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

My pain was minimal.  I did see some blood in semen for about three weeks but that cleared up.  My prostate is a bit seneitive during intense orgasm and aches for a half an hour or so after sex but no reall too bad.  This developed about six weeks after the procedure.  I have had limited improvement but it can take up to six months to shrink so I'm still looking for more improvement in stream.  I can say that I get up 1-2 times a night and that's an improvent.  I am still on Flomax.

Hi there I live in  Sydney Australia and Im seeking a urologist or surgeon that is performing PAE in Sydney or Australia do you know of anyone please .

Thank you so much for your help

Hi Bruce:  How are your Pae results now that it has been a year?  Would appreciate your sharing that as I am consiering the procedure.  Thanks 

Hey Lenny,

Sorry for the late reply.  been busy.  I had a second PAE in October.  No side effects whatsoever from the procedure.  If not for the plane ticket and hotel bill, I wouldn't have known I had a procedure at all.  I have had dramatic improvement from my two proceudres.  During the day I feel completely normal although the stream is not like when I was a teenager.  I am still on Flomax though at .8mg.  I get up once a night to pee so that's great as well.  I suspect that there are other issues like a problem with the bladder neck that is still giving me trouble, but that will take some additional troubleshooting to determine.  The flow is stronger during the day than at night as well so that's a data point.  If not for the PAE's I'd be on a catherter by now so I still think its a worthwhile option.

Hi Bruce.  It sounds like we're in similar places.  I get up about twice per night and take 8mg Rapaflo.  Except I'm still having to self-catheterize.  I had my PAE on 9/28/15.  May I ask:

What was the size of your prostate prior?

Did you have a large median lobe?

Did you have a catheeter prior?

Where did you have it done?

Why did you do it twice?  What were the results each time?

Sorry for all the questions but it may help in my decision-making.

Thanks a lot.

 

Oh, my flow also gets weaker in the evening.  Seems like the bladder is giving up for the day!

Hey Arlington,

Don't know the size, but tests revealed a 37% reduction after the 1st PAE.  Haven't had a scan to figure out the reduction after the 2nd one and unfortunately my IR doc left our HMO so I don't have continuity any more.  I am going to have a cystoscopy in a few months to walk up the urethra and see if the prostate is still in the way.  No idea about median lobe, sorry.  I can tell you that my prostate was pushing up into my bladder.  I didn't need a catheter, but I was very close to it by the time I had my first PAE.  I had it done at the Kaiser Hospital in Oakland, CA.  The first one made a big difference.  Went from 4-5times a night and needing to squeeze myself to pee to 1-2 times a night.  Days were almost normal.  The second one made an incremental additional improvement so far.  Had the second one in October 2015.  Still need the Flomax though.  I need to explore the prostate again with Cystoscopy and then look at the valves, bladder neck and the sphincter below the prostate for propper function.  Don't know why the day/night difference exists.  If I figure it out I'll post immediately. 

i have had a similar problem, Thinking one of several possiblities.

1. enlarged prostate still effects the stream and flow

2. badder streched over time creating weak/ poor urination and flow

3. flowmax meds work prooly as time passes at end of day

4. frequency of urination you have less urine in bladder therefore weaker stream

I had a PAE done 3 weeks ago and have noticed inprovement in this area,

and hope that over time things will improve further.

those are my thoughts at this time. 

The bladder is a mussel and with more urine in the bladder a stronger stream will flow when there is an urge  to go

Lou

Hi Bruce, I have a similar issue and posted to you my thoughts, If you find out let me know.

I assume the PAE helped this issue to some degree??

