31 Year Old Joins the Peyronie's Club

[pizzaman]

Hello all. I've been doing lots of reading here and have learned a lot I think. It's also nice knowing knowing I'm not alone. I'm particularly surprised at the number of young men here. I still have lots of questions, however.

A little bit of the history of my condition:
- I was diagnosed with BPH a few years ago, and I kept in under control with saw palmetto and an alpha blocker.
- About a month ago I started having pelvic pain or prostatitis-like symptoms. Between smart supplementation, valium, and pelvic stretches I mostly got that under control, though there is still occassional soreness in my pelvic region. At     around the same time (1 month ago) my libido fell off a cliff and I had trouble getting and maintaining an erection.
- Two weeks ago I went to the doctor because my anxiety was getting out of control, largely because of pelvic pain, the ED, and a lot of stress at work and from life in general. This is when I was prescribed the valium and given a blood test.
- About a 9 days ago I noticed my penis curving to the right when semi-erect. No curvature when erect and no pain
- 5-6 Days ago I noticed a lump running at the base of my penis running from about the 2:00 position to the 6:00 position. It's pretty far down on the shaft, so can only really be felt at full mast. There's also a dent under the lump on the right
- Yesterday I went to the doctor. He gave me the results of my blood test. 208 free test (yikes!). He put me on androgel, felt my penis, and said I probably have peyronies. He didn't seem to think peyronie's was a big deal at all, and shrugged it off. He referred me to a male reproductive specialist at my request.

After doing lots of research online, I see there's a big correlation between low androgens and peyronies. It seems testosterone and DHT play a big role in penile healing and overall reproductive health. What are the odds that the androgel will reverse this condition?
Even though I'm still sore down there, should I start using traction or a VED?
I'm gonna make an appointment with the urologist ASAP, but would it be worth starting Pentox on my own if I can get ahold if it really quickly?

[james1947]

pizzaman

Welcome to the forum. Definitely you are not alone and you will find on this site a lot of information that may help you fighting this disease.

I was diagnosed with BPH four years ago and the uro prescribed me Harnal and Finasteride. He didn't told me that it may cause lose of libido and ED. It made me new black hair to grow on my head, ravaged my sex drive and made me ED. I made a research by the Internet and I find out that the alpha blockers are to be blamed. I had stopped immediately taking those medications and I proceed to make TUNA (using low frequency radio waves) because I find it to be with zero cases of mortality.

The TUNA was successfull, but what a surprise, three months after the treatment my Peyronie's begin and slowly during 24, 26 months developed to my actual BAD situation.
My VERY BIG MISTAKE was not doing nothing during this stage, just waited maybe it will go away alone. It does not!!!

In my opinion you have to get on Pentox and using VED as soon as possible. VED should be used gently, not over pumped, have a lot of information on the VED board.
Regarding Pentox, when going to the uro take with you printout of the researches and testimonies regarding Pentox that you will find on the forum, check out the "Oral Treatments..." board. Some of the uro's are not ready to prescribe Pentox so maybe you will have to fight for it.

Good luck and be positive
James

[newguy]

That he shrugged it off is as attitude that sadly isn't rare. Male sexual health problems, for a variety of reasons, are often not viewed  or treated appropriately. On the plus side you now have an opportunity to start on a treatment regimen early in the conditions developmen. I recommend getting on pentoxifylline ASAP, and maybe COQ10 too. You will also likely benefit from ED drugs. If you do not have any curvature while erect as this point, perhaps you should help off from VED or traction until you do notice a change in size or curvature. That's just my take on it though. There may well be valid reasons for starting. I do think it's important to get on an oral regimen right away though.

[pizzaman]

Thanks for the replies.
I got on on oral regiment last week with pretty much every OTC supp I could throw at it. Alcar, PLcar, CoQ10, L-Arginine, PABA, Vit E, systemic enzymes, and low-dose cialis as required to maintain night wood. I think I'll hold off on the VED for now since I really have no curve when erect or size loss. I got an appointment with the urologist next week. I'm crossing my fingers, hoping he'll be fairly educated about Peyronies. But I'm thinking if he won't prescribe me Pentox, I'll get it online from somewhere.

One thing positive I've gained, is a new found sympathy and respect for any man with reproductive system issues. I don't even have it so bad and it's hit me hard mentally and emotionally.  

[james1947]

Pizzaman

A small remark.
Be aware that too many, too much. Try to concentrate on some of them, not all of them.

James

[jackp]

pizzaman

Just a word of caution: Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) will cause your sperm count to drop to a level where you will not be able to father a child. As far as I know it is not reversable.

Also, keep a regular check your testosterone level. Gels make your skin thick and stop working for a lot of men, myself included. When that happens you need to go on shots, patches or pellets.

TRT is great for a lot of things, libido, strength, mood etc. It is not a cure for ED.  

Jackp
http://jackp-penileimplant.blogspot.com/

[pizzaman]

Thanks for all the advice. I've eased up on the supplements, and have since seen the male fertility specialist. He said he wants to leave my penis alone for now, as long as there isn't much curvature when fully erect. The TRT has been going pretty well, I feel a lot better now. It helped a lot with libido, and it seems easier to get an erection now. On top of that, I've been getting occasional spontaneous erections again and some weak night time ones (though cialis makes them stronger).

