Open Questions on Peyronies Disease (That won't fit under any of our current topics)

[gibson101]

Thank you for the advice

If is not Peyronies Disease and only scar tissue can this be cured at all with oral medications?? From what ive read here on forums I have all the symptoms of Peyronies Disease but it could be scar tissue tryna heal and i didnt help it by ejaculating.Am I correct in saying tha Scar tissue can cause shortening though wheter its Peyronies Disease or not??

Regards

[Steve]

Whoa! Where'd you go???  As soon as I posted this, Forest's post disappeared!  I assume that Hawk moved it?

Let's see...you're here at the right place; looks like you're typing correctly...yep, I think you're doing the posting correctly

The more you read here on the forum, the more you'll find that there are a few 'favorite' treatments, and a lot of discussion on why each type of treatment does or doesn't work for someone.  Bottom line is that we're all still searching for the Silver Bullet to stop this affliction.  One thing's for sure that I've found is that it won't go away overnight!  That being said, there's a lot of improvement being reported over in the VED thread (you might want to check it out) and there's always a lively discussion of the benefits of using a full spectrum Vit E and other supplements/drugs.

Keep reading all the forums, and you'll get a lot of ideas of how to try and treat your condition, and quite a few ideas on what to avoid.

Most of all, you've found the right place to get support and free advice (which sometimes is worth exactly what you pay for it and other times is priceless).

Welcome to the group.

[George999]

I think he ended up on supplements!

[forest]

Yea, Hawk is helping me out and put my post over on supplements.  Thanks for the welcome Steve.
Forest  

[gibson101]

Can someone pleaser advise me. I went to urologist today and it was not so great. He cant see any symptoms i.e. bumbs,plauge that would indicate Peyronies Disease but my penis has shrunk. He says it may be from not getting erections or masterbating as I thought it would be wise to give it a break. Do anyone here have any light to shed on this. The shaft of my penis is way harder even when flaccid and shrinking. Does anyone know wat this could be? Maybe pchycological??

regards

[ComeBacKid]

Gibson,

I suffered an inury, serious blow to my penis, it hurt badly.  As a result of this injury I ended up with peyronies disease.  If you have just a normal scar it would naturally heal itself.  It is very unclear what exactly peyronies disease is and what it does.  Mine was clearly more than a scar as it spread slowly over time, I developed a bend in the erect and flaccid state and lost size overtime. Now I have partial ED, loss of size in erect and flaccid states, and bend and twist of the whole shaft in the flaccid and erect states.  Most doctors will have nothing more to offer you than vitamin E.  I would still see another doctor and try to get a diagnosis.  I went to one doctor who said I clearly have peyronies and he could feel my plaque, that was back when it was in one spot.  Since then it has spread over my entire flaccid penis.  I just recently went to Dr. Mulhall and he said I wasn't really losing size, I told him I lost a full inch in length and serious girth length, he said it was my imagination, I told him I measured and he said well it could be peyronies.  The hard truth is even these doctors really don't know, in fact this top urologist wouldn't even acknowledge there was a study with pentox going on.  I told him the literature stated it helped a guy and he said that was false.  I told him I'd mail in the literature to him, he said verapamil injections are the way to go early in the disease(he seems to promote his own treatment idea).  He also said the VED will do nothing to make the penis bigger in the erect state, I have now talked to several people who have used the ved and have said otherwise.  Clearly some doctors are out of the loop, they think they know a lot about peyronies but they don't, there is much that is unknown about this disease.  Lucky for you we are here to help.  Whether you think you have peyronies or not you should treat it like you do in my opinion, you can't risk it getting worse trust me.  See another urologist who deals with peyronies and see what he says.  Pentox / L Arginine/ and Viagra is the hot new treatment protocol along with the VED which has a good record from our members of restoring lost size.  Chances are if you have a bend and your penis is shrinking you have peyronies, you can attack it or do nothing and watch it get worse.  I sent you a PM check your mailbox. Oh , and assuming your in good health with no problems, taking pentox/ larginine/ viagra can't hurt you.

ComeBackid

[gibson101]

Could anyone from London please contact me.

ComeBackid did your injury develope a hardness around the flaccid penis. Mine is extrememly ridgid at the moment and I can feel the whole thing retreating inside. I know that if plauge developes all around the penis it will shrink. Does anyone here know if it is advicable to  try and masterbate as I am afraid this will just worsen it.

[Liam]

What is with all the talk about masturbation?  Do you really need to ask?

