Best solution for enlarged prostate that blocks urinating

[BritManToo]

3 minutes ago, BigStar said:

Never underestimate the placebo effect. Seems working well for @BritManToo, as I seem to recall.

Saw palmetto did nothing for me, but Nettle root seemed to help.

[BigStar]

Just now, BritManToo said:

Saw palmetto did nothing for me, but Nettle root seemed to help.

Right. Thanks for the correction, may be of help here.

[scubascuba3]

10 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Saw palmetto did nothing for me, but Nettle root seemed to help.

Which nettle root do you buy? Lazada?

[BritManToo]

9 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Which nettle root do you buy? Lazada?

6 bottles for $31 delivered from iherb.

1 tablet a day (when I wake up) works for me.

Cheaper than chips!

 

Edited April 26, 2023 by BritManToo

[BuddyPish]

On 4/15/2023 at 1:38 PM, Tiber said:

80 year old ideal candidate for a turp  Google it  drugs and rezum a waste of time and money

TURP is barbaric.
Often destroys a man's sex life; if you're lucky it'll just be ejaculatory function that gets wiped out.
If you're not lucky, you'll have to kiss goodbye to your boners.

 

By comparison, Rezum is brilliant.
I had it done and went from having to self-catheterise 6 times a day to being able to flop it out and pee like a racehorse. Oh and full sexual function too

[BritManToo]

35 minutes ago, BuddyPish said:

TURP is barbaric.
Often destroys a man's sex life; if you're lucky it'll just be ejaculatory function that gets wiped out.
If you're not lucky, you'll have to kiss goodbye to your boners.

 

By comparison, Rezum is brilliant.
I had it done and went from having to self-catheterise 6 times a day to being able to flop it out and pee like a racehorse. Oh and full sexual function too

Would point out at age 80+ many men no longer require sexual functions (and couldn't find a partner if they did). 

[BuddyPish]

4 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Would point out at age 80+ many men no longer require sexual functions (and couldn't find a partner if they did). 

Lots of men do still have relations and there's no shortage of women here willing to help them with that.
 

[xylophone]

On 4/26/2023 at 3:04 PM, BigStar said:

Never underestimate the placebo effect. Seems working well for @BritManToo, as I seem to recall.

The problem with the placebo effect is that it is in the mind of the believer that the "remedy" they are taking will work, which indeed can affect the outcome, i.e. if you believe, then sometimes it will work, but not always.

 

The placebo effect is a mysterious phenomenon that happens when someone’s medical symptoms are lessened through the power of suggestion and expectation---It is an impressive demonstration of the power of mind over matter.

The placebo effect may be why so many people are convinced they recovered by taking alternative therapies, like homeopathy or herbal medicines, despite these being unlikely to really work.

[Sheryl]

21 hours ago, BuddyPish said:

TURP is barbaric.
Often destroys a man's sex life; if you're lucky it'll just be ejaculatory function that gets wiped out.
If you're not lucky, you'll have to kiss goodbye to your boners.

 

By comparison, Rezum is brilliant.
I had it done and went from having to self-catheterise 6 times a day to being able to flop it out and pee like a racehorse. Oh and full sexual function too

TURP techniques have advanced considerably in recent years.

 

Rates of long-term erectile dysfunction  range from 3-8% these days. Not zero but nothing near a majority. (Short-term i,e. first 6 months post op is of course higher due to swelling etc).

 

Results do much depend on the skill of the surgeon in avoiding damage to the nerves

 

 

[BritManToo]

8 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

TURP techniques have advanced considerably in recent years.

 

Rates of long-term erectile dysfunction  range from 3-8% these days. Not zero but nothing near a majority. (Short-term i,e. first 6 months post op is of course higher due to swelling etc).

 

Results do much depend on the skill of the surgeon in avoiding damage to the nerves.

Would you get on an aircraft that had a 3-8% chance of crashing?

Do you feel lucky?

Edited April 28, 2023 by BritManToo

[scubascuba3]

28 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

TURP techniques have advanced considerably in recent years.

Rates of long-term erectile dysfunction  range from 3-8% these days.

 

Thailand?

[Sheryl]

Just now, scubascuba3 said:

Thailand?

There is no Thailand specific data available. But individual surgeons will usually know their own success rate.

