My introduction

[Yardbird]

Here is my long story. I'm a 60 year old type 1 diabetic. I was born with a congenital penile bend to the left about 25° to 30°. I was concerned about this more than I should have been as a youngster, as I ater discovered that it functioned just fine during intercourse. Fast forward 40 years, and a lump appeared mid shaft on my penis. Since I have a metastasic tumor history I was quite alarmed. Went to primary doc. She thought no big deal, but sent to urologist to be sure. Urologist thought it was onset of peyronies. No bend or pain at this stage. Just said wait and see. Six months later, the lump is larger, there is some pain during erection, but tolerable, and strangely, my erections are now almost perfectly straight! The peyronies has kind of counteracted my original congenital bend. Actually, my wife wondered that I'd had 'work done' while she was out of town for a week. At that point peyronies wasn't so bad. Alas, the story proceeds. Within a year, the lump had proceeded to grow until it has now ringed completely around the shaft. Circumferential. Now my erections are just plain ridiculous. I believe the term is waisted. Coming out of my abdomen, the shaft is normal girth, about 1" from the abdomen the shaft is waisted down to the girth of little more than flaccid size, semi-erect and the bend to the left has returned , but now at 45°. But the kicker is a loss of about 1 1/4" in length. I guess all of the details don't really matter, because it all boils down to trying to shoot pool with a rope. Wife is definitely not intrigued anymore, but I have to say she is supportive. Three urologists have told me that penile implants are my only option for a case as severe as mine. My insurance blows big, and my financial situation blows just as big. So ...  Thanks for letting me unload. Kind of therapy.
P.S. I might be willing to post a pic of the pathetic penis described above if or when it becomes proper to do so.
Thanks, yardbird

[Hawk]

Welcome to the forum Yardbird.  You just got here and already I am impressed that you filled out your signature line when many who have been here years have not done so.  Members will go out of the way to help you with that information in your signature line.

Since you filled the signature line out you may have already read https://www.peyroniesforum.net/index.php/topic,3180.0.html
If not, read it carefully.

If urologists are already suggesting an implant it is likely that is the solution you need.  Although you did not spell out that you have Erectile Dysfunction in addition to the curve you mentioned shooting pool with a rope which suggests that you have some stage of Erectile Dysfunction.  An implant by a great surgeon would fix both your deformity and your Erectile Dysfunction with one outpatient surgery.  Don't give up on your insurance.  A great surgeon might be able to change their mind on coverage, especially if YOU report other means to fix Erectile Dysfunction have failed.  

Worse case scenario is that Medicare DOES cover an implant (about 80%).  If you have any supplemental insurance it will pick up the slack.  You likely won't be covered by that until you are 65 however unless you are disabled.  If other attempts at insurance fail even after appeal, then improvise until 64 1/2 and start the ball rolling an get a 65 year birthday present.

Finally do NOT let some surgeon, no matter how nice, who does  a couple dozen of these a year do the surgery.  You want to turn back the clock 30 years not create more challenges..

[Yardbird]

Thank you for the welcome, Hawk.  
The Erectile Dysfunction question is complicated, and I'm not sure how to answer it. My erectile "response" is as vigorous as it was 30 years ago. The problem (in my opinion) is all mechanical. I have very firm penis from inside my body up to the ring of scar tissue about an inch or so from my abdomen, then the penis narrows, bends, and as stated previously is quite noticeably shorter than before peyronies. It does stand outward in kind of a pseudo-erection, but bends extremely easily.
My urologist had me try viagra to see if the additional blood flow might pump it up better, but it did not work. She also told me , like you did, that Medicare covers implants. As I turn 61 in two weeks, I guess I have 4 years of this. Even if I could get my current insurance to 'cover' it, which i doubt, my deductible is ridiculous.
Thank you very much for your input on the choice of surgeon. My current urologist is one of those that most likely only does several a year, as she does general urology. She was probably disappointed when I told her I couldn't afford the out-of-pocket of my health insurance, which is true. I fully intend to go to a specialist who deals only with penises who I saw back when this first started.
Thanks again,
Yardbird

[Hawk]

I wonder if traction would help/  I think it would at least preserve length.  It also sometimes improves erections.  I clearly noticed that myself .

I wonder if you have tried to get blood past the scar tissue by hand message/milking? though it might be difficult to get it there it would likely tend to stay once you did as long as you maintained an erection at the base..  A VED would also very possibly draw blood into that distal end of the penis if you gave it several minutes.  This might make intercourse possible in addition helping to preserve what you have and possibly even reversing the effects somewhat.  It would be nice if you could try out a VED or buy a cheap one to see.  On the other hand, a Vacurect is in my opinion unbeatable for a single cylinder VED and moderately priced at $200 or less.  It is very durable (don't drop it on concrete or tile).  It will last for years plus it is uniquely convenient one handed operation with washer-like discs rather than bands that snap onto your penis.

I would NOT just wait four years doing nothing.

You did not mention impact on your marriage but I would caution you not to just put intimacy on the shelf for 4 years. There is non-sexual intimacy that men sometimes avoid because it won't end in sex or maybe because they fear they will be pressured for sex.  Hug, kisses, a walk holding hands, a conversation in the moonlight go a long way to sustain a marriage.  Even if you never were into those things and let intercourse carry the intimacy load, now is the time to perfect them and you might, like many other couples, be surprised that you gain something from this experience.

Finally, unless your wife is in the minority 25% she puts as much or more value of external stimulation than on intercourse.  If your wife is receptive don't toss out all you can do because your penis may not be fully functional.

[TonySa]

Yardbird, open enrollment is coming up-can you explore other insurance options, including affordable care plans?

[Hawk]

Even if you switched for a year and had the surgery.  The higher premiums would be well worth it.

[Yardbird]

To Hawk & TonySa,
Thanks for all the info. Lots to digest. As this is the introduction board, should I move to a different section to continue? Pardon my ignorance, but 'technically savvy' is not on my resumé.
Thanks again.

[TonySa]

Yes, you'll want to do that soon.