Dr. Levine, one of the best-known Peyronie's specialists in the world today, recommends Three Approach Nonsurgical Treatments for his patients that include the use of Pentoxifylline and L-Arginine in conjunction with Verapamil injections and the use of penis traction device. Off of the my peyronies personal experience and website I wanted to share a guy that got really positive results from verapamil and his treatment regimen.
first scientific support of verapamil
"Verapamil injection therapy resulted in a reduction of pain in 97% of the patients, an improvement in sexual function in 72%, a reduction of deformity in 86%, an improvement in distal rigidity in 93% and an objective reduction of curvature in 54%. Further studies are required to determine the effectiveness of this nontoxic, inexpensive, nonsurgical approach to Peyronie's disease"
this is a persons treatment plan with positive results which I wanted to share.
I just had the sixth Verapamil injection today. We did it without penile block numbing. The injections were a little painful, but no way near as painful as the mental anguish of Peyronie's.
I waited until now to report back to see how things would go. Besides the Verapamil injections, the program I am on includes Pentoxifyllene, Colcrys, Vit. E, and L-Arginine, all prescribed by my urologist. To that I have added CoQ10, Proprionyl L Carnitine, Serrapeptase and Nattokinase.
I asked my urologist about traction therapy. He preferred vacuum therapy, so I switched to that. So far, the downward bend of about 45 degrees has been almost completely eliminated. I had a sharp bend to the left at the base, and that has been lessened. I still do have a bend to the left, but it isn't too bad. I have also experienced a reduction in occurrence and severity of pain.
Conclusion: I would recommend Verapamil treatments along with vacuum therapy. As I mentioned to my urologist, something is working and I am happy to see a reduction in symptoms.
Quote from: Noway on April 02, 2013, 02:15:55 AM
first scientific support of verapamil
"Verapamil injection therapy resulted in a reduction of pain in 97% of the patients, an improvement in sexual function in 72%, a reduction of deformity in 86%, an improvement in distal rigidity in 93% and an objective reduction of curvature in 54%. Further studies are required to determine the effectiveness of this nontoxic, inexpensive, nonsurgical approach to Peyronie's disease"
Noway, I am happy with your indiidual improvement but what study does that data come from? I have followed VI studies for long time including forum surveys of VI effectiveness, and I have never seen a VI study that came even close to anything like you are stating in the above quote. Most studies have shown dismal results with almost as many getting worse as those that showed improvement.
Please post a link to this study.
J Urol. 1997 Oct;158(4):1395-9.
Treatment of Peyronie's disease with intralesional verapamil injection.
Levine LA.
Source
Department of Urology, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE:
In a previous study, 83% of 14 patients noted that their symptoms of Peyronie's disease had arrested or improved after intralesional injection of verapamil. This nonrandomized, prospective study further investigates the use of verapamil in a larger, thoroughly characterized patient population.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Forty-six men began treatment; 38 completed the study. Using a multiple puncture technique, 10 mg. of verapamil diluted to 10 cc were distributed throughout the plaque every 2 weeks for a total of 12 injections. Response to treatment was evaluated through subjective and objective measurements of pain, plaque size, deformity, duration of disease and sexual function, and with the Kelami classification system based on plaque size and curvature.
RESULTS:
Pain resolved in 97% of the patients who presented with pain after a mean of 2.5 injections. After therapy, 76% reported a subjective decrease in curvature, 9.5% noted an increase and 14.5% remained unchanged. Of the treated patients 72% reported an improvement in the ability to engage in coitus. Objective measurements demonstrated that curvature was decreased in 54% of the patients, increased in 11% and remained unchanged in 34%. There were no substantial differences in response to treatment based on duration of disease or within the 3 Kelami classification groups. Other than transient post-injection ecchymosis, there were no significant acute or chronic side effects.
CONCLUSIONS:
Verapamil injection therapy resulted in a reduction of pain in 97% of the patients, an improvement in sexual function in 72%, a reduction of deformity in 86%, an improvement in distal rigidity in 93% and an objective reduction of curvature in 54%. Further studies are required to determine the effectiveness of this nontoxic, inexpensive, nonsurgical approach to Peyronie's disease.
Treatment of Peyronie's disease with intralesional ve... [J Urol. 1997] - PubMed - NCBI (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9302129)
Thanks for the link. I will have to check this in detail. I am first shocked it is a 17 year old study that I don't think I have ever seen. I can tell you that the much more recent Mulhall study showed nothing like those improvements.
Some of the things that jump out is:
The small size of the study
It was non-randomized
No control group
and maybe the biggest thing of all - 8 men dropped out of the original 46 men in the study for some reason. It likely was not because they were getting better. If those 8 men stopped because they were getting worse it changes everything when added to the 11% that reportedly got worse and the 34% that remained unchanged. IF that were the case, it would make somewhere around 65% that got worse or remained unchanged which is more in line with reports that I am used to seeing.
We would be back to approximately (I will do the math when I get time) 1/3 showing improvement, 1/3 unchanged, and 1/3 getting worse. I would try a lot of things first if those are the odds.
I have very deep respect to Dr. Levine, but the results of a study can be shown in different ways.
I am with Hawk on:
Quote1/3 showing improvement, 1/3 unchanged, and 1/3 getting worse
This what I have learned from reading researches and people testimonies regarding VI.
James
It would be very interesting to see a study done on verapimil that used something like iontophoresis to deliver the drug rather than a needle.