He says it may be from not getting erections or masterbating

Huh?  That is just plain silly.

First a doctor would have no objective measure of size loss (no baseline).  Second, to suggest those two things as causes of size loss is laughable.

[Ray]

I am close to having to make a decision on surgery. I've don the Vitamin E, Collichin and Varapimill injections. I believe I have a good doctor(Cully Carson), but am nervous about making the decision. my curve is about 45 degrees but and it has deminished the size significantly. Would like to know from anyone who has ben through the operation.

Ray  

[ComeBacKid]

Gibson

Light masterbation shouldn't make your peyronies worse, and erections... you need them to oxygenate the tissues.  Some people believe without erections that more collagen will develop, we have a good paper in our research library that hawk posted, check it out.  The only problem with this theory that I have is that there are millions of men worldwide who are older and probably don't get erections much at all daily but they don't have peyronies.  You see there are so many variables with this disease and so many different cases.  Yes I have lost size my friend, its spread around my entire penis.  Hardness is exactly it, its not flexible, feels like a cast on my flaccid penis, it does not hang it points straight out kind of and to the right when flaccid.  

Ray- Make sure you take our verapamil injection poll if it is up, I don't know if hawk has it active or not.  Out of curiousity did the injections help you at all?  My personal belief is that verapamil will do nothing for peyronies, the urologists keep doing the injections cause they have nothing else to offer, in fact in our own poll a lot of people on the injections got worse.  Share your results and hopefully we can get you to enter in ur data in our poll.

ComeBackid

[Ray]

ComeBackid

The injections did nothing at all.

Ray

[gibson101]

Greetings
Has anyone here succesfully regained some size after suffering from Peyronies Disease Is the ved/traction method the only hope even though it may not work!! I already have a smaller penis and if it shrinks more I am finished. HELP!

Regards to all
D

[Ray]

HI

Has anyone had the Horton-Devine method of surgery with success. My curve is about 45 degrees and has caused what seems to me considerable shortining. I have researched on line and I'm still undecided and confused. My Dr. has written several papers on this and seems to be well respected in this field. I have done the Varapimil injections, Colchicine, vitimin E and several other oral non perscription pills. This has been going on for 2 years. I'm 62 years old in good shape (exersise 4 to 5 times per week) and still like sex.

Ray

[johnnyboy]

(22 years old, good health)

Hello again,

I went to a urologist (Peyronies Disease specialist) early November.  He said to me "I really doubt it is peyronie's."  Good news that day and I made a follow-up appointment for mid-late December.

At that appt he gave me a physical examination and said it is probably nothing, but gave a 2 week anti-inflammatory rx just the same.

I'm still worried that I might have Peyronies Disease and I want to know if I should be doing anything in the meantime to counteract the possible disease in its early stages.

Physical description:
Normal erections, BUT:
-I notice that while sitting down my erection goes slightly to the left (starting from the base)
-Slight indentation on the right side of my penis while erect.  Feels like the hard part of the penis has a dent in it (not very noticable, closer to the head)
-When the penis fills up with blood for an erection there is SOME hourglass formation before full erection.  Not painful at all, not very constricting either.
-Perhaps most worrysome, when the penis fills up with blood, when it is about half erect, there is a slight bend to the left at the middle of the penis (at the hourglass).  The penis doesn't fill up with blood uniformly, but it does fill up fine.  Could this be a plaque forming?  I've tried to feel it out, but I'm not a urologist.
-Left side of the penis (where the possible plaque may be forming, seems harder than the right side (erect and flaccid).  Could be my imagination, I don't know.
-Overall, when the penis is flaccid, it seems slightly more firm than before.  If I put it in a certain position, it kind of stays that way slightly.  In other words, it doesn't just flop back to normal.  It kind of has a tendency to whatever position I put it in.


So, given all of my descriptions, albeit not the best, what do you think I should do before my next appt in about 3 weeks?

Thanks for reading.

[Liam]

Follow your doctors orders.  Study hard.  Take it easy and don't worry.

I see people posts how hard it is to diagnose Peyronies Disease.  I disagree.  Palpable plaque should be present.  There are always exceptions.  But, they are just that, exceptions.

It is also possible to get Peyronies Disease when you are young.  But, this, too, is an exception.

The urologist could make a mistake.  Again.....exception.

The odds are in your favor.

[Hawk]

I have to a difference of opinion from my friend.

I believe having Peyronies Disease without palpable plaque is not uncommon at all.  

