First thoughts on Traction

[Nelson]

Hi All

Thought I'd share my first thoughts of traction after finally starting it around 3 months after purchasing the device (X 4 Labs deluxe edition.) I had significant pain, nearly always flaccid in the months after my diagnosis which put me off starting traction however since being put on Lyrica pain levels have gone from about an 8/10 to around 3/10 so thought it was a good time to start. More importantly, my doctor (Joe Abadia, quite simply the best doctor I've come across, Peyronie's or otherwise, for any Aust members reading) seems to think that the role Lyrica plays in reducing the neuropathic/nerve pain will not in any way mask any pain I might feel from overdoing it on traction. I know slow and steady is the key!


Firstly, it would be fantastic if the company would provide a demonstration video of a real person placing the traction device on, rather than watching someone place a device on a jelly like 10 inch dildo. There is a big difference between placing the device on a object sitting flat on a desktop, and placing int on your own frightened member. I'm sure there's reasons why they can't do this but it would be hugely beneficial.

I had great problems with the velcro strap and the comfort strap, both used the memory foam pad which is wrapped just below the head of your penis. For some reason this kept riding up onto the head of my penis, and in turn the unit itself would ride up from the base of my shaft.I was beginning to think I was too small to use the device girth wise (even allowing for the loss from Peyronies I still am of average proportions so this was a blow to the ego!) I tried the noose device as a last resort and it worked a treat,finally I was strapped in relatively pain free, and just got used to the feel of the traction device without putting on any additional rods/tightening tension. I did notice however that despite not having any pain, the head of my penis went purple fairly quickly, again no loss of sensation or pain but enough to be a concern. Reading through the forums theres been some great tips about using Gauze or Shelf Liner or even infant socks to each the pressure put on the head by using the noose. I'll definitely be trying these in the coming days.

I'm also using a heat pad/rick sock prior to applying the traction, based on the experiences of some of the forum members, though I find once in the device the heat sensation wears off pretty quickly. Do any members leave the rice sock/heat on, perhaps on the head only to promote blood flow (And hopefully avoid the metal rods?) And does anyone find using the heat pack after finishing Traction helps return things to normal?

Speaking of which, after finishing traction, I noticed the head of my penis turned a very red colour. I'm guessing simply rubbing some feeling back into the head is the best way to get around this? Should erections etc be avoided immediately after traction? I'm on 2.5 msg Cialis every 2nd night which does wonders for my nocturnal/morning erections, it's like I'm 16 again so as I plan to do traction immediately before going to sleep, I'm hoping there won't be any issues with taking the Cialis immediately afterwards. I know erections are healthy but don't want to place too much strain on the penis on top of being pulled 3 hours a day!

Again I'm only one night into the experiment but I'm sure there's a lot of people out there umming and aahing about whether to start traction so thought it might be helpful if I wrote down some thoughts and maybe got some questions out there that haven't been asked previously. (apologies if they have been and I've missed the answers to these.)

Thanks

Nelson

[LWillisjr]

How long are you wearing the device? I also end up with a purple color but due to the fact blood has been trapped there during the wearing period. And it was also cold due to no blood flow. Which is why you should not wear it more than 2 hours at a time without taking a 15-20 minute break to get fresh bloodflow again. Then you can for another 2 hour stretch.

[Nelson]

Hi Les

Thanks for the response.

I literally only had it on for only 10-15 mins, felt no pain just noticed my head went a slight purplish colour very quickly. When I pressed down on the head then it would leave almost a yellow imprint..if that makes sense. Again, no pain or tightness just a lack of circulation.

I'm guessing I had the noose far too tight just to keep the device in place so I'm going to try the trick of placing the shelf liner wrap that one of the forumites suggested and see if that helps. Bit sore today (which is normal for me) so will commence again tomorrow.

Will try to stick to a 2 hr routine morning and night of a 10 minute heatpad warm up, then 30 minutes traction, 5 minute break then repeat the 30 min traction/5 min break until the 2 hrs is up.

