Andrew 44

[Patf]

It has just "clicked" with me that you want to continue to live a normal married life after a traumatic illness. A positive attitude, hoping it works out for you. We had a similar adjustment to make, though not so serious. (hip replacement.)

All I can suggest is to try the cialis, if you can afford it - I don't know any way around the reimbursement. Maybe they would let you just have a week's supply?

If it is really horrible, at least you have tried.

[Rabbie]

I don't mean to be flippant but my spam filter keeps getting amazing offers for Cialis and other similar drugs

[Daft Doctor]

Hi Evianers, I would truly love to be more helpful, but I've only been in France for 5 months, so haven't yet had any dealings (other than administrative) with CPAM.  It might be worth you visiting the office either local to you or the regional office in Annecy and seek advice/plead your case for reimbursement directly with them.  Beware of buying any drugs through the internet, they are famed for frequently being fakes with no active ingredients.  Not sure whether you've been prescribed the small 2,5mg dose to be taken every day, or whether its the more usual 10 or 20mg to be used as the need arises.  If its the former, it is more expensive than ad hoc use.  In the NHS we used to prescribe in a limited fashion on the basis of a maximum of one tablet per week average.  The private cost of (say) 4 x 20mg tablets was approx £40 for those who didn't 'qualify' for NHS treatment.  I must say I'm surprised that you can't get some cost reimbursement given the origin of the prescription and the background reason for it.  If I were you I'd persue the reimbursement side fully with CPAM before I spent any money. 

[NormanH]

Your husband has an ALD and so is reimbursed at 100% for the main cancer treatment.

Sometimes other treatments which follow on are also reimbursed at 100% (for example I have a lung X ray coming up before my next check up, which will be paid for because that is a potential site of secondaries)

(les prescriptions ayant un rapport direct et incontestable avec l'ALD exonérante)

The key is to look at the prescription. Usually there are two sections. The top part is for anything that the Doctor decides is covered by the ALD, and the lower half for other things.

Look and see where the Cialis has been entered.

http://www.ameli.fr/professionnels-de-sante/medecins/exercer-au-quotidien/les-affections-de-longue-duree/l-ordonnance-bizone.php

In my experience if your Doctor considers it necessary the CPAM doesn't quibble to much, although there is considerable tightening up going on.

There for the person to approach is your Doctor rather than the CPAM direct.

[Evianers]

[quote user="Daft Doctor"]Hi Evianers, I would truly love to be more helpful, but I've only been in France for 5 months, so haven't yet had any dealings (other than administrative) with CPAM.  It might be worth you visiting the office either local to you or the regional office in Annecy and seek advice/plead your case for reimbursement directly with them.  Beware of buying any drugs through the internet, they are famed for frequently being fakes with no active ingredients.  Not sure whether you've been prescribed the small 2,5mg dose to be taken every day, or whether its the more usual 10 or 20mg to be used as the need arises.  If its the former, it is more expensive than ad hoc use.  In the NHS we used to prescribe in a limited fashion on the basis of a maximum of one tablet per week average.  The private cost of (say) 4 x 20mg tablets was approx £40 for those who didn't 'qualify' for NHS treatment.  I must say I'm surprised that you can't get some cost reimbursement given the origin of the prescription and the background reason for it.  If I were you I'd persue the reimbursement side fully with CPAM before I spent any money. [/quote]

We have been prescribed the 5mgs x 30 days.

Thank you again folks - thanks cost nothing and hopefully expresses our appreciation.

We have decided to go away for a few days and will resume our deliberations upon our return.

Excellent idea to take up the matter with CPAM/Mutuelle, as we are of course already ALD.

[idun]

Daft Doctor, I said only recently on here that, just because one has a prescription from a GP or even a specialist, is never a guarantee that the CPAM will reimburse it. It is indicated on the vignette as to how it is reimbursed, or not. The prescription as always, only means that the pharmacie can legally dispense said drug or product. And the pharmacie gets paid, not matter what.

The CPAM are told by the government what they can and cannot refund, and they act accordingly. Sometimes the mutualist will give some help towards costs on things that are not reimbursed by the CPAM, but that is another thing to look for in a contract, as to whether they do this or not.

I reckon discussing this further with the urologist is the way to go forward with this. And depending on what they say, I would ask the CPAM if they have made a mistake in not reimbursing.

[NormanH]

Exactly  right idun.

This is explained here

http://www.doctissimo.fr/html/medicaments/articles/sa_6347_medicaments_remboursement.htm

The SMR has been decided nationally, and the colour of the vignette indicates the allowed level of reimbursement

Each medicine has an allowed level 0 /35/ 65 /100 % according to the SMR (Service médical rendu)

There is no point going to the local  CPAM  over this, as it is la Commission de la transparence de la Haute Autorité de Santé  which decides it

The only faint hope is to get it passed on the ALD part of the Ordonnance Bizone as I indicated above, but even then it will probably be picked up by the Pharmacie.

This is because les personnes ayant une affection de longue durée

bénéficient d'un taux de remboursement de 100 % pour les

médicaments liés à leur affection.

It is for the Doctor to decide if this is the case.

[idun]

Interesting article NH.

If I haven't had experience of us needing this prescribed, we have had others things that I considered necessary to our well being needing prescribing and the only choice is to pay. And the truth is that people are used to having to pay out even if they don't like it. Or simply they don't get what is prescribed.

From what friends tell me,  cut backs are reducing levels of reimbursements, or have stopped for many things. Ofcourse some things have not been affected, but other things just don't seem fair and yet they will still have to be paid for if wanted.