My peyronies seemed to go into a dormant state (inflammation and dent not as prominent, little to no pain), but it's been flaring up again, and has gotten sore. It's now a little sore sometimes on the left side of the shaft as well. I've narrowed it down to a few possible causes of the flareup that I can think of:
1. One or more supplements I was on helped a lot
2. This is just the natural, unpredictable course of peyronies
3. The TRT may have shut down my natural test production now, lowering blood levels (testosterone seems to be very important to reproductive tissue health)
4. The TRT increased my libido a lot and I've been masturbating more

Any thoughts on that? Also, I'm a little confused about masturbation. I'm trying to keep it minimized to about 4 times per week, at most, and I bought a fleshlight which I'm trying to use at least half the time since it seems gentler. There seems to be a lot of mixed opinions here regarding sex/masturbation frequency, so I was hoping for a little advice on that.
And finally, I've been considering VED, but as newguy said earlier, it may not be of much benefit since I seem to have a fairly mild case (thank god). I'm still wondering If it would be worth it at this point, and if it could even be harmful, since I'm still in the pain/inflammation stage.

[james1947]

pizzaman

Good to hear that the TRT is helping you. You have written:

I've eased up on the supplements

What are the medications and the supplements you are taking now?

Regarding VED, it is helping to keep a healthy penis and can be used also in the acute stage. Just have to be carefull, not to over pump and to keep a daily protocol.

James

[jackisback]

Pizzaman, how's the fleshlight treating ya? My uro told me I have a thrombosed vein, not Peyronie's...I'm surprised since the vein runs the circumference of my shaft on the right side, but no matter--I still I have many of the same Peyronie's symptoms, and I'm damn near evangelical about the fleshlight. A lot lighter on the penis...I used to have to masturbate pretty much the exact right amount--like every three days--more or less and I'd be get soft. Now I don't have to think about that stuff, my penis feels stronger, more in shape, and when the moment's right with an actual woman, I have peace of mind and dont have to worry about anything too much (usually).

[reynell]

Welcome pizzaman

sounds like you got it undercontrol.
I'm glad you are feeling better stay positive.
Just  be careful with the testerone i don't know much about it but alot of the bad side affects are permanent.

Good luck

[pizzaman]

Sorry I haven't been responding very well. I appreciate all the responses. The testosterone therapy is going well. We're still getting my dosage optimized, and pretty much all my low-T symptoms have been improving. With the 5mg daily Cialis, i'm getting pretty good night time wood too, so I've opted not to get a VED for now.

As I posted in another thread, I began eating paleo, and my peyronies seemed to disappear for a week or so. Very odd, but the symptoms came back again. I'm currently trying to retrace my steps and see what else I was doing differently. I'm still experimenting with a lot of different supplement, particularly those that I haven't read about on this board. My disease hasn't really progressed at all though, I have a very slight bend (maybe 4 or 5 degrees) and the dent hasn't gotten much worse.

James, my mainstay supplement regimen consists of: 800iu Vitamin E (gamme+mixed tocopherols and tocotrienols), 8000iu Vitamin D, 1.5g ALCAR, 900mg Curcumin, 3 serrapeptase pills, fish oil (3 grams combined epa and dha), 5mg Cialis, 1mg doxazosin, 200mg coq10, 50mg zinc, 2mg copper, 500mg vitamin c, about 400mg magnesium (i want to increase this), and a multivitamin. Sometimes I take a break from the cialis and use arginine+horny goat weed or pycnogenol. The ALCAR I thankfully began taking as soon as I suspected Peyronies. I don't know if it does anything, but my Peyronie's case has remained fairly mild. I find the curcumin + serrapeptase combination is great. Alone they don't do much, but together they seem to have a synergy and really help decrease the pain.

Jackisback, the fleshlight is probably about as good as a toy can get. I'm in a long distance relationship, so I have to make due with it most of the time. You're right, it's definitely easier on the penis, but I wish it were a bit more soft and squishy. I'm curious about your thrombosed vein. What are your symptoms like? Is there pain and curvature? Is there a dent near the vein?

[james1947]

Pizzaman

Thanks for the answer.
A lot of vitamins and supplements. I will find out what each one suppose to do.
Unfortunately I started my treatment very late and my improvements are very slow.

James

[jimmy71]

i am taking pentoxyffiline, 3 a day by prescription.   plus, Q 10, l-argentine, l-carnitine, multiple vites, plus, extra vitamin D3, K2, & calcium.   the last 3 for a torn up knee.  all together, more or less.   after all this for over 90 days, i can safely say, no improvement.   but it also did not get worse.   thiscame up pretty fast about a year ago.   my curve goes left about 30 degrees, and also up toward the pelvic somewhat.    hard to measure.   i am in stasis.
    so after another quarter i might be looking for additional treatments unless remission begins.
    basically i have nothing to add except psychologically, to not exaggerate the importance of sex.   love transcends sex, or at least should.   do old people love?  is that love worth it?  the constant compromises.  then why not love like that when you are young.   i am 73.  i've felt that female attachment to powerfull love=making is no love.  it is self-delusion and in fact lack of empathy for the other.
    partnership is a team game.  why la femme and l'homme get together is sexy, but also about POV, and yin meeting yang.   there can be a confessional intimacy that transcends any male comradeship.   both are valid and i suppose, wanted, if not needed.
    this disease cannot be explained or cured.  if it does not hurt let it be a lesson to you in forebearance and perseverance.
    i expect it will be my new partner until it's over.
    i am responding as methodically as i can.   i dumped my first doctor for lack of communication.   can't stand that.   drink a coffee.
if there is nothing to say, then say that.   why not?  
my report is nothing to report.   so half full or empty, all good as long as the glass is not falling off the table.