Avodart

Thanks Denis,

I am trying to qualify to have the HIFU procedure but have to get down from 98.8cc to somewhere in the 40cc range. Doctor wants to put me on an aggressive dose of Avodart. So your input is helpful. I hope others will also post or give suggestions based on their experience.

Hi Scott,

Ironically PAE was what I was shooting for (I had even set an appointment to have it done but then was diagnosed with prostate cancer and (because there is some evidence that restricting oxygen to a non-aggressive cancer may make it become aggressive) so my PAE hopes were dashed. My back is against the wall and I'm running out of options. I'm trying to avoid a prostatectomy and also radiation therapy as both those procedures come with their own cup of poison (side effects). I have looked into Proton therapy (which is still radiation but seems to be a better process with less damage to good tissue). But even with that procedure I still have to get the prostate smaller.

Hi Scott,

Remember that many of the readers on this site are from England, Australia, and New Zealand. So now you may have a lot of folks world wide thinking the the medication interferes with their favorite afternoon drink, rather than their testosterone levels. You might want to clarify what you are trying to say here.

Neal

I am 72, and have an extremely large prostate that has grown into my bladder and former daily bike rider with the old seats causing periodic minor bleeding issues over the past decade.  Minor being see it in urine and sometimes in seman. I was having issues peeing, always feeling I had to pee and sometimes not being able to pee.  The large size and the fact it had grown into the bladder limit you to the most radical procedures up to recently.  Not a candidate for urolift, microwave, rezum (although is has been successful in some and new trial studies starting but mine is bigger than the max size (150). Holep also is not recommended for super size prostate but has been used but not much data out there on suceess and side effect rate.  The avodart flomax combo have made my peeing issues a non event, I do not pee often, can always pee but takes twice as long and sometimes do not even wake up having to pee.  I do not drink a lot of liquids and no alcohol after 7.  So far I have avoided radical surgery which has serious risks and do not have serious peeing issues unless I had to pee in a distance contest and it takes a min or two to pee instead of 30 secs.

The side effects and I take Jalyn, which is avodart and flomax....Loss of libido, ED issues that I would probably have anyway at 72 with heart issues, correctable by Viagra etc and lack of semen.  I also notice I do not have as much energy, maybe due to the drugs as it alters your T or maybe just due to being a geez and having heart issues.  So, the drug has corrected the peeing issues, kept me from radical surgery that is complicated with prostate intruding way into the bladder at the expense of sexual side effects which are somewhat correctable with more meds. It did shrink my prostate 20% but took 2 years.

During the time on Jalyn (avodart and flomax in one) I had to start blood thinners and had no issues.  But a little over a year ago, I tried getting off of Jalyn and only taking flomax.  No issues peeing sexual side effects improved somewhat.  However, about 6 months later, I woke up one morning and found my underwear and sheets covered in blood to the extent it looked like I had been stabbed. I got up to pee and peed pure blood, luckily it was a week day and I had my urologists' cell #, he is close and I went right in by that time I could not pee at all.  He inserted an irrigating cath and sent me to the hospital and I spent 3 days having saline constantly flushing my prostate and stopping my blood thinners. It was diagnosed my prostate had regained the 20% size loss and coupled with the blood thinners had caused the severe bleeding.  If you are a candidate for a low risk procedure I would do that and try to stay off the meds.  If you can only have a high risk proceedure, where the odds of something going wrong like wearing a diaper the rest of your life, you may want to try the drugs. I saw on this site in the past week both a Holep and Green Light laser patitent who had been on diapers for months and others who have been on foleys for months.  If you are on a diaper or a foley, you are not going to have a good sex life plus the issues with constantly wearing a diaper or foley.

Again, I am trying my best to get a PAE even if I have to pay all of the cost.  It is now more complicated as my heart issues have worsen and I have a heart cath scheduled Wed with a 90% chance of getting a least another stent, whcih means mandatory blood thinners and potential for prostate bleeding.  

All in all, we are very lucky to live in this age and places where we have these options, what if we lived 100 years ago and could not pee or got prostate cancer.  

a

Sorry that your having so many issues but we have to do what we feel is right for us. I'm 60 and I like you am not ready to give up on my sex life.  The old procedure have do many side effect and they do work sometime but there are them times that they done and the doctors keep doing them to the same paient.  I just had a stent put in on Wednesday.  Right coronary artery was 90% blocked.  I went in for the left but that was fine for now.  I have suger high blood pressure and also a-fib.  Don't like taking alot of pill but if it keeps me going I have no choise.  I was only on 1 blood thinner but now I have to take 2 with a 81 asprin.  Going to watch alot.  Don't know if this will help but last december I had  a bladder or kidney infection My urologist gave me ciprofloxacin 1000mg a day for a month.  When he check in Feburary my prostate was half the size it was when I had the urolift done. I will be having a monitor put into my chest  next week and the first week in August I will  be having a ablation done for my A-fib.  Life is a trial and we have all kind of obstacles in our lifes.  Keep doing what ever you can so you done have to have any of the old surgery that will change you life.  Take care and good luck  Ken              

Hi Scott,

Thank you for sharing your experience with Avodart and Flomax. You have really been through a lot. I'm sorry for everything you have had to endure. You are right, however, the treatments they have today (and new procedures they are working on for the future) are so much better than what was available even just 20 years ago.

