I'm New Here: Requisite Congenital or Peyronies

[tised]

Hey everyone,

Firstly, I would like to thank this community for even being here.  Finding information online regarding Peyronie's has been very tricky and even an anxious affair due to the condition's unnecessarily embarrassing nature.  Anyway, a little background: I am a 23-year-old male who has had a healthy sex life for the last seven years.  While dating my previous girlfriend, we had some bouts with sexual difficulty, mostly on her end due to numerous UTIs and her mental condition; she has been on anti-anxiety and antidepressants for some years now.  This made her very self-conscious during sex and, admittedly, other factors like privacy created tension.  I have never experienced this before and thought something was wrong with me, and for some stupid reason, I wondered if my penis was somehow inadequate.  So, I looked into enhancement options and discovered the murky world of jelqing and stretching.

I followed the exercise regiment very closely, with my workouts beginning in February of 2012 and ending at the end of October of 2012.  I made sure to warm up every time with a hot wrap and never pushed myself too far, or so I thought.  I discovered that my penis grew in length and girth, going from about 5.5 inches erect to 6.5 inches; flaccid, my penis has always been about one inch, no joke.  Now, it is usually two but often three inches in length when totally flaccid.  My ex at the time noticed it and was shocked I managed to change the size and shape of my penis.  I was taking L-Arginine, L-Lysine, and Zinc on my workout days, including Pygeum Africanum, Lecithin, Flaxseed Oil, Fish Oil, Super B Complex, and a solid Multivitamin.  But during the last week of October, after we had broken up, I think I went too hard and stretched too far, feeling an uneasy sensation in my penis.  It's important to note that I had noticed the progression of a curve for months preceding this but with no pain.  It is also important to note that I have always had a slight curve to the left, as several photos taken years ago prove.

Anyway, after this weird feeling from stretching, I finished my workout and decided to take some days off.  But the pain got worse and I noticed a small bruise/discoloration and what appeared to be a reddish stretch mark running about two inches on my penis.  So, I scheduled an appointment to see a urologist.  I saw him and he said I essentially "sprained" something or caused a microtear near the glans of my penis.  He told me to abstain from sexual activity for six to eight weeks.  He didn't feel any plaque and said that he couldn't diagnosis Peyronie's because there wasn't significant curvature or plaque.  While I didn't exactly abstain as much as I should have, I did mostly stop masturbating for weeks on end.  

The pain is now completely gone but the discoloration and stretch mark (maybe inflamed vein) are still there, though they seem to have faded a bit.  I am now living in Chicago and have scheduled an appointment with Dr. Levine for March 1st.  I need some kind of closure on this; I need to know if I have to start treatment or maybe I just have a congenital curvature.  The curve hasn't increased since my injury and, as stated above, I noticed the enhanced curve while flaccid months before my injury.  While erect, there's not much of a difference between the way my penis looks now and a few years ago when I was sixteen.  The only difference is the discoloration/bruise, stretch mark/inflamed vein, and a bigger, more curved flaccid penis.  

I am currently taking Vitamin E, C, L-Lysine, a Multivitamin, Butcher's Broom, and Gingko Biloba for bruising and increased blood flow to the area.  I also was using Bio-Oil and Cocoa Butter, but have cut back significantly; I liked how smooth it made my unit feel.  I have continued sexual activity with no pain and no loss of erectile function.  Based on what you all know and what I have told you, can anyone point me in the right direction?  Can anyone give me advice?  My current girlfriend and ex have been very supportive through all of this, including my brother, best friend, and mother.  I just want some kind of pointers and opinions; it can be quite suffocating with everyone telling you "you're going to be fine" or "you're overreacting."  This is a serious condition and I am not sure where to turn.  Dr. Levine has me scheduled for an ultrasound the morning of our appointment so he can check it out before meeting with me.  I seriously hope there is no scar tissue or, if there is, it is something I can deal with.  I have grown fond of my curved flaccid penis and don't mind it; life is too short to dwell and panic about these things as long as I can have a functional sex life.  Please.  And thanks in advance for reading my story and any opinions.  It means a lot!

[Hawk]

First off you could not do any better for a doctor than Dr. Levine.  I would discuss with him if Pentox might be a good precautionary drug until all healing is complete.

The other thing you have going for you is a good attitude about you flaccid curve.  If more men (especially young men)could get to your point of not obsessing over the natural curves, bulges, dents, and features of a normal penis, then we would have less business here.  

Also for your information, we have had a couple dozen guys here over the years that started a whole series of problems from following recommendations of penis enlargement forums.  Grow out of your concern over size and leave well enough alone before you find yourself in a situation where you would give half of your life's wages just to get back to where you were at 20 years old.

The next thing I am going to say is total unqualified speculation based on a few facts that might have led me to the wrong conclusion.  I do believe that any contrary opinion on this topic is also speculation however so make your choice of the speculation you want to follow.  I would lay off of taking more than 300 - 400 mg of vitamin C and get rid of the L-Lysine.  They are in fact collagen builders and I would worry they might lead to formation of non-elastin, collagen based plaque in my penis.  Now, its true that most of the body is made of one of the dozens of types of collagen.  It is also true that it does not make a lot of sense to try to prevent plaque by depriving the body of the building blocks of collagen.