 

Certainly results will vary by surgeon as surgeon skill is important. Personally I would advise against doing this anywhere but a major hospital in Bangkok with a highly experienced urologist. Of which there are a number, both in private and government hospitals, and they would be able to tell you both number of procedures done and percent with long term impotence or incontinence.

[Steven55]

I think I forgot to mention he also has prostate cancer. Rezum is not an option, I was told 3 days ago.
Maybe removing the prostate could be the best.
Anyone with experience?

Dr in PIH suggests injections to lower testosterone. That won't help him much regarding normal peeing.... So, he also suggests a tap in his belly for peeing.

[xylophone]

17 minutes ago, Steven55 said:

Dr in PIH suggests injections to lower testosterone. That won't help him much regarding normal peeing.... So, he also suggests a tap in his belly for peeing.

Not 100% sure about this, but perhaps he could be trained to self cath (use a catheter on himself) which I have to do because my bladder has ceased to function – – don't ask me why, because none of the urologists here know.

 

However it is not difficult, using an ultra-thin catheter and some lubricating/numbing jelly, and provided that plenty of hand washing and sterilising goes on beforehand, then it becomes quite easy.

 

I have also met a poster on here who has had the operation to allow urine to be extracted through an orifice in his stomach, and he said he lives a normal life and really doesn't think about it these days.

 

Worth investigating further I think

[Sheryl]

18 hours ago, Steven55 said:

I think I forgot to mention he also has prostate cancer. Rezum is not an option, I was told 3 days ago.
Maybe removing the prostate could be the best.
Anyone with experience?

Dr in PIH suggests injections to lower testosterone. That won't help him much regarding normal peeing.... So, he also suggests a tap in his belly for peeing.

Indeed you did not mention this and it changes everything. A shame you did not state this up front as almost all the things suggested so far, do not apply.

 

Treatment for prostate cancer depends on:

 

- the stage

- whether slow growing or aggressive

- the person's age and overall health

 

We know only one of these things.

 

It is possible he is not in good enough overall health to be a surgical candidate.

 

The suggested suprapubic tube will certainly resolve the peeing issue and if he is not very active, not much reason nto to.

 

Has he expressed a desire to you to avoid this? Has he discussed surgery with his doctor?

[KannikaP]

On 4/26/2023 at 3:23 PM, BritManToo said:

6 bottles for $31 delivered from iherb.

1 tablet a day (when I wake up) works for me.

Cheaper than chips!

 

Bht 739 for ONE bottle on Lazada Bht 221 o iHerb. But out of stock at the moment.

What's the difference between this one and the 400mg ones labelled Fluid Retention?

Edited May 1, 2023 by KannikaP

[KannikaP]

3 hours ago, KannikaP said:

Bht 739 for ONE bottle on Lazada Bht 221 o iHerb. But out of stock at the moment.

What's the difference between this one and the 400mg ones labelled Fluid Retention?

Edited 3 hours ago by KannikaP

Can whoever put the SAD emoji on this please explain why. Thanks.

[xylophone]

51 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

Can whoever put the SAD emoji on this please explain why. Thanks.

I wasn't going to answer your question, but decided that I would and here is the reason: – I posted either here or earlier on about the "placebo effect" and also posted elsewhere about all of the supposed natural "cures" which have not been thoroughly tested.

 

Indeed none of the "regular" natural treatments have made any difference to me over the years nor to friends of mine, and in all of the research I've done, there is no definitive positive outcome, and I quote the below: –

 

The American Urology Association's updated guideline for the management of lower urinary tract symptoms attributed to benign prostatic hyperplasia (2021) could not make any positive recommendations about supplements and nutraceuticals, including stinging nettle, due to variable results, methods, and quality of studies.(103) The European Association of Urology's 2022 updated guideline on management of non-neurogenic male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), including benign prostatic obstruction makes no specific recommendation. 
 

[KannikaP]

7 minutes ago, xylophone said:

I wasn't going to answer your question, but decided that I would and here is the reason: – I posted either here or earlier on about the "placebo effect" and also posted elsewhere about all of the supposed natural "cures" which have not been thoroughly tested.

