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Druhg

Hello,

I'm new to the forum and I will take this space to provide some background information about myself and also ask a few questions about non surgical methods as legitimate treatment alternatives.
Background:
I'm 54 years old and I first noticed this condition about a year ago. I can't remember if there is an exact moment which led to it. I do remember years ago when a former gf and I were engaged in intercourse when I slipped out of her while she was on top and she came down hard on my erect penis. It hurt at the time and was even kind of numb but the pain and numbness quickly dissipated and I was fine. There was nothing noticeable physically and years went by until recently. Maybe it was from this episode? Maybe somewhere else? The former seems to come to the forefront of my memory but I'm really not sure.
Injury Description:
My penis looks normal in the flaccid stage; however, with a semi-erection it is terribly obvious. My erect penis slants to the left I would say about 20 degrees but has a downward slope as well. It also shrunk. I've lost a bit over an inch in length and a good bit of girth as well. I wasn't well endowed before with at least average dimensions but not so much anymore. Intercourse with my wife is semi difficult. The curvature and slant of my erect penis makes it somewhat difficult and uncomfortable. In addition, I don't achieve very hard erections. Even at the ultrasound, after the Dr. injected it, it was a very weak erection.
Diagnoses:
I went to Dr. Brian Christine in Birmingham, AL. and he diagnosed me with Peyronies Disease after an ultrasound was performed.
Dr. Christine wants to do surgery right away without any other treatments. He is almost certain he can straighten to nearly normal but the problem is, I will lose length; and like I said, I've already shrunk due to the Peyronies Disease. He didn't mention any additional treatment options. He said I would have to get used to living with Peyronies Disease or have the surgery and have a straighter but significantly smaller penis than before. I really don't want to have the surgery and my wife is saying that she doesn't think I should get surgery but she supports me either way. BTW, she's significantly younger than me.

Questions for forum members:
Are there any traction devices that would help me and is there a specific device that anyone here would recommend?

Any comments, suggestions or additional questions are welcome. Thank you!  
Age 55, Married
Peyronies Disease manifested approx. Jun 2020.
Hourglass indentation at base of penis running underneath w/ downward and leftward slope when semi-erect.
Weak erections
Diagnosed with Peyronies Disease on May 28, 2021

BrettC

This is tough because you have seen a doctor who thinks surgery is the best option for you.  I would definitely say head to another urologist and get at least one more opinion.  But frankly in some cases surgery is your best bet.  

RESTOREX is the traction device I would recommend.  It is pricey, but you only have to do 30 minutes sessions, and it is fairly easy to operate.  Definitely watch a few videos when you can on it.  

XIAFLEX injections may make surgery better.  My doctor wanted me to go through at least one round of these to see if they could decrease the curve.  The more they can, the less length you will lose if they do a surgery.    

Read through these forums and definitely check out taking some vitamins and such to help out.  

Chances are this condition is unrelated to the previous injury.  Most men can not identify any accident before the onset of Peyronie's.  I have no clue how this happened to me, and I find most guys say that.  

Best of luck and welcome to our bent up club!  
52 years old
Diagnosed 5 years ago with an upward curve of 60-65 degrees.
Completed one full round of treatments with Xiaflex (8 injections)  Measured curve 40-45 degrees after that
Using Restorex and took oral medications as well (Pentox Cials)

Druhg

Brett thanks so much for the recommendation and nice words. I was surprised with Dr. Christine's zeal to do surgery right away. I aske about Rx treatment options and he basically said it would be wasting time. Supposedly he is one of the better urologists for treating Peyronies Disease in the U.S. but he seemed like he's a surgeon first and foremost who happens to specialized in Peyronies Disease surgery.
I read a bit about Restorex here and I will likely go with it from what I've read. Thanks again.  
Age 55, Married
Peyronies Disease manifested approx. Jun 2020.
Hourglass indentation at base of penis running underneath w/ downward and leftward slope when semi-erect.
Weak erections
Diagnosed with Peyronies Disease on May 28, 2021

Mikel7

Welcome Druhg to the forum!  Here you will find an awesome bunch of guys who have also had penis problems mainly peyronies diagnosis.  It looks like you have filled in your profile and signature line which is great!  Now you need to concentrate on studying the survival guide --> https://www.peyroniesforum.net/index.php/topic,3180.msg44057.html#msg44057 .  This should answer some of your personal questions and concerns.  


