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Alternative treatment for BPH

Posted , 14 users are following.

gee013
gee013

does anyone have experience of Saw Palmetto?. I have read that it may be just as effective as prescribed drugs. Found them in the shops but rather expensive

1 like, 48 replies

48 Replies

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  • derek76
    derek76 gee013

    Posted

    I was diagnosed with BPH in 1995 with a 35 grm prostate.

    I was having frequency, some urgency and a slow stream and of course several visits to the toilet during the night.

    I refused TURP looking for laser options to come on stream. I took saw palmetto first as capsules but never quite believe that dried out versions are as good as liquid ones. I then found a herbalist who sold Saw Palmetto as a tincture. I found that more effective in reducing urgency and frequency and some improvement in flow. It did nothing to stop me needing in the night.

    It did not stop my prostate from growing and by 2005 it was 75grms and I opted for GL Laser (PVP)

    The tincture was quite expensive and I later managed to trace the company who produced it and bought it in 2 litre lots from them at a fraction of the price.

    If you are interested and in the UK I can PM you their details if you like. 

     

    • chris15677
      chris15677 derek76

      Posted

      Hi Derek, I tried saw palmetto and it didn't work for me but I'd like to try the tincture. I am in the Kettering area, UK, so can you please let me know the details of the company who make it and I'll give it another try.

      Best, Chris.

    • Jezzaman
      Jezzaman chris15677

      Posted

      Hi Chris

      Im in Huntingdoon so we are close.

      Am booked in for GLL at Hinchingbrooke but am considering putting it off as i can pee ok at moment and have been taught self cath just in case.

      Have you considered surgery?

      Jeremy

    • chris15677
      chris15677 Jezzaman

      Posted

      Hi Jeremy,

      I am not considering surgery until I've exhausted all other so called cures.

      I've been relying on tamsulosin but its performance fluctuates quite a bit. I recently changed to Flomax (had to get permission from quack because it is more expensive than 'normal' brands). Flomax worked great for the 1st week but then started to decline so I'm experimenting with the various tamsulosin brands right now. I am investigating PAE right now but it seems it is only performed in Southampton, but a new doctor at my local surgery is also investigating - so I'll put it on here when I know more about it.

      Chris.  

    • Jezzaman
      Jezzaman chris15677

      Posted

      Yes I have found the one in Southampton but would ideally prefer one closer as I live near Cambridge, so if you find anything please let me know.

      I reckon its the way to go,

      Jeremy

    • mike04186
      mike04186 chris15677

      Posted

      Hi chris

      Patience is a virtue but in the case of BPH, a necessity,  ultimately its my belief that surgery will be needed in 90% of the cases. If a pill can stop the "wild weed" known as the prostate then fine, and the market is full of quackery in 2015 that says some are a cure all. I don't believe one word of it. Yes they might "help", but its only a matter of time before surgery is required. The older a man gets the more difficult it will become also. Who needs that?  Find the best solution, and sometimes what looks like the easiest, is simply postponing the inevitable.

      I wish you well.

      Mike

       

    • Jezzaman
      Jezzaman mike04186

      Posted

      Hi MIke

      You Have had the Turp and are doing well I know and am glad to hear it.

      I do take your point and largely agree however without prying too much you must surely be suffering the "standard" accepted side effects such as Retrograde Ejaculation? Despite the fact that I have now suffered 2 episodes of Acute Urine Retention (no fun at all, in fact extreme agony on the second occasion as it turns out to have been caused by an infection) I have no intention of going straight for the GL that I have been offered on the NHS. before the AUR on 27th July I had no idea that I even had BPH! I have had my catheter removed on Tuesday this week and been taught self Cat (which I insisted upon) and each day am seeing an improvement. I am voiding ok at the moment and am not even sure that the Tamsulosin, Saw Palmetto and Pumpkin seed oil are making any difference, so i am going to stop taking them and see what happens. I am now looking at PAE as the "wonder cure" with low risk and no complicationns.But it is not offered on NHS, so i will have to pay for it. As far as I know there is only one practitioner in the UK, who practices in Southampton, and I am most probably going to go for it ultimately if they deem me suitable. I would not go for a TURP unless i was in chronic AUR to be honest as the the risks seem to me too high.  THis is my stance anyway,

      Jeremy

    • mike04186
      mike04186 Jezzaman

      Posted

      Hi Jeremy

      Thank you, the least important thing to me was or is retrograde ejaculation, I'm 69 and have zero plans of having a child. The most important thing in my life was and still is, the ability to void when I wanted.  After 2 episodes of retention over here, its almost an automatic surgery your looking at, they won't let anyone carry on with this thing. As the specialist told me "it has to be fixed". They are frightened of infection and trust me its nothing to take lightly.

