New guy, 54. Titan implant 11/13/19 -revision 1/14/21
Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2019 11:52 am
Hello. I jumped in the forum for some quick advice and support last week in the middle of 6 days of post recovery pain. Thanks to those who offered support, much appreciated. I am 54 (1965). I have been happily married 31 years (since age 23) to a beautiful and always supportive woman. Our lovemaking has always been a priority, in fact this 6 week post implant recovery hiatus is going to be the longest we’ve gone not making love in 31 years. By 42, I was developing ED. This was around the time my thyroid and endocrine (testosterone production) also crashed. I was diagnosed with Hoshimotos (autoimmune disorder). The Viagra worked very well over the past 14 years. Fast forward to May 21,2019 and I had worked my way up to needing 200mg of sildenafil/viagra for satisfying sex. While making love with wife on top on May 21, my penis slipped out and bent (noticed it, but no pain, no pop, etc). Next time I got an erection - it was significantly bent upward. Also had pain, so much so I could not orgasm for a few weeks. I immediately went to a dr on my insurance. NOT helpful, and told me to wait 2 months and then see their peyronies specialist. During that time my wife and I found ways to make it work - no missionary (penis bends/folds in on self) but we found some success with rear entry on our sides (spooning) and her on top. About 50% of the time I could orgasm/ejaculate only with my wife manually stimulating me. I could also reach orgasm through masterbation. Saw Dr. Leroy Jones and he said I was looking at Xiaflex. My gp doc had prescribed verapamil cream and I researched,ordered, and took a huge array of supplements that were recommended in the literature. I tried taking pentoxifilline (the one med dr. Jones said is effective), but I am one of the 10% that cannot tolerate it (extreme nausea). Not sure any of those things helped - nebulous. Dr. offered shockwave (Gains) penile therapy - it claims to help with ED, but can help with peronies too. I did 6 treatments ($3000). It did not help with the Ed nor the peyronies, however I do believe that it increased sensitivity (which is great in that I have over the past years had to work much harder to reach orgasm). Maybe that’s just aging. My wife and I read up on Xiaflex and both decided at $3500 per shot (8 shots recommended) and only a 60% success rate - it was not worth it. She told me to go find a better urologist. Our insurance (Oscar) does not pay for any if these procedures. I researched and found Dr. Sammy Vick in San Antonio, TX. He’s also recommended by Coloplast. He assessed me. He also said Xiaflex is probably my best option. I also told that I had upped my sildenafil/viagra dose to 225 in order for my penis to stay hard enough for sustained intercourse with the significant peyronies bend. He said that’s too much and can cause stroke. He asked what happens if I don’t take the viagra - I said nothing. Then he said, then you need and implant. This was only about a 6 weeks ago. I asked him what he knew about them and he proceeded to tell me that in addition to having one himself (implanted at age 50 due to diabetes) there are no downsides other than living through and recover from the surgery. He felt this is my best option. I find it very reassuring that the dr knows both sides of the coin. I asked him if it matters that I am still in the accute phase and he said no it does not. We digested in the info quickly and decided to schedule for surgery 11/6. Note: the nurse at Dr. Jones recommended my ordering a Traction device ($600) stretching device (Restorex) which used for 7 weeks prior to surgery 1 hour per day. I think this really helped offset the shrinkage from peyronies. On the morning of my surgery the dr got sick, thus was postponed for a week. Disappointing after all of the build up, but I used the next week to do more research and read as much as I could on ft (thanks). I went into my 11/13 surgery super clear headed and fearless. 45 minute surgery took 2 hours. Dr said once he was in, my peyronies plague is the worst he’s worked on. He told me that he put in a size up cylinders (good to hear as I was worried about size). Note: penis 6 inches erect prior to Peyronies and surgery (I lost .5 inch with peyronies). Not sure of post op measurements yet, but it looks good down there to me. Bad pain first week recovery (I assume due to the beating it took with him trying to get as much peyronies plaque and fibrosis our of it). Also sent home with a drain. Saw dr 48 hours later to remove drain. He seemed pleased with the surgery and healing, although he did say I will have some residual curving. It’s got significant swelling on the left side which he says will go down over time and help with straightening. He said I’ll always have some curve/bend but that he’s going to teach me to inflate to an optimal level for best shape for intercourse (thus the larger cylinders give me that option). Curious to see how that works. I am much better in my second week of healing. Sitting up straight for long periods is painful, as is moving around too much, but slowly feel like a person after 10 days in. I see dr Vick for my next follow up Monday 12/4. That’s my story. Feeling hopeful. A little worried about continued peyronies curvature. Will keep posting. Feels GREAT to have this forum as both a support and for information . I Can’t thank everyone enough for being out there and willing to share your experiences. Sincerely.