Viagra: My Personal Moments

Editor's Note: This personal account of a first experience with Viagra is being published on ThirdAge in three episodes. If you haven't already, read Episode I.

Episode II

Whatever skepticism I had before Viagra became a reality did not keep me from hopping down to my doctor to get a prescription within a week of when it became available. My doctor, an old friend who is well aware and supportive of both my writing and my sexual explorations, was just learning his way around the Viagra frenzy. He was glad to have a guinea pig who, he knew, would be comfortable reporting experiences back to him.

What's the Dose?

I decided to start by taking 50 milligrams at a time (the "medium" dose), although I had my doctor prescribe 100's since the pills cost $8 each no matter what the dose. (A handy-dandy pill slicer to convert 100's into 50's or 25's can be had for a mere $3.95.) He called in a prescription for ten pills, with three refills. "After you go through these, come back and see me," he said. "If it's working well for you I'll write an ongoing prescription."

It was a Friday afternoon. By the time Helen came home from work I had a nice little vial of blue pills ready and waiting. I hadn't told her about getting the prescription, thinking it would be fun to surprise her. The weekend lay ahead of us, full of new possibilities. I was surprised at how excited I was. And also how nervous. Pop a pill and change something that has been a central part of your sexual makeup for a very long time. Who would I be if I wasn't exactly me any more? And besides, it all seemed just too easy. What if I was one of the 16 percent on whom Viagra has no effect? Somewhere there had to be a glitch.

Up the dosage. Helen, after first being annoyed at being taken by surprise, got into the anticipation of a new sexual experience. We had dinner, did some evening things. Should I take it now? Ok. First drug experiences being what they are, I decided to start with a full 100 milligrams instead of 50. We looked at each other and laughed. We watched television while we waited. Fifteen minutes went by.

"Feel anything yet?" Helen asked.

"Nope."

Intense Expectations