Prostate issues

[lopburi3]

1 hour ago, fifelad55 said:

I don't know the name of the urologist and as I am in a wheelchair, I leave the control of all medication to my wife.

Doctors name should be on the appointment slip - or on last bill if not thrown away.  Kind of important information as hospitals can have the good, the bad and the ugly working as doctors.  A good doctor is likely to be more important than the hospital itself.

[Sheryl]

3 hours ago, fifelad55 said:

I only recently changed to BPH from Rayong as living in Ban Chang, it is easier to get to Pattaya now that the new motorway is open. I don't know the name of the urologist and as I am in a wheelchair, I leave the control of all medication to my wife. I have an appointment to see the urologist some time next month so I'll bring up the lack of improvement. Last night wasn't too bad. I had a pee just before going to bed around 9.40 pm As peeing into a bottle at night is nopt convenient, I have to wear a nappy. I first woke up around 01.15 but fell asleep again until about 02.45when I called my carer to change my nappy. I then slept till around 04.00 before waking up for a pee and again around 06.30 before getting up to get washed around 8.00

 

At BPH, this urologist is well recommended

 

https://www.bangkokpattayahospital.com/en/doctor-profile?v_id=205&depid=28

 

If that is not whom you have been seeing, suggest you change and ask for him specifically

[BritManToo]

4 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

Very cheap! Here pay 7 Baht at the pharmacy.

Most pharmacies are selling Doxazosin 2mg at 350-400bht/100 2mg tablets.

7bht is way over priced, you need to ask around a few more pharmacies.

 

Government hospitals 1bht/2mg plus 50bht hospital services/doctor.

Edited May 13, 2021 by BritManToo

[BritManToo]

5 hours ago, fifelad55 said:

I only recently changed to BPH from Rayong as living in Ban Chang, it is easier to get to Pattaya now that the new motorway is open. I don't know the name of the urologist and as I am in a wheelchair, I leave the control of all medication to my wife. I have an appointment to see the urologist some time next month so I'll bring up the lack of improvement. Last night wasn't too bad. I had a pee just before going to bed around 9.40 pm As peeing into a bottle at night is nopt convenient, I have to wear a nappy. I first woke up around 01.15 but fell asleep again until about 02.45when I called my carer to change my nappy. I then slept till around 04.00 before waking up for a pee and again around 06.30 before getting up to get washed around 8.00

 

It's hard to help you when you don't give any information on the drugs you are currently taking.

There's a lot of us on this forum with the same problems, but most of us seem to have managed to get relief from the worst symptoms.

[Tropicalevo]

3 hours ago, KhaoYai said:

That's probably the most ridiculous post I've ever seen on Thaivisa.  If I'd 'ignored' my prostate problems I'd be on the wrong side of the soil by now.

 

All prostate related symptoms be checked out by a specialist. Although significant numbers of the medical profession are against regular screening, I would recommend every man over 50 has their PSA checked at least once per year. Insist on it if you are fobbed off.

 

I don't give a damn about the false positives - i'f I'd known a couple of years earlier I'd be in a much better position that what I'm facing now.  In any case, the issues over screening revolve around the resultant need for biopsies should someone's PSA be found to be high - and the dangers of infection caused by taking those biopsies.  Although biopsies will still be needed to confirm the problem, in recent years new types of scan have become available that give a good indication of whether cancer is present or not - thus reducing the need for biopsies.

 

Prostate cancer is a killer but for many it is entirely treatable if found early - don't ignore anything!

Very good post but a couple of things missing.

The majority of men with prostrate cancer die of other things before the prostate cancer becomes fatal.

Thailand urologists are not up to speed on the latest way to tackle enlarged prostates.

Checking your PSA AND your free PSA are a must. (My doctor had to look up free PSA.)

My doctor then said PSA test, Biopsy, PSA test, Biopsy etc etc.

No.

It took me a long time to convince him - PSA test, MRI, PSA test MRI.

 

After a few tests, he said - MRI shows that you may have cancer. You need a biopsy. So, I had the biopsy - no cancer BUT my prostate is still bleeding 4 years after the biopsy! No one tells you about that bit.

I have had an enlarged prostate for about 10 years.

I get up and pee every two hours during the night and it is a slow job.

I have tried many different types of drugs/herbs etc to counter this but none have worked and some have had undesirable after effects. (Water retention, bloating etc.)