Finding a Dr who treats peyronies specifically isn't easy.  I would definitely try to get a second opinion and not rush into a surgical procedure yet.  Look into traction devices and some other things you can take.  The survival guide lists them. Penimaster Pro and Restorex are used successfully with many of our forum members. Men have their opinions on them as to which one is better - you have to try it for yourself.  

One thing is to not get down on yourself about this.  Depression can take hold of you if you are not careful.  Don't let your mind wander down that road...

 Lastly you need to remember that this journey is not a quick fix  It takes time and patience.  This is a marathon and not a sprint.   :)  Mike7
Lump 4/2020, age 62 , Dr Levine 6-26-20, Dors Curve 11/2020, Peyronies
Vit E400mg, COQ10, Heat Therapy, Penimaster, Pentox, Cialis, Restorex
SNHL 7/2020 - Stopped all Meds because ototoxicity  Heat/traction/VED are working. CPPS Diagnosis - Stable :)

Benraycamp0

@Druhg:

Glad you got to see Dr. Christine! He's a top surgeon and Peyronies Disease specialist.
I know it's a tough thing to jump to surgery, but these Peyronies Disease specialists have seen it all. Sometimes surgery is the only solution since spending too much time on nonsurgical treatments without any meaningful results has its own downsides.

That being said, I'd also strongly consider getting a second opinion from another top Peyronies Disease specialist. If you do elect to do nonsurgical treatments (as explained in the Survival Guide that @mikel7 linked above), I'd recommend giving yourself a reasonable time limit to see improvement (3-4 months) otherwise you can assume that Dr. Christine was correct and move quickly to surgery to get your sex life back. I've heard a similar thought process from Dr. Levine (Chicago) who will move to surgery if his nonsurgical treatments (oral, traction, verapamil) don't show improvements in a couple months. I think mentally knowing that you gave the nonsurgical treatments your best shot before surgery is important.
26 years old. 20 degree upward curve with slight clockwise twist. Symptoms onset Dec 20.
Dr. Levine says it's not Peyronie's Disease but a slow healing wound. Saw him Mar 21 and May 21.
Traction (PMP) and supplements per Dr. Levine's recommendation.

Druhg

Thank you Mike and Benray.
Mike:
Thanks for the invaluable information, suggestions and warm welcome.
Benray:
Yeah I've heard that about Dr. Christine but frankly it seemed like I was kind of rushed through like cattle. I will get a second opinion and I would consider surgery a last option because making my penis even shorter is really not attractive right now.  

I'm planning to purchase a RestorEX device but in addition to using traction, what about wave therapy such as a Phoenix device? Any thoughts on that?
Thanks again everyone.  
Age 55, Married
Peyronies Disease manifested approx. Jun 2020.
Hourglass indentation at base of penis running underneath w/ downward and leftward slope when semi-erect.
Weak erections
Diagnosed with Peyronies Disease on May 28, 2021

BrettC

I have seen most people using the Phoenix device for erectile dysfunction.  It is not targeted at the Peyronie's crowd, and I think it would be a heavy investment for just a hope that it could help.  That said anything is worth a shot!  I have certainly been tempted to look at things like sound wave therapy and priapus shots.  You have to ask, "How far am I willing to go here?"  

I believe all doctors have areas where they feel most comfortable.  I am seeing one who is a HUGE believer in Xiaflex.  But I know in his practice is another doctor who loves to do the surgery.  And I hear the surgeon is pretty good about saving as much length as he can.  I know people who have been happy with both.  