Does anyone use the heatpack/rice sock throughout their traction sessions successfully? If so, is this only applied to the head for circulation, or on the shaft as well?

Thanks

[LWillisjr]

It is a balancing act between how tight to make the noose versus how much tension. You will find what works best for you and in no time will be a pro.

At first I felt like I needed 3 hands just to put the thing on. After a week or two I could put it on or take it off pretty quick.

[Knight]

I've been having some problems with bruising at the comfort strap location. I must be strapping down too tightly but you have to get a good grip to get a good stretch. It's a balancing act that I'm still trying to learn.

[Nelson]

That seems to be the key Knight, getting that balance right between a solid stretch without hurting yourself. I hope that it's working for you along with the Xiaflex.

I haven't tried again since my initial session, have had pain return the last few days, no idea if that's from the traction or more likely from the efforts involved in getting accurate measurements before starting :-/

I remember reading that Dr Levine said it was fine to have a bit of pain as long as that pain didn't worsen due to traction, and that in many cases it could actually assist in easing pain...think I'll try again in a day or 2.

[Knight]

I would agree with Dr. Levine. It doesn't seem logical, but I actually do get some relieve from my discomfort while under a moderate stretch in my traction device. Of course it can go the other way when getting more aggressive with the stretch as well. I usually try to dial it in to where it is mildly uncomfortable semi aggressive stretch. Another balancing act.

[Nelson]

Thanks Knight, that's given me the impetus to give it another shot despite the flaccid pain I've had since the first session. As mentioned that could have been for a few reasons, not necessarily the traction.

[Knight]

I am far from an expert, but I would suggest going slow. Get a comfortable stretch going and wait a few minutes until your body adjusts to it and then give a little more, pause and repeat....

At some point it becomes obvious that I've reach my limit and then I just leave it alone. If it starts to feel real uncomfortably I back off a little. Last night I hit is as hard as I ever have but shortened the period of time to a little over an hour instead of upwards to 2 hours which is my daily goal. This morning I can feel itchiness and a crawling feeling in the tissues around my most calcified plaques which tells me I stretched those tissues about as much as they could take, maybe even producing some internal micro tears. For those of us prone to Peyronies this sounds counter productive but I'm beginning to believe the remodeling and reshaping process requires such and it's a gamble we have little choice but to chance. All within reason...back to where we started with the balancing act.

Good luck!

[skunkworks]

Nelson have you measured the tension at each marking on your device? I assume it is spring loaded?

A few have found their device was at almost twice the tension claimed by the manufacturer documentation.

[Nelson]

Sure have mate, and like you said it was around twice the specified strength.

Went down the hardware/hobby store and bought some lighter springs which measure out to around 650/1300/1950 mgs so thats pretty much around what I need.

Cheers

[Knight]

I have the x4labs and to be honest I don't even think the tension rings work at all on that thing. I'm using all the tension I can stand and I don't think it even measures on the unit but I can definitely feel an aggressive pull. Like I've already stated, I'm experiencing bruising because I have to strap down so hard to hold everything in place. If that's not tension I don't know what is but yet it doesn't even register on the ring indicators on this device.

They are worthless in my humble, uneducated opinion.

[Nelson]

I have the x4 labs unit as well Knight, and on the advice of a few of the more experienced traction wearers I measured the spring tension prior to starting. It was way off...about double the specified 700/1400/2100 mg readings. I could place a brick on top of the thing and it wouldn't make a dent on the tension springs.So I picked up some lighter springs which more closely resemble the correct readings.

There's an X4 Labs forum which has some interesting info regarding using the device.

I'm really wary of doing any more damage so I'll be taking it very slowly at a lighter tension around 600-900 mgs and try to build up. That's the plan anyway. Pain will be the big concern.

Sounds like you are having some good results anyway so whatever you're doing its working. Hope it continues for you.

[skunkworks]

Yeah sounds like you've got some overpowered springs in there, you'll know for sure if you measure the tension.