January 1, 2015 PDI Newsletter
Greetings to all PDI and DCI Warriors,
Happy New Year to you and yours, and welcome to this January 2015 PD Institute Newsletter. I trust all my friends enjoyed a joyous Christmas while relaxing with family and friends, and are doing well in the New Year. After a cold and snowy November in Chicago we have had a mild non-wintery start to the Winter season. Let’s hope it stays this way until Spring.
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Bee stings – multiple bee stings – on the penile shaft are what makes the email we will review this month much different than a lot we discuss each month. As you read this email series further down you will see that I make a comment about the email writer’s “bee venom.” When you come across this comment keep in mind that I am referring to the ten different times the writer, PBXXXXXX, deliberately subjected himself to the stings of 6-8 different bees (for a total of 60-80 individual stings) on his shaft. He intentionally got himself stung this way because someone told him that bee venom was supposed to help PD, so he did it. But he soon discovered the bee stings instead caused his shaft to become filled with more fibrous densities and greater pain than before; because of the bee stings his PD worsened. And he feels that his recovery will now be all the more complex and slow.
Once again this month we will use the familiar and popular format of presenting a simple exchange and blending of emails between one of your PD brothers and me to present certain ideas that might be applicable for treatment of other’s PD and DC problems. For those of you who are part of our DCI readership, please simply apply the ideas expressed here about PD treatment and dosage to what you are doing for your DC.
Each case of PD and DC is slightly different in some way; in this case because it has been complicated by 60-80 bee stings. For this reason the treatment plan for PBXXXXX must be adapted to account for the greater injury he caused in that area. But what about the woman with DC who is a professional guitar player, and every day stresses her hands for hours at a time? It might be a good idea for her to consider modifying her fingering technique or how she holds the pick. What about the man with PD whose digestive tract cannot handle the acidity of vitamin C, which is used in natural PD treatment to increase the chemical availability of vitamin E? It would be smart for him to use the buffered form of vitamin C we have available, called Ascorplex. And the person with Dupuytren’s contracture who wants to add direct finger stretching to his treatment plan? Well, lately I have noticed that a few people have been ordering the PDI stretching video and applying those basic principles and concepts to their hand; the principles and stretching technique information transfers over well since the basic tissue problem and healing response is similar for these two problems. Whenever possible each PD and DC treatment plan can be improved by personalization and modification to suit the unique situation of each person. Better results occur when treatment plans are adapted to the unique needs of the individual. That is why this month we are featuring the benefits of having a one-on-one phone discussion to talk about your problem.
Read this series of combined emails like the back-and-forth of two people talking while one occasionally interrupts the other to make an important point or answer a question.
Because of the spam filters that we all use for our emails I had to edit the content for some of these emails. A few men when writing very naturally and appropriately used the word P_ _ _ S to discuss that part of their anatomy. If I used that word as often as it is written all of your SPAM filters would reject this newsletter to your junk folder. To avoid this problem, I have substituted the word SHAFT for the word P_ _ _ S so that no one will have a problem receiving this issue of the newsletter.
This series begins with the standard email I send out to people immediately after they purchase time to speak with me on the phone about their DC and PD problems and proposed treatment. For those of you who have thought about arranging for some one-on-one phone time the early part of the email serves as a good example of how this process works. During these phone calls it often happens that I discover a mistake the caller is making in using his treatment plan, or find a way to modify the plan to make it work better. It all starts with a decision to talk with me about your questions and treatment problems by taking the first step by clicking on the PDI link to arrange for a personal phone call at PDI phone consultation or the DCI link at DCI phone consultation.