Report on PDLabs and Topical Verapamil - Peyronies Society Forums (https://www.peyroniesforum.net/index.php/topic,328.msg3276.html#msg3276)
And check out the forum topics on the subject.
You may also check PDLabs website.
James
There was a small published study on ontophoresis with Verapamil. All I recall ins the results were not very impressive and most interesting is that the control group also improved somewhat leading to speculation that the current could have had a therapeutic effect.
Wow that is interesting, will have to find that study.
I addressed that with Dr. Lue and he totally dismissed that as a viable option.
Can I use verapamil on active phase (8 months of starting pain)?
Or only when it will be calcification?
@koss
Yes during the active phase you can get injections most doctors will use that first.
I will try it by ionophoresis
If you are willing to try Verapmil injections then yes, you want to do these during the active phase.
I am in the process of trying to book Verapamil injection appointments. QUESTION: Can there be any negative consequences of this procedure that can cause even more serious problems??
Mentos,
Everything carries a risk. I had VI's without any complications, but there are members on the forum who will tell you it made there condition worse. So you have to evaluate the risk and what you are willing to try to address your condition.
Les, what kind of success did you have with the verapamil shots?
I'm going on my 5th VI treatment next week. It's been helping with the curve. But not a cure. Could be becaue of my VED, pentox or cialias. Or just natural healing. My uro has asked me to massage my plaque right after the VI. I've added in some manual pulling like what I read about in the xlilaflex study.
In speaking with the nurse, I'm told that the success rate in that clinic is around 60% and some guys seem to be addicted to it. Unscientific and biased, maybe. But it's enough for me to get treated every two weeks...
egghead, I'm glad the verapamil is helping. Have you considered bringing your VED with you to the doctors' office? Here's what I'm thinking: Keep the Verapamil in your penis for as long as possible by using the VED immediately after the shots, then put a constriction ring on afterwards for a total of 30 minutes. If that sounds interesting, talk to your doctor about it and see what he says.
This is exactly what the Priapus (PRP) shot treatment involves.
And, yes, there are scientific studies showing Verapamil shots having efficacy. Here's one study (courtesy of Mentos):
Verapamil is a calcium channel blocker with the following activities: it reduces the local production of extracellular matrixes by fibroblasts; it reduces the proliferation of fibroblasts; it increases the local activity of collagenase; it affects the cytokine regulation of fibroblasts reducing the excess production of fibrogenic cytokines).
The results of the Levine study (intralesion injections of Verapamil/10 mg/biweekly/6-months) shows an improvement of the penile curvature in 42% of the cases and a reduction in plaque volume of greater than or equal to 50% in 30% of the patients [55]. Rehman's research (intralesion injections of Verapamil/10-27 mg/weekly/6 months) shows a decrease of the plaque volume in 57% of the cases [56]. Even we used the Verapamil (in combination with other drugs) obtaining the following results: reduction in plaque volume = - 66.43%; improvement of penile rigidity = 63.6%; decrease of the penile curvature angle = - 14.0 degrees; pain disappearance = 100 % [57]. Other studies have not shown significant results in the use of intralesional Verapamil [58, 59]; new controlled studies are needed for a more thorough evaluation of the effectiveness of Verapamil in Peyronie's disease.
-- Inflammatory Mechanisms and Oxidative Stress in Peyronie's Disease: Therapeutic "Rationale" and Related Emerging Treatment Strategies by Gianni Paulis and Tommaso Brancato
Quote from: MattFoley on November 05, 2013, 04:55:19 AM
Les, what kind of success did you have with the verapamil shots?
Matt,
Dr. Levine is my doctor, and in fact I just had my annual check up with him last week. Since I had a 70 degree upward curve, his recommended approach is traction, Pentox, and VI's. He tries a series of 6 VI's and if there is improvement then repeat with another series of 6.
For me there was no change. I didn't get better but I didn't get worse. So one could argue that the VI's could have (not proven) kept me from getting worse. So since there was no change for me after 6 VI's then we proceeded with the next step of surgery which worked out extremely well for me.
Les
Les, thanks for that info. I appreciate the feedback on the Verapamil since it looks like there's a number of us moving that direction along with the Propolis and blueberry protocol.
Also, I'm glad the surgery worked out. The surgery aspect is always on my mind.
Hey Matt, that might not work due to the bleeding that follows VI. He has to put compression dressing on immediately after treatments.. then I yank on it
egghead, ok I understand. I thought if there was no bleeding, it might be a consideration. What gauge needle is he using? The Priapus Shot doctors must be using a smaller gauge since they don't have a bleeding/compression issue. Then again, these are two different processes so I don't know.
Not sure of the gauge. But he uses the rapid stab method. :)
Note to all about getting VI injections:
Having had 12 of these done many years ago and experienced the hematoma problem, I have these suggestions:
Make sure that the PA, uro or whoever gives the shot, uses the small insulin injection gauge hypo needle. Also, once they remove the needle, immediately place a finger over the injection site and hold very firm pressure at the point for at least 5 minutes. If you don't, there is a great possibility of having bruising and possibly swelling of the site soon after receiving the injection.
If it possible to have access to an ice pack, use it as soon as possible after the injection to help reduce the possibility of any adverse condition occurring.
Just my 2 cents to those getting VI injection based on my VI therapy.
Old Man
Old Man is absolutely correct. I would take an ice pack with me and put it between my legs during the drive home. Also Doc Levine instructed me to hold pressure on the injection site once he completed the injection procedure.