Enlarged prostate treatment (Rezum)

[Sheryl]

56 minutes ago, GarryP said:

A quick update. In two days it will be 11 weeks since I had the Rezum treatment. My flow is continuing to improve and is already better than pre-treatment levels in the day time. I am only getting up twice a night now and the flow is so much better than it used to be. In fact I can't remember it being this strong at night. This helps with sleeping as I am in and out of the bathroom in a jiffy, unlike before when it took an age to get started and then there was the stopping and starting for a couple of minutes until the bladder was empty, by which time I was fully awake.  

 

There are still a couple of negatives though and those are urinary urgency and frequency in the day time. So I am peeing only 150 to 200ml most times. However, there is still occasional burning when passing urine and tissue present (minute threads), which I take as a positive because this indicates there is still some inflammation and, as a result, there is likely to be further improvement. It should be noted that from all my reading up on this treatment, burning and tissue issues have usually resolved by about 6 weeks so, perhaps, my body takes longer than most to heal. Any way, there can be quite a variation in the time frame for improvement from one patient to another, but I just seem to be taking longer than the average. 

 

Hopefully, by the time I've hit the 4 month mark, everything will be back to normal.  All in all, I would say that I am happy with the results so far and am looking forward to further improvement. 

Since the burning sensation has continued, you need to make sure you have not developed a urinary tract infection, which can easily occur when the urinary tract is inflamed. See doctor for a urine test to rule this out.

[GarryP]

19 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

Since the burning sensation has continued, you need to make sure you have not developed a urinary tract infection, which can easily occur when the urinary tract is inflamed. See doctor for a urine test to rule this out.

I had a couple of tests at my last appointment on 18 December and it was negative. The burning sensation only happens when my urine is overly concentrated (deep yellow). For this reason I try to keep hydrated, but not always successful. 

Edited January 4, 2022 by GarryP

[xylophone]

1 hour ago, GarryP said:

A quick update. In two days it will be 11 weeks since I had the Rezum treatment. My flow is continuing to improve and is already better than pre-treatment levels in the day time. I am only getting up twice a night now and the flow is so much better than it used to be. In fact I can't remember it being this strong at night. This helps with sleeping as I am in and out of the bathroom in a jiffy, unlike before when it took an age to get started and then there was the stopping and starting for a couple of minutes until the bladder was empty, by which time I was fully awake.  

 

There are still a couple of negatives though and those are urinary urgency and frequency in the day time. So I am peeing only 150 to 200ml most times. However, there is still occasional burning when passing urine and tissue present (minute threads), which I take as a positive because this indicates there is still some inflammation and, as a result, there is likely to be further improvement. It should be noted that from all my reading up on this treatment, burning and tissue issues have usually resolved by about 6 weeks so, perhaps, my body takes longer than most to heal. Any way, there can be quite a variation in the time frame for improvement from one patient to another, but I just seem to be taking longer than the average. 

 

Hopefully, by the time I've hit the 4 month mark, everything will be back to normal.  All in all, I would say that I am happy with the results so far and am looking forward to further improvement. 

Good to hear that things are still improving for you GarryP and thanks for the updates.

 

Having said that, I was thinking that an operation like this would mean that one didn't have to get up in the night to go to the bathroom, so your feedback is of interest.

 

As I am still debating what my next move will be, I will keep my options open, especially as my current urologist can't really offer a solution, and I don't want more surgery of any description, esp if he doesn't know what is wrong, so a visit to my NZ urologist could be on the cards if I'm able to do so.

 

Some interesting information I have uncovered as follows: –

 

-The fit cohort (78% in our series) should be offered surgery as they achieve a success rate in the range of 95%.

-TURP is indeed the first minimally invasive treatment of BPH and provides excellent long-term outcomes

-AND The prostate gland continues to grow throughout a man's life. This rarely causes problems until later in life. The layer of tissue around the prostate keeps it from growing outward.

FYI – The term "fit cohort" in the first quote above refers to men who are aged below 70 (as I recall) and don't have any other health or urinary problems.

[GarryP]

4 minutes ago, xylophone said:

Good to hear that things are still improving for you GarryP and thanks for the updates.

 

Having said that, I was thinking that an operation like this would mean that one didn't have to get up in the night to go to the bathroom, so your feedback is of interest.

 

As I am still debating what my next move will be, I will keep my options open, especially as my current urologist can't really offer a solution, and I don't want more surgery of any description, esp if he doesn't know what is wrong, so a visit to my NZ urologist could be on the cards if I'm able to do so.