To understand the flow of the email conversation, keep in mind that the text in black is from KBXXXXX and the text in red is from me. Now, the emails where we begin with my response after KBXXXXXX ordered some telephone time with me…
On Mon, Nov 3, 2014 at 1:28 PM, Theodore Herazy <herazy@comcast.net> wrote:
Greetings KBXXXXX,
This email is sent to acknowledge that I have received your order for a 30-minute telephone discussion about Peyronie’s disease. To make the necessary arrangements for this phone call, please:
1. Respond back to this email with a range of several days and times to call you.
2. Do not say “call anytime,” and then not be available when I call.
3. Confirm the phone number you wish me to use when I call you.
From my experience I know this phone call will seem to pass very quickly, so please be prepared with the specific questions you want to discuss. My schedule is usually filled with phone calls so I might not have additional time to spend with you if our discussion time runs over. For this reason our conversation will be more productive if you have prepared:
- Written questions you wish to have answered so nothing is forgotten
- Few sheets of blank paper and pencil to take notes
- If you are already following your treatment plan, a list of what therapy products and how you are taking them (such as, Neprinol – 9/day, between meals, divided doses, or whatever you are doing in your current treatment)
- If you have not started a treatment plan, a list of your questions about getting started
Please be available for whatever time we finally designate for our discussion, since I will arrange my work schedule around this call with you. If I cannot reach you when I call, you will be assessed for that service since my time was made available to you and my schedule was altered for your exclusive use.
This will be a good educational experience for both of us. I look forward to offering you helpful ideas and suggestions that can help you to manage your problem by increasing your ability to heal and repair.
Regards,
Theodore R. Herazy, DC, LAc
Peyronie’s Disease Institute
Dupuytren’s Contracture Institute
From: KBXXXXXXX
Sent: Monday, November 3, 2014 2:55 PM
To: Theodore Herazy
Subject: Re: PDI phone call
Hi Dr. Herazy,
I’m really looking forward to speaking with you. I’ve been suffering from sexual dysfunction since an injury occurred when I was 15 years old (I’m 32 now). I’ve tried many things to remedy my situation (including a revascularization procedure and stem cell transplant), but only recently has it become clear that the majority of my symptoms are related to constricted / fibrotic connective tissue in my genitals and pelvis.
I purchased two ’15 minute’ telephone discussion sessions from your website in the hopes that I could spend thirty consecutive minutes speaking with you about my problem and possible natural treatment ideas. My history is somewhat complicated and I have a lot of questions (I’m sure you’ve heard that before). Would it be possible to do a 30 minute call? Sure. Actually, I do not have too many 15 minutes talks; it can be such a short time to cover all the issues that commonly come up. Most of my phone calls are 30 minutes long, and it seems we never run out of things to talk about.
Here are the time blocks when I’ll be available in the next two weeks (all times are Eastern Time zone):
Tue 11/4: 3-4pm; 530 – 630pm
Wed 11/5: Noon – 230pm; and later from 530 – 8pm I will call you on the 5th, closer to noon than 2:30, your time. Please reply to this email to confirm your agreement.
Thu 11/6: 1130am – 130pm; 6 – 8pm
Tue 11/11: 10am – noon
Wed 11/12: 10am – noon
If nothing works in those time frames, please let me know and I’ll provide others
cell phone: 999-222-0000
Would it be helpful if I sent you a brief history and my list of questions before the call? That might be helpful, but do not go into great detail since treatment principles do not change too much based on specifics of each case before treatment. However, future treatment does change much more purely on the basis of how you have responded to past PDI treatment. In other words, my treatment suggestions are not based on the size of the PD scars, the degree of curvature you have, how long you have had PD, or similar details of your history; my treatment suggestions are usually based on how well you have responded to past PDI care.
I have actually spoken to a number of professionals across different specialties about my condition, and have a lot to share about my medical history. I’d appreciate being able to share a more detailed version of my history, but here is the summary: Have you been actually given a formal diagnosis of Peyronie’s disease, or is your problem a pseudo-PD situation (something that is similar to Peyronie’s disease but not actually PD)?
