Friends  I have a problem shared by many I think  .      My prostrate is getting a little large and causing issues and squeezing the pipe.    We are talking about what I think is known as BPH.   My UK doctor has put me on medication but it is not as effective as I would like.   Waiting lists for surgery are probably long.    Has anyone had surgery had surgery for this in Thailand.     Was it successful.    Would anyone care to shares any comments.    Dare I ask if it effected performance in the bedroom  ?  

Forget the surgery, it's a last resort. I have been symptom free for the past 3 years after smoking 0.5gm of high THC Indica cannabis every evening just before bed. No other medications required.

Data from one person cannot compete with data from several people.

 

Data from the general population show that men who use marijuana report lower symptoms of BPH, but this is because they are generally younger. If we focus on those aged over 45 who use marijuana, we find that they are more likely to require treatment for BPH.

 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8054558/#:~:text=Population-based studies showed that,medical therapy for LUTS%2FBPH.

28 minutes ago, PPMMUU said:

Data from one person cannot compete with data from several people.

 

Data from the general population show that men who use marijuana report lower symptoms of BPH, but this is because they are generally younger. If we focus on those aged over 45 who use marijuana, we find that they are more likely to require treatment for BPH.

 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8054558/#:~:text=Population-based studies showed that,medical therapy for LUTS%2FBPH.

Better to try natural first. Silly having operations first.

When I was sitting in Phyathai 1 hospital, waiting for doctor, there was a poster in front of me about some steam treatment that deals with this... looked like a tiny metal pipe inserted that delivered steam to the muscle/prostate, which then made it smaller and stopped the problem. At least that's what the poster promised. That's quite a lot less invasive than cutting the thing out. Why not check it out?

Ah the steam  thing,   its fairly new as I understand.        Still invasive  although where    does the invasion takes place I ask as if I cannot work it out.  .   

https://ro.co/health-guide/prostate-massage-milking-benefits/

 

You can do it yourself.  I choose to have a female massage my Prostate.  Just make sure they don't have long/sharp nails.  That and frequent ejaculation, healthy diet, and not sitting much relieves it greatly for me.

4 hours ago, tomazbodner said:

When I was sitting in Phyathai 1 hospital, waiting for doctor, there was a poster in front of me about some steam treatment that deals with this... looked like a tiny metal pipe inserted that delivered steam to the muscle/prostate, which then made it smaller and stopped the problem. At least that's what the poster promised. That's quite a lot less invasive than cutting the thing out. Why not check it out?

 

You're referring to Rezūm Water Vapor Therapy. I'm considering it myself though I just switched from Tamsulosin to Silodosin and only get up once at night to pee.

 

https://www.rezum.com/what-is-rezum/how-does-it-work.html

13 minutes ago, surreybloke said:

Ah the steam  thing,   its fairly new as I understand.        Still invasive  although where    does the invasion takes place I ask as if I cannot work it out.  .   

 

Right in the eye of the one-eyed trouser trout.

4 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

https://ro.co/health-guide/prostate-massage-milking-benefits/

 

You can do it yourself.  I choose to have a female massage my Prostate.  That and frequent ejaculation, healthy diet, and not sitting much relieves it greatly for me.

 

Frequency of massages?

I saw this ar Bumrungrad hospital, i have no experience of it nor no one that has

https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/health-blog/november-2021/water-vapor-therapy

https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/conditions/bph-benign-prostatic-hyperplasia

Bear in mind that many of these invasive treatments do not provide permanent relief to the problem.  I recall seeing a table which compared how long the relief might last for.  It certainly wasn't 20 years, more like 5 years...

Kegel exercises are recommended for an enlarged prostate and a healthy diet. Although I haven't started doing the kegel exercises yet I do weighted walks (10kg) and weight training, which is all good for the prostrate. Can go nearly all night now without going to the toilet. 

Have cut out bacon and eggs with copious amounts of bread and lashings of butter for a more healthier breakfast of overnight oats with cranberries (supposed to reduce swelling), have lost nearly 10kgs and feel much better

A couple of links here that may help.

 

https://www.healthline.com/health/overactive-bladder-exercises-men#exercise

 

 

A couple of Sametto pills a day + healthy diet (reduce sugar, high on fibre & vegies) & plenty of exercise (30 minutes fast walking a day will do).