 

Some interesting information I have uncovered as follows: –

 

-The fit cohort (78% in our series) should be offered surgery as they achieve a success rate in the range of 95%.

-TURP is indeed the first minimally invasive treatment of BPH and provides excellent long-term outcomes

-AND The prostate gland continues to grow throughout a man's life. This rarely causes problems until later in life. The layer of tissue around the prostate keeps it from growing outward.

FYI – The term "fit cohort" in the first quote above refers to men who are aged below 70 (as I recall) and don't have any other health or urinary problems.

From the research I have done, it takes quite some time - between 6 months to a year - for the bladder function to return to normal. This is because in cases like mine I used to strain a lot, particularly at night time, when emptying my bladder, so it will take some time for the muscle function to return to normal. Ultimately, I will be happy with only having to get up once a night. I could even settle with twice though as I do fall asleep very quickly after a bathroom visit now.  

[xylophone]

17 hours ago, Saanim said:

After all the various treatments, wonder herbs and still a lot of suffering, you will find (by the doctor affirmation) that a surgery is unavoidable (benign prostatic hyperplasia).  Thai hospitals can do it properly, perhaps better than in your home country.  So, why not to shorten your suffering? 

  

You make an interesting point, and the various herbs and other non surgical treatments mentioned here can only seem to delay the inevitable, and it may well be that some older guys can put up with this inconvenience until the day they die.

 

When you consider the following: –The prostate gland continues to grow throughout a man's life. This rarely causes problems until later in life. The layer of tissue around the prostate keeps it from growing outward.......(https://www.cedars-sinai.org › diseases-and-conditions) it can be seen that somewhere along the line a greater percentage of us guys are going to encounter a problem of some description.

 

[Sheryl]

1 hour ago, GarryP said:

I had a couple of tests at my last appointment on 18 December and it was negative. The burning sensation only happens when my urine is overly concentrated (deep yellow). For this reason I try to keep hydrated, but not always successful. 

Keeping your urine on the alkaline side will also help as it is the acidity in the urine that burns on sensitive tissue.  Milk and citrus fruits will helop do this as of course will sodium bicarb. You can also buy sachets of a lemon flavored powder which alkalized urine, forget the name off hand.

[GarryP]

2 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Keeping your urine on the alkaline side will also help as it is the acidity in the urine that burns on sensitive tissue.  Milk and citrus fruits will helop do this as of course will sodium bicarb. You can also buy sachets of a lemon flavored powder which alkalized urine, forget the name off hand.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll look into the flavored powder, as unfortunately milk is off the cards due to increasing lactose intolerance, unless lactose free milk also works. Seems I'm getting all my father's conditions at the same time they kicked in with him.   

[giddyup]

On 12/16/2021 at 12:52 PM, BritManToo said:

I suspect surgery has messed you up, and you are beyond any help from medication.

I would never let a Thai doctor cut into me.

You'd prefer to die instead?

[xylophone]

4 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Keeping your urine on the alkaline side will also help as it is the acidity in the urine that burns on sensitive tissue.  Milk and citrus fruits will helop do this as of course will sodium bicarb. You can also buy sachets of a lemon flavored powder which alkalized urine, forget the name off hand.

It is called URAL and I use it from time to time. Easily available from Pharmacies or the local hospital. and cheap!

[fredscats]

11 hours ago, GarryP said:

A quick update. In two days it will be 11 weeks since I had the Rezum treatment. My flow is continuing to improve and is already better than pre-treatment levels in the day time. I am only getting up twice a night now and the flow is so much better than it used to be. In fact I can't remember it being this strong at night. This helps with sleeping as I am in and out of the bathroom in a jiffy, unlike before when it took an age to get started and then there was the stopping and starting for a couple of minutes until the bladder was empty, by which time I was fully awake.  

 

There are still a couple of negatives though and those are urinary urgency and frequency in the day time. So I am peeing only 150 to 200ml most times. However, there is still occasional burning when passing urine and tissue present (minute threads), which I take as a positive because this indicates there is still some inflammation and, as a result, there is likely to be further improvement. It should be noted that from all my reading up on this treatment, burning and tissue issues have usually resolved by about 6 weeks so, perhaps, my body takes longer than most to heal. Any way, there can be quite a variation in the time frame for improvement from one patient to another, but I just seem to be taking longer than the average. 

