1. Community
  2. Men's health
  3. Prostate Problems

Has anyone out there had a "Prostate Artery Embolization??

Posted , 210 users are following.

ChuckP
ChuckP

I had one on September 10th, 2014 and would love to compare notes with anyone else that has had one.   Thank You.  ChuckP   PS Some people just call it a "PAE" for short.

8 likes, 2499 replies

2499 Replies

Prev Next
  • william79680
    william79680 ChuckP

    Posted

    I had the PAE procedure 2 weeks ago, April 1st 2015 as part of a clinical trial at UNC Chapel Hill North Carolina. I am amazed at the results I am seeing already. Before the procedure I was taking Flomax twice a day. In December I had to go to the emergency room for a catheter. My prostate was 128g. Since December I had to use a self catheter twice. My nights were miserable.. I awoke 4-5 times a night and alway had a difficult time going. Each time I prayed I would not have to use a catheter again. I am 69 yes old and have had prostate issues for 10 years. I was able for years to keep things under control with various medicines, Hytrin, Avodart, Finesteride, and finally Flomax, but hated the side effects and as described the last six months were awful. Now just two weeks after the procedure I no longer have a sense of urgency and no fear that I will have to self cath. I have not taken any medicines for a month now. I still get up several times a night, but relieve comfortably. Today I realized that I had gone the whole day and not thought about peeing at all. Going to the bathroom was just something I naturally did without thinking and worrying about it all day. I feel really blessed to have been part of a clinical trial. If I don't get any better than I am now I will still feel that this was a HUGE success. I was told it could take 1-2 months to see good results. With the results I am seeing after 2 weeks I am encouraged that I will get even better. I had been told by me Urologist that based on me prostate size my only option was a Simple (haha) Prostectomy. I did a lot of research and all of the other non invasive procedures had side effects and as the urologist had said, they were not options for a prostate as large as mine. I know this procedure does not work completely for everyone, but my experience so far is Fantastic 
    • mike88486
      mike88486 william79680

      Posted

      That's great! I think people all too often take a doctor's recommendation without questioning it.  They aren't omniscient.  Always do your research.  It sickens me that TURP is called the gold standard when it can have serious complications.  It's more like a tin standard.  I think PAE will eventually become the gold standard.  The problem is that urologists can't make money from it as a radiologist has to perform the procedure.

       

    • bob955
      bob955 william79680

      Posted

      William, I just wanted to say congratulations. I am so happy for you.

      Keep us posted here as you continue to heal!

    • caringbah
      caringbah william79680

      Posted

      William , I'm so pleased for you. We are identical in so many ways...69 yo, 2 Flomax per day. I was seriously considering PAE but reacted very badly too the prednisone when I had my CT angiogram to map out my arteries. It's been over 4 months ago since I had the angiogram. The prednisone has just about worn off now so I'm considering having the PAE  in early May. 

      I have the prednisone because I'm allergic to contrast dye but this time the radioligist says that he will use intravenous prednisone instead of the tablet form which played havoc with my stomach. 

      Your report is very encouraging ...thanks.

    • mike88486
      mike88486 caringbah

      Posted

      Did Dr Pisco get back to you about a possible workaround for your dye allergy?
    • nealpros
      nealpros william79680

      Posted

      Thanks so much for the info. Please tell us more about the procedure itself as you had it. Which doctor? What kind of anesthesia? Pain? How long did it take? Etc. Also please give us further updates on your progress.

      Neal

    • caringbah
      caringbah mike88486

      Posted

      Hi Mike, yes he did. Sorry in being remiss in getting back to you. He said there was no way around it. After 4 months I can see the effects of Prednisone are very unpleasant but temporary so I'm prepared to give it another go. I'm hoping the IV prednisone will be easier on the stomach but can expect another 8 kg weight gain....this is too is temporary but takes a lot of work to get it off again. 
    • mike88486
      mike88486 caringbah

      Posted

      Good to hear you're giving it a go.  Good luck!  Let us know how it goes.
    • Roseland
      Roseland william79680

      Posted

      William, Congratulations!

      I had mine 18 months ago and, like you, saw results quickly.  Mine kept getting better on every score - voiding, urgency, frequency, flow rate -  and now I'm pretty much as good as new.  The only exception is if I've had to hold off going - in a car for example - and then it's not so good.  And first thing in the morning I'm generally a bit 'slow' and have to go again after an hour.

      The best thing is sleeping - I routinely sleep undisturbed for 9 hours, and my record is 11 hours - without having to get up.  And on the rare times I do (tea late at night is a sure sign!) then I void fully and get straight back to sleep, instead of lying there thinking "I need to go again soon".

      I hope you get the continuing improvement I did.  For the record, I was 58 and my prostate was 150ml, but after the PAE it shrunk to 74ml, peak flow more than doubled, and my PSA went from 12.7 to 2.4, although it's creeping up and is now in the 3s.

    • caringbah
      caringbah mike88486

      Posted

      Certainly will Mike. I keep coming back to ...the effects of Prednisone are temporary but the PAE effects are permanent. The worst thing that can happen is it doesn't work and then I go and get a HoLEP. 
    • whitebeach
      whitebeach caringbah

      Posted

      I've sent a PM re the radiologist in Sydney. Anyone know his name?
    • caringbah
      caringbah whitebeach

      Posted

      His name is Dr Glen Schlapoff of Liverpool Hospital in Sydney. Call the Radiology department and ask for his assistant Alda to make an appointment. I had my PAE 4 weeks ago. I'm now peeing like a horse and only getting up once a night from formerly 6. 

      Very happy...only side effect is improved sexual performance. :-)

    • arlington
      arlington william79680

      Posted

      Hi William,

      Did you have better results with Hytrin or Flomax?  What were the side effects of Hytrin for you?  I'm on Rapaflo and hate the retrograde ejaculation.

    • william79680
      william79680 arlington

      Posted

      Arlington,

      i had had good results with Hytin for a number of years. After a while it stopped working for a while and I switched to Radpidflow, then FloMax. I had more retrograde with flowmax and Radpidflow, but the worst was with Avodart and Finesteride. I have mostly recovered from meds since the PAE as far as retrograde is concerned, but have never gotten back as strong of a release of semen. Much better though.

    • arlington
      arlington william79680

      Posted

      Thanks a lot, william.  I've had breathing problems with several of these meds - but may try Hytrin.
Back to top
Prev Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.