I'll try to keep the message as short as possible.

I'm a 51 year old gay man who was diagnosed w/Peyronies about two years ago.  I went to the urologist twice to explore treatment, but haven't followed up since.  I tried all the ED pills and then the injection of a tablet up my urethra, but without success.  The next step would have been injections, but I didn't want to try it at that time.  

I have had ED issues for more than 20 years.  As a teen I had a curvature to the left but didn't mention it to anyone mostly out of shame.  I was still able to ejaculate, but almost always on my own.

I was in a long-term relationship with another man for ten good years and then a couple of bad ones partly due to differences in sex drive and ability to perform.  I have not been a long or short term relationship since 2001.  in the gay community, there is a lot of emphasis on the penis.  Again, I am very hesitant to meet men for dating/relationship purposes because sooner or later I will have to confront the issue with the person and it makes me uncomfortable and embarrassed.

I was also diagnosed with major depression about 10 years ago.  I have struggled with that for all these years, but have come to terms with the fact that my brain doesn't function normally due to biological and chemical imbalance.  I'm trying to take a similar approach here with coping with Peyronies.  I don't feel I've been too successful.  I'm experiencing my first depressive episode in 6 years which TOTALLY SUCKS.  I have developed ways to manage my depression; not so yet with this new disease.  It undermines my self-confidence in all areas of my life.

What most scares me is the thought that I'll never have a partner.  Friends have said that you can still have intimacy with the disease.  To me it's not as easy as that.  I am finding it very hard to accept that another part of my body has failed me.  I don't want to sound victimized, but that is where I'm at now.  It feels like something that I will just have to accept and endure.  

I imagine there are men who have had similar experiences.  Any advice or wisdom to pass along?    

jtoepper

You are writing that you have ED for more than 20 years. It is a very long period.
Usually implant/surgery are the last things to do, but you are with 20 years of ED so maybe come the time.
In my opinion, you should consider seriously and implant with penis modelling.
Also in my opinion your approach not to make injections for ED is a smart one. Those injections are causing Peyronies on the long term, some in the short term also.
Proposing yo to read Jack blog about implants at:
Penile Implant

Welcome to the forum
James

I'm a 51 year old gay man who was diagnosed w/Peyronies about two years ago.  I went to the urologist twice to explore treatment, but haven't followed up since.  I tried all the ED pills and then the injection of a tablet up my urethra, but without success.  The next step would have been injections, but I didn't want to try it at that time.  



I was also diagnosed with major depression about 10 years ago.  I have struggled with that for all these years, but have come to terms with the fact that my brain doesn't function normally due to biological and chemical imbalance.  I'm trying to take a similar approach here with coping with Peyronies.  I don't feel I've been too successful.  I'm experiencing my first depressive episode in 6 years which TOTALLY SUCKS.  I have developed ways to manage my depression; not so yet with this new disease.  It undermines my self-confidence in all areas of my life.

What most scares me is the thought that I'll never have a partner.  Friends have said that you can still have intimacy with the disease.  To me it's not as easy as that.  I am finding it very hard to accept that another part of my body has failed me.  I don't want to sound victimized, but that is where I'm at now.  It feels like something that I will just have to accept and endure.  I've started practicing yoga again.  It's a good way to unite mind and body.  My goal is to feel whole again by accepting what I've ben given and staying positive - I do have many very good people in my life and I've accomplished alot.  

I imagine there are men who have had similar experiences.  Any advice or wisdom to pass along?    

jtoepper,  since you are familiar with depression, as I am too, you know that you can't completely trust your negative thoughts which bring you to the darkest place.  This disease does change.  It might become worse for awhile, but improvements do eventually come albeit very slowly.  But they do come.  My penis is almost straight and the narrowing from the scar tissue has lessoned.  There is no more pain, but my glans will not harden as it did pre-Peyronies Disease.  Although I think that is better too.  I had some shortening too, that has not completely come back yet, but I'm optimistic it will get better.  There are some new therapies on the horizon, but until then, stay the course of what we do have:  Pentox, VED, daily Cialis, other supplements.  Yoga is a great stress reducer.  Also, reading books on staying present minded has helped me, as well as surrounding myself with people who care about me.  This forum has been a valuable source of healing for me as well.  Best to you.

jtoper

I agree injections in the penis of tri-mix or any of the other ED drugs is a dangerous thing to do. I tried it for almost a year with little success. They caused me to develop corporal fibrosis which made things worse. It takes a very skilled Male Sexual Function Specialist that does at least 100 implants a year to do an implant. I tried a local urologist that was supposed to be the best in Memphis TN and he penetrated my urethra. That sent me on a years quest to find Dr. Douglas Milam at Vanderbilt.