 

Hopefully, by the time I've hit the 4 month mark, everything will be back to normal.  All in all, I would say that I am happy with the results so far and am looking forward to further improvement. 

Read somewhere it is 13 months before the innards are back to normal (on average)  Whatever was done sure does not look anything like,I could p.iss for England after 5 days,fact it was too painful the flow was that fast

[xylophone]

Hi @GarryP any update/news on your progress to date?

[Lacessit]

On 11/5/2021 at 8:24 AM, blackprince said:

I used concentrated Lycopene extract capsules (from tomatoes etc) for a month. It was very effective and its effect is sustained over a long period of time. I'd post a photo of the packet but I no longer have it.

I've also found that daily drinking of strong alcohol exacerbates the condition. Yes I know the urinary system and the sperm system are independent, so don't ask me to explain how that happens, maybe it's simply that having a permanent trace of alcohol in the blood inflames the condition.

cheers

Alcohol is a diuretic, which simply means peeing more often.

 

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=alcohol+diuretic+mechanism

[Lacessit]

On 1/4/2022 at 12:41 PM, Sheryl said:

Keeping your urine on the alkaline side will also help as it is the acidity in the urine that burns on sensitive tissue.  Milk and citrus fruits will helop do this as of course will sodium bicarb. You can also buy sachets of a lemon flavored powder which alkalized urine, forget the name off hand.

URAL. I don't know why, but not available in Thailand. I brought some in from Australia, use it after every routine cystoscopy.

[GarryP]

2 hours ago, xylophone said:

Hi @GarryP any update/news on your progress to date?

This Thursday will put me at 13 weeks post treatment. My flow is much better than pre-treatment now. As reported last time, I'm still getting up at night but the flow is so much better and starts instantly. Daytime flow is also much better, but I'm still suffering from urgency and increased frequency from time to time, resulting in low volume each time. I'm peeing in a jug to measure volume and I am still not where I want to be. I think this will improve as inflammation reduces which will perhaps reduce frequency. 

 

Yes, I am still suffering from inflammation as there is very slight burning/discomfort when urinating if my urine is very concentrated, i.e. dark yellow. However, when I manage to keep fully hydrated urinating is painless and the flow very strong. Up until a few days ago I was still seeing tissue in my urine so it would seem to be healing very slowly in my case. However, I take the tissue issue and occasional discomfort as a positive as it indicates a likelihood of further improvement. 

 

 

[xylophone]

On 12/14/2021 at 6:52 PM, spidermike007 said:

True that. And yet we think we are SO advanced and so civilized. That would be amusing if it were not so sad. 

I have only just now spotted your post from last December SM007, and it reminded me of something a top US urologist/specialist said about prostatitis, which I had for decades, after I was seeking further advice about how to cure it, when he said something along the lines of, "prostatitis and associated urinary problems are a medical wasteland as far as what we know about it and them".

 

A "medical wasteland", and this coming from a top US urologist, so I think you have probably hit the nail on the head.

[xylophone]

A question for you @Sheryl if I may, as I am so despondent and in despair about my situation at the moment, that rather than go back to my local urologist here in Phuket, who doesn't really know what the problem is, and has said so, could you recommend a top urologist in Bangkok, as it's coming to the point when I might travel up there and get a second opinion.

 

Many thanks.

[Sheryl]

1 hour ago, xylophone said:

A question for you @Sheryl if I may, as I am so despondent and in despair about my situation at the moment, that rather than go back to my local urologist here in Phuket, who doesn't really know what the problem is, and has said so, could you recommend a top urologist in Bangkok, as it's coming to the point when I might travel up there and get a second opinion.

 

Many thanks.

https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/doctors/Charuspong-Dissaranan

 

US trained, very good and also really nice

[GarryP]

1 minute ago, Sheryl said:

https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/doctors/Charuspong-Dissaranan

 

US trained, very good and also really nice

I saw him on Sheryl's recommendation and confirm that he is really good. Excellent communication skills too. 

[xylophone]

19 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/doctors/Charuspong-Dissaranan

 

US trained, very good and also really nice

Many thanks Sheryl.

[xylophone]

On 1/18/2022 at 5:47 PM, GarryP said:

I saw him on Sheryl's recommendation and confirm that he is really good. Excellent communication skills too. 

Hi GarryP, and just for a bit of info, did this specialist do your Rezum procedure, and would you happen to know if he or any of his associates carries out the iTIND procedure?

