Prostatitis

[sidjameson]

I am in Japan. 6 months ago I had a few days where I lay awake at night needing to pee but nothing there. Ache in my testicle and a strange pain in my anus. Then it disappeared.

Last few days it has come back. I am flying to Thailand in a few days, plan to stay a couple of months till winter is over in the Uk, then head back there for a few months.

I am pretty sure that it is prostatitis, well going by what a doctor said in Japan. I am wondering if it is a condition that I can have dealt with easily in Thailand or if I should bite the bullet and head back to the UK first.

Does anyone have any experience they can offer? I read that there is a good chance that antibiotics will sort it out. Can anybody recommend a good doctor and the rough cost of their treatment. If it is very expensive then that will add weight to just heading back to the UK, but my god, those -4 temps send shivers down my spine. Literally!

[fremmel]

As you've probably noticed, lots of stuff on the web about prostatitis. A long course of antibiotics was what I had prescribed by a uro. He prescribed doxycycline but that wasn't effective for me. I did some self medication and took a five week course of azithromycin and that got rid of it. This is a little more expensive than doxycycline which maybe why the doctor didn't prescribe it. But still nothing compared to flying to the UK, especially if you buy it outside the hospital. I had a friend that took a 3 month course of ciprofloxicin. He got rid of the prostatitis but had some joint pain as a side effect. Do, of course, check with your doctor.

[rak sa_ngop]

As you've probably noticed, lots of stuff on the web about prostatitis. A long course of antibiotics was what I had prescribed by a uro. He prescribed doxycycline but that wasn't effective for me. I did some self medication and took a five week course of azithromycin and that got rid of it. This is a little more expensive than doxycycline which maybe why the doctor didn't prescribe it. But still nothing compared to flying to the UK, especially if you buy it outside the hospital. I had a friend that took a 3 month course of ciprofloxicin. He got rid of the prostatitis but had some joint pain as a side effect. Do, of course, check with your doctor.

My doctor prescribed Bactrim which he considered more effective in penetrating into the prostrate than Augmentin. These were the two antibiotics that were identified by a culture test as being able to attack my infection. Suggest the first step would be to have a swab and culture made (about 3 days) before trying out various antibiotics willy nilly (assuming an infection has passed into the urinary tract).

[sidjameson]

Thanks for the answers. Honestly just reading that you guys were cured has helped no end. I was fearing it was a condition for life.

To see a doctor and get the full treatment in Thailand what am I looking at cost wise? And what hospital did you guys go to?

I know this is not a medical forum, but the condition disappeared 6 months ago, do you think it cleared up by itself then I got a new infection or do you think I have the same infection that just lay dormant?

It was only one night thankfully this time, so I hope to avoid a hospital visit in Japan.

[Sheryl]

There are some excellent western-trained urologists in Thailand.

Dr. Thanoo at Samitivej and Dr. Viroj at Bumrungrad both have been highly recommended by TV members.

In terms of cost, this is not something that requires a hospital admission. Consultation will cost something in the range of 1,000 - 1,200 for the docs mentioned. Perhaps up to another 1,000 for lab work. rest is medication, on which you can save a great deal by not buying form the hospital pharmacy. Have the doctor write it down and buy it at an outside pharamcy preferrably in locally made generic equivalent form.

this is assuming, of course, that what you have is in fact prostatitis and not something else altogether.

[FBN]

It is so important to treat the very first episode of a prostatitis agressively and effectively. These infections tend to cause fibrosis of the gland leading to chronic prostatitis and this is more difficult to treat as the antibiotics simply does not reach the bacteria in the fibrosed gland effectively and in high enough concentrations to kill it.

Investigations usually performed to confirm an infection is first of all a digital examination. Although much dreaded and not performed often enough by local docs, it is still the best. If you experience pain (which may be at a level that results in a change of tone of voice!!) an infection is confirmed.. Usually some secretions from the prostate collected during this exam can be sent for culture and this will also further confirm an infection and allow the ID of the specific bacteria.

The PSA test; usually associated with the cancer test for the prostate, also rises to significant levels with an infection as well. After this an ultrasound to look at the size and substance of the gland is usually done.

[sidjameson]

Holy crap, you just done a good job in putting me off going to the doc.

[FBN]

Please don't be!! Least of my intentions was to create more anxiety but it is important to have it sorted out properly..

Sheryl gave good references of reputable docs and they will do the appropriate thing...

[Xircal]

I had a digital examination performed some years ago to sort out the gremlins in my plumbing. It's not so bad although a bit embarrassing obviously. In my particular case, it turned out to b just an enlarged prostate.

But check out this site which provides more detail on the subject: Prostatitus

[tim armstrong]

Sid! go to the Dr! don't be foolish. I've been through the whole thing including the cancer treatment, and I'm still here, with few side effects. FBN and Sheryl's advice as usual, spot on. Dr. Thanoo is a really good Dr. with huge experience of dealing with farlangs. Just do it!!