@OP

 

Had the operation done not too long ago. It was performed in our local government hospital , waiting time was about 10-14 days.

Some government hospitals have one-day-operation centers for procedures that require little or not stay over, which means that in many cases the waiting time is reasonable.

 

Whether or not to go with surgery or try different/alternative medication would depend on you condition, doctor's advice and your decision.

In my case it was a bit advanced, so not too many choices, really.

 

The operation itself was a breeze (home the same day), and care was much better than expected. It's not much fun afterwards, though - if you have an active life style or need to go about doing serious physical stuff, it will be frustrating. This too would depend on your overall health, age and so on. If you do go this way better to have someone at home to help with things the first week or so - another option maybe to stay at the hospital a bit longer (if applicable).

 

The recommendation was to avoid strenuous activity effecting the area for 6 months (this too, dependent on age, health etc). Sounded way too long, but from what I gathered has bearing on chances of the problem surfacing again. I talked with two other patients who's experience supported that. I think actual data is less conclusive, though.

 

Meds-wise, I'm on Alfuzosin. Started out at daily 10mg, had some annoying side effects - doc cut it to 5mg and things stabilized. So far, works alright. May consider weed long term (but again, that's more of case by case thing, so not for everyone and depends on more than one factor).

 

As an aside, maybe use the 'opportunity' to check for other related issues - I originally went in for kidney stone attack, checks revealed some infection on top and, of course, the prostate thing. All the docs that treated me said it was sort of normal, one thing effect the other and so on.

 

Good luck and good health.

 

 

@surreybloke

 

There are a variety of treatments (some non-surgical) in cases emwhere medication alone fails. Only some of these are available in Thailand. Choice of treatment depends on many factors including age, overall health and size of the prostate.  

 

Medication is always the first approach and there are different medications and combinations of medications that can be tried. Some take time to have an effect.  What medication and dosage are you on?

 

It sounds like thinking about surgery might be premature in your case. First thing to do is return to your doctor and tell him/her the medication isn't helping. 

Think carefully before going against a doctor's advice. Yes, you can pay Thai doctor's to do what you want, but it doesn't mean it's the best choice.

As someone else said, surgery is a last resort. If your UK doctor has not recommended it, either continue with the prescribed medicine or talk it over with the/a doctor and see if he can recommend something non-invasive.

My prostate ballooned so I visited two hospitals (1st and 2nd opinion). My biggest fear was prostate cancer, but that checked out fine. Both doctors prescribed medicine and it has seemed to work as the "stream" is stronger.

Thai doctors will often do whatever costs you the most, so please don't demand something a good doctor has not recommended.

Getting up more, walking and swimming helps me, losing few kg helped too. Medicines are option 2. Operation if all else fails

8 minutes ago, Purdey said:

Think carefully before going against a doctor's advice. Yes, you can pay Thai doctor's to do what you want, but it doesn't mean it's the best choice.

As someone else said, surgery is a last resort. If your UK doctor has not recommended it, either continue with the prescribed medicine or talk it over with the/a doctor and see if he can recommend something non-invasive.

My prostate ballooned so I visited two hospitals (1st and 2nd opinion). My biggest fear was prostate cancer, but that checked out fine. Both doctors prescribed medicine and it has seemed to work as the "stream" is stronger.

Thai doctors will often do whatever costs you the most, so please don't demand something a good doctor has not recommended.

 

I doubt a doctor in the UK would seriously comment on medical condition without examination.

 

As for costs, did mine at our local government hospital - bill was just under 20K. Would no doubt cost more at a private hospital.

Given it's minor surgery, didn't mind doing it locally. Plus it's the same doctor anyway....

OP. what medication did your UK doctor put you on?

 

I have BPH , classed as obstructive although I pee normally. Currently on a combination of dutasteride and tamsulosin. Previously, I was prescribed finasteride and doxazosin.

 

I asked my urologist if I would be better off having a TURP or similar surgical procedure. His advice was to stick with medication for as long as possible, because surgery carried a significant risk of creating other problems, such as impotence and retrograde ejaculation.

to Sheryl: Is THC Indica cannabis available in Thailand and is it recommended for a 77 year old with enlarged prostate?