 

Indeed none of the "regular" natural treatments have made any difference to me over the years nor to friends of mine, and in all of the research I've done, there is no definitive positive outcome, and I quote the below: –

 

The American Urology Association's updated guideline for the management of lower urinary tract symptoms attributed to benign prostatic hyperplasia (2021) could not make any positive recommendations about supplements and nutraceuticals, including stinging nettle, due to variable results, methods, and quality of studies.(103) The European Association of Urology's 2022 updated guideline on management of non-neurogenic male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), including benign prostatic obstruction makes no specific recommendation. 
 

Thanks for this. I too agree that most 'natural' products do not do too much to relieve problems in any medical field, and it's 'all in the mind'. But if it gives the patient some sort of relief than it's OK.

But what about all the ancient Chinese or Thai or anywhere remedies from which modern medications are developed. 

[xylophone]

1 minute ago, KannikaP said:

But what about all the ancient Chinese or Thai or anywhere remedies from which modern medications are developed. 

With respect, I don't think you'll find that there are many of those ancient remedies from which current medications are developed, maybe just a few, but not many.

 

Those I do know of are from the Deadly Nightshade plant and Foxglove, not to mention aspirin from willow bark and there are probably more out there which I can't recall at the moment, however when you consider that there are tens of thousands of drugs which have been developed over the years, those emanating from ancient remedies/plants are but a very small fraction, and as has been noted, do not stand scrutiny because of poor testing procedures et cetera.
 

[Steven55]

Will probably choose for removing prostate. Which doctor in Pattaya (or BKK) has a lot of experience/is the best?

[Northstar1]

On 4/26/2023 at 4:23 AM, BritManToo said:

6 bottles for $31 delivered from iherb.

1 tablet a day (when I wake up) works for me.

Cheaper than chips!

 

Let me guess Brit man,

you drank 6 beers, smoked a Rasta sized joint and did some nettle root and felt better?

of course it worked!

????????????????????

[xylophone]

1 hour ago, Steven55 said:

Will probably choose for removing prostate. Which doctor in Pattaya (or BKK) has a lot of experience/is the best?

Pick a hospital which has the da Vinci robotic machine to remove prostate.......less chance of problems after removal.

[Sheryl]

11 hours ago, Steven55 said:

Will probably choose for removing prostate. Which doctor in Pattaya (or BKK) has a lot of experience/is the best?

 

Have it done in Bangkok using nerve sparing technique...less risk of incontinence etc afterwards.

 

This doctor and his team:

 

https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/doctors/Sittiporn-Srinualnad

 

https://www.siphhospital.com/en/medical-services/doctor-biography?id=246

 

Same doctor, different hospitals. I believe he is also at Medpark Hospital but for some reason their website seems down at the moment.

 

Bumrungrad will cost more but is easier to access both in terms of language, appointment availability and distance from Pattaya.

 

SIPH will cost about 25% less than Bumrungrad but is a longer trip (Thonburi side of the river) and best to have a Thai speaker along.

 

 

[Dart12]

On 4/14/2023 at 8:25 PM, HuskerDo2 said:

Some of the herbs that have been mentioned are worth a try but the doctor gave me something called Tamsulosin and it works incredibly well. I take 0.4 mg and things "flow" like when I was 20. If I forget to take it for a day the "flow" is still strong but if I miss 2 days in a row the flow is rather weak again. Strongly recommend it.

how quickly did it work when you first tried it?  a day? a week?  more?

[Dart12]

On 4/15/2023 at 1:59 PM, xylophone said:

Good advice Moonlover, and I would encourage guys to do as much research as they possibly can on this because if my situation is anything to go by, then even the best urologists out there are not fully informed, or don't take due care and attention – – a big statement but let me explain: –

 

I suffered from prostatitis for decades and visited several urologists in New Zealand and was prescribed antibiotics on so many occasions that I must have taken many hundreds/thousands of different types of antibiotics, but the prostatitis kept coming back again.

 

The thing about prostatitis is that in most cases it causes the prostate to become inflamed/enlarged, thereby restricting urine flow and therefore putting stress on the bladder, and I remember one urologist who did a flow test on me and then checked the bladder with ultrasound, stating that, "oh, you've got the bladder of an old man", which didn't please me much because I was in my 40s and fit and healthy. BUT, was anything done about it; NO, just put on more antibiotics, which didn't work again.

 

Now the prostatitis/BPH was caused by bacteria in the prostate which antibiotics couldn't touch, for various reasons which I've outlined in previous posts, so for decades my prostate was enlarged and causing my urine flow problems, which I seemed to cope with okay, and didn't pay much attention to it, until I had a TURP and then the bladder problems started because I couldn't empty it. 

