What are the signs of plaque reduction improvement?

[loumw77]

After 3 months of no progress or improvement in curvature, I think I'm finally seeing some positive change, I think....
I do 20 VED erections in the morning, 6hrs Mon-Frid traction, vitamin E, COQ10, Cialis 5mg, 50mg Sildenafil x2 per weeks. Just recently I can feel as if the large dorsal plaque is slightly smaller, more squidgy and palpable, like the edges are breaking up. But it may just be in my imagination.
My question is: How do we know when the plaque is starting to change, what actually happens to it under the skin so that the curve improves?
Does it stay with us forever, albeit stretched out enough to allow for a better erection, or does it slowly break down and dissolve?
With so many feeling despondent if they don't see results, it would be useful to know what the early signs of improvement are. It would certainly help with motivation and spur us on to continue with our treatment.
Any advice would be most welcome.  

[TonySa]

Take accurate measurements of girth and length and angle of the curve.  That way you can remeasure and objectively observe any changes.  

[jj1987]

yes! Wrote about it in another thread, been using a traction device every day for hrs for weeks. And just a couple days ago it litterally felt it was torn apart using a counter bending attachment and now my penis is straighter and feels softer. And yes, read up on it traction causes various reactions in the scar tissue that leads to the plaque breaking down so that more health tissue can grow. I have no idea if the plaque can grow back, hopefully not!

What devices have you tried?

Don't give up!

[loumw77]

Thank you so much. I measured the angle tonight and its gone from 60' to around 50' in the last week. I'm guessing something finally gave inside the plaque and I could feel like it was a bit 'shredded on the edges. I'm using the PeniMaster for 6hrs Mon-Friday... unfortunately I don't have Restorex for counter bending. It's a step in the right direction...'excuse the pun'.
Let's hope the healthy tissue takes over.

[jan.schaller1958]

Loumw77,

I'd be careful, or gentle, with the traction devices. My understanding is they are designed to follow Xiapex injections, which soften the plaque into a pizza dough- like substance (maybe a bit harder than that, but you know what I mean), and then the traction comes into play to reshape it. Are you having Xiapex injections? I didn't get that impression from your post. But just putting pressure on the plaque without something softening it up first, sounds like something I wouldn't do or recommend. Not sure if you could damage something doing that.

Of course, in a few rare cases Peyroines actually improves to some extent or eventually resolves on its own (I think heard 10% of cases once?). My hourglassing went away on its own with me doing nothing but taking  Pentox. It never fully resolved, and it's been 5 years. Whether taking Pentox the first year or so had anything to do with it I don't know.  

If you're getting better, great. Just be careful.

[jj1987]

Loumw77,

I'd be careful, or gentle, with the traction devices. My understanding is they are designed to follow Xiapex injections, which soften the plaque into a pizza dough- like substance (maybe a bit harder than that, but you know what I mean), and then the traction comes into play to reshape it. Are you having Xiapex injections? I didn't get that impression from your post. But just putting pressure on the plaque without something softening it up first, sounds like something I wouldn't do or recommend. Not sure if you could damage something doing that.

Of course, in a few rare cases Peyroines actually improves to some extent or eventually resolves on its own (I think heard 10% of cases once?). My hourglassing went away on its own with me doing nothing but taking  Pentox. It never fully resolved, and it's been 5 years. Whether taking Pentox the first year or so had anything to do with it I don't know.  

If you're getting better, great. Just be careful.

I think it takes a while for the plaque to weaken enough to separate and break down. Trying to go aggressive too early trying to tear the plaque apart will very probably lead to an injury

[TonySa]

Congrats Lou, your treatment regimen is working-keep it up.  Don't let Jan scare you off from traction which is working for you (along w the other treatment modalities)!

[NeoV]

Traction does not tear or break apart the plaques. It works on a molecular level and slowly over time your penis will remodel.
Moreover, it opens up parts of your penis that need to open up, which one paper called "contractures," that are not necessarily fibrosis or scars.

https://tau.amegroups.com/article/view/7247/8014

[loumw77]

Thanks to all for your advice. This forum has been more help than anything else. I've been very careful with the traction, taking 3 months now to slowly increase the tension and time in tension. Started off from only 30min to now 6hrs, making sure I listen to my penis and know when it was right to go up a level.
I'm interested in how the plaque changes and your advice has been most welcome. I am recording my progress with photos and notes.
Not using Xiaflex, but agree with Tony that Traction still can make a difference without this treatment. Slow and steady wins the race, something I've learnt from this forum, amongst other things.
Thank you again and hopefully one day I will be able to post some evidence of improvement.  

[NeoV]

Glad to hear it!

Jan is wrong on that

Traction was never designed to accompany Xiaflex. Rather, it is a firstline therapy that is best used before any invasive procedure because it is so effective that it makes many men no longer need surgery. Xiaflex added it to get better results because traction is simply that effective (70% improved effect with RestoreX).

Traction is the most effective non-invasive mono therapy. In some cases it's likely better than Xiaflex, which has failed numerous men, even if it can be somewhat effective.

The PMP traction study showed at most over a 50% reduction in curvature in only three months. At six or longer I imagine even more of a reduction. Dr. Levine, one of the world's best Peyronie's experts, recommends the PMP and has been involved in much of the traction studies.

Personally, traction still helps me after nearly a decade.

[jan.schaller1958]

Don't listen to me?

All I am saying is be careful with traction and do it under medical supervision. What's wrong with saying that? I would think without Xiapex first you could potentially hurt yourself.  

And just because I'm not that thrilled with Pentox and think it most likely doesn't do anything? Yeah, I took it for a year or so and my hourglassing went away so now I can have Xiapex. But I don't know if the hourglassing going away had anything to do with anything. A sugar pill might have worked just as well.

And, why would it not make more sense to do traction only after Xiapex injections , once the plaque was softer and more pliable? To say, forget the Xiapex and just do traction just doesn't make any sense to me.

If you are doing traction carefully and say it's working great. But, why not have a Peyroines specialist approve it first, and then follow up on ultrasounds periodically to see that it's working?  

[GreekGuy85]

Great news, Loumw77!  A 10 degree reduction in your curve is huge!
I also have been able to feel my plaque getting smaller, and the hourglassing where the plaque is (left side, mid shaft when erect) seems to be filling in a little bit.  I'm also taking supplements and trying to be as consistent on VED use as I can be, although not quite as consistent as you are on pumping and traction - you're very disciplined, which I'm sure is one of the reasons behind your great initial results.
Keep it up, and let us know how things are looking!
Nico