I do think that diagnosis is not that difficult.  It features rapid onset of deformity (which includes size loss under firm erection) and may additionally be found in combination with penile pain, and/or ED, that is ruled out as having other common causes. It is often associated with other fibrotic conditions.

[johnnyboy]

Thanks for the responses.

As of now I don't have any palpable plaque, as far as I can tell, but I do have a slight deformity.  I'll try my best to explain it and maybe someone can give input.

When a penis is erect something in there fills with blood (sorry, I don't have the time to use all the proper terminology).  It feels like this "hard thing" during an erection has a indentation/rip in it that is perpendicular to the penis shaft.  It isn't painful, it isn't very noticable, it doesn't result in much loss in girth, if any.  My worry is that maybe it can rip more and spread like a circle around the cirumfrence of my penis.

Does anyone know what I'm talking about???

[Liam]

Hawk,

You may be right about it not being uncommon.  It is, however, not the most common presentation.  So even if there is no palpable plaque in 40% of patients with Peyronies Disease (a high number), when you factor in age, lack of other typical symptoms and the fact a doctor said "it's probably nothing", the chance of having Peyronies Disease is low.  So I think the point, although worthy of discussion, is peripheral.  We are in perfect agreement with all the core issues.

I still stand by my premise.  We have seen several guys come in lately who are in their late teens or early 20s.   They self report alcohol and/or substance abuse and excessive masturbation and/or rough sex.  Their major symptom is a perceived indentation and a fear of loss of size and function.  Upon examination their urologist reports no visible symptoms.

Guys worry about their "manhood" which we link to our ability to function sexually.   I do understand this even though I don't mean to suggest I understand the psychology behind it.  I just don't want to perpetuate the anxiety felt by these young men.

By all means, if you even think you have a problem, get it checked by a medical professional.  But, don't spend all your time afterward second guessing the diagnosis.

If the odds are in your favor, enjoy it.  If at some point your proven wrong, there is nothing lost.  There would have been nothing to do in the meantime except worry.

[johnnyboy]

Good advice.  I guess it's just the anxiety before my next appt in a few weeks.  My worry is that I might be in the very early stages of some degenerative disease.  My doctor might overlook this and go into "wait and see" mode, letting things get worse.  Let's assume this happens, what should I do on my own?  Vit E?  Vit C?  That stuff is good for you anyway, and being a college student, I probably should take vitamins given my diet.

Any take on my previous post about perceived indentation?

Thanks

[Tim468]

My take on it is that if, when you are fully erect that you have a dent or deformation of your penis, and if that is new, then you have Peyronie's Disease. I would do what you are doing, and be persistent with the doctor in your communicating. He may not hear what you are saying - he may hear that it "feels funny" or is shrinking, or doesn't get as hard as it used to, etc. Those are complaints that nervous guys bring to doctors all the time. My advice is to start with the important stuff - when you are erect, your penis has a dent and it deviating slightly. He may not be able to palpate a nodule or placque - so what? There is no other physiologic or anatomic way to understand this than as a manifestation of a CHANGE in the tunica albuginea. If he thinks it is not Peyronies Disease, then he has to come up with a reasonable explanation for what it is.

Tim

[johnnyboy]

I'm really not sure what to believe now.  I think I have identified a small bump on the tunica on the left side of my penis, close to weird it "kinks up" when i get an erection.  The erection itself is normal, but there is a slight kink as it proceeds to an erection.  How long does it take for a small plaque to form.  I began noticing problems less than 2 months ago, is that too quick for even a small plaque to develop?

As for the dent, I don't know what to think.  I guess it is a deformity, but it isnt noticable or painful, and it really doesn't feel it like it is going anywhere.

I feel like I should be taking more precautions in case this really is Peyronies Disease.  I am taking Vitamin E, but what is do you recommend to reverse or stop any deterioratoin?

[Liam]

JB,

Try ibuprophen and heat therapy (read some of the posts on this for safety precautions).

[johnnyboy]

I know ibprofen thins the blood (right?) what is the purpose of this?  Heat therapy?

Anyway, the bump doesnt seem to be present when I am erect, but I think I can feel it when I am in my smallest flaccid state.  Any thoughts?

[Liam]

Both of these are for inflamation.  These should help regardless of the problem and are not dangerous treatments.  Of course no one is capable of treating you  over this forum.  We would not attempt to.  We do, sometimes discuss things that have worked for us.