Regards

Lou

Good to hear you had PAE. I hope conditions improve. I unfortunately went through 3 Urology procedures prior to PAE becoming available. The last one, HoLEP, took care of things. But point of commenting is, my bladder was really stretched out. I was told by other Urologists it would be a lifelong problem. But the HoLEP Doctor disagreed and said my bladder would return to normal size and function within 12 months. He was right, I am in good shape now. I can go through the night with 0-1 need to pee, I can consume 2-3 GL'assess of whatever, or more before I need to pee, all good. There are times when I need to pee more frequently, but it seems random and not often. I hope your experiences are the same!

good to hear from you Bill. I'm thinking the same thing as well. I think that the bladder after many years of disfunchion due to BPH/enlarged prostate that it strreches and or expands to compensate for reduced flow.  I do have frequency now but get strong but short term flows after PAE. I hope that with time things will improve as my blader returns to a more normal size. Did the HoLEP cause any sexual disfunction may I ask?

Regards,

Lou

Thanks a lot, Bruce.

Why does nettle help as it is a diuretic?

Best of luck to you whatever you decide.  I would caution you that this forum is only a tiny sample and may be skewed to men with less than stellar results.  The medical literature would be the best source for actual data about results and successful outcomes.  I had my arteries mapped as well.  I had a CT scan with contrast which is how they did the procedure.  You should check and see if they are going to use the newer technology imaging equipment that lowers the dose of xrays during the procedure.  Mine was over 2 1/2 hours, that's a lot of sub atomic particles!

I don't know ...I just know that my symptoms improved dramatically about a week after I started taking it. I took way over the recommended dosage which was 2 caps...I took about 8 to 10. 

I find that I need to take all three...the Flomaxtra, Pygeum and stingin nettle. 

I read many highly favorable reviews on Amazon and decided to give it a go.

It seems to improve the effect of Flomax. 

Thanks Bruce. Yes, they have state of the art imaging that has only just been installed by Siemens. I take your point about a skewed sample. I guess why I'm probably still considering it is that I still have the HoLEP option if the PAE is not successful. 

Is it that you are taking the SNR well before bedtime and you are emptied out by then?

I try to take it twice a day ...5 caps in morning and 5 in the evening. Last night I had a large cup of tea while lying in bed reading and also a 600ml bottle of mineral water so I was not emptied out by any means. I got up twice   last night. 

I know that people recommend no liquids after 6pm but I enjoy a couple of glasses of wine each night and always go to bed with a cup of tea. I always like to have a glass of water next to my bed as well because the Flomax gives me a dry mouth.

The SNR is very cheap and has no side effects that I am aware of.

Flomax gives me heartburn.  What product do you use for SNR?

I have tried Saw Palmetto and found it made my symptoms worse...everybody is different!

I'm currently looking at Pumpkin Seed Oil as well. 

Hell, I don't care if it's a placebo. I keep an open mind...if it works for you ..great. 

If not, try something else. 

Emis Moderator comment: I have removed product/company names as we do not allow repeated posting of these in the forums. If users wish to exchange these details please use the Private Message service .

http://patient.uservoice.com/knowledgebase/articles/398331-private-messages

Like you I need liquids up until bedtime plus a glass of water by the bed.

Stinging nettles root has research that it does work.  Use the root and not the leaves for prostate issues.  Pygeum as well seems to work.  Look into graminex, rye pollen extract.  Helps with flow and some shrinkage according to research.  

Thanks Camster, I'll check it out. Actually , just recently have found that SNR  is upsetting my stomach...I have scaled back to recommended dose.

 My prostate issues began when my PSA rose to 7.8. My GP referred me to a urologist who strongly recommended a biopsy. I underwent the transperineal biopsy (30 cores) and that's when my problems began. The test results came back ...no cancer in any of the samples . Great, except now I could not pee properly. I always knew that I had an enlarged prostate but my flow and frequency issues were quite manageable.

The urologist assured me that my flow issues would resolve themselves within 3 weeks and gave me some Flomax as a "temporary" measure. 

10 months later I'm still on the Flomax and am looking at PAE shortly. 

However as previously reported I'm getting good results with some natural supplements. 

I don't know if it's just the prostate finally settling down after the biopsy or whether it's the supplements. I'm feeling is that it's the supplements that are helping. 

