Been working on a little experiment. My doc is easy going and I asked him for some samples. He gave be a goody bag with all 3 drugs. I've now tried all 3 and have been keeping notes. I never have a problem (without meds) for the first cup. I am on the eternal quest for the great 2nd cup (I'm in my 50's). All of these meds clearly state that they are not intended to improve perfomance for more than one act.. but one can hope. So, the Viagra seemed like a non-player. Really didn't notice much. The Levitra gave more wood than ever on cup 1 and then great wood for cup 2 but on the 2nd one I was like hard and numb. Could not produce a result the second time (not could I for several hours). Cialis, not sure. Got good wood  (but not as good as Levitra) for 2nd time but no result.

I am also noticing that with the meds I seem like I'm not as sensitive. This actually seems like a good thing because I last a long time and when I hit the end the explosions are some of the best ever. I'm starting to wonder if my game plan needs to change. Maybe I should stretch out he whole foreplay process so that I have one good shot toward the end, then a little cuddle time to relax and head out the door happy and peaceful.

Trying to produce the second cup is exhausting, even if successful (maybe half the time) and exhausting and frustrating if unsuccessful.
I know this is an ongoing subject but I did search past posts and found nothing that really addressed this specifically.

Would appeciate input from others. Thanks.

You don't say whether you need the meds.   I do, and I have found that I can have a second cup, although at my age in my mid-60s it is difficult.  But all orgasms have been difficult since I had my prostate out.

Secondcupitis, Onceaweek?

I think you gave yourself the best New Year's advice in your posting - "Maybe I should stretch out the whole foreplay process so that I have one good shot toward the end, then a little cuddle time to relax and head out the door, happy and peaceful."

Sounds great. And definitely less exhausting and frustrating. I would also recommend tantric sex for you, which is aalll about foreplay...

New year, new horizons,
the Love Goddess

i use it when i am with the wife- it gives me bloodshot eyes, a bad headache afterwards and i get all flush- i have no problem getting erect with providers- if i needed a blue pill on top of paying $$$ i would not do it

I've been using all three for some time.  I tend to favor Cialis, but it may just be psychological.  Actually, I think that psychology has a lot to do with it.  Whether with SO or provider, mood, situation, heavy dinner and drinks, whatever, all seem to affect -- sometimes unpredictably -- how the pills work.  I think in the end I mostly use them for a security boost, less worries about whether I can perform.  Then again, there are times when I can have three orgasm in one evening and no drugs.  Who the hell knows ... I do believe the main thing is not to spend too much time agonizing and analyzing.  Maybe invest that time at the gym and get healthy anwyay.

stop putting yourself in a pressure cooker.  Performance issues of ALL kinds can be the result of our psychological drive to be the best at everything and it just ain't gonna happen.  Just take a look at our fair quarterback Rex Grossman in Chicago and how he performed in last night's game against the Pack - total failure - and I will stake a month's pay on it that he was too preoccupied with performing and just f'n enjoying the game like he used to in the backyard.

The posts seem to indicate that everyone's experience is different.  I've tried all three medications and now favor cialis, also probably for psychological reasons -- I'm not chained to an hour's time frame.  Results are closely similar in all cases -- the pills help, but don't guarantee.  A lot depends on mood and partners, and as LG and others have observed, not putting pressure on yourself and enjoying the experience.  It's hard for me to avoid the self-pressure -- I want very much for the session to be genuinely satisfying for both of us -- and that often affects performance, but not always.  I'm also sensitive about age (I'm nearly 73 and a cancer survivor, but active and in good health) and trying to figure out how to manage performance variations, if all other factors, e.g. attractiveness and compatibility of the partner, are roughly equal.  I also find it exhilarating getting to know a favored provider, but I think not out of loneliness but because I love interactions with attractive and intelligent women, whether providers, colleagues, neighbors or friends.  I don't have sexual encounters with any of those in the latter three categories.  As for my wife, we are very companionable but not in a sexual way, despite occasional upsetting flareups.  Our children are grown, and interacting with them now that they are adults and have children of their own helps.  We realize that life is never perfect, but at a time when we spend increasing amounts of time going to memorial services for friends, or hearing about their serious or terminal illnesses, we're grateful for what we have.  We've made reasonable peace with this situation and I try not to fret about the things I can no longer do as well.  I don't mean to sound self-satisfied -- I'm not.  In that regard, I find Dylan Thomas's poem a great source of inspiration:  "Do not go gentle in that good night; rage, rage against the dying of the light."  
Happy 2007!