The heat and stretching has helped me.  I take ibuprofen when I am having pain from Peyronies Disease.

[Hawk]

Anyway, the bump doesn't seem to be present when I am erect, but I think I can feel it when I am in my smallest flaccid state.  Any thoughts?

JB,

Do you want thoughts that reinforce your thoughts or do you really want to know what others are thinking?

If it is the 2nd one, then read on.

From your descriptions: Excessive drug use; obsessive masturbation; lack of diagnosis, no notable deformity, no palpable plaque, a normal erection, no pain,  I think you may well be obsessing over a condition that does not exist.  You are so obsessed with focusing on your penis that you are down to "thinking" you may feel a tiny plaque in your smallest flaccid state.  

Of course I don't know any of this, but it is what I think.  I think that you should consider stepping back.  Taking all this as a wake-up call for a healthy, balanced, life style that nurtures your psychological and physical well-being.  I don't want you to think I am insulting you or saying you are nuts.  I am saying your priorities, immaturity, and questionable standards have lead you down a path of self-abuse and at least some obsessive behavior.  Hints of this obsessive behavior seem to be present in the cause our your initial problem and in your assessment of it.

As a brother, father, or friend, I would say leave the forum.  Take a few tips with you on nutrition and proper protection of your only penis.  Concentrate on school, fitness, and quality relationships that require a loss of self and giving.  Lastly stop obsessing about this.

[johnnyboy]

Liam, thanks for the information.

Hawk, I hope you're right.

I am definitely overthinking and borderline obsessing with this issue.  I should just forget about it until I have my urologist appointment in a few weeks.  I definitely try to live a healthy lifestyle, including proper nutrition, exercise, sleep, etc.  I don't use adderall anymore or masturbate more than a few times per week.  As for drinking, I still drink about 5 times each month, not what I would call excessive for a college student, but I'm sure many will disagree (not soemthing that really needs to be debated here).

Anyway, thanks for the advice, we'll see.

[bart]

Hi, Im new here,

I am in my 20's and used finasteride for about 4 months. Since coming off, ive had ED, low T and no libido. My penis is curving the left also and on the left side it also has a little hard nodule looking thing. Just wondering if you guys think this could be Peyronies Disease and does it usually bend to the left or right....or is it usaully up and down with Peyronies Disease? If it is Peyronies Disease is there anything I can do for it? Thanks

[ComeBacKid]

Welcome to the forum,

First off your symptoms sound like peyronies disease, but you should still seek the best urologist you can and get a diagnosis before moving ahead with treatments.  There is no usual with peyronies or bending to the right or left either, it can go either way, or up or down.  There are a lot of treatments you can do for it, a diagnosis is a good idea though before you move ahead.  I say try to find a urologist who deals with peyronies, because a lot from my experience know nothing about peyronies and will tell you to take vitamin E.  I actually taught my urologist some things I learned off here, and he taught me some things he knew about ED. Search local universities and public hospitals for a good urologist who deals with peyronies.  Get diagnosed, and attack your problem sooner than later.  In the meantime you can focus on eating healthy, excercising, and getting good rest, this certainly can't hurt your battle with peyronies, if indeed you do have it.  Feel free to look around and remain an active poster here, I'm sure you will be impressed with our groups diversity and knowledge on the matter.

[Hawk]

Bart,

Welcome to the PDS.

Only a urologist can diagnose Peyronies Disease.  Peyronies Disease can bend in any, or in multiple directions.  You do not mention how quickly this developed or how much of a measurable bend you are talking about.

Right under the main Peyronies Disease forum, you will see a "Just Diagnosed" section that offers a lot of information with out making you plow through 7000 posts.  This is so we don't have to post the same repeated advise to the 3 new members that average joining our organization every day.  Look over that section (it is not complete) and read the "Oral Treatment" on the main forum.  By then, you will have a wealth of information.  You may even want to take a few notes.  

In the mean time, feel free to jump in and ask any specifics or ask for any clarification you need.  Also keep us updated on your progress.  If you get an appointment with a urologist, we no doubt have a few tips for you.  After some reading, you will go much better informed.

[bart]

Thanks guys, Hawk, I will read that section. Just curious if any of you guys know of a urologist in Brisbane Australia that is good with Peyronies Disease? Or do you have any contacts at all who are good, maybe they can point me in the right direction. I just dont have the time to look all over Australia as I really want to catch this thing early. Thanks. Any suggestions?

Hawk it bends slightly to the left, but its getting worse. Ive had it for about 6 months.

