Finally got around to posting to the forum. I have been an active reader for quite some time and have finally decided to post my developing story. I have three questions but will save until the end.  Thank you in advance for taking the time to read my story.   My journey started about 6 months ago when I first noticed an indentation on the right side of my erect shaft.  I honestly brushed this new discovery off and did not Google "indentation in erection" until November when I happened to notice it again.  That search (funny how Google can change your life) led me to this forum.  After reading some of the members posts, I decided to schedule an appointment with a general urologist.  Like so many, I was recommended the wait and see approach.  I unfortunately decided to follow this advice and over the course of the last two months have noticed a profound "hour-glassing effect" when semi-erect.  This narrowing is only  slightly present when erect. I have to look at it from a different angle to notice the change.   Honestly  I do not know if it is the normal shape of my shaft or it is the result of  new obsession I have over the appearance of my member.  A positive note about the general urologist is he did seem open to prescribing Trental (pentoxifylline) which I am considering, and I'm sure will be heavily recommended by this forum.  However, he did state the prescription only helps stop progression and will not help with reversal.  Since that time I have set up an appointment with a Peyronies specialist (Dr. Lawrence Levine in Chicago)  who I will see in a month and two weeks time.  So far, (thank God), my sexual function has not been inhibited and am able to use as normal.  Since I have rambled on enough,  Here is a little bit about myself.  I am 26 years old, single (main fear is this may progress to a point that may inhibit a meaningful relationship). I exercise 5-6 times a week and follow a very strict diet aside from Saturday nights . I take 1200mg fish oil daily, a multi-vitamin and around 1,500mg of Arginine through protein consumption.

If I could pull from your expertise on a few areas it would be greatly appreciated:
1.) I have not found much literature suggesting the hourglass effect occurs unless you are fully erect.  This however, seems to contradict what many others to this forum have posted. Could you please tell me your thoughts on this, could I possibly be experiencing something other than peyronies?
2.) I know Pentox. can be very beneficial but am not sure if I agree it can have no affect on reversing scaring as the increase in blood flow should help replace some scar tissue?
3.) I want to see a specialist as soon as possible.  My appointment is still not for a month and a half.  I am wondering if I should consider another doctor, or wait to see Levine as I have read he is a leader in the field.  

Thank you all very much for your time.
I also wanted to thank members who are regular contributors to this forum.  Regaurdless of the outcome your advice has at least put me in a spot where I can hopefully actively manage whatever comes my way.  Even though I have receieved no formal diagnosis the mental stress, as you all know, can really take a toll.  Reading others experiences and advice, even though I may just beginning to enter my dark tunnel, gives me hope  there can be light at the end if this is in fact what I am experiencing.

Steve;

Normally, any plaque that is restricting the normal expansion of the tunica will only be really apparent when erect. In some cases a small abnormality can be seen whilst flaccid, however.

I am assuming that the Urologist you visited diagnosed Peyronies?  Did he make any checks? Or use an ultrasound?  

Opinion on Pentox is very divided, even amongst Urologists. My own Uro's opinion is that in the early, active stages in can be useful. However, in the chronic phase, of little use. Again, others disagree with this. It's hard for me to comment objectively as I had calcified plaque before my surgery. But certainly it did nothing to reverse my condition.

Cialis is well thought of almost universally, however. It's something you should investigate, IMO.

I understand that Dr. Levine is considered possibly the foremost expert on Peyronies in the U.S. If you have an appointment with him, my advice would be stick with that.

So far I have not seen much improvement with Pentox and I have been on it for almost 3 months and getting in plenty of time on traction.

Jonbinspain,

Thank you for taking the time to respond to my post.  I apologize I should have been more clear.  He did not diagnose Peyronies and he only  performed a physical examination where he could not find any palpable plaque.   He told me that an ultrasound would not show anything which I also disagree with.  I am sorry to hear the Pentox did not help your condition reverse but thank you for sharing your experience. Cialis is something I will definitely consider, I had not considered using without a lack of erectile function. I will keep my appointment with Dr. Levine as I believe that as well.  

Quackattack,
Thank you as well for your response and sharing your experience with Pentox. I am not a huge fan of taking medicine in the first place and at this point do not want to risk the potential side effects.  How has your experience with traction been? Have you seen any results?

Welcome to the forums,

Just a few things,

Hourglassing when flaccid, and semi-erect is what I consider a hall mark of the disease. When your penis is first filling out, many guys note that it is very deformed at first, and after having an erection for some time with stimulation, the dented areas fill out a little.

Traction is one of the only things that I have had help me, I find that its effects are immediate and continue the more I do it. If It wasn't for traction, I would be much more deformed and in much more pain.

If you are afraid of Cialis and Pentox, consider Citrulline to replace Cialis, and other supplements like CoQ10 and acetyl-l-carnitine instead of pentox.

Hi NeoV,

Thank you for the advice on alternatives to Cialis and Pentox, I have already started looking into both.  I do  have a question for you.  I see you have made a lot of contribution to this forum and hope you do not take my question the wrong way, as I am just starting to learn more about the disease.  Why do you consider the hourglassing when flaccid a hall mark of the disease?  I have not found much scientific literature on this "semi -erect symptom". However ,I do understand the reasoning behind it.  It  would make sense when semi-erect the blood flow is not strong enough to "expand" the scar tissue.  Have others on the forum had similar symptoms? Thanks again