I tried to go to another hospital to talk about having a 'device' inserted to improve the flow (forgot the name of the procedure - sorry) and I was thrown out of the hospital. Seriously. He shouted at me to get out. The doctor there said PSA test, Biopsy, PSA test, Biopsy etc etc. (Sound familiar?)

Until I can find a doctor who is up to date on how to handle this, I will do nothing. I have spent quite a few million baht getting nowhere over the years. (Yes I have insurance, but not for out-patient treatment.)

Good luck.

 

[edwardandtubs]

Serious point here. Regular ejaculation might help. It's possible to get into a vicious cycle of not ejaculating because you feel discomfort but then suffering more discomfort because you're not ejaculating. Try to shoot your load at least two or three times a week to keep the pipes clear. There are in fact studies to back this up.

[KhaoYai]

7 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

The majority of men with prostrate cancer die of other things before the prostate cancer becomes fatal.

That's because many people have very low grade prostate cancer which is quite often just monitored and not treated. The majority you talk about still have to have it diagnosed to find out which type it is and whether or not the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. To arrive at that diagnosis, the usual investigations have to take place - starting with PSA levels being checked. 

 

Every man over 50 should have his PSA level checked at least once per year - prostate cancer doesn't only affect 'old men' as some think. Its just a simple a blood test.

 

Let me put it in a different way that may motivate some who don't think they need to get checked - either the prostate cancer itself or some of the treatments for it can cause erectile disfunction and it can be permanent.  Prostate cancer caught early can often be treated using nerve sparing technology which leaves the nerves that control an erection intact. Put bluntly, if your cancer is caught early enough you have an excellent chance of being able to continue having a sex life.  I was one of the lucky ones in that I was only 'out of action' for around 18 months - many never regain their 'normal' functions.

 

So, if you wish to continue having a 'normal' life for as long as - get tested.

[KhaoYai]

8 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

So, I had the biopsy - no cancer BUT my prostate is still bleeding 4 years after the biopsy!

Not necessarily so.  As you should know, core biopsies are taken - usually 10 or 12 samples in all.  A guy I was in hospital with had negative biopsies 5 years prior to having his recent positive ones.  Its rare but possible for cores to miss the cancer - if cancer isn't present in the samples taken, its unlikely to be diagnosed but it can be there. The fact you have blood in your urine would worry me, I also had that - not visible but it showed up when tested.

[KhaoYai]

9 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

After a few tests, he said - MRI shows that you may have cancer. You need a biopsy.

Not making light of the situation but that is possibly one of the problems that can occur with private hospitals.  I've only ever been to a private hospital twice and on both occasions I wasn't sure if I'd seen a doctor or a salesman.

[lopburi3]

2 hours ago, KhaoYai said:

Not making light of the situation but that is possibly one of the problems that can occur with private hospitals.  I've only ever been to a private hospital twice and on both occasions I wasn't sure if I'd seen a doctor or a salesman.

How is that salesman?  If an MRI indicates cancer (flare with contrast dye) the next logical step is either a biopsy or operation to remove suspect growth.  The doctors in most cases are not employed by the hospitals - it is just their office setting as easy to access to facilities.  That said indeed there are salesmen in the medical profession - as in most others.  But it is rather easy today to double check with help of Google and such.

[1FinickyOne]

19 hours ago, Poet said:

It's usually best to just ignore prostate problems.

especially if you are female? 

 

I ignored mine until I needed a roto-rooter operation... 

[1FinickyOne]

11 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

I was thrown out of the hospital. Seriously. He shouted at me to get out.

I can only imagine that there just might be another side to this story? 

[1FinickyOne]

2 hours ago, KhaoYai said:

I wasn't sure if I'd seen a doctor or a salesman.

And worse... I have experienced this as well... except I was sure or became sure after...

 

This is a problem....

[fifelad55]

On 5/13/2021 at 3:10 PM, xylophone said:

I've tried just about every known and "unknown" herb and whatever for BPH, and I have found that Beta Sitosterol seems to work for me. I should say that it works well enough for me not to have to worry about peeing a lot during the day, and probably getting up just once a night on occasion for a toilet visit.

 

IMO this is a very overpriced supplement, which includes a few other ingredients which have on occasion been touted to help those with BPH.