[Liam]

it also has a little hard nodule looking thing

"Normally" with Peyronies Disease you don't see a nodule.  It is all on the inside.  The bend may go any way but is more common up.

ive had ED, low T and no libido

Finasteride is an antiandrogen (reduces testosterone).  I assume you were taking it for hair loss (Propecia) and not for prostate (Proscar).  This would be my first concern.  Make sure you address this with your doc.  If you have reduced (low) testosterone levels, ED could follow.  Low testosterone could be fixable.  Check it out.

Liam

[Steve]

I just had some therapy for my shoulder after some surgery, and after the exercises, the therapist applied a Dexamethazone cream to my shoulder and used an ultrasound device to "work it into the tissues to help break up the scar tissue."  Obviously, this started me to thinking about whether ultrasound has been used as a delivery agent for medications for Peyronies Disease?  I'm sure I'm putting the cart before the horse here as I haven't done a search for it yet (I may even get called out for posting such an 'obvious' question).  Has anyone ever heard of this before?

[scott]

Steve,

Use the search feature above on this forum.  There are a number of posts that seem to address your interest.  It does seem like an intriguing idea.

[bart]

Liam, I am currently seeing a doctor about the low T issue. I am positive that is what is causing the ED. (If Peyronies Disease hasnt already done too much damage). It could be another 2 months though before I can get on TRT.

[IrishB OCD]

Hey guys I had a question for the more experienced members here.  And the answer may need to come via pm, which is cool.  I am stuck with the curvature that I have now as surgery isn't even an option anymore.  So I don't know if I'll ever be able to have sex with future partners/wife.  Especially in the standard missionary position.  So I was wondering if anyone with more experience in this area would have any recomendations for other positions that would work better for someone with a (dorsal?) curvature to the left?  A fairly sever curvature I should say.  Any help would be sweet, even if you don't know any but have a place to look that would be great.  I've been searching this for months and can't find anything.

And again, pm's are more than cool since I understand that we have to keep this site accessible to everyone.

Irish

[Hawk]

Irish,

This is not that complicated of an issue.  We all are aware that many men have a normal dorsal (upward curve) of 5- 15 degrees and that an upward curve of 25 - 30 degrees is still pretty workable for intercourse (I am estimating since I never had a curve that severe).  We also know a downward curve of even 15 degrees can be problematic enough to make a couple start getting creative (I have had that).

Conclusion: A penile curve pointing away from a woman's spine is more easily accommodated.  A penile curve or 25-30 degrees in any direction would be workable if you can position yourselves so it curves up, or away from the spine.  Now it just a matter of a little personal thought process to figure out how your bodies have to be positioned to accomplish this "curve away from the spine" position, regardless of your particular curve.  Even then there are obvious limits by degree of curve, where the curve appears on the penis, if it is a gradual curve encompassing the entire length, or an abrupt angle, whether you have hourglass deformity or buckling problems.

Tim wrote a superb article on intimacy and Peyronie's Disease on our PDS website that has one very practical illustration near the bottom of that article that is perfect for a left curve.  http://www.peyroniessociety.org/intimacy.htm  You should have searched the PDS first  

[IrishB OCD]

Oh.  Ironically I've actually never been to the official PDS website before,  but I just did.  I'm gonna save that picture.  Plus the article looks good I'll have to read that.  Thanks for pointing that out to me man.  Any other ideas would be cool too.  Thanks guys.

[Jack]

Hey all.

Awhile back I injured my dick while my girlfriend and I were having rough sex, and I didn't notice any Peyronie's-like symptoms until aprx a month or more ago. I have no pain whatsoever in my dick, whether flaccid or errect, and the bend is really only noticeable when flaccid; while fully errect there is no visible bend, just a hardly discernable indent, which has no effect on which way my ERRECT dick bends. BUT, I have had these problems before after I "broke" my dick, but only now am I experiencing ED-like symptoms (after I found out about Peyronie's, really), so I'm wondering if this side effect is possibly psychological. My morning wood has even be lackluster to nonexistant since I've found out about it.

Now, my questions are: Since there is no pain, and no real visible bend while fully erect (although I feel a "hardness" under the skin when flaccid, and it seems to have a defined curve when flaccid) does this indicate that my case is either NOT Peyronie's, or if it is, then a minor case which might resolve itself? Secondly, if you think this is Peyronie's (which I'm quite sure it is, although it's possibly a milder case), is it likely to worsen, stay the same, or perhaps even clear up on its own?

