Benign Prostate Enlargement

[Lazy Sod]

About 10 years ago I had the TURP procedure, (Hollowing out of the inside of the prostate) to improve urine flow. The improvement that were obtained are now wearing off. There are now other treatments available now, which include the use of a laser and also steam injection. Has anyone had either of these done?

 

[Dry Rot]

I resarched this subject about 12 (?) years ago when I was diagnosed with enlarged prostate. Through an internet newsgroup, I learnt of "green light laser surgery" (https://www.roboticoncology.com/greenlight-laser/). I have livestock and live alone so it was important for me to get back to work as soon as possible. In the USA, it is a "walk in -- walk out" procedure done in an afternoon.

I got in touch with the (American) company and learnt that the procedure was only available in the UK at King's College Hospital in London. More research and I got an appointment with some of the measurements to be done locally. The rep for the company attended my op which was done by the leading UK's authority, consultant surgeon Mr Gordon Muir. I was at that time the 35th patient to have the treatment.

Unfortunately, the procedure only lasted three years, primarily because my local hospital got the measurements wrong (to put it bluntly!). So the next lot of measurements were done at King's College and the procedure was repeated. This has lasted well (10 years or so?) and I have no complaints. Flow is still quite reasonable but has diminished, obviously.

PVP is apparently available at many leading hospitals these days and I would highly recommend it. I was conducting a shoot within days of returning home after the procedure, but do your research and make sure you get a surgeon with a good record. The only procedure that is permanent is removal of the prostate. You do have a choice as it was on the cards for me to fly to Prague to have the prostate removed by a client of mine who is consultant urologist at NHS expense!

 

[JCMaloney]

Lots of NHS Trusts offer laser surgery now, its a benefit because patients are in and out and not hanging around.
Think Salisbury do it. Not sure you`ll need to ask.

 

[Dry Rot]

There are several different laser treatments. Best to join the prostate sufferers' forum and listen to those who have had it done! Sorry, I forget the name of the group now but it used to be quite active and informative.

 

[Lazy Sod]

Thanks, I'll have to look into it.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Anyone tried Acupuncture.
Ive given up with NHS doctor .all they can offer me is antibiotics when it flares up . The side effects of those aint worth it

 

[Dry Rot]

Anyone tried Acupuncture.
Ive given up with NHS doctor .all they can offer me is antibiotics when it flares up . The side effects of those aint worth it

Antibiotics won't do a thing for enlarged prostate as it isn't a bacterial infection. Sounds more like you have a chronic recurring bladder infection. Change your doctor if you're not happy?

I asked my neurosurgeon about acupuncture for my back. He assured me it's effectiveness is proportional to how much you pay! On the other hand, I sold a dog to a Chinese vet (Taiwan) and we have been good friends ever since. It sounds the sort of thing he would recommend. But I still haven't tried it.

 

[gone up the hill]

Antibiotics won't do a thing for enlarged prostate as it isn't a bacterial infection. Sounds more like you have a chronic recurring bladder infection. Change your doctor if you're not happy?

I asked my neurosurgeon about acupuncture for my back. He assured me it's effectiveness is proportional to how much you pay! On the other hand, I sold a dog to a Chinese vet (Taiwan) and we have been good friends ever since. It sounds the sort of thing he would recommend. But I still haven't tried it.

If your back problems are muscle related then you should defo try acupuncture, it really does work but make sure you get someone who sets fire to the needle's after its inserted as this is a more effective technique!

 

[Dry Rot]

If your back problems are muscle related then you should defo try acupuncture, it really does work but make sure you get someone who sets fire to the needle's after its inserted as this is a more effective technique!

I find Glenfarclas single malt pretty good. Doesn't cure it but after a while, I don't care!

 

[deleted user 837354]

Antibiotics won't do a thing for enlarged prostate as it isn't a bacterial infection. Sounds more like you have a chronic recurring bladder infection. Change your doctor if you're not happy?

I asked my neurosurgeon about acupuncture for my back. He assured me it's effectiveness is proportional to how much you pay! On the other hand, I sold a dog to a Chinese vet (Taiwan) and we have been good friends ever since. It sounds the sort of thing he would recommend. But I still haven't tried it.

Reduce back pain by shrinking your wallet? A novel approach I'm sure.

 

[Dry Rot]

Reduce back pain by shrinking your wallet? A novel approach I'm sure.