 

It's getting to the point where I have to do something and the iTIND procedure using a little wire device, has had some good results, and it entails just a quick procedure the first time, and then one about 5 to 7 days down the line to take out the device, none of which mean a stay in hospital!

 

The more I look at it the more this sounds like a possible next move for me.

[Sheryl]

BNH is offering iTIND   https://aseannow.com/topic/1244107-itind-and-rezum-are-available-in-thailand/

 

I haven't heard it mentioned anywhere else yet

 

[connda]

On 11/4/2021 at 8:53 PM, spidermike007 said:

Stinging nettle root. Been used for thousands of years. I go one day without it, and have difficulty urinating. Take it twice daily, and there is a miraculous effect. I know my prostate is enlarged, but my PSA is fine.

 

I will do anything to avoid the grasp of the Big Pharma mafia. 

What brand do you use and where do you buy it?

[connda]

On 12/16/2021 at 2:46 PM, BritManToo said:

Was careful not to exercise much and sit around a lot when my Achilles tendons started hurting.

Yeah, Cipro is effective but it buggers up your tendons.  Used it to get rid of a case of h.pylori but then suffered knee problems for close to a year.  They're back to normal and no more h.pylori issues but that's a last ditch treatment imho.

[connda]

On 12/16/2021 at 3:17 PM, BritManToo said:

iHerb, mine came via Germany, takes around 2 weeks for delivery to Thailand (but they always say 4 weeks).

I've just checked.  Swansons from iHerb is less than $7 USD and the same product on Lazada is close to 1000 THB.
Somebody is trying to make money by ripping off customers.

[connda]

On 12/17/2021 at 12:35 PM, BritManToo said:

I noticed a difference the first day I took a tablet.

I'm sold.  I'll have to make an iHerb order.  Are you using Swanson's or another brand?

[connda]

On 12/21/2021 at 7:36 PM, BritManToo said:

Peeing normally almost all the time, a lot of exercise or heavy work seems to make things worse that day. 

Boom Boom type of exercise and heavy work? 

[BritManToo]

On 12/21/2021 at 7:36 PM, BritManToo said:

I'm taking 3mg of Doxazocin + 1 stinging nettle root 500mg a day + 5mg Finasteride every other day.

Peeing normally almost all the time, a lot of exercise or heavy work seems to make things worse that day. Sometimes I need to go at night if something disturbs my sleep, but normally not.

 

So I'm way better than 2 years back when I needed a catheter and when off that 6mg Doxazosin and a lot of effort to wee.

Just thought I'd update my post.

Now down to 1mg Doxazocin + 1 stinging nettle root 500mg a day + 5mg Finasteride every other day (was originally taking 6mg/day and still having problems).

Almost cured ..... which is really weird as this is supposed to be incurable.

Maybe I was misdiagnosed and don't have BPH at all.

 

@conndaSwansons, I've been taking one a day for around 70 days now.

Edited January 31, 2022 by BritManToo

[BritManToo]

26 minutes ago, connda said:

I've just checked.  Swansons from iHerb is less than $7 USD and the same product on Lazada is close to 1000 THB.
Somebody is trying to make money by ripping off customers.

iHerb, 15% off orders over $60 using the voucher code Healthy22 until 2nd Feb.

Edited January 31, 2022 by BritManToo

[connda]

On 1/3/2022 at 6:47 PM, BritManToo said:

Seeing as I probably only have 5 years left (10 at the outside), I'd have to be crazy to have the operation.

I think the same as you do, so the ultimate of cosmic humor will be when we end up living past 90.  ????

[GarryP]

2 hours ago, xylophone said:

Hi GarryP, and just for a bit of info, did this specialist do your Rezum procedure, and would you happen to know if he or any of his associates carries out the iTIND procedure?

 

It's getting to the point where I have to do something and the iTIND procedure using a little wire device, has had some good results, and it entails just a quick procedure the first time, and then one about 5 to 7 days down the line to take out the device, none of which mean a stay in hospital!

 

The more I look at it the more this sounds like a possible next move for me.

The doctor who did the Rezum treatment on me was Dr. Teerapon Amornvesukit. He has handled most of the Rezum treatments but other doctors have now started providing the treatment too. I do not know if Dr. Charuspong Dissaranan has done the treatment yet. I don't think Bumrungrad provides the iTIND treatment, so probably only BNH at the moment.