I'm taking "Nature Made Vitamin E 400 I.U." twice daily, as well as a previously prescribed anti-inflammatory, just to be sure. As I've mentioned above, I can feel a "hardness" under my skin while flaccid, however, after a couple of seconds of massaging, it seems to dissapear or something --is this unusual for scar tissue related to Peyronie's?

Would it be okay to have sex/masturbate with this condition, or is it safer to just hold off on any sexually related things with the chance of it becoming worse?  I've also heard several people on the internet claim that a technique called "jelqing" can help fix Peyronies Disease over time, but I'm skeptical.  Is there any grain of truth to this?

Lastly, have you heard anything of Serrapeptase? I've been reading up on it, and apparantley it claims to be able to eat away dead tissue over time, and has alot of support in some European countries such as Germany. Would it be worth my while to give it a try?

Thanks alot for your time, this is currently destroying my life, and some answers would be comforting. (Also, I'm 19 yrs old, if that can help with your diagnosis, as I've heard cases in younger men will resolve much easier)

[Tim468]

Jack,

Since you describe a certain amount of new hardness, and a dent while erect, it DOES sound like Peyronies Disease to me, though very "mild" as you imply.

To guess whether or not it will get better worse or stay the same would require a crystal ball, so I will defer on that to those who are in possession of such a tool. However, some of us here have hypothesized that lesions that are small and more easily attributed to an injury seem more likely to resolve on their own, compared to those of us who seem to have a propensity to develop bends or dents without any obvious injury at all. You seem to fall into the former category.

I don't think the enzyme therapy works, but others may know more than I do about it. It seems like you are doing the right thing which is educating yourself.

Finally, you raise a good point about ED. It may be psychological, but if your nocturnal erections are not so good, it may also be "real". A good experience with your partner can help you sort it out.

Tim

[Liam]

Jack,  

Go to a doctor.  Get a diagnosis.  This will help reduce your stress level (whether you have it or not).
You will continue to second guess whether what you feel is Peyronies Disease or not until an expert tells you.  Been there, done that!  I know guys hate to go to a doctor, especially concerning sexual matters.  It is the right thing to do.

Become knowledgeable about the subject here (the website has a wealth of valuable information).  Then you will be able to have a more informed conversation with your urologist.

Good Luck,
Liam

[George999]

Jack,

Just to add my few cents to the excellent comments already posted:

Liam suggested:

Go to a doctor.  Get a diagnosis.  ... Become knowledgeable about the subject here (the website has a wealth of valuable information).  Then you will be able to have a more informed conversation with your urologist.

This is just totally excellent advice, hope you will act on it soon:).

Tim suggested:

I don't think the enzyme therapy works, but others may know more than I do about it. It seems like you are doing the right thing which is educating yourself.

Again, excellent advice.  Enzyme products tend to be extremely expensive, and even if they work to some degree, and I am not convinced of that yet, they probably do not work well enough to be cost effective.  And be very careful with these types of enzymes.  If you get serrapeptase or similar products in your lungs (via acid reflux or whatever) you can end up hospitalized with lung damage.  There are simply not enough warnings about the risks of this stuff.  PS-I took Neprinol for an extended period of time ... I am not taking it now ... I still have about a three months supply left ... I seems to have some good effects on general health ... I noticed little positive effect if any on the Peyronies ... I admit to not taking the huge amounts they advise ... I was concerned about safety issues, I was skeptical as to its efficacy, and I chose not to embark on a quick path to bankruptcy.  I can also tell you that the way in which many of these enzyme pushers do business is, in my mind at least, questionable.  I would be very careful.

You said:

Secondly, if you think this is Peyronie's (which I'm quite sure it is, although it's possibly a milder case), is it likely to worsen, stay the same, or perhaps even clear up on its own?

If this is Peyronies (which it does appear to be), you have several things going for you.  1) You are young.  People your age tend to recover from Peyronies much better than those of us who are older.  2) You are in the right place and you appear to be willing to learn.  That will work in your favor.  3) You are already taking Vitamin E.  I am convinced that is the one most cost effective way to at least stop this disease in its tracks.  It probably won't cure it in and of itself, but it has been known to stop its progress. and 4) You are young at a time when much progress is being made in the treatment of this disease after years of near total inattention by the research community.

I'm taking "Nature Made Vitamin E 400 I.U." twice daily, as well as a previously prescribed anti-inflammatory, just to be sure.