I think he was pointing out the fallibility of human logic rather than the effectiveness of acupuncture! If you spend a lot on acupuncture, it's probably because you believe it works -- the placebo affect. I've also heard that burying a cat under an apple tree at midnight while reciting the Lord's Prayer backwards will do the trick....but that might be because mild exercise is beneficial.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Antibiotics won't do a thing for enlarged prostate as it isn't a bacterial infection. Sounds more like you have a chronic recurring bladder infection. Change your doctor if you're not happy?

I asked my neurosurgeon about acupuncture for my back. He assured me it's effectiveness is proportional to how much you pay! On the other hand, I sold a dog to a Chinese vet (Taiwan) and we have been good friends ever since. It sounds the sort of thing he would recommend. But I still haven't tried it.

This is what i have . Off and on for 8 years



Antibiotics. This is the most commonly prescribed treatment for prostatitis. Your doctor will choose your medication based on the type of bacteria that might be causing your infection.

If you have severe symptoms, you might need intravenous (IV) antibiotics. You'll likely need to take oral antibiotics for four to six weeks but might need longer treatment for chronic or recurring prostatitis.

 

[Andrew K]

I think BPH alleviation technique is moving towards urolift now, no surgery just an inserted band to hold prostate lobe away from the urethra,I believe.Quick and with less after effects.

 

[Dry Rot]

I think BPH alleviation technique is moving towards urolift now, no surgery just an inserted band to hold prostate lobe away from the urethra,I believe.Quick and with less after effects.

Very interesting. My information will all be out of date because I had Green Light laser surgery years ago, still working for me.

The link for Uplift is here:

what-is-urolift

 

[casemx 270]

It would appear I m in a similar situation myself. Long story short but went in for a biopsy on my lung requiring general anaesthesia afterwards ended up with bladder retention I was checked for swollen prostate which it is oh sir you will need BPH alleviation for that but we will put you on some medicine for now and you will need a catheter for a while .So now I am waiting too see what's going happen . Interested in the alternatives as currently off sick for a while and don't ideally want to be made to take loads more time off .

 

[Dry Rot]

Sorry to hear of your problems. I am a bit out of date but there used to be a very good "prostate" newsgroup. Mostly Americans but direct unbiased discussions and reporting from sufferer before and after whatever operation they had had. The USA is very much profit orientated, so be careful of the sales blurb in the adverts. That newsgroup is definitely worth Googling for.

 

[JCMaloney]

@casemx 270 ...... https://prostatecanceruk.org/get-support/our-online-community
Sure there will be lots of info on there. Hope it all works out OK.

 

[casemx 270]

Early days for me yet but I m very interested in the Green light treatment and the urolift option certainty would look at them both as a alternatives to TURP .If Joe public want to pursue the alternatives through the NHS can they get referred and how do we stand with funding or are we on our own ?

 

[Dry Rot]

Early days for me yet but I m very interested in the Green light treatment and the urolift option certainty would look at them both as a alternatives to TURP .If Joe public want to pursue the alternatives through the NHS can they get referred and how do we stand with funding or are we on our own ?

First, I'd like to point out that just because someone has symptoms of enlarged prostate, don't assume it's cancer! And in the unlikely event that it is cancer, it is probably the best type of cancer to have if you have to have it! (Sorry, that's not very well worded, but what I mean is get it checked out and don't fear the worst).

If you are worried, watch this...but probably not if you have a wseak heart! It always has me in stitches!

I have done a search for that BHP newsgroup but can't find it. I suspect it was a Usenet group and I see they now want me to pay which isn't going to happen!

Green light is what I had and at that time (ten years ago?) there were perhaps three machines in the country and I was patient No. 35. I gather thousands have been treated since. None of these procedures are a "cure" as the prostate continues to grow, but they are pretty damned good and will solve the problem for years!

I am in Scotland and qualify for free NHS treatment and prescriptions. Not sure of the situation in England but ask Citizens Advice? Not only did I get the op free on the NHS but I had the option of choosing where I got it. I had a Czech consultant surgeon friend and it was arranged for me to go to Prague for the operation (on the NHS!) but then I heard of Green Light so opted to go to Kind's College Hospital, London, instead. The NHS truly is wonderful and we are very lucky to have it.

 

[Lazy Sod]

I had a cystoscopy examination yesterday (camera up the urethra to look at the prostate and bladder). Whilst there has been some internal prostate regrowth since I had the TURP procedure 10 years ago, it looks as though it's my bladder that's playing up and not emptying properly. I think that there are drugs for that. I've been referred.