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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

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  • howard_20152
    howard_20152 ChuckP

    Posted

    I Had met with Dr. Shivank Bhatia several times before I got the nerve to have my Prostate Artery Embolization done at the University of Miami on Oct.13,2015.

    I was still apprehensive even an hour before and not once did Dr. Bhatia become bothered with my repetitive questions.

    Before my PAE I was getting up up to 6 times per night and could not sit to the end of a movie without using the bathroom not to mention during sex almost no semen produced.

    My Urologist had nothing positive to say about the PAE and was advising me to have the TURP and im glad I trusted Dr. Bhatia.

    The procedure was not uncomfortable but the catheter was and some of the testing leading up to the PAE procedure.

    It was never an obstacle reaching Dr Bhatia and he checked on me often today is January 13, 2016 4 months post surgery and I wake up 2 times per night not 6 times and this may also be my dogs fault also I can sit through a movie and the urgency to urinate has improved a great deal. 

    I would highly recommend this procedure and especially Dr Bhatia and his team of professionals.

    The Urologist who does the testing for Dr. Bhatia is also very patient and knowledgeable and his name is Dr. Gomez.

    • ChuckP
      ChuckP howard_20152

      Posted

      Howard;  Iam very happy for you.  I did not have this kind of success.  I still get up atleast 3 times a night.  Since my PAE I have even had a "Urolift Procedure" with no luck with it either.  Don't know what Iam going to do next.  I guess just watch and wait for the time being.
  • caringbah
    caringbah ChuckP

    Posted

    Chuck, I'm sorry that you didn't have much success with your PAE  but you started this discussion group and what a success that has been. So many men including myself who have had their BPH symptoms relieved because you started this discussion. 

    Thank you very much and am hoping that something will turn up for you. 

    • ChuckP
      ChuckP caringbah

      Posted

      You are very welcome.  I do take oxybutin chloride for the old bladder. That drug really gives you "dry mouth" but it hasn't really helped me. 
    • bill80656
      bill80656 ChuckP

      Posted

      Hi Chuck,

        I didn't know that you started this discussion. Man you saved my life.

      At the least feel good about that. 

      Bill

    • bob120
      bob120 ChuckP

      Posted

      Chuck, 

      Getting up three or more times a night is normal for me. After two GL procedures and a turp in the last 3-1/2 years I am not blocked. All of these bph procedures are based on the model that an enlarged prostate squeezes the prostatic urethra, causing difficult urination leading to retention. The frequency is a by product of not emptying the bladder fully.

      It can be easily detected by having a sonogram measure your bladder capacity and your PVR (post void residual remaining in the bladder after a natural void). For example, my bladder capacity before I need to urinate is only 300ml due to about 20 years of bph thickening the muscles and walls of the bladder. Urinating against an obstructed prostated mad my bladder muscular and reduced it's capacity. When my bladder capacity was 300ml, and my pvr was 250ml, I had to pee every time my bladder produced 50ml of urine, which was a couple of times an hour for most of the day. 

      Besides an obstructed prostate I also had an obstructed bladder mouth, which was resected during my second GL.

      Presently my PVR is only about 35 ml. But I void about a liter per night, so even without any obstruction I have to void 3 or more times. It's just mechanics.  Plus at night I void more than I do during the day, due to the mechanics of my kidneys working more freely when I am reclined.

      If you do not have symptoms of obstructed urinating, and if your PVR is less than 50ml., then no bph procedure will reduce your getting up at night. 

      What I do is put a couple of 1 liter urinals in a basket on the floor by my bed. I can wake up, stand up next to my bed, urinate in the dark into a urinal, snap the lid on the urinal shut, put the urinal back in the basket, and be back to sleep in less than 2 minutes. Getting up 3 or 4  or 5 times a night does not disturb my sleep any more than turning over and adjusting my pillow does.

    • bob120
      bob120 ChuckP

      Posted

      Bladder relaxers had the same effect on me, drying my mouth to the point of making food completely tasteless. Also dropped my blood pressure down 80/45. I quit after 3 days. If it's not working why suffer the side effects?
    • ChuckP
      ChuckP bob120

      Posted

      Bob; Thank You for your reply.  Sounds like you have adjusted nicely and can continue on with a normal life. 
  • lenny2cancun
    lenny2cancun ChuckP

    Posted

    Have you or any other patients who had PAE have had any serious reduction or non production of semen since you had the PAE?    A respected urologist in  the Philadelphia area says that over time the PAE will result in the reduction or elimination of sperm production?  Appreciate any feedback from Chuck or other particpants? Thanks  
    • caringbah
      caringbah lenny2cancun

      Posted

      Lenny a respected urologist is a contradiction in terms in my view. What evidence or proof does he have of this? Just another urologist bagging PAE. 

      Its a bit rich considering that TURP and Holep have pretty much a 100% rate of retrograde ejaculation. 

      To answer your question ....No, I have not seen any reduction in semen but I have seen better erections. I know which is more important. 

    • Roseland
      Roseland lenny2cancun

      Posted

      On the contrary; I had retrograde ejaculation before the PAE, and I don't now!
    • william79680
      william79680 Roseland

      Posted

      I also had retrograde ejaculation and Ed before the PAE due to awful BPH meds. After PAE I no longer have either one.
    • ChuckP
      ChuckP lenny2cancun

      Posted

      That is a question for your urologist.  I don't think we can answer that one.
    • lenny2cancun
      lenny2cancun caringbah

      Posted

      How long ago - when did you have your PAE?  When did you start to see improvement in Erections? 
    • bill80656
      bill80656 lenny2cancun

      Posted

      June 2nd of this year 2015.

      Smartest and best thing that I ever did. I can pee again almost normally.

    • bill80656
      bill80656 lenny2cancun

      Posted

      I never had a problem with erections in any event, neither before nor after the PAE.
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