– sexual injury to erect penis at age 15 (not a “fracture”); impossible to maintain erections afterwards; shaft would get shrunk, constricted, and hard after ejaculation
– never received any medical attention until age 23, but even then there was no good explanation for many of my symptoms
– eventually had a penile revascularization in 2013 from Dr. IGXXXXXX; and then a penile stem cell transplant in Feb 2014 also from Dr. IGXXXXX
– have seen numerous pelvic floor therapists, including DWXXXXX in CA (author of “Headache in the Pelvis”)
– leftward curvature and “torque-ing” of erections has only gotten worse in the last several years, and I believe is the main reason I still have ED Yes; the curves and torqueing or twists of the shaft will often result in extensive stretching and displacement of blood vessels. In turn these stresses to the blood vessels are related to the presence of the internal scar tissue that will prevent the valves of the blood vessels from no longer closing completely. These valves inside the veins should allow for the blood to flow only in one direction as well as trap the blood in the shaft when a series of them close. But when these valves are kept open in PD, because the internal scar tissue prevents them from closing sufficiently, it prevents the creation of internal pressure inside the shaft that results in an erection. For this reason many men with PD complain of weak or only partial erections. Once the scar is eliminated and the blood vessel valves can close completely the quality of the erections will improve, making ED no longer an issue.
In summary, none of the treatments I have gotten have fully resolved my sexual dysfunction. I now realize with almost completely certainty that the root of my problems is constricted / fibrotic fascia or other tissue in my shaft and adjoining areas of the pelvic floor. Amazingly, all the people I saw since my injury were unable to identify and articulate this issue. Please remember when we speak to ask me about the gentle manual shaft stretching technique I devised in a PDI research project in 2006. I think you might benefit from the DVD that describes this technique in detail. Even if you do not have a formal case of PD this method can be easily modified for your situation, and do you a great amount of good. Now it’s just a matter of what the PDI system can actually do about your deep pelvis fibrosis… Between following a good aggressive PDI treatment program of Alternative Medicine and complimenting that with the work of someone who is talented with fascial release soft tissue work within your pelvis, you might be surprised with the kind of results you can achieve. The latter might require that you ask around your social circle for a serious and experienced massage therapist whose training is focused on changing the tone of abnormally contracted tissue – not just giving superficial massages that merely feel good. TRH
Thank you for all the work you have done in understanding these problem. I look forward to our conversation
Best,
KBXXXXXXX
On Nov 3, 2014 4:57 PM, “Theodore Herazy” <herazy@comcast.net> wrote:
Greetings KBXXXXXX,
Please see below for comments…
Regards,
Theodore R. Herazy, DC, LAc
Peyronie’s Disease Institute
Dupuytren’s Contracture Institute
From: KBXXXXXXX
Sent: Friday, November 7, 2014 3:32 PM
To: Theodore Herazy
Subject: RE: PDI phone call
Hi Dr Herazy,
I enjoyed the phone consult the other day – it was very helpful to speak with you in person. I just recently got the 3mhz ultrasound device from your website and I have a couple of safety questions. I would greatly appreciate if you could just provide me a brief response
1) your written instructions say to avoid the testicles / spermatic cord with the US device. one of the areas I want to cover is the deep base of my shaft on the left side (near the bulb)…however this area is located beneath my scrotum and perhaps close to where the spermatic cord runs. Should I avoid ultrasound to these areas to be safe? Yes. Keep the sound head of the US machine firmly in contact only with the bulk of the shaft directly over the internal scar, and no other tissue.