I think as a patient though you should be able to have some input too on what you would like to try.  
52 years old
Diagnosed 5 years ago with an upward curve of 60-65 degrees.
Completed one full round of treatments with Xiaflex (8 injections)  Measured curve 40-45 degrees after that
Using Restorex and took oral medications as well (Pentox Cials)

Hawk

Prostatectomy 2004, radiation 2009, currently 70 yrs old
After pills, injections, VED - Dr Eid, Titan 22cm implant 8/7/18
Hawk - Updated 10/27/18 - Peyronies Society Forums

Druhg

"Do you have any Erectile Dysfunction?"

Somewhat. I can achieve a weak erection. The Dr. prescribed tadalafil last week after the ultrasound but I've yet to get the Rx filled.  
Age 55, Married
Peyronies Disease manifested approx. Jun 2020.
Hourglass indentation at base of penis running underneath w/ downward and leftward slope when semi-erect.
Weak erections
Diagnosed with Peyronies Disease on May 28, 2021

Benraycamp0

Did the doctor mention any signs of venous leak or arterial insufficiency from the ultrasound?  
26 years old. 20 degree upward curve with slight clockwise twist. Symptoms onset Dec 20.
Dr. Levine says it's not Peyronie's Disease but a slow healing wound. Saw him Mar 21 and May 21.
Traction (PMP) and supplements per Dr. Levine's recommendation.

Druhg

Quote from: benraycamp0 on June 04, 2021, 02:10:34 PM
Did the doctor mention any signs of venous leak or arterial insufficiency from the ultrasound?

No. To give you a bit of information about what happened. I first saw the Dr. last month. He walked in, introduced himself and took a quick peek. He then announced that I needed to schedule an ultrasound. This Dr. is in with a group of other urologists and other physicians of different specialty's.
It took me about three weeks to get an appointment for the ultrasound which was at the same location. The ultrasound was performed by an ultrasound technician. She first came in and did ultrasound on my "non- erect" state. She left and the Doc came in and injected me and left. The tech came back and did the ultrasound on the "erect" state..which wasn't very erect and she quickly finished up and left.
After maybe 20 minutes or so, the Doc  retuned again. He didn't say anything about the ultrasound or what he saw. He just
started out with how the best  option for me is to have surgery. He said I have Peyronies Disease and it's curved downward and to the left.
That was about it.  I had a suspicion he was gonna go straight to the surgery route when in the initial visit I asked what options I might be looking at. He said "Let's not put the cart before the horse until we learn more from the ultrasound but in a lot of cases surgery is necessary." That statement told me he is a surgeon who specializes in surgical procedures of the penis. He didn't even write me a full Rx for Cialis. He wrote it for 5 tablets and said he did that because I might not like the results of taking them and waste the Rx.
Overall, I was not impressed.  
Age 55, Married
Peyronies Disease manifested approx. Jun 2020.
Hourglass indentation at base of penis running underneath w/ downward and leftward slope when semi-erect.
Weak erections
Diagnosed with Peyronies Disease on May 28, 2021

Benraycamp0

@Druhg:

Thanks for sharing that. I was hoping Dr. Christine would have more info on your diagnosis. You should as least call the office and see if you can get the full report. The ultrasound tech might have taken all the numbers down and you can use those to easily figure out whether you have any vascular ED issues. There may be notes on the Peyronies Disease plaques as well. It'll also be useful to bring the report if you decide to go for a second opinion.
26 years old. 20 degree upward curve with slight clockwise twist. Symptoms onset Dec 20.
Dr. Levine says it's not Peyronie's Disease but a slow healing wound. Saw him Mar 21 and May 21.
Traction (PMP) and supplements per Dr. Levine's recommendation.

LWillisjr

Introductory topics are limited to 10 replies. As such this is now locked but feel free to post questions in the appropriate boards on the forum  Admin
Developed peyronies 2007 - 70 degree dorsal curve
Traction/MEDs/Injections/Surgery 2008 16 years Peyronies free now
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