Just to be clear, you started on blood thinners for heart issues not because of the Jalyn. And the prostate bleeding was caused by the blood thinners or because your prostate grew back to fast or was it a combination of both? (If you had not been taking the blood thinners, would the bleeding from the prostate still have occurred?). I am asking because my understanding is I will only be on a high dose of Avodart temporary (3 months) to get my prostate down for the HIFU procedure. I'm sure when I stop the Avodart it will start to grow again but would hate to think I will wake up in a bloody mess.

Maybe that will not be an issue for me because the HIFU is supposed to not only kill the cancer but also reduce the size of my prostate. Dr. Suarez told me that was what HIFU was originally intended for.

First let me address bike riding, it surely can cause issues, just google and you get stuff like this:

.There is no evidence that cycling causes an enlarged prostate because the problem develops naturally in older men. Some evidence suggestsbike riding could irritate the prostate or aggravate prostatitis, the inflammation of the prostate. Men might also get an inflamed prostate from riding a bicycle.Mar 17, 2015 You get the same issues if you are a DIY guy and build something and sit on 2 bys as you build a deck or a roof, you are sitting on your prostate, if it is already enlarged, you are adding to the issues.

In my case I had periodic bleeding for years, from prostatitus and later very large prostate.  I then had a heart cat after bypass surgery and they put in 3 stents, you have to stay on blood thinners at least a year with stents, so I started taking and had slightly more bleeding while taking Jalyn.  Jalyn shrunk my prostate 20%, the side effects suck, so I tried taking flomax only.  It was about 6 months later while still on blood thinners for heart that I had the serious bleeding issue.  I stopped thinners and started Jalyn and no issues since.

 

If the Cipro helps your prostate (peeing), it sounds like you have an infection there (prostititus).

Neal

Thanks.  I will ask my urologist next time I go  Thank you  Ken

Hi Ken, I wish I could do the urolift or PAE but that's just not in the cards for me. I have to get the size down so I can get the cancer treated. I will checkout Ciprofloxacin. Thanks!

What kind of cancer do you have .  Is it slow growing.  Sometimes it takes years to do anything.  There is a doctor doing a direct MRI to locate the tumor and then they zip it..  You don't have to have the prostate out Look into it  I have a artical printed up  I will look for it  Ken

Thanks Ken, I look forward to reading the article if you can find it.

No problem  I will let you know  Ken

Here it is .  It is called FOCAL LASER ABLATION.  It get rid of the tumor and leave the healthy tissue alone.  I done know where your at but they do it in New York and Florida.... Hope it helps.  Ken

Hi Ken,

Thanks for the info. I was pursuing FLA and was talking with Dr. Sciconti about it. After I sent him my records, he called me back and recommended HIFU. He does both procedures but said HIFU was the way to go. (At least in my case). From people I have talked with on the forum, he is an excellent Doctor.

Hello  I just read up on that procedure.  It sound like it is a very easy and less of a problem.  They go through the back I would not mind as long as they get it done..  Less of a problem.  I also like that the urinary sphincter and bladder are avoided Less side effects.  I printed it up and I have put it in my file just in case.  Thank you and good luck    Ken  Let us know when you have it done and how you feel...    

Hi there you guys and ES28567

my husband is having HIFU next Monday....I have posted a few times on this forum ... It was the way to go for us just want to get it out the way now and move on..George has a low grade Gleason 6, and prostate cancer on the right side only (very low grade could not do active Survelliance )  I won't go into detail now as all I want to say is that I'll keep you all posted to let you know how he goes.. The only thing he is not looking forward to is the catheter for abt 1week after😬 and having to take movie prep to clear the bowl on Sunday😬 But like I say a small price to pay....Uroligist said have to have a psa after 3 months so.... We wait for that result hoping all will be well... By the way George prostate is of normal size so he has had nothing to endure apart from having to take Antgoagulants for 4 months coz a blood clot was found on bottom of right lung during investigations on prostate.. The side affect of Antigoagulant is bleeding in the water works and he has also been taking Biaculmbmide for 5 months to stop cancer from growing basically put it to sleep side affects of this drug also cause blood in the water works but George has only had this the one time.. So Monday 27th is the big day ... It's a day procedure and home the same day... So hay ho I'll keep you posted..

regards to all you guys

By the way ES. We are in the UK... All funded by our good old NHS.. (National Health Service) So no cost.  And have been treated very well..

And we are lucky our local hospital does HIFU   One of 15 hospitals in the UK.   But I'm sure there are private hospitals that do this procedure for about £6000 ...I think!!!

 

If your husband ends up with a catheter, clean the tube where it exits his penis with a cotton swab with 50% water and 50% peroxide solution. Then use another swab to apply petroleum jelly (Vasoline ) liberally to the same area. Do this as needed several times a day as needed.