 

I have only just this month ordered a combination of Beta Sitosterol and other plant sterols in one capsule from iHerb, to replace the batch that I have almost finished, to see how this one compares to the ones I have been taking.

 

I've been soldiering on with BPH and Beta Sitosterol for a few years now and will probably end up having some sort of procedure done on the prostate, although I have already had a TURP, although for now I'm managing it.
 

I see Beta Sitosterol  is available from Lazada at a far cheaper price than the drug I'm currently paying. which is a lot less than the price charged by the hospital!!! How many pills in a bottle please?

 

Thanks,

 

Alan

[KhaoYai]

7 hours ago, lopburi3 said:

How is that salesman?

Note, I said 'possibly', the relatively new focused prostate MRI scan will normally pick up any cancer - its purpose is to avoid the need for blopsies which due to their nature, carry a significant risk of serious infection.  A small number of scans fail to produce conclusive results in which case a biopsy is needed. In the case described, no cancer was found following the biopsy that followed - the MRI may have been inconclusive or the recommendation for a biopsy could have been the doctor selling his hospital's (and his own) services.

 

As I said, I've experienced it. Just one example - when I was first partially diagnosed I had a month long visit to Thailand planned the following week.  My doctors didn't want me to travel as my PSA level and a DRE indicated things were pretty grim - at that stage I had not had any biopsies.  I was adamant that I was going so we agreed to a compromise - I would have my PSA tested again 2 weeks into my trip and if it had risen, I would return home.

 

I contacted the Bangkok hospital in Pattaya and arranged a PSA test.  At first they wanted me to have a full consultation (pre and post test) but when I explained that I had already been diagnosed they agreed with notable reluctance, to do the blood test without the post test consultation. They would not just do the blood test and provide me with the results to e-mail to the UK so I had to agree to a 10 minute consultation with one of their prostate cancer specialists.  That specialist spent almost all of that 10 minutes trying to get me to agree to a full diagnosis, biopsies, scans etc. etc. + he was using shock tactics, telling me how serious my cancer was and the likley outcome if I didn't get attended to very quickly

 

Coming from the UK where excellent healthcare is available free, this was a total shock to me - you'd have to have been there to understand but he was clearly selling.  I had already explained that I had already been diagnosed and the reason for the blood test. Had I been travelling to another part of the UK and agreed to a blood test at another NHS hospital, I am certain I would not have experienced any 'selling'. The test would have been done and I would simply leave with a piece of paper.

 

I found out later that there are clinics in Thailand that will simply test your blood and provide written results.

Edited May 14, 2021 by KhaoYai

[lopburi3]

43 minutes ago, KhaoYai said:

I found out later that there are clinics in Thailand that will simply test your blood and provide written results.

As you say you used hospital and they normally require consultation and doctors orders for any tests.  I suspect what appeared sales may have been partly the doctor trying to get how serious it might be across (just as your home doctors had done) and as your new doctor he was taking responsibility and needed such data.   Plus your UK medical experience of not paying for such service making it sound even more like a barker.

[xylophone]

42 minutes ago, fifelad55 said:

I see Beta Sitosterol  is available from Lazada at a far cheaper price than the drug I'm currently paying. which is a lot less than the price charged by the hospital!!! How many pills in a bottle please?

 

Thanks,

 

Alan

Hi Alan, I just looked on Lazada for you and there are many on offer, but quite a few of them do not have a high enough amount of beta sitosterol in them, and I don't think they would make a difference, so I did a little bit more research.

 

I have attached a couple of links for what I consider are the best ones (NOW), which are on iHerb, and they are considerably cheaper than Lazada, even with postage from the US, which believe it or not doesn't take too long.

 

On the iHerb ones, they come in containers of 90 or 180 capsules, with a minimum of 400 mg of beta sitosterol and range from 457 baht upwards, and if you really wanted to give it a good try I would go for the 180 capsules.

 

The instructions on quite a few of these, advise to take between three or four tablets/capsules a day, however I get by with just two of them, one in the morning and one at night.

 

I hope this helps, and by all means contact me again if I can be of any help, and you can always send me a Private Message (PM) if you want to.

 

Good luck........

https://th.iherb.com/pr/Now-Foods-Beta-Sitosterol-Plant-Sterols-180-Softgels/445501 

 

https://th.iherb.com/pr/Now-Foods-Beta-Sitosterol-Plant-Sterols-90-Softgels/44500

[xylophone]

8 hours ago, 1FinickyOne said:

I can only imagine that there just might be another side to this story? 