 

So frequent use of a self-cath is what I have to use these days, and a recent visit to Bumrungrad hospital to see the top urologist there (thank you Sheryl), confirmed that my bladder had stopped working – – WHY, well he didn't know why, but I suspect the many years of ineffective bladder emptying and a few bladder infections had caused this.

 

I had taken all of the "usual" drugs for BPH like, tamsulosin, doxazosin etc. etc but to no avail, because the damage had been done to the bladder by not addressing the prostatitis years ago, so it's important that you get to know about your prostate and associated urinary tract workings so you can ask questions.
 

In my desperation I tried just about every natural "remedy", such as stinging nettle root, pygeum, saw palmetto etc because I was desperate for a cure, but again to no avail.
 

So to repeat what Moonlover has said, deal with any problems like this, early, because you don't know what they will lead to.

 

For the record, I use the self-cath at night before I go to bed and can usually get by during the day by drinking less fluid and managing the occasional "dribble" by flexing my stomach muscles, and I'm still searching for a potential "magic pill" to make the bladder work again, but it seems unlikely, so I have got to live with this, and as unpleasant as it sounds, I have gotten used to it – – because as someone else has said, in so many words, "I've got no option".

 

Although this won't offer much hope to fellow sufferers of prostatitis/enlarged prostate/bladder problems, one of the top urologists in the US stated that, "this area of medicine is like a medical wasteland", because it wasn't fully understood and not a lot of research had been done on it, however this was about 10 years ago, so perhaps things have improved.

 

PS. Forgot to add this article: 

https://www.uptodate.com/contents/benign-prostatic-hyperplasia-bph-beyond-the-basics#:~:text=Alpha%2Dreductase%20inhibitors%20%E2%80%94%20Alpha%2D,men%20with%20a%20larger%20prostate

So what would have been the solutiion earlier in life that you didn't do/take?

[giddyup]

Has anyone had the Rezum procedure at Bangkok/Pattaya hospital, and who was the surgeon?

[soalbundy]

On 4/14/2023 at 6:17 PM, Pouatchee said:

maybe proscar (Finasteride) can work for him. If not it will help his hair growth.

according to Mayo clinic it can also cause high grade prostate cancer

[soalbundy]

At 40 my urologist in Germany said my prostate was slightly enlarged, now at 75 I am having the problem of urgency to urinate with weak flow several times a day, but never had to urinate at night. I now use Uroflow which has solved the problem.

[xylophone]

1 hour ago, Dart12 said:

So what would have been the solutiion earlier in life that you didn't do/take?

You ask a very searching question Dart, because none of the urologists I saw did anything other than to prescribe antibiotics, which was common and still is to a certain extent. Although I will say apart from the doxycycline, that the other doses of antibiotics were only for a couple of weeks, which really didn't make much of a difference in the long run.

 

Looking back and trying to remember all of the urologist/hospital visits is a bit hazy now because it was some 40+ years ago, but with the benefit of hindsight I will say that early on in the piece I did have an STI or two (being a lad about town) and I think that's what led to my prostatitis, which was totally different because it resulted in aching testicles, an ache in the perineum and also sometimes in the buttocks, and that would come and go.

 

Because it was treated no differently than a UTI/STI, doxycycline was dished out and did calm it down for a while, until it didn't.

 

Earlier in life, the general approach by doctors and urologists to anything approaching a UTI/cystitis/urethritis/prostatitis was dishing out antibiotics, without really getting to the bottom of it.

 

So there's not much that I could have done earlier in life, but for the younger folks out there a, couple of bits of advice: – 

 

– visit the toilet and empty your bladder whenever you can, something I didn't do because of a high-pressure job, so put off visits to the toilet in order to carry on working.

 

– Wear a condom when having sexual intercourse; always.

 

– Don't settle for the advice of any old Doctor, seek out the best urologist, although it didn't help me much, but these days more is known about these conditions.

 

And I will repeat something which I have repeated often and which the Professor of urology (sadly now deceased) told me; "this area is like a medical wasteland" so seek out the best available and don't settle for being palmed off with an antibiotic, until you have done all of the tests and procedures to determine exactly what the cause is.