Just a week ago I added pumpkin seed oil to the supplement regime. I can't notice any improvement in flow or frequency but I have noticed a strong increase in libido not that I needed any improvement in that department. 

BTW, much to my GP's dismay I have told him that I no longer want my PSA to be tested. I have met a number of GP's and specialists who don't get their own PSA's tested as well.

There are some natural things that do work.  Betasitosterol is another one.  

My general practice doctor doesn't recommend a PSA because they are so inaccurate.  

You may have developed some prostatitis. 

By the way, where are you having the PAE done?

Liverpool Hospital in Sydney. I'm having the CT angiogram on Tuesday  to map out my prostate arteries. I was supposed to have it on Friday but they had forgotten that I'm allergic to contrast die and had not given me the prepatory cortisone and antihistamines. 

I'm still not 100% committed to proceeding with the PAE. I've read too many anecdotes on this site of people who had no improvement or complications after PAE. 

I don't think I've exhausted the supplement option yet. At the moment getting up twice a night which is way better than the 5 or 6 times previously. 

When I was diagnosed with BPH in 1995 with a 35 gram prostate my PSA was 5.1. I had a negative biopsy that resulted in a later infection despite having had antibiotics at the time of the biopsy.

As my prostate continued to grow so my PSA went up and another negative biopsy that caused considerable bleeding and blood clots and I was kept overnight in hospital. Speaking to another urologist doing his rounds he commented  that a Norwegian study had said that most biopsies could be termed PSA Terrorism.

Again an infection that required six weeks of antibiotics to clear up. Prior to then I had never had prostatitis but it became a regular occurrence after that.

Prior to having Green Light/PVP in 2005 my prostate reached 75 grams and my PSA 9.8. After the PVP my PSA reduced to 5.0 and over the years up to 7.8 as my prostate regrew.  

I had a reaction to contrast die the first time I had a kidney X-Ray. I mentioned that when having a kidney CT scan a few years ago and they told me that the dye now used was less likely to cause a reaction but a doctor stood by me during it. I've since had an angiogram and a MR scan without reaction.

If you need any help on the supplement end, let me know.  I don't a lot of research on this looking at clinical data.  

Remember on sites of this kind, you will probably see more on the complaint side.  These are probably not indicative of real world results. None of the procedures give 100% patient satisfaction.  

Hi; May I ask besides the Pumkin Seed what other natural supplements are you taking???   I have tried pretty much all the "natural stuff" with no luck.  Just curious what you are all taking???  By the way, I had a "PAE" on Sept. 10th, 2014 and have made several lengthy posts on my thoughts of it.

Hi Chuck and others. Sorry to take so long to reply. I'm Down Under and there is a big time difference. 

My prostate supplements are : Nettle root, Pygeum and pumpkin seed oil. 

The nettle root had the most powerful effect. It hasn't replaced the Flomax yet....just seems to make it work better. Incidentally , in response to one of the other posters I haven't found that Flomax interferes with my sex life.

Other supplements to boost testosterone are: Acertyl l carnitine, alpha lipoic acid, rhodiola, and DHEA cream. I'm not in the school of thought that believes that testosterone causes BPH. If that were so, why is it that as men age their testosterone levels plummet but their prostates get larger. I believe that lack of testosterone accelerates ageing in men. 

My feeling on DHEA is to monitor it.  Some doctors believe in a 24-hour urine to rule-out daily fluctations.  Others recommend a blood test done about 8 am.  DHEA is stored as DHEA-sulfate in the body.  When DHEA-S gets too high from high dosages, it can effect testosterone and estradiol levels.   Some men tend to see more estradiol levels rise.  So I think it's important to test to make sure you're taking the right dosage and staying in a healthy range.  