Let me tell you I will soon have my implant for 5 years. It full restored my sex life with my beautiful green eyed wife, of 45 years now. I can now do thing a lot of 20 year olds can not, have an erection any time I or the wife wants. Stay hard as long as either of us wants. Ejaculate normally and the implant feels normal to both my wife and myself.

This year I have more "Bionic Parts."  A pacemaker/defibrillator and a nerve stimulator for my back an leg pain. I will be 71 in a few days and feel like a very much younger man.

I have lots of information I can send you by email.  Any questions just send me a PM or email.

Jackp
http://jackp-penileimplant.blogspot.com
[email protected] (email)

jtoepper,
What are some of your symptoms??  What you described seems to be ED related. I think times Peyronies and ED can be confusing. Peyronies doesn't always imply ED, and ED doesn't always imply Peyronies.

Jtoepper, the psychological aspect is the hardest thing for all of us, arguably the only thing that bothers us I suppose. : )

There are definitely ways to beat this both physically and psychologically. As Jack said, as a last resort an implant basically restores you to new. It's still your penis, just with something else making it functional.

I have a hard time believing most middle or older aged man do not have any ED or sexual health problems. Maybe I don't know at all, but come on! The penis is complicated and an extension of your general health.

You must take control of your health. You must exercise and eat well, and of course you have to attack peyronies with VED and careful sexual practices.

I'm only 26 and have had peyronies symptoms since I was 17 or so. This last year I experienced the worst pain and trauma I've ever experienced until now in my life. I have had depression issues since I was just a child, but fighting it now, I honestly don't see any way around it other than committing oneself to the battle. Meaning you must do everything you can to make yourself happy, even if there are no guarantees (be healthy, make good choices daily). When you are sad, recognize it as temporary and out of your control, and step back. You may want to look into Acceptance and commitment therapy, or any kind of clinical methods in psychology to help you. Seeing a psychologist would also help, but it's costly. Before taking any antidepressants, try to learn what you can and consider a psychologist.

Certain things out of our control like peyronies are hard to accept, but if we can realize daily that we are 100% committed to it, that alone can make the entire difference.  Partners will accept your problems, as long as you can accept and commit yourself to them yourself. There is nothing wrong with physical flaws or even deformities, and when someone really loves you they actually end up adoring those things about you! I've forgiven the most wicked women in my life, for some really unbelievable stuff and actually found myself loving her for those things. When you are feeling bad, consciously remind yourself that you are committed to your penis, regardless of what shape it's in. Remind yourself that you are taking care of it, and yourself daily.

It's taken me until now to understand too, that being sexual and enjoying the reality we live in does not have to be partnered with acting out all of our fantasies. I have always felt like sex was something I had to do, even now I feel like I should do it or masturbate to confirm my own sexuality, that indeed it is a good thing and I am able to do it. But looking at confident and attractive people, I see that they don't have this urgency, it's as if they are happy and satisfied already, knowing what sex is or just existing in the void. I've always been so afraid of this "void" so to speak. But why are we so unsure of ourselves? Can't we enjoy normal things in life with sex something we keep and hold close to us, without having to actually act out or confirm it so often? When our sexuality is hindered or challenged, we have a hard time letting it go momentarily, for fear that we will lose it. You will not lose it, so try to take some time away from it. Simply stopping porn usage and masturbation can often help us get out of that zone and into a more peaceful place where sex is not on the immediate mind.

Lastly as LWillisjr says, what are your symptoms? Is this peyronies or more ED related? There are ways to go about attacking each problem, do not give up up and never lose your commitment.

What most of us all know here, is that peyronies teaches us a lot. Sexuality in general, is the final barrier for everyone to overcome. It's implications go deep and force us to deal with some really rough stuff. But it will be okay. Never underestimate how one's mindset can change in ways that we never even knew existed. Don't give up, commit yourself to this, and surely again you will find love.

-V