New member story/symptoms

[Giraffe]

Prior to peyronies, I suffered from ED that Levitra helped with well.  
I had a heart attack followed by quad bypass at 56.  I had a bad reaction to Heparin (HIT) and just about died from the complications.  I suffered clogging of my blood vessels in my extremities and ended up having all my left toes, most of my right foot, and several fingertips amputated.  The doctors started me on carvedilol, astrvastatin, lisinopril shortly after the heart surgeries.
Needless to say, while recovering from the open heart surgery and then the amputations, I did not have sex with my wife until almost a year later.  That is when , apter taking Levitra, I noticed some low level pain in my penis but no curvature.  Unrelated to that event, my new cardiologist suggested holding off using Levitra for awhile.  So it was another 6 months before we tried again with Levitra.  That is when I noticed the curvature.  
I have seen two urologists, the second one about possible xilaflex injections.  Neither induced an erection, neither ordered an ultrasound.  I have been put on the xilaflex waiting list.  I think I want to try non-invasive methods first.  I will be reading the VED and TRACTION boards more thoroughly.  
I have mentioned to the urologist and cardiologist that beta blockers and statins may have something to do with the peyronies.  The cardiologist says I need the beta blockers, the urologists said to ask the cardiologist.  Catch 22.  The urologist was going to contact my cardiologist but I haven't talked to either yet, cardiologist appointment next week.
That's my introduction for now.

G.

[kuaka]

One of the troubles with medicine these days is symptomatic treatments and over specialization.  Often, a side effect of a symptomatic treatment for system A is trouble in system B, and the system A Dr. has little knowledge of system B.  We need "whole body" Drs...  I suppose the general practitioner is supposed to be that, but they don't do a good job in my opinion.

[james1947]

Giraffe

Sad to read your story. It's just reinforcing my non trusting approach to doctors.  
Regarding your Peyronies, I am strongly advising you to make an appointment with a good urologist. You may find one close to you here:
https://www.peyroniesforum.net/index.php/topic,4063.0.html
The two you visited them don't seems to care too much about your condition.
You should get an ultrasound to see if you have or not Peyronies. It is done in flaccid. But as your ED is very long time, it may be from venous leakages and the ultrasound for that is done with an induced erection.
If you really have Peyronies you should start treatment as soon as you can.
I agree with you that you should not run directly to the Xiaflex. Try other things before.

James

[Giraffe]

Thanks James and Kuaka,
I am sure that all of the doctors have my best interests in mind.  As you know, with all prescriptions now, there is a disclaimer that the positive benefits outweigh the risks in the prescribing doctors opinions.  My cardiologist has been very open to my requests to vary dosages depending on my feedback.
As I have seen in other posts, it is ME who needs to be involved in all of the decisions.  So I do have an appointment with my urologist this Friday and my cardiologist next Monday.  Coincidentally to making my post yesterday, my urologist office called to schedule the xiaflex injections starting the last week of July.  I can cancel if I'm not mentally ready.
My urologist is Dr. Raul Ordorica with Kaiser.  Previously, he practiced in the Tampa area.  There is one other Kaiser urologist in the area that is trained in the xiaflex REM.  I may talk to him prior yo committing to the procedure.
I think that the onset of my peyronies can be attributed to:
  1. the reaction I had to heparin
  2.  The beta blockers and statins.

Writing about my health and mental anguish here us helpful.  I appreciate all of the interest and support, both written and not written.

[james1947]

Giraffe

Xiaflex should be injected into the plaques.
How he detected your plaque? You have stated he didn't make an ultrasound.

James

[Giraffe]

Hi James,
He only did a physical examination and said he could feel the affected area.  The reason I told the scheduling nurse that I wanted another face-to-face with him is to ask him about imaging tests, protocol, outcome of his other patients......  Then I will hopefully talk to the other xiaflex trained urologist.  I will be asking a lot of questions that I have read about on this site.

[james1947]

Good approach Giraffe
That's the way to do it  

James