Sounds OK, but if I were you, I would upgrade to a good full spectrum Vitamin E product.  NOW foods makes one that is extremely affordable http://www.iherb.com/store/ProductDetails.aspx?c=Herbs&pid=NOW-00811.  I think you will notice the difference in effectiveness.  As for anti-inflammatories, I would be very careful with NSAIDs (typical prescription anti-inflammatories) and would suggest moving to natural anti-inflammatories like fish oil, mangosteen, etc.  It would be difficult to list them all, but there are some very good ones out there, mangosteen being especially effective.  But you are on the right track.  It is absolutely essential to keep inflammation at bay.

Would it be okay to have sex/masturbate with this condition, or is it safer to just hold off on any sexually related things with the chance of it becoming worse?  I've also heard several people on the internet claim that a technique called "jelqing" can help fix Peyronies Disease over time, but I'm skeptical.  Is there any grain of truth to this?

Sexual activity in and of itself should not be a problem as long as it is NOT causing you discomfort.  Forget jelqing unless you want to inflict more damage on yourself.  Jelqing is risky even for a person without Peyronies and it is also pretty much of a useless endeavor, in spite of what the scam sites claim.  If you want a safe way to apply physical therapy to the problem, learn about the VED right here on this web site.  It has helped a number of people and, when used correctly, will be 100% safe and at least guaranteed not to worsen your condition.

Lastly, because of your age, I would encourage you to pursue a healthy lifestyle.  That covers a lot of territory.  But I can recommend that you read the info on http://www.dashdiet.org in terms of improving your diet.  I also recommend http://www.bodybuilding.com which will supply you with a wealth of information on how to safely employ exercise AND diet to improve your general health.  Tobacco, alcohol, and casual sex will not get you anywhere in dealing with this disease or in anyway benefit your life in general (spiritual, psychological, physical, etc.).  So without getting too preachy, I would advise you to look at your predicament in terms of a wakeup call to reexamine your life, your goals, and where you are headed before you make the kind of ill advised decisions that cause you to end up in places you don't want to be.  I also encourage you to take charge of your life and seek out professional guidance as needed to get where you want to go.  And as Liam has suggested, a urologist would be a good first step.

I wish you the best!

- George

[Tamarack]

Silly me -- I posted a question in General Comments a couple of weeks ago and only now realized I was in the wrong category. No wonder I got no response! Okay, here we go again...

What I've learned thus far is not giving me clear guidance on whether or not it is good to knead the scar tissue when Peronies is in the acute (developing) stage. What think ye?

[Liam]

Trauma is thought to trigger plaque formation (or at least scar tissue).  Heat may be a reasonable treatment (if you're very careful).  

Liam

[Steve]

I remember a discussion on the application of heat (using a heat lamp) here on the forum at least a year ago.  As I remember, it was showing 'promising' results, but I don't remember seeing any more mention of heat since then.  

[Hawk]

Tamarack,

I may be drifty but I read your question as dealing only with kneading, yet I saw the replies jump to heat application.  Maybe  a cold front just blew through somewhere.  

The only thing I have to offer about kneading is don't do anything that is causes discompfort.  Also, keep in mind that just because Peyronies Disease is in its acute phase does not mean that some plaque are not stable or mature.  It only means others may be developing.

[Liam]

Maybe  a cold front just blew through somewhere.

We dropped into the low 30s last week here on the Gulf Coast.  I broke out my flannel boxers.  Thank God it is in the 70s today.

Honestly, that prompted me to bring out the heating pad I was using for heat therapy.  It seems to help.  I stopped it before due to busy schedules.
::::shaking my head::::::

[Jack]

Thanks for all the answers I've gotten.  This site is a godsend, I don't know what I would be doing without it right now.

As for the heating:  what exactly would I use for that; also I've heard that massaging it is a good thing to do.  From my question before, is it unusual for my dick to more or less soften up completely after just a few seconds of massaging it?

Also, recentely it hasn't been as hard as I remembered it being before, could that be a sign of improvement, or is that just the natural course that this condition takes?  Before it was just shriveled up to the max and I could definately feel what felt like scar tissue in there, but more and more lately, it has been feeling alot softer, however it feels there are like cords (for lack of a better term) running the length of the inside of my dick.  Does anyone know what that might be?  Is it Peyronie's related, or am I perhaps just overthinking these things.