I speculate that I would take my chances without the Mega C doses and L-Lysine because a few doctors have told Peyronies Disease patients to limit vitamin C.  At least one pharmaceutical company that sells a topical compound for the treatment of Peyronies Disease warns, "Do not take more than 400 mg of vitamin C while using this product.  Also, one of the newest drugs under approval by the FDA for Peyronies Disease functions by attacking collagen.  It is delivered by injection into the plaque.  Finally, there are some natural medicine MD's and PhD's that advise taking large amounts of Vit C and L-Lysine to prevent cancer metastasis (spreading to distant sites).  It supposedly enhances resistance to the enzymes cancer cells use to migrate through blood vessel walls etc.  Admittedly it is a bunch of unorganized data with no clear conclusion so you will have to choose.  Oh, by the way.  I was on large doses of Vitamin C and L-Lysine when I developed Peyronies Disease.  I had other clear triggers and risk factors but it is one more thing to make me suspicious.

Good Luck
Hawk

[tised]

Hawk,

Thanks for your hasty response!  So, you're suggesting I lay off the Vitamin C and L-Lysine?  I am totally cool with this.  Should I then stick with the Vitamin E?  I am currently taking 400 IU of the E twice a day, each time with 1000 mg of Vitamin C.  I take the L-Lysine in the morning and I'll lay off it starting tomorrow.  

Also, do you think this is Peyronie's?  I understand if you're uncomfortable with this question.  I haven't noticed any plaque other than the slight discoloration spot and inflamed vein/stretch mark thing.  

Thanks again!

[Hawk]

The vitamin E is fine.  It probably has no impact one way or the other as far as your penis is concerned although it might have some benefit.  2000 mg of "C" every day is A LOT.  Recent studies show it worsens problems with osteoarthritis.

I have no guess about whether you have Peyronies Disease.  If I had to call it heads or tails, I would guess no.  You probably have an injury and a healing process going on but what you did would clearly be a trigger if the underlying conditions were right, so if you dodged the bullet don't spin the cylinder and click it again.

My guess will be meaningless come March 1st.  Good luck with your appointment and let us know how it goes regardless of the outcome.

[tised]

Hawk,

Thanks again!  Starting tomorrow, no more mega dose of Vitamin C, L-Lysine, and I'm also going to cut out the Butcher's Broom and Gingko.  I will stick with the Vitamin E and multivitamin for the time being.  I will let you know as soon as I find out what Dr. Levine says.  I am hopeful and trying to be optimistic.  It means a lot that you all are here.  I read my girlfriend your words and she agrees: it's awesome that a community like this even exists.  

All the best from me!

[Hawk]

Tised,

If you might want to check out at least the first half of this document.  There are a few other supplements can do you no harm and maybe some good while you wait for a diagnosis.

MUST READ BEFORE YOU POST - Information for new members - Peyronies Society Forums

[tised]

Hawk,

I'm about to pick up those supplements and start them today!  Thanks again, man.  Any other pointers or tips would be much appreciated.  Today, I've only taken 400 IU of Vitamin E and my multivitamin.  No more L-Lysine, Vitamin C, Butcher's Broom, or Gingko for me -- to be safe.

[tised]

Hawk,

How does this sound:

- 1 solid multivitamin in the morning
- 2000 mg of L-Arginine (1000 in the morning, 1000 at night)
- 200 mg of CoQ-10 (100 in the morning, 100 at night)
- 1000 mg of Acetyl-L-Carnitine (500 in the morning, 500 at night)
- 800 IU of Vitamin E (400 in the morning, 400 at night)

I know this isn't ideal due to financial reasons, but do you think this will help me be on the safe side?  My appointment is approaching fast, and I don't want to dawdle anymore if Dr. Levine ends up diagnosing me with Peyronie's.  And as stated in the main thread, it can't hurt!  Thanks again for all your help, man.  

All the best!  Keep watching the skies!  =]

[Hawk]

My friend, why are you double posting on our forum.

[tised]

Hawk, I'm sorry!  No one else had responded other than you to my previous post in "Congenital Curvature or Peyronie's Disease," and I thought it was because I didn't post it here.  You can delete this; I didn't mean to offend anyone.  

[Hawk]

I will move your post here.

[LWillisjr]

tised,
I PM'd you earlier. I've read through all your posts to get an idea of your symptoms. You say you are pain free and that your erection is the same as when were 16. If at all curved then could be congenital.

I read where you are concerned that your penis is curved while flaccid. I don't think this has anything to do with Peyronies Disease. But certainly could indicate that when flaccid, that your tunica relaxes unevenly. This could be a side effect of the jelqing exercises. I know there are guys who claim success with jelqing but I for one could never see any good coming out of it.

If erections are good (even thought slightly curved), pain free, sex is good, etc. sounds good to me. but certainly a checkup with Levine could bring that closure you are seeking. I'll be in touch.

Les