Seeking help 10 years post injury

[anxious2014]

Hello All,

I'm 23 years old and I suffered an injury about 10 years ago. Long story short - I had a wet dream while facing down in bed while wearing tight underwear. The pain went away quickly, and everything worked fine, but I was left with a slight downwards curve toward the upper half of my penis (maybe 20-25 degrees). When I was 17 or 18 I found this site and I tried vitamin E as well as moderate use of an extender device. Unsure whether these have helped at all, but at present the left chamber of my penis is fairly normal (very slight curvature at the tip and probably some collagenous material on the bottom side, but negligible), however the right chamber feels like it's full of scar tissue- at moderate levels of erection I can feel bands on the right side of penile tissue but not left. The curve is more obvious on the right side albeit still mild ~ 20 degrees (it's more of a predominantly rightward curve now with slight downward curve). When erected the right side feels as if it's not inflating all the way even though it's erected (some of this may be in my head). The erected chamber is very inflexible, and feels almost muscular or collagenous, not blood-filled.

I'm very, very hesitant to seek medical attention... I have a medical background and from what I've gathered on this site, because this is a mild curve, and because I've had sex normally and have no problems with erection and ejaculation they'll probably just tell me to stop worrying. However, this problem has caused me tons of anxiety - although I've had sex before (twice), I've avoided the missionary position because the right-sided inelasticity seems to make my penis shorten and abnormal when I am in a downward facing position. Further, although I get normal erections, I feel like the right side with the scar tissue erects more slowly (likes it's the last to fill with blood - which makes sense). Finally, I'm worried that I will get worse with time even though the last 10 years have proven otherwise (really no change). I'm sorry to go on this rant (I've never communicated this to anyone), and I know I should feel very fortunate compared to many on this site, but even in my state this condition is something I've struggled with all throughout my youth and causes me tons and tons of stress. Recently I've started thinking about a VED device, but I"m unsure whether it would help and I'm afraid that it will cause unwanted problems. I would be very happy to hear any advice, comments, and to share stories or answer any questions about what I've wrote. Thanks in advance.

[anonpdacct]

Dear anxious2014,

Sorry for your troubles.  I suggest visiting a peyronies specialist as your first course of action to confirm the diagnosis and to assess the extent of your condition with an ultrasound.  If you tell us where you live, someone may recommend a good doctor in your area.

Anon

[NeoV]

I recommend VED and prp injections if you can afford it.
Be careful with the VED, but I really think it will help.
Made a huge difference for me. What you describe sounds very typical and like my case.

[brettcase]

I'm very, very hesitant to seek medical attention... I have a medical background and from what I've gathered on this site, because this is a mild curve, and because I've had sex normally and have no problems with erection and ejaculation they'll probably just tell me to stop worrying.

I agree with what anonpdacct said -- see a peyronies specialist and get an ultrasound if you can.

Since you reported no change in the last 10 years, it probably won't get worse in the near future as long as you avoid further injury.

Also, worrying doesn't do any good at all. Replace the worry with action by seeing a doctor. Then you can focus on the treatment plan and know that you are doing everything possible. Be aware that it may take a long time to see improvement, if any. But at least you are still quite functional now.

Brett

[anxious2014]

I recommend VED and prp injections if you can afford it.
Be careful with the VED, but I really think it will help.
Made a huge difference for me. What you describe sounds very typical and like my case.

Thanks NeoV. I will definitely try out the VED now. Any suggestions for a specific model, and tips for use?

[anxious2014]

brettcase and anonpdacct - Thank you guys for the advice. So, the reason I haven't sought medical attention all these years is perhaps one that younger individuals with this condition can appreciate. I come from a family that is very traditional when it comes to sex and related issues, and in my youth there was absolutely no chance I would have brought any of this up to my parents. As of now I am still in school, living at home, and covered under my mother's insurance policy, and the thought of having to explain to my mother (my father is no longer around) why I went to see a peyronie's expert is just something I can't bring myself to do unless I know it will do me some good.  I did look at a peyronie's expert in my area, and he is out-of-network in terms of our insurance coverage, which makes me even more hesitant to pull the trigger. I could end up playing a lot of money, having to confess to my mother a health condition I've had for nearly 10 years, and being sent home on account of having a mild condition and with treatment recommendations that I could pursue without having sought medical attention (such as the VED).

[brettcase]

Since you are in the US, you are covered by Federal HIPAA rules, which strictly regulate the privacy of health information. You can block other family members from having access to your info. I am very familiar with this law, because my wife is a Registered Nurse and she has to keep quiet about what happens at the hospital where she works.

If you want to find out if your condition is really Peyronies and not congenital curvature, you could make an appointment with your regular doctor to get a referral to a urologist that is within your network. Even a non-peyronies urologist can probably do an ultrasound and tell you what is going on. If your mom asks why you're visiting doctors, you can say 'its personal'.

If it turns out that you do have Peyronies, many in this forum recommend Pentox. The only way to get it is with a doctor's prescription (or go to Mexico).

[damian]

Are we really at the stage to recommend prp injections? What's wrong with you guys? Where are those study obsessed members who reject every idea until it's proven by a study?

[LWillisjr]

Recently I've started thinking about a VED device, but I"m unsure whether it would help and I'm afraid that it will cause unwanted problems. I would be very happy to hear any advice, comments, and to share stories or answer any questions about what I've wrote. Thanks in advance.

anxious2014,
When did your symptoms appear. If these started a few years ago, and have not gotten worse, then I would suggest your condition is stable. So then it only depends on whether you want to try to correct a 20 degree curve. And I agree that 20 degrees is mild and I doubt it would interfere with most sexual positions.

If your symptoms started recently, then you might consider VED or traction to keep things from progressing.

[anxious2014]

Recently I've started thinking about a VED device, but I"m unsure whether it would help and I'm afraid that it will cause unwanted problems. I would be very happy to hear any advice, comments, and to share stories or answer any questions about what I've wrote. Thanks in advance.

anxious2014,
When did your symptoms appear. If these started a few years ago, and have not gotten worse, then I would suggest your condition is stable. So then it only depends on whether you want to try to correct a 20 degree curve. And I agree that 20 degrees is mild and I doubt it would interfere with most sexual positions.

If your symptoms started recently, then you might consider VED or traction to keep things from progressing.

Thanks LWillisJr. My curve is stable and the condition is in fact mostly inconsequential, but I want to pursue some sort of action to improve the fibrotic and inelastic nature, mostly in my right chamber. Do you think a VED could potentially help me? I have seen a few posts on VED having harmful effects, and that's certainly not what I what. Further, do you think seeing a physician would do me any good?

[LWillisjr]

Do you think a VED could potentially help me? I have seen a few posts on VED having harmful effects, and that's certainly not what I what. Further, do you think seeing a physician would do me any good?

Though this topic is locked I wanted to respond to your question. I want to make clear that VED's are safe to use when used properly. Their use and technique is clearly outlined in other areas of this forum. All to often someone gets too aggressive and over pumps on vacuum. VED can help but must be used properly.

As James pointed out this board is for basically introductions. Feel free to post questions under the appropriate topic elsewhere on the forum. You will likely get better responses that way.

Les