Introduction - better late than never

[BoatFool]

I have been reading the posts on this forum since last December and recently made a couple of posts.

I am 53 years old, live in central Texas and have been with my wife for 33 years.  I had never heard of Peyronies Disease and had no idea I had somehow been injured.  
 
July 2013:  One day everything was normal.  The next day I had pain and a banana shaped bend, thought that was weird!  Following week same thing so I immediately went to my general practice doctor.  I was referred to a urologist.

August 2013:  First appointment with a urologist that specializes in ED and treats many patients with Peyronies Disease.  Started Verapamil Injections at first appointment.  Twelve injections, one every two weeks for 6 months.  Doctor suggested using a stretcher for 2 hours a day or longer.  I was not diligent in using the stretcher.  

Pain went away in about 2 months.  At about 4 1/2 months banana shape changed into a dorsal check mark with the short end of the check mark being about 2/3 of the way down the shaft towards the head and at an angle of about 70 degrees.   It seems to have stabilized.

I have a follow up appointment in May to discuss the next step being either the Xiaflex treatment or plication surgery.   In April, I have an appointment with another urologist to discuss a minimally invasive plication surgery that does not involve degloving.

I don't want to screw around with this for years trying lots of different drugs, penis stretchers or a VED.   Xiaflex concerns me due to some of the things that can go wrong and my doctor has told me to only expect a 30% to 70% reduction in the bend.  My gut feeling is either get the surgery or just make the best of it as it is.

If I go the Xiaflex or surgery route I plan to put it off until October.  I do wonder if Pentrox and Cialis might be something to try for the next 6 months?  My urologist said that Pentrox is primarily for pain and since that is gone there is not any point in taking it.  Seems like some guys have had good results in correcting the bend.  I welcome any suggestions?

I really appreciate y'all running this forum and all the guys that have shared information.  It has really helped me to better understand Peyronies Disease, options for treatment and put it all in perspective.

[anonpdacct]

BoatFool,

A lot of guys on this forum know more than I do and I hope they'll chime in with guidance for you.  I'll just say regarding Pentox that it is highly recommended by many.  Dr. Tom Lue in San Francisco believes it can halt progression.  I would research it further before deciding not to take it.

Anon

[james1947]

BoatFool

Do you read already:
Peyronies Survival Guide - Information for New Members - Peyronies Society Forums
If yeas, you know some basics regarding this disease.
Pentox, low dose Cialis Ubiquinol and VED may help to stop the progression of the disease and even revers the symptoms.
If you will decide on surgery, it may help also the outcome. Just be sure that the surgeon has done/doing hundreds of surgeries a year.

James

[BoatFool]

Anon and James,  Thanks for the response.  I wish I had found this site before I went to the urologist but didn't find it until about 5 months into the Verapamil Injections.  I know my urologist offered several different routes to go and that a combination of drugs was one of them.  My mind was racing all over the place so I don't remember exactly which drugs.  The impression I got from him was that the guys that had gone the drug route didn't see much improvement and that the Verapamil Injections was the better route so that was what I did.  I wish now that I had also tried the PAV cocktail while getting the shots.  Like I said, my mind was all over the place and I was looking for the fastest and easiest fix possible.

I did not get a Doppler Ultrasound and guess he didn't see the need since I was able to get a very good erection and there was no problem finding the plaque.

Sounds like Pentrox is a good option before you have stabilized but how do you know when it has stabilized?  I have not seen any changes for a few months.  I welcome any input.  Maybe I will try to get an appointment before May to discuss with the urologist.

[anonpdacct]

The "active" phase is said to last between 12 and 18 months. Some forum members are taking Pentox (and supplements) for a long time even after the active phase.

Everyone has their own opinions about it. I'm sure if you poke around on this site you'll get a lot of information to guide your thinking.

Anon