I have prostate 4 times normal size and it is very firm.

I have been having symtoms of BPH  that have gotten worse over the last serval months. My doctor gave me a rectal exam and told me she was unable to feel any masses. But that prostate was very large and very firm. Doctor making a referral to urologist to see what treatment would be best for me.

 

The doctor did start me on Tamsulosin.

Having been to several urologist of a bunch of years I no longer trust them at all and will never go to another one again.

I suffered through a TURP over 2 years ago. I had 2 biopsys needlessly 4 years ago. I have have had catherters up there, scopes up there all so they could get money. 

Finally I read about the PAE procedure on these blogs, not from a urologist because they don't do them and they do not want to lose income to the vascular surgeons that do this new procedure.

Do your research all the info is out there.

Make an informed discision but in the end you will most likely want to have a PAE done. 

Good luck.

Thanks for the information you sent me.

Bill, I'm scheduled for the HoLEP procedure at Mayo Scottsdale.  The symptoms of BPH have worsened to the point of urine retention and visiting the urinal maybe 25 times before noon.  I spoke to docs in Chicago that are performing the PAE procedure but they said BCBS was not covering the procedure as they considered it experimental.  They also mentioned a very long wsit/qualifying procedure if I wanted to pay out of pocket.  I'm at the point where I can't wait for up to six months for a remedy. The HoLEP seems to be my best choice.  Or, do you know of PAE procedures in clinical trial that are funded by the researcher?  

I could not agree more Bill. I have no respect for urologists. Most of them just know one proceedure and usually claim that one is the so called "gold standard" .  LOL

They won't mention or recommend PAE because they can't do it and are terrified that their income will be slashed because PAE will become the genuine gold standard. 

Whatever happened to the idea that doctors were supposed to reccomend the best proceedure for their patients?

My problems started after a urologist performed a biopsy on me. I had to get up 6 times a night after that and would only pee tiny amounts and never empty my bladder. 

One uro wanted to do a TURP on me...another wanted to do open surgery ...butchers!!!!

Thank God I found out about PAE on these pages because my prostate problems are becoming just a distant memory. 

RID....do your research !!!

I am curious as to how you respond to this med. Has its good and bad points. Had taken it for almost a year and then switched to Cialis (for its BPH effect). The Cialis gave me non stop acid reflux (GERD) and had to stop that as well. Now off meds alltogether and started a high quality Dr. suggested Saw Palmetto (Pharmaceutical-Grade) from Theralogix. May take six weeks to see any benefits but I'm hoping for the best. Let me know how you do with the tamsulosin. (Generic Flomax)

My doctor told me that takingTamsulosin should help my symptoms within a few days. I have been taking them for 2 weeks with no change so far. Thanks

Caring bah, mind me asking where you had the PAE performed and did you insurance cover the procedure?  

Tamsulosin could make any future cataract surgery difficuly as it can cause floppy iris syndrome. Not quire floppy penis syndrome but it probably will reduce how much you ejaculate and have other sexual side effects.

The nurse at my GP's practice says that it the most complained aboout drug to her. By men? I asked. Their wives as well she replied.,

I took Saw Palmetto in tincture form from a herbalist for about nine years with ocasional gaps. During that time my prostate grew from 35grm to 75 grms but I felt that it helped with flow and reduced urgency and enabled me to  keep on refusing TURPs until PVP laser surgery became available in the UK

I had it in Sydney, Australia. It cost me nothing as it was paid for by Medicare. 

I qualify for Medicare January '16. HoLEP two months from now or PAE in six months? Anyone know of PAE procedures here in the States...not a clinical trial? What are the success stories? Any bad experiences with PAE or fail to calm the symptoms?

Yup, I have had several TERRIBLE experiences with urologists. The first time was for my vasectomy. That was decades ago and I wish that I had known enough back then to have filed a law suit. Can you believe that he left me with the procedure unfinished on the table and never came back. The nurses in the ER had to finish things up. 

The next time a urologist pushed the scope up to look at my bladder with no lubrication and was as rough as hell. He disfigured me with Peronies Syndrome (Spelling) that is a bent penis. I could never prove that one. The next guy did 2 biopsies within 2 on my prostate telling me that the first one was inconclusive. In hind site neither one was called for. 

The next one was my TURP doctor at Brigham and Women's in Boston released me without any meds for pain, inflamation, antibiotic etc. and had no follow up. Then when I called 2 years aftyer the procedure and told him that things didn't improve and I asked about the PAE he offered no referral or information. He just said that he would do the TURP again.

NO MORE UROLOGISTS please.

 

I don't know a thing about a HoLEp.

They told me at Inova Hospital in Alexandria Virginia, Dr. Bagla's office, that they are now out of the clinical trials. Medicare paid my bill in full.

The PAE is supposedly a lot cheaper than a TURP. There may be politics behind BCBS not paying for it as yet. I imagine lots of pressure from urologists not to approve it since they can't do the procedure????

  When considering what to do remember that if they are doing something up your penis you can be ruined in several ways for life.

PAE has nothing to do with your penis, no catheters, no blood, no leaky dripping, no sex/ ejaculation issues.

If you can afford it without your insurance do the PAE.

My humble opinion.

Good luck