Just Finding Out

[jhawk]

Utah, USA - Like the subject title says I am just figuring this out.  I noticed the indent about a month ago and my wife also noticed right away.  At first I figured maybe it was a one time thing, but when it was still there the next time I had an erection I began a period of confusion that I guess many of you are familiar with.

Because of age and distance from my last doctor visit I am due for a thourough checkup.  I have been debating whether I even want to bring it up or not with the doctor.  I'll admit that the embarrassment factor was there, but another issue for me is that I am a recovering sexual addict and porn/masturbation was a big part of that addiction.  (I just want to say here that I am not condemning anyone else for their sexual practices.  It was wrecking my life, so I am leaving those practices behind.)  The thought of a doctor handing me a stack of magazines so that I could get an erection and then having someone check it out, just added to my anxiety.  I even had a lot of anxiety about doing internet research.  I wasn't sure I would be able to find what I wanted without sifting through a lot of off-topic stuff.  How would I even start searching.  I finally attempted it yesterday and was surprised when "indent erection" found peyronies disease right away.   That was a good news/bad news thing.  The symptom description seemed to match well:  I have an indent running around my shaft from the back around to the right about a quarter of the way and then I believe (I will probably do more checking the next time I am in that condition) a lesser indent on the left side starting at the same location.  I don't think it is really indented in the middle of the back.  The other symptom is a certain amount of pain associated with an erection.  I am guessing the pain is why I have woken up a few times in the middle of the night with an erection lately.  I usually don't wake up at all during the night, kids, bladder nothing. The pain isn't too bad.  It isn't interfering with our sex life.  Having a name was the good part.  

It seemed like most of the sights were giving me no more hope than to just wait a year or two and see.  The potential of erectile disfunction was not something I wanted to hear and the fact that there wasn't a clear cure left me in a slump emotionally.  As I told my wife about it I joked around a bit, that is one of my coping techniques, but I almost started to cry a couple of times.  Maybe because of my approach, but even though I have mentioned the issue a number of times over the last month, my wife didn't really understand how much this is stressing me out.  Today we took a chance to get away from the kids and talk for a while so I could help understand better where I am coming from emotionally.  I also just got through sharing your article on intimacy with her.

I do have one question regarding a symptom.  My testicles seem to be more sensitive (dull pain on occasion)  It feels similar to times in the past when I was highly aroused for extended periods without ejaculation.  I think some call it "blue balls".  I have been experiencing pain similar to that at the slightest provocation (i.e. thinking about the fact that I will be having sex with my wife shortly or getting aroused by an attractive woman I run into.)  Is that associated with peyronies disease or is everything just falling apart because my warranty has expired?  Also I would like to know if my diagnosis sounds correct to the experts out there.  I feel fairly certain, but I wouldn't mind feedback.

The last thing I would like to say is thank you, thank you, thank you to those who have created and maintained this web site. Your article on intimacy alone has helped more than anything I have read elsewhere.  Also you listed more possible treatments than the Mayo Clinic and other medical sites that I ran across.  I don't remember others mentioning stretching exercises or vacuum devices, but then I have run across a few other issues that have led me to feel that doctors are more motivated to develop solutions that will make them money.  In this case prescriptions and surgery.  Also just knowing you are here is comforting.  It feels a lot like the first time I stepped into a 12 Step recovery meeting.  I know I am not alone in this and there are others, with experience, who care and want to help me through it.  In my opinion no amount of intellectual knowledge can replace having been there.  I haven't really read anything except your main page, the intimacy article and the getting started stuff, but I feel at home here.

Thanks again.  Looking forward to reading more here.

[Luciano]

I have no idea about your symptom, but my suggestion is:
Go see an urologist asap.
Anyway It is hard to make a diagnosis per distance.
But one thing is sure.
He defenitely WILL NOT hand you over magazines so you get an erection.

Much more likely  he will look at your penis (not erected) with an ultrasound device.
There he can see how dense the tissue is, or what the changes are in the area.
He would be able to tell you where it is located even if you dont have an erection.