  19 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

I was thrown out of the hospital. Seriously. He shouted at me to get out.

 

I had almost exactly the same experience in a major hospital where I am, where the urologist had been treating me for about two or three months for a UTI, and he kept giving me different antibiotics every couple of weeks when it would be completely clear, and to be honest I began to feel very poorly indeed.

 

The last antibiotic he put me on was ciprofloxacin for two weeks, and at the end of the two weeks I couldn't walk because I had a very sore tendon in my right lower leg (I know about these things having damaged them playing football for decades) and it swelled up, so much so that I couldn't walk properly.

 

I went to see this urologist again, limping into the hospital, and feeling dreadful, and pleaded with him to grow a culture because none of the antibiotics were working.

 

He got very angry at this, and simply told me to leave his room/office, saying that he couldn't do anything else for me.

 

Luckily there was another urologist almost next door, so I went to see him, told him the story and he ordered a culture to be grown, and about four days later I went back to see him and I had E. coli ESBL, which means the bacteria had become resistant to many antibiotics, and I had to have daily injections of a very rare antibiotic, over a two-week period to be able to cure it!

 

I swore there and then that if I saw this urologist on a dark night, I would do him some damage (couldn't post what I wanted to) for the pain and anguish he put me through, and of course the arrogance of the pr!ck!

 

If I was expecting the same sort of care and attention I had from doctors in the UK and NZ, then I was sadly mistaken.

 

To get back on track regarding prostate issues, I do believe that one has to be courteous but persistent/insistent with Doctors here to not be treated like they were in their early school days.........the listen to what I say and don't question it scenario.

[BritManToo]

1 hour ago, KhaoYai said:

Coming from the UK where excellent healthcare is available free, this was a total shock to me - you'd have to have been there to understand but he was clearly selling.  I had already explained that I had already been diagnosed and the reason for the blood test. Had I been travelling to another part of the UK and agreed to a blood test at another NHS hospital, I am certain I would not have experienced any 'selling'. The test would have been done and I would simply leave with a piece of paper.

You should have used a Thai government hospital, PSA test is 250bht.

No point comparing the NHS to a Thai private hospital, private hospitals want money, lots of it.

[KhaoYai]

30 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

No point comparing the NHS to a Thai private hospital, private hospitals want money, lots of it.

The comparison was because that's the only two examples of healthcare I'd known.  At the time I didn't know that I could have used a government hospital.

[Sheryl]

1 minute ago, KhaoYai said:

At the time I didn't know that I could have used a government hospital.

 

You can (though you will have to pay, free only for Thais).

 

Waits will be long (sometimes all day and even more than that, having to come back several times for an appointment that would be one hour in & out at a private hospital).  Conditions while waiting are often crowded and uncomfortable which may be of particular concern for someone in your situation. No English spoken except by the doctors and they may not always speak it much either. Most care will be provided by young interns or residents in training, though if you go to the main hospital in Chonburi town you can probably see a more senior doctor via the after hours clinic.

 

With the exception of Pattaya City Hospital, which has dual pricing and can be costly,  the savings compared to private hospitals is considerable. Up to you if the aforementioned inconveniences etc are worth it.

 

 

 

 

[KhaoYai]

20 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

You can (though you will have to pay, free only for Thais).

 

Waits will be long (sometimes all day and even more than that, having to come back several times for an appointment that would be one hour in & out at a private hospital).  Conditions while waiting are often crowded and uncomfortable which may be of particular concern for someone in your situation. No English spoken except by the doctors and they may not always speak it much either. Most care will be provided by young interns or residents in training, though if you go to the main hospital in Chonburi town you can probably see a more senior doctor via the after hours clinic.

 

With the exception of Pattaya City Hospital, which has dual pricing and can be costly,  the savings compared to private hospitals is considerable. Up to you if the aforementioned inconveniences etc are worth it.

Yes I know Sheryl thanks.  I have seen what goes on at some government hospitals so although I wasn't aware that I could have used them at the time, I do now and I know it would not be free - having seen some though, I just wouldn't ????.  Pretty sure my Thai is good enough to ask for a blood test though.

Edited May 14, 2021 by KhaoYai

[jonwilly]

I asked about this drug  ProstaGenix at a Pharmacy and was told that only Lazada stocked it in Thailand.