Me too! I only used it one time, (viagra) I'm 40 and it takes almost no effort to keep it up, little numbness too. I'll use it only with providers though... Happy new year...

I've had similar experience with the ED drugs as others; less sensation and a delayed and difficult second cup. But, as I near sixty I can say with Cialis I can perform about 90% as well as when I was 35. I take it the night before anticipated fun and usually the headache and redeye will fade away by then.

But, after using these drugs since they were launched, I've begun to have stomach problems with sudden vomiting. After taking a Cialis, if I even drink a glass of water I start hurling!

I've stopped taking all ED drugs for ahile to see if this disappears. In the mean time it's back to so-so sex. But no headaches, blurred vision, or projectile vomiting.

I've found that the best results come from taking less than a whole tablet.  Use as little as a quarter and work up.

Took a Cialis yesterday and met with my ATF. She is the best, no nervousness just pure enjoyment with her. I had decided to go the 1 cup route and just relax. Did a 90 min appt and the playtime leading up to the "act" went about 45 minutes and was superb. The "act" was mind blowing and lasted much longer than usual (multiple positions). We then spent some super nice cuddle time and I was feeling very fulfilled. All of this, I believe, because I wasn't worrying about the 2nd cup. Checked the clock and we still had 20 minutes. So, I thought, what the heck and decided to go for cup 2 afterall. She has magnificent skills and 15 minutes later I was about to pop again. And, indeed, I did. Go figure. I'm starting to wonder if there aren't just too many variables in the equation to come to any consistent conclusions.  

-- Modified on 1/3/2007 10:22:06 AM

In my experience using one half of a Levitra tablet works really well-actually my Doctor suggested it.  I tried a quarter but got a less than satisfactory result.

Precisely my point ...

I've been using the "HardOn Helpers" for some years, Started with Viagra. 50Mg,s didn't do a thing, 100mg worked, BUT took several hours to get full benefit. I find I need to take it two hours before expected activity. Then, as long as there is stimulation there is wood.

As for Cups, I don't think these drugs have any affect on this. Your individual recovery time is simply individual to you.

I tried Levitra and it was useless for me in any strength. Just did't get it done.

Then Cialis and found perfection. It hits the system in about 20 minutes full foce and the effect lasts up to 30 hours. I notice that when taken every two days the second dose is far more effective that a one shot "pop and romp" effect  most look for.  Pop one Friday afternoon and one Staturday evening and you are a walking lumber yard the entire week end.

About climax frequency and volume I'm hot on a compounded item made of Saw Palmetto, Yohimbe and Horny Goat Weed. This stuff really opens up the pipes for sure.

I've never had trouble using both the herbals and the Rx together ... but YMMV.

Muff

To me an anti-ED pill is

(1) an insurance policy for shot #1 - before I started using them, occasionally I would pay $300 and not be able to get the job done.  Very disappointing for both me AND the provider (they have feelings too, you know; it's sad to hear them ask me, "what am I doing wrong?" when they genuinely want to satisfy you and they're doing nothing wrong).

(2) A lottery ticket for shot #2.  I've never been prolific, and if I want any chance at that beloved Round Two I need a friend on my side.

Now in terms of the relative merits of the 3, for me:

Viagra - most powerful of the 3, but worst side effects (for me, false-color vision, headache, heartburn, and inability to swallow).  Using 50 mg (or 100 mg taken in 2 50 mg doses an hour apart) reduces side effects significantly with only a small decrease in power.

Cialis - no side effects, but almost no benefit either.  Nearly worthless for me.

Levitra - almost as useful as viagra, but with very little in the way of side effects.  Best choice for most situations.