Xiaflex Shots, Grafting Surgery, Pentox, TriMix Injections – You Name It, I Have Done It!
Had grafting surgery in June of 2015, which I shared on this site. Prior to the surgery, I had about a 65 degree curvature. The surgery was certainly not a pleasant experience, but after the surgery, my penis was straight. Even though I was told I wouldn't lose any length with the grafting procedure, I lost about an inch after the surgery. Eighteen years prior to this, I had my prostate rem oved from prostate cancer, and lost about an inch in length from that too. Needless to say, I have been extremely frustrated and depressed with all this loss of length, since I only had about 5 1/2 inches to begin with. (Do the math......my current length is very depressing). At any rate, getting back to the grafting surgery, at least my penis was straight.
In the Spring of 2017, although not as severe, the curvature returned. It was probably around 30 to 35 degrees this time. I initially was in a state of denial and just couldn't admit to myself that it looked like I was developing another curvature all over again. After the denial, it proceeded to depression, and then anger, especially after all I had been through with this rotten disease. I contacted the surgeon that did my grafting surgery. At the appointment, he examined me, told me that all of the plaque that I had developed was since I had the grafting surgery, and that I had a very aggressive form of plaque formation, and calcification. I remember that he never guaranteed me it couldn't come back after I had the surgery. He certainly wasn't going to put me through surgery again, so he suggested I go through the four "rounds" of Xiaflex shots. As others have stated in their posts, the shots are definitely painful, embarrassing, and awkward. I went through the four "rounds" of shots between August of 2017 and January of 2018, with no real issues or complications. It is now June of 2018, (6 months since I finished the last round of the shots), and I can honestly say there has been little to no improvement whatsoever. I followed all of the doctor's instructions with the Xiaflex shots, (daily modeling, no sex for 2 weeks, etc.), but I would say there has been maybe a 5 degree improvement, at best. The degree of curvature still allows me to function and have intercourse, but it's still not like it was when it was straight. However, after all I've been through (the prostate surgery, the Peyronie's surgery, the Xiaflex shots, AND, considerable loss in length), I was at the point where I had so much anxiety and stress when I tried to have sex that I started losing my erection in the middle of things, and the whole "event" would turn out to be a disaster.
When my doctor realized I was still having "issues" after the Xiaflex shots, he recommended I start using injections of "Tri-Mix" before having intercourse. In addition to the curvature, loss of length, and general anxiety, he thought perhaps I might have a venous leak, which was making it difficult for me to maintain my erection during sex. He told me the TriMix would take care of that, and showed me how to inject myself. I started using the TriMix injections before having sex. It really isn't that bad giving yourself the injection, as it is a very tiny needle. Within 15 minutes to a half hour after the injections, I ended up with a rock hard erection that lasted for a good hour or two. It has been great! (You have to be careful, however, not to inject too much, or you could end up with an erection lasting over 4 hours, and having to go to the hospital to have the blood drained from it. Fortunately, I haven't had to do that. The doctor told me what dosage to start with, and to just gradually increase it each time until it worked. The third time I used it, I found the perfect amount to inject. There is a fine line between "enough" and "too much", so it is important that you gradually work up to the right dosage. It is process of trial and error.)
It seems like I have certainly run the gamut of just about every treatment there is for Peyronie's Disease and all of their side effects (heavy doses of Pentoxifylline for years before the grafting surgery, the grafting surgery itself, Xiaflex shots, and now "TriMix" injections to maintain my erection.) So far, the TriMix injections seem to be working, which, although there is still a curvature, seems to help a lot with getting a rock hard erection that develops within 15 minutes to a half hour after the injection, and lasts for up to two hours. This helps eliminate the anxiety, and concern over "performance". I have a very high libido, and will try just about anything, but it seems like I may be getting close to the end of all my options (short of a penile implant, which after the grafting surgery, I really don't want to ever have to go that route). Hopefully I don't develop any more plaque, causing any further curvature, and the TriMix injections continue to work.
I just wanted to share my story, in hopes that it will help other guys who are going through some of the same things I have experienced. There is definitely no "magic bullet" in curing Peyronie's Disease, and what works for one may not work for another. In addition, there are never any permanent guarantees that it can be completely cured, or cured on a permanent basis. You just have to be proactive, and do whatever you can to keep things functioning in an "acceptable" manner. The anxiety and psychological effects can really take their toll, but I thought I should share my story so that other guys can see that they are not alone in this plight, and there are many treatment options available.
I have tried pretty much everything (heavy doses of Pentoxifylline for years before the grafting surgery, vacuum devices, traction devises, the surgery, the Xiaflex shots, and most recently, the TriMix injections.) At this point, I have pretty much given up on any further treatment(s), and I'm learning to live with things the way they are. I am very fortunate (with the help of the TriMix) that I can still function and perform, and if there is one thing I have learned throughout all of this, you can't let anxiety and depression take hold, or it will only make matters worse and bring you down.
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