2) can I safely apply ultrasound to areas where I have large arteries running just beneath the surface of the skin? I obviously don’t want damage any arteries. Arterial tissue is not known to be damaged by approved use of US. TRH On the left side of my shaft (where my scarring is located) there are several arteries that protrude visibly through the skin…so I’d essentially be applying ultrasound directly to an artery. TRH
Thanks very much for any assistance. I appreciate what you do to help people with a poorly understood problem
Best, KBXXXXX
On Fri, Nov 7, 2014 at 6:26 PM, Theodore Herazy <herazy@comcast.net> wrote:
Greetings,
See below for comments…
Regards,
Theodore R. Herazy, DC, LAc
Peyronie’s Disease Institute
Dupuytren’s Contracture Institute
From: KBXXXXXXXX
Sent: Friday, November 14, 2014 8:13 PM
To: Theodore Herazy
Subject: Re: PDI phone call
Hi Dr. Herazy,
I received and watched your 1 hour video on manual penis stretches. Very helpful. My question is: how long should I hold each stretch? I’m starting with the simple local stretch and head stretch… Applying a local stretch or axial traction while using a head hold is a good place to start your soft tissue stretching. Any of the many holding positions and techniques presented in the stretching DVD can be used, as long as it produces the desired “vague deep ache” described in the DVD. I suggest you initially experiment with them all so you can find the one or two that best elicit that deep dull ache that tells you are effectively stretching the contracted tissue gently enough to make good changes in the scar tissue. As your treatment progresses and the scar begins to change you just might have to switch to a different holding position or technique; you might have to change how you work as your scar tissue responds to your treatment. It is always a happy event when you have to change how you work with your PD because it is no longer the same kind of problem you started to treat.
I figured 30 seconds for each hold. But wanted to get your thoughts. I suggest you listen to the video again because if you ask that question you completely missed important information on the video program. Many men watch the video 2-3 times because they just do not “get it all” the first time through. You know, the mind wanders and there is a load of information to absorb in that 1 hour program. Do it, and you will be amazed what you did not ever hear the 1st time.
Glad to know you got a favorable/positive response to the stretching because your condition is so unusual and advanced. Sounds like gently stretching the problem tissue will be a very productive thing to do. Now that you are doing it successfully, please avoid the mistake of getting overconfident and changing how you do it – keep doing it every time only as it is shown and explained in the video. The most common mistake people make while doing this work is to increase the gradually increase the force without realizing. When this happens their results start to suffer and they do not know why. Easy does it.
From what I recall of our last phone consultation, I think you should definitely spend some extra time where your shaft was stung so many times by the bees. My hunch is that there was a lot of chemical irritation caused by the bee venom where it made contact with the the tunica albuginea of the shaft. Examine that area closely and repeatedly stretch it by gently tractioning the tissue with all the different techniques you see on the video. You should work this area where you were stung so many times every time you stretch the shaft. My hunch is that this area in particular is going to be specially stubborn and problematic.
To answer your question: You should hold the stretch preferably until the deep dull ache passes or fades away; sometimes this can be 2-3 minutes or in the early phase of stretching the sensation can continue for a half hour. My thinking is that the deep dull ache is occurring because the tissue is responding favorably, therefore hold each stretch for as long as it is making the positive changes you are working for. Why stop what is helping you? However, if you don’t have time to hold the stretch for that long, then simply quit when you run out of time or get too bored to continue.
Just to let you know: I am going to use this email in a newsletter probably early in 2015. TRH
Best,
KBXXXXXXXX
That is the end of the emails. I hope everyone noticed how KBXXXX is trying hard to understand what he is doing and how he is trying very hard to do things correctly to get great results. I have worked with many men like KDXXXXX and they usually do very well with their Peyronie’s treatment because they are not casual about their recovery. This is serious business to him, and I appreciate that when I see it. He should well with his unusual and rather severe problem.
Keep in mind that I do a lot of phone call discussions for people because confusion, problems and questions are so common when it comes to Alternative Medicine treatment of PD and DC. This is an important subject and people want to make sure they understand what they are doing, and I am happy to give them this kind of personal attention. It seems that once a person finds just out how helpful and informative these calls can be, and how their results improve once their treatment protocol is given personal attention and fine-tuning, they get better results. Too many times I find that a person will struggle for months with slow results, or no results, simply because they are doing some basic things incorrectly. If this could be you, please arrange for a call and we can discuss whatever is on you mind.
OK, that’s all for this month. Keep warm. Stay focused to your treatment.
Happy 2015.
TRH
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