      I too was going to pay for my own Plasma Button, but on examination was told very clearly that a TURP was required, "in my case". Having said that, the surgeon who was going to perform the Plasma Button, did not get the $7000.00 dollars for the surgery, but the Medical System picked up the cost. He was the one who said that I needed the TURP.

      He had everything to gain from doing the Plasma Button and yet sent me to have the TURP, he obviously thought that the TURP was the best solution for me. I was extremely fortunate to have had that examination by him.  My prostate was 103 grams, not the 'normal 30 grams. My pathology report came back as totally clear of cancer.

      I was in the gym this morning doing very light stretches and its only 14 days since the operation. I know only to well what it is to have a catherer in, mine was 59 days, and that is 58 days to long for me. Those who are thinking about the various procedures should consider all those that have had a history of success, and I'm sure those rates are going to vary, but the one thing I do know is that the TURP performed on me, worked. Its called the "Gold Standard" for a reason. "IF" any of the newer procedures can claim that kind of success and be free of any 'complications' I would go for it. I made my decision and glad I did.

       I wish you well, and keep me posted on what you decided on. Who knows PAE could be the miracle your looking for. Have you spoken to others who have had it done?

      Mike

      If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is.biggrin

       

    • mike04186
      mike04186 chris15677

      Posted

      I always give pase when I hear claims of 'reversal', stop, or cure a disease, with some 'miracle'. Yes plants can be the elixar of life, but with and advanced 'disease', such as cancer or the prostate growing wildly out of proportion, it will take more than an plant, perhaps, the inclusion of that plant once it has been properly and scientificly studied and tested would assist. But alone, I'm very skeptical of herbs averting surgery altogether. More transparent studies should be done, to satisfy all those who still consider it quackery. Its in all our best interests to have something to keep the prostate in check and healthy. Until that happens, surgery "seems" to be the best option.

      My flowmax and proscar, sit on the shelf, never to be used again, ( i hope) exactly where they should be. Now to find "something" to eliminate my need for Pantoloc for acid reflux, LOL, then I'm all set. biggrin

      Mike

      "May the flow be with you"

       

    • derek76
      derek76 mike04186

      Posted

      Have you tried taking Manuka Honey before meals to coat your oesophagus. It puts down a protective coating. It worked for me but put my bllod glucose up so much I had to stop it.
    • mike04186
      mike04186 derek76

      Posted

      Hi Derek, I haven't heard of that Honey but will look into it, there is also some DGL Ultra, its a Licorice Root that is supposed to work as well. It comes in chewable tablets. Check it out as well, it helps to relieve the inflamation in the gastrointestinal tract.

      Mike

       

    • derek76
      derek76 mike04186

      Posted

      Manuka is from New Zealand but it is sold worldwide. There are different grades of it and the higher quality ones are better for the purpose.

      I've heard of your other two.

  • lester90053
    lester90053 gee013

    Posted

    Used saw palmetto for years and it accomplished nothing. Also tried other herbals and again nothing. Tried ptactically all Rx mediations with terrible side effects but no prostate relief. Had Green Light which only lasted 3 years. Newer procedures are unknown as to how long they will last. Now they want me to do TURP. At my age of 85 I may as well stay on a catheter for the rest of my life.
    • mike04186
      mike04186 lester90053

      Posted

      Hello Lester

      I had my TURP done 15 days ago, and could not be happier. Give it some good thought, and speak to your Dr. about what that surgery could do for you, tell him to be honest with you and direct. You might be surprised. I wish you well.

      Mike

       

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