Unlike a woman's vagina, a penis has no natural lubrication. The unlubricated tube from the catheter will abrade (rub) the inside of the end of his penis causing bleeding, blood clots, and a great deal of pain without this lubricating jelly.

Neal

I'm not going to ask but why is he having anything done if he is not having a problem. Just  me thinking. But I would like to say thank you to you for being there for your husband  Not alot of women would do that.  I have read up on that procedure and If I would have cancer That is the way I would go.  I would never have a doctor tell be I have to have my prostate out.  That only causes more problem.  He will be fine.  Tell him he has a keeper in you.  Good luck to him  As for the catheter I don't care for them either.  They are a pain. Just tell him to be careful in the way he moves so he does not pull it out.  I had one for 3 days and I drove my son downtown.  Tell him don't even try to put underware  just ware a pair or loose pants.  My prayer are with him  Ken  PS.  He will be out when they put the catheter in.  It does not hurt to bad when it come out

Good luck to you both Carolyn.  The cath sucks, all can agree with that.  I need a procedure and a key factor is minimum time with a cath.  So, far PAE seems to be the logical solution for me as I just have very bad BPH.

 

But avodart has allowed me to have few issues with peeing and avoid a procedure long enough to have more options.

This is for Carolyn.  When I had my catheter I cleaned it 2 or 3 times a day. And I used a water base lube at the tip of the penis it helps.  Also I was told when I had one that you can only take a shower you can just undo the bag and take your shower just watch the soap.  and before I re conected it I cleaned the opening of the tube with some peroxide   It help so you don't get a infection.  Ken   

Good luck Scott.  Put any procedure off as long as you can.   Good Health Ken

Hi carolyn,

Been busy at work all day so first chance to reply. I'm looking forward to hearing how things go for George an you. I have to wait 3 months (or until my prostate is half the size it is now before I can jump on the HIFU table. Glad George at least doesn't have to take Avodart. My main concern right now is suffering any long-term side effects from the super high dose I'm on. Unfortunately here in the US most insurance will not pay for the procedure yet so I must come up with $25k. I just started a part-time job (after my full-time job) each day to help pay the bills. I'm not complaining. The way I look at it, at least the procedure is available here in the US and at least I was able to get a 2nd job so I will have the opportunity to have the procedure. Keep us posted on how things go.

Many thanks Neal

i will mention this to nurse after op...

regards will keep you all posted

 

Many thanks Ken

have had lots of good tips abt catheter.. 

Will keep al you guys posted abt HIFU and the catheter seranio ..

my husband is such a bad patient ... Not looking forward to next week

😬😫🙄😬

Ment to say Nealpros

hope you get your HIFU seems such a shame it costs so mch out there in the USA .. And you have to work so hard for such a procedure. But will keep you all posted ..

regards

Many thanks for all the tips abt catheter 

shall keep you all posted next weel

this forum might be my savour as my husband is such a bad patient to looks like I'll be needing help from all you guys😊🌞

regards

Hi Es

think i replied to Nealpros  thinking it was you but never mind 

thanks for your reply..do hope you have funds soon ..such a lot of money..

but thanks again shall keep you all posted next week.. 

Good to think you will all be thinking of George 

Thank you for your kind words ken

i think I've answered all of you guys in a rather muddled way ...but I know you are thinking kind thoughts...yes I tell him many times not many women would put up with him as he is such a bad patient ( you know what I mean he sneezes and he thinks he has the worst kind of flue and in bed for a week Lol..) but I would rather him him whinging and whining than not at all !... Prostate Cancer is a sucker as you guys say in the USA BuT it is treatable .. And HIFU is what we were recommended as George as only very low grade cancer right has side of prostate Gleason level 6 and 1 Core 7 MM. the other 2 only 2 MM if that makes sense !!! So we are going for this treatment as Active Survelliance was not a alternative ..I have mentioned this on this forum ..any how next Monday we will be out of the woods and a way forward so I hope he will remain Cancer free.. For a long time coz we want to carry on having our life back and going on our holidays ..to Miami to get on our lovely cruise around the Caribbean this Xmas and New Year... And China next year ..as we had to cancel this trip😟.. But hay ho..we will carry on..

So I will keep you all posted...about HIFU. And the the catheter seranio.....Ahhh😫

Regards Carolyn

 

Hi Carolyn,

You also might want to be prepared with supplies, etc. to do it yourself. If the doctor doesnt order it, the nurse may be reluctant to do it, and your husband may have a catheter a few days at home after he is discharged from the hospital.

Let us know how it goes.

Neal

Just tell him to relax.  This may be new to him but just be with him by is side.  He needs the support  Ken 

Some men do not deal wih pain well.  But your there for him.  I am not a fan of catheters but with some procedures we have to have them.  Tell  him he will be out when they put the catheter in.  He wlll not feel it when they put it in.  Coming out is a brezze.  Just keep is mind off of it   Had a catheter 5 time over the last 2 years.  If he nees to talk with someone just have him email me Allways happen to help a guy out.  Ken 

Many thanks for your kind words Kenneth

dont worry I'll be there for him..

shall keep you all posted

regards