My noctural erections are spotty, but occasionally I will still get them so I'm hopeful that this is just all in my mind, becuase I had a similar experience awhile back, where a girlfriend dumped me and I was pretty ruined.  I didn't get any morning wood for like 3 weeks, and had trouble getting erections on cue even.  

I've heard some people describe some "nodules" or the like under the skin, or things which feel like BBs or something aprx.  Do I need to have that for it to be sure that it's Peyronies Disease?  What about a lack of pain or any real curve while erect, is the lack of these things indictive of something else, or will these come with time?

So no one has ever tried Serrapeptase with any results?  I already purchased some online, so I guess I could let you know if that has any  effect on me.  Also, with the NSAIDs, is there anything I should be concerned about with using these for the inflamation?

My dick seems very desensitized these days, almost like after you come into a warm house after having been out in freezing tempetures for awhile and your dick feels numb-like.  Also, there have been times where the head has felt cold.  Is this cause for concern, and will the sensitivity come back in time?

I'd really appreciate it if there is any other advice you guys could give me on how to help this problem.
Thanks for your time.

[Jack]

Another question:  Could my case possibly be damaged soft tissue which would just resolve on its own without forming scar tissue?  Or is the hardness scar tissue that has already formed and I'm already screwed?

One more:  Would taking my prescribed adderal have any adverse effects on my recovery process/chances?

[Liam]

Jack,

Here is a post I made earlier.  It is, at least, a possibility.  Especially considering your age.  Another possibility would be phlebitis (similar to this only with blood vessels)  Check it out and let a doc check "it" out  .

General Category / Peyronie's Disease Discussion Forum / NetDoctor.co.uk  on: December 02, 2006, 08:37:21 AM  
Here is a quote from http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/ate/menshealth/205680.html offering an alternative diagnosis :



Quote
My husband has a prominent vein on his penis






Question

My husband recently discovered what appears to be a hardened vein on the side of his penis. The vein itself is only about 1- to 2 inches long and is not painful. It feels hard to the touch even when his penis is flaccid, and is more prominent when his penis is erect.

His GP has told him there is nothing wrong, but we are puzzled as to why this has appeared almost overnight. Also, is there anything that can be done or will the vein gradually reduce in prominence over time?

Answer

I think it is very likely that your husband has something completely benign known as lymphangiosclerosis. This is a hardened lymph vessel rather than a vein, although it is similar in shape and appearance except that it tends to be less blue in colour. It feels hard to the touch even when the penis is flaccid and will be more prominent during an erection.

This is not an uncommon symptom and it tends to happen following more regular or vigorous sexual intercourse in younger men.

Provided your husband is functioning normally in every other respect, there is no need for him to worry unduly about this linear hardening. It will almost certainly resolve spontaneously by itself over the next few days or weeks.

In the meantime gentle well-lubricated lovemaking is to be recommended.

If there are any other changes that you have noticed or if things change in any way, I'd go back to your GP or local genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic for further advice.

Yours sincerely

The Medical Team

[George999]

Jack,

It is imperative that you get seen by a urologist who has the expertise to sort all of this out.  Simply tell your personal physician that you want a consultation with a urologist for your problem.  The problem with NSAIDs is that they can have nasty side effects including causing cardio-vascular and renal damage.  Just what the risks are for your particular NSAID are specific to that NSAID.  My point is that you should NOT be taking a NSAID (even and over the counter one) for an extended period without your doctor's knowledge and consent AND whatever NSAID you are taking might not be doing your Peyronies any good either.  Doctors typically do not prescribe NSAIDs for Peyronies which tells me that you should use caution in this area.  However, I do think you should be using some natural anti-inflammatories such as I suggested which will not have the potential nasty side effects that the NSAIDs have.

Also.  Take a close look at the side effects of adderal.  One of them is sexual dysfunction ie impotence.  If you are having these sorts of problems, they may actually be related at least in part to the adderal.  Here again, you NEED to talk to your doctor about this issue.  Don't be embarrassed, they've heard everything, and they are usually very understanding regarding these issues and may be able to help.  But while you can get a great education by reading our posts and other info on this site, ONLY your personal physician and urologists can sort out the details of your particular situation and get you going in the right direction.

Also, if you are taking prescription meds, you need to be careful what supplements you take.  Some of them can react in VERY BAD ways with prescription meds.  So if you have ANY doubts, ask your doctor or pharmacist before you start taking anything new.  And if you experience anything abnormal going on, STOP any supplement that you may have recently started and get expert help from a medical professional.

- George