Hi everybody. I use a supplement with the following:  Saw palmetto CO2 Extract 320 mg, Graminex flower pollen extract 252 mg, ApresFlex boswellia extract 70 mg, pumpkin seed oil 200 mg, stinging and dwarf nettle root extract 240 mg, pygeum bark extract 100 mg, lycopene 10 mg, beta-sitosterol 180 mg, phospholipids 160 mg, blend of HMRlignans Norway spruce/knotwood/flaxseed lignans extract, boron 3 mg.  This is for two capsules.  I also use ground flax seed meal, 3 rounded tablespoons a day.  And zinc at 60 mg.  I'm simply trying to help myself as much as possible.  Hope this is helpful.

Dr. Martin Pisco of Lisbon, Portugal responded to my email.  I asked him if an enlarged median lobe causes any problems with PAE.  He wrote back and simply said "No problem."

I had my CT angiogram yesterday and took cortisone and antihistamine for a day beforehand and 1 hour before scan.....still came out in reaction ....red puffy face, rash on back and chest. Reactions seem to be getting worse and as I am a diabetic can have serious kidney implications. 

It it is my understanding that the PAE process requires the use of contrast dye as well? Could someone please confirm this. If so, I don't think I will be proceeding with PAE especially as supplements seem to be relieving symptoms of BPH.

Hello caringbah

I have a 70cc prostate had IRM (image scanner) for 250€ in Paris

i have to wake up twice a night maybe the supplements ou speak about would be good is it pumpkin seed oil ? or more

thank's

I had the PAE at Inova Hospital in Alexandria Virginia 4 weeks ago by Dr Bagla.

Even in this short time period I am seeing a wonderful improvement in urinating. Really a huge improvement. Peeing like a race horse. Very litlle urgency and frequency is way down. I only get uo once maybe twice at night.

The first night was the only time that there was any real discomfort.

It was all a breeze compared to the just aweful TURP that I had two years ago that didn't work and it was nearly three months of peeing razor blades. Never do that again!!!!  Never have to with the success of the PAE

Bill B.

 

Congratulations Bill,

i am am going for my 3 month follow up July 8th. I now have no prostate issues at all. I have not gotten up to pee at night in over a month. During the day my flow is great and I never have any urgency. Thank goodness for the PAE procedure. Nothing short of amazing with no pain, bleeding, soreness, no sexual side effects. Best of all if it ever fails it can be repeated and does not stop me from having any other procedures. Plus there are no foreign parts inserted that could cause problems or have to be removed later.

 

Exactly!!!  The word needs to get out there for all of us suffering guys.

Stay away from urologists see the vascular surgeon with experience doing the PAE.

Bill,

How large was your prostate before the PAE?

 

@carngbah: My experience with SNRE is almost identical ... almost an immediate reduction in BPH symptoms. This definitely made me think twice about contacting Dr Glen Schlaphoff and going further towards a PAE.

I have just found that Saw Palmetto oil seems to aggravate the bowel, so I am cutting that out for a while to be sure what is going on. 

Hi Stewart, I found that the stinging nettle was effective at first but I had to go off it because it upset my stomach. Looking back at it now after the PAE I realize tnat the supplements are playing around the edges whereas the PAE actually fixes he problem. 

I have given my GP the research on Gat-Goren and PAE. I won't be dissuaded from heading to see Dr Schlaphoff. I have his details and know I will need to make an appointment sooner rather than later.

I only got up once last night, and the BPH symptoms are gone again, so I don't need to rush.

I have PAE scheduled for October 20th, 2015 at Inova in Alexandria Hospital.  It was to be done by Dr. Bagla, but he is no longer there.  Dr. Sterling will be performing the procedure.  

stewarta and caringbah,

        Very new to this exetremely helpful discussion. Just read through all of it (took a couple of hours). I am curious to know what brand and dosage you both used for SNRE ( and pygeum and pumpkin seed oil, if you used that also). I'm guessing that you'll need to pm me that info (at least the brand). Thanks so much!

 

Hi 

Can you please tell me where you source these herbs?

You may need to inbox me as they dont seem to like "advertising" on here.

Also have you tried Saw Palmetto?

thanks

Jeremy