Catheter related ED?

[capt-L]

I had a heart cath in March 06 followed by bypass surgery 3 days later.  The day after the cath, I was taken for a "test" of sorts where a tech pushed and prodded extremely hard on the plug area where the cath entered the artery.  I think it was a sonagram(?).  After bypass surgery I noticed that I was black and blue around the cath site up to about half way up the shaft of my penis.  Since shortly after my release from the hospital, I suffer from a 30-45 degree "bend" to the right in my penis whenever I have an erection.  It appears that blood is not getting to the right side of the penis.  My question is: Is it possible the cath or the subsequent prodding of the plug have caused some sort of reduction of blood flow to the right side of my penis?  It is quite painful and, frankly, strange.  Should I consult a specialist?  Its embarrasing enough as to not mention it to my family Dr or my Cardiologist....

[Forum-M.D.-bkj]

Capt,

Thanks for the post.

Wow, I can't say I've heard of this one before. Typically the tissue planes that the blood follows from a hematoma in the groin area are superficial. While they can cause a great deal of pain and discomfort and look absolutely horrible -- most resolve on hteir own. If I heard of your symptoms, I would probably refer you to a urologist to help me define the problem. I would also want to know from the patient so I would discuss your problem with your physician,

Remember, you've gone through a serious illness and a major surgery. This is still a sequlae of that and not something to be embarrassed about.

good luck

[LukeL]

NEVER be ashamed to tell anything medical to a doctor, they have seen and heard it all and your problem is truley medical and related to a procedure, and might very well be a common complication that can be treated if caught early enough.