 

john

[BritManToo]

1 hour ago, Sheryl said:

You can (though you will have to pay, free only for Thais).

 

Waits will be long (sometimes all day and even more than that, having to come back several times for an appointment that would be one hour in & out at a private hospital).  Conditions while waiting are often crowded and uncomfortable which may be of particular concern for someone in your situation. No English spoken except by the doctors and they may not always speak it much either. Most care will be provided by young interns or residents in training, though if you go to the main hospital in Chonburi town you can probably see a more senior doctor via the after hours clinic.

50bht plus whatever tests and medicine you have,

Medicine very cheap 1bht/pill.

X-ray, blood test, psa test, all around 250bht a go, ultrasound 300bht.

Never had a language problem, the doctors all speak passable English, plus a few words on Google translate sometimes and I take my Thai misses along who speaks Thai and English.

Never understood this forum obsession of seeing the most senior doctors, I wouldn't expect that in the UK, and I don't expect it here. In some ways it's easier to tell the younger doctors what you want and have them do it. Why should I expect to see a better doctor than the locals?

 

Sure I have to wait 8am until 2pm is the longest, but I'm retired and can read my book or play music on my phone wherever I am. I've always been seen and treated the same day. There's a 7-11 across the road and tables outside the hospital I can sit at.

Edited May 14, 2021 by BritManToo

[Sheryl]

2 hours ago, jonwilly said:

I asked about this drug  ProstaGenix at a Pharmacy and was told that only Lazada stocked it in Thailand.

 

john

As previously explained, there is no need to get ProstaGenix specifically.

 

There are other brands of the main ingrediant.

 

But these too, need to be ordered from iHerb, Lazada, or Shoppee etc. Not likely to be at a pharmacy. This is true of most supplements.

 

 

[Sheryl]

2 hours ago, KhaoYai said:

Yes I know Sheryl thanks.  I have seen what goes on at some government hospitals so although I wasn't aware that I could have used them at the time, I do now and I know it would not be free - having seen some though, I just wouldn't ????.  Pretty sure my Thai is good enough to ask for a blood test though.

You can't get blood test on request. You'd have to see a urologist and he's have to order it.

[jonwilly]

Some time back I started a thread on

 

I tried hospitals in Chiang Mai and eventually asked on this board, but from what I could gather NOWHERE in Thailand offers this service.

I have spoke to 2 individuals who have had this treatment in UK and both said same thing.

Day procedure, go to hospital in morning, sit in a chair something like they use to examine Ladies er cheeky bits,  then the steam treatment, painless, and leave hospital in afternoon.

 

john

 

[Sheryl]

7 hours ago, jonwilly said:

Some time back I started a thread on

 

I tried hospitals in Chiang Mai and eventually asked on this board, but from what I could gather NOWHERE in Thailand offers this service.

I have spoke to 2 individuals who have had this treatment in UK and both said same thing.

Day procedure, go to hospital in morning, sit in a chair something like they use to examine Ladies er cheeky bits,  then the steam treatment, painless, and leave hospital in afternoon.

 

john

 

Indeed, not available in Thailand.

[xylophone]

7 hours ago, jonwilly said:

Some time back I started a thread on

 

I tried hospitals in Chiang Mai and eventually asked on this board, but from what I could gather NOWHERE in Thailand offers this service.

I have spoke to 2 individuals who have had this treatment in UK and both said same thing.

Day procedure, go to hospital in morning, sit in a chair something like they use to examine Ladies er cheeky bits,  then the steam treatment, painless, and leave hospital in afternoon.

 

john

 

I've looked at both this and Urolift, and despite the positive spin on this Rezum treatment, there have been reports of some side effects (needing a catheter for a while, and being slow to take effect, for example) as there are in most operations of this sort.

 

After doing quite a bit of research on both I have opted that the Urolift will be my choice when I can get it done, and it is available on the Gold Coast in Australia, where I have friends, so when I need it, and when travel is available, I'll be off to the Gold Coast!

[KhaoYai]

19 hours ago, Sheryl said:

You can't get blood test on request. You'd have to see a urologist and he's have to order it.

Well that's OK, in the unlikely event that I do need a blood test in Thailand sometime in the future, I've since learned of a clinic that will provide that service with a full report for a reasonable price - much cheaper than paying for a consultation that I don't need.