 

thanks

thaisabai

7 minutes ago, thaisabai said:

to Sheryl: Is THC Indica cannabis available in Thailand and is it recommended for a 77 year old with enlarged prostate?

 

thanks

thaisabai

 

Cannabis of any sort will not treat an enlarged prostate but will also not make it worse.

 

I am not knowledgeable about types fo cannabis available here. Ask in the Cannabis forum  https://aseannow.com/forum/335-thailand-cannabis-forum/

Here we go again with all the amateur expert opinions. Don't seek advice here but go and see an experienced urologist. His office is where your problem belongs and is best taken care of. 

26 minutes ago, thaisabai said:

to Sheryl: Is THC Indica cannabis available in Thailand and is it recommended for a 77 year old with enlarged prostate?

 

thanks

thaisabai

Cannabis will not treat enlarged prostate.

 

Neither will it make it worse.

 

So if you are asking in hopes it will help, it will not.  But if you are asking if it is specifically contraindicated, no to that also.

 

I have no info on types of cannabis available here, suggest you ask in the Cannabis forum for that.

25 minutes ago, Dirk Z said:

Here we go again with all the amateur expert opinions. Don't seek advice here but go and see an experienced urologist. His office is where your problem belongs and is best taken care of. 

One problem is they seem to specialise in one operation method so guess what, they recommend that

47 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

OP. what medication did your UK doctor put you on?

 

I have BPH , classed as obstructive although I pee normally. Currently on a combination of dutasteride and tamsulosin. Previously, I was prescribed finasteride and doxazosin.

 

I asked my urologist if I would be better off having a TURP or similar surgical procedure. His advice was to stick with medication for as long as possible, because surgery carried a significant risk of creating other problems, such as impotence and retrograde ejaculation.

 

'impotence and retrograde ejaculation.'

 

None of that, in my case - but there was an odd side-effect when started on medication. Brain gets aroused, equipment sort of gets the message later. As in 5-15 minutes later. Had a stupid situation with the ECG nurse - pretty as they come, almost cut from a manga cartoon, and hovering all over. No reaction. 10 minutes later an older model comes in, and starts with the blushing and giggling. Dosage was cut and issue resolved.

15 hours ago, tomazbodner said:

When I was sitting in Phyathai 1 hospital, waiting for doctor, there was a poster in front of me about some steam treatment that deals with this... looked like a tiny metal pipe inserted that delivered steam to the muscle/prostate, which then made it smaller and stopped the problem. At least that's what the poster promised. That's quite a lot less invasive than cutting the thing out. Why not check it out?

Rezum vapor treatment. This was developed in 2015 so not exactly new. There is more info on YouTube

 

To quickly reduce BPH try 1/2 desertspoon of turmeric plus 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper in 1/2 glass water. Daily.  Incredible systemic anti inflammatory.

Combination is synergistic, multiplying the Turmeric efficacy, and ejaculate as often as applicable.

Do get checked it is not a cancerous prostate.

Be wary of mechanical and drug interventions. Finger massage? dunno. Maybe not needed.

Even urologist's digital exploration has limited access to the complete circumference of the gland.     Anal ultrasound preferred option?

You didn't mention your PSA rating, which is only a partial indication anyway.

If cancer or not, take the harmless anti inflammatory.

How do I know? Been there, done that, 30 years now, and living a comfortable life with a flow like a horse.    Well --- a small horse.   

 

Dirk Z   This is not amateur expert opinion. My Urologist said 30 years ago to stop his medication and keep doing what I was doing.

Scubascuba3 is on track. Many medical specialists know limited options.

 

 

 

Just now, Jing Joe said:

To quickly reduce BPH try 1/2 desertspoon of turmeric plus 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper in 1/2 glass water. Daily.  Incredible anti inflammatory.

Combination is synergistic, multiplying the Turmeric efficacy, and ejaculate as necessary.

 

 

BPH is nto an inflammatory condition.

 

You may be confusing it with prostatitis, which is inflammatory (and often an infection)

Only surgery really helps. I did this 10 years ago. Nowadays it is a routine procedure and the risk is minimal. Today I can piss like a horse and fck like a Rabbit........