Hello - Introduction

[pretzel]

Hello to all men and the women who care for them.  I am 68 years old and have been happily married for 43 years to a loving, supportive woman who is my best friend and who blesses me greatly.

Initially I had noticed an inelastic cordlike structure along the top midline of my shaft that seemed to limit the stretched length of my penis.  My primary care physician initially thought that what I was feeling was the normal structure of artery or vein.  Over the following year or so a curvature developed, upward and to the right.  At it's worst the glans was almost pointing back toward my body.  There has been a gradual improvement in the bending and no pain so that normal intercourse has been possible and pleasurable.  The plaque is now about 3/8" wide and runs the full length from the glans to as far internally as I can feel with a fingertip.  I have lost about an inch or more in erect length.

I was diagnosed with Peyronie's disease about three or four years ago.  Actually, I had pretty much determined, from my own research, that I had Peyronie's before I saw my primary care physician.  We have had a good patient/physician relationship for about 25 years.  His response to my self-diagnosis was "bummer".  He had previously referred me to a good urologist for symptoms of urinary frequency and urgency (perhaps related to benign prostatic hypertrophy) and occasional erectile disfunction.  This urologist, however, had made a couple attempts at retirement and was no longer available when the Peyronie's appeared.  So I was introduced to a recently graduated urologist in the same group of specialists.  His approach was to prescribe Acetyl L-Carnitine and vitamin E capsules and if there was no improvement in 6 to 9 months we would consider surgery.  I think I had two appointments with this urologist.  I don't recall if he ever did a hands-on or visual exam.  I remember on one visit he asked me to make a sketch to illustrate the direction and degree of the bending of the shaft.

My insurance would not recognize the ALC as a prescription because it is available over-the-counter.  Consequently it cost considerably more than if I had paid my usual generic co-pay.  I continued with the ALC for about 6 months with no noticeable improvement.  I continue to take the vitamin E but don't know if it has any value.

Several years before the appearance of Peyronie's I experienced occasional ED and purchased a vacuum device manufactured by Bonro.  It has silicone "grommets" that remain on the base of the penis after a vacuum produces an erection.  We recently tried this device again when I failed to get a firm enough erection to achieve penetration.  The first attempt failed so I used a "grommet" with a smaller opening and that worked but I had some discomfort from it.  I am concerned that continued use of the vacuum device may cause vascular damage.

Several years ago I also had low testosterone levels and used a prescribed topical foam treatment.  It was an expensive mess and I didn't see much value in it so I discontinued treatment.  A few months ago testing showed that my "free" and total testosterone levels were 20% to 30% below the low end of normal range!  My doctor prescribed a skin patch for testosterone replacement.  This was a big hassle with my insurance company.  After about a week of using the patch I began to experience significant irritation, contact dermatitis. From the second to third week I was getting chemical burns like a severe sunburn at the patch locations.  A month after stopping the treatment some of the skin damage is still evident.

Along with the development of Peyronie's I have begun to experience retrograde ejaculation (into the bladder instead of outward) or no ejaculation. Also orgasms are significantly less intense or non-existent.

The psychological impact of Peyronie's is probably as great as the physical impact.  I was physically, emotionally and sexually abused as a child and adolescent with the result that I have difficulty seeing myself as an effective masculine adult.  This compounds the mental impact of ED and Peyronie's.  About two years ago I began seeing a counselor and continued to see him for about a year.  But then I felt that we had reached a plateau and were not making additional progress.  I began seeing another counselor about ten months ago and think we are making great progress.  In mid-year (June 15) Medicare decided they would no longer pay LLPs (limited licensed psychologists) and LPCs (licensed professional counselors) who were not billing under a referring physician (MD or psychiatrist).  So, shortly after I paid my annual deductible my insurance quit paying my counselor (LPC) because he is in private practice.  So, year-to-date, he is about $1,000 short of his advertised rate because we were not informed of the reduction in benefits.  Thank you, Medicare!  I plan to continue with this counselor in 2014 but my insurance will probably pay nothing.

I found a group called Celebrate Recovery (look it up online).  It is a Christ centered 12 step group that deals with all hurts, hang-ups and habits, everything from substance abuse to gambling to relationship difficulties to behavioral addictions.  I have also found a group called BAM (Biblically Authentic Men).  Through these two groups and my current counselor I am developing supportive friendships with courageous men who are dealing with their own struggles and chaotic lives.

Hawk, James, and others, if you think this message, or parts of it, could be beneficial in other areas of this forum please feel free to copy it.

Thank you,

Pretzel

[LWillisjr]

pretzel,
Good information, thanks for sharing.

[pretzel]

  Les,

Thanks for your reply.  I read your history.  Very encouraging!  After reading more of the forums I am considering several options:  nutritional supplements, VED therapy, maybe even traction.  Not ready to consider surgery yet.  Anyone have recommendations for specialists in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area?  It is time to take action on the physical treatment but continue to grow with the mental/emotional healing.

With the degree of healing you have experienced, Les, you could have said "glad that's over" and gone on to enjoy your success.  I applaud you for taking an active role in encouraging and helping others.

Pretzel

[LWillisjr]

That's why many of the senior members are still here. I didn't have anyone to help me through this besides my wife, and then I found this forum.