If doctors want to see it erected, they usually ask you for a photograph. Bring one with you at your first visit.
If he needs you erect he will give you an injection to induce the erection. (but i think i never heard that happen on first visit)

Go to a specialist immediately. The only thing a general practitian will do, is maybe (probably even not) look a it and send you to an uro.

Another thing that helps a lot if you dont feel comfortable talking about the problems, write them down.
just the main 5 points in keywords. give him a copy and explain. with the photograph he is bound to understand what you are trying to tell him.

Thats my 2 cents.

Luc

[LWillisjr]

jhawk,

I agree that your symptoms aren't real definitive. And it seems these days that the definition of Peyronies is becoming more and more associated with several penis issues that don't have a clear diagnosis.

But that aside, whether there is a name for it or not, the best thing to do as Luciano suggests is to get a professional diagnosis from a specialist. But be aware, you may have to do a bit of searching to find a male sexual function specialist who is familiar with your condition.

Many GP's will pass you off, or tell you nothing can be done. This seems to be an out or date text book type response. The key I would suggest is to monitor your self closely. If it doesn't get any worse, and you are able to perfrom sexually, then you really have nothing to worry about. You just want to watch to see if it continues to change, get worse, etc.

You are ahead of the game simply due to the fact that you have noticed this, you are talking to your wife about it, and being proactive by doing your own research.

Les

[0x5555]

Go see a specialist ASAP.  I hate to say it but it may not be Peyronies - sounds similar to my symptoms which were more likely caused by a penis fracture.

If you're up for it head to the ER.  It's been a month but I did read that there was at least one case where they repaired it even a month after the injury.  They will at the very least do an ultrasound.

[KAC]

Jhawk,
It does sound really premature to decide what you have.  

I had trouble getting an appointment with a uro at first, until I called a friend of a friend who is a urologist and he made a recommendation and called ahead and that seemed to speed things up.  You might be able to find a reference and a contact on this forum.

And I agree there's no reason to worry about a doc handing you magazines. The office I go to has pictures of irish pub doors on the wall.  I think taking an erect picture is a good idea. I didn't do that at first and my doc didn't ask for it, but I started taking one regularly and that provided a reference point and a way to monitor change that wasn't so subjective.

Good luck.  It did help me feel better to start doing something about it.

KAC

[jhawk]

Thanks everyone for responding.  I did read about taking a picture and had decided to do that.  After your suggestions I think I will go straight to a urologist.  The quicker the better.  There are already performance problems, but my wife and I are doing OK considering the circumstances.

0x5555,
Does the fracture heal on its own after a certain period of time?  I can't think of an injury that would have caused this.  Would the fracture have come as the result of an obvious injury?

Thanks again.

[0x5555]

Yeah, it would have been a VERY obvious injury.  It would have been incredibly painful.

No, they generally don't heal on their own which is why going to a hospital is important.  If you can't remember an obvious injury then don't worry about it being a fracture.  At the same time, it's an example of why a 'wait and see' approach when it comes to your member is a bad idea.  Get to a doctor, get diagnosed.

[Luciano]

a real fracture can be very painfull.
i heard though (wich means I dont know for sure) that you also can have so called micro-fractures that can induce scar tissue when healing.
Luc

[jhawk]

Well, you've given me a sense of urgency.  Someone on another thread mentioned finding docs on the Peyronies Association website so I went to peyroniesassociation.org and found William O. Brant.  The only one listed for Utah  He also came up on my insurance provider's web site.  I guess I can be thankful for that.  Hopefully he is good!  I will be taking pics and giving his office a call today.

[0x5555]

Just to give you some hope - it has been a VERY tough 8 months for me from when I first noticed my dent.  I went through a period where I was literally incapacitated, couldn't go to work and was in intense pain through the day.  I am now starting to feel like it has healed, no more pain during erections and feeling much more like my old self.  There is still some deformity / denting but it does seem like it's stabilizing.

If it's Peyronies there are drugs which can help and even surgery which people here have had success with.  The only thing I'd recommend a second opinion on are injections which some people have reported worsened their condition.  Some have had success but it's the only thing I'd say to think about if the doctor suggests it.  Many people are fine without treatment - things look a little different but it doesn't impact performance.  It's just a long healing process.  

Glad you're seeing a doctor, best of luck.