3 weeks since diagnosis- too soon for VED?

[runner70]

Hello,

My 47 year old husband has an approx 30 degree bend down that we just noticed a few weeks ago.(We suspect possible damage from a catheter from hernia surgery last June) We have radically changed his diet to be non-inflammatory and he is on pentox, ubiquinol, omega 3, E, etc...We are waiting for Cialis approval and I have the Arginine but am a little worried about giving it to him as the WebMD page is a little unnerving.

We are seeing our second urologist (says he specializes in this) next week as the first one only advised Vitamin E and after reading these boards, I have lost my confidence in him.

Anyway, I have been reading about the VED and I'm thinking we should get it. Should we? Should we wait until he is more stable? Best to do this now? I completely understand about not over pumping, but still don't wish this to be further aggravated right now. I'm holding onto hope he might heal on his own. Maybe just wishful thinking but he really is a healthy good healer.

Thank you!

[Mending the Bend]

Hi Runner70,

Since your husband just noticed the curve a few weeks ago, he's very likely in the acute stage, and things can evolve over the next several months. Taking the oral supplements might help. And he may want consider swapping pentox for Acetyl L-Carnitine, if the side effects of pentox bother him (studies have shown it to be as or more effective, with fewer side effects - but be sure to take it with a meal).

A traction device might be a better choice for your husband at this point. There is less chance of injury with traction, and there are more studies supportive of getting positive results from traction than with VED. That's not to say that VED isn't effective, just that it isn't as well documented as traction.

He should be aware that traction devices take some time to figure out how to use properly, and they can be uncomfortable - especially at first. Improvement, whether via traction, supplements or medication, takes time.

Of course, he should find a new urologist that specializes in Peyronie's. My advice is to be very leery of getting Verapamil injections, but if he's a candidate for Xiaflex and the doctor thinks it's appropriate - I'm getting incredible results so far.

Good luck.

Mending the Bend

[UrsusMinor]

What is your worry with Arginine?

I went to the WebMD side effects page and saw nothing really out of the ordinary. The list of associated problems is shorter than for aspirin, and most of them are either rare, or extremely speculative--for example, increased death rates when arginine is taken following a heart attack. The evidence for that is based on a single study that had no statistical significance. NYU Langone Med Center sums up what is known:

The supplemement arginine has been proposed for aiding recovery from a heart attack. In one double-blind study, arginine did not cause harm, and showed potential modest benefit. However, in another study, arginine failed to prove helpful and possibly increased post-heart attack death rate.

The allergic reactions cited all seem to be referring to arginine injections or IV, in a few patients with a high sensitivity to large amounts. Keep in mind that arginine is a vital component of proteins and enzymes in the body, and is found in many foods. According to Wikipedia, arginine is found in substantial amounts in:

Animal sources
dairy products (e.g., cottage cheese, ricotta, milk, yogurt, whey protein drinks), beef, pork (e.g., bacon, ham), gelatin , poultry (e.g. chicken and turkey light meat), wild game (e.g. pheasant, quail), seafood (e.g., halibut, lobster, salmon, shrimp, snails, tuna) Plant sources
wheat germ and flour, lupins, buckwheat, granola, oatmeal, peanuts, nuts (coconut, pecans, cashews, walnuts, almonds, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, pinenuts), seeds (pumpkin, sesame, sunflower), chickpeas, cooked soybeans, Phalaris canariensis (canaryseed or alpiste)

In short, arginine is one of the last things I would worry about taking. As with anything, it's best to start at low dosages, but it's generally no big deal.

(A lot of people here will tell you that citrulline malate is probably a better option; the body makes arginine from it, and doesn't waste it the way it wastes arginine.)

[runner70]

UrsasMinor: Yes it was the allergic reactions stated that worried me. I didn't see it was referring to the shots. That's good, I'll start him on it. I have him taking so many things, I guess I've started to worry!

[runner70]

Mending-the-bend: I actually do have him taking Acetyl L-Carnitine too. He seems to be doing well with that, all the others and the Pentox.
Thanks for the insight on the traction.
I think I've seen your posts on the Xiaflex, very encouraging! If we get to that point, I just hope to find a good doctor for him.

[james1947]

Not connected to the topic itself.
Runner70, are you a lady?
If yes, please change the gender sign.

James

[runner70]

I am. I made this for my husband for support, but he has not posted yet. I'll change it.