Medication Vs Surgical intervention.
Posted , 22 users are following.
Hi all,
Just wondering how many of you, if any, have chosen to avoid surgical intervention of any sort and remain, long term, on medication for your BPH.
By long term I mean four years or more.
In particular I would be interested to hear from anyone who has been taking Finasteride alone or in combination with Tamsulosin.
With regards to Finasteride which, supposedly, shrinks the prostate have you noticed a gradual improvement in your flow rate over the years and, in particular, in the fourth or fifth year?
I have been taking Tamsulosin for around seven years and Finasteride for almost five. Over the past six or so months I have perceived a better flow rate, variable, and less frequency along with some nights only having to get up to the loo two or three times, which is an improvement.
I was advised to have a TURP almost two years ago now, after a urodynamic test, but opted for Urolift, for which I am still waiting, but am wondering whether I still need it or should I just carry on with the meds.
Best wishes to all who read this forum.
Steve.
0 likes, 61 replies
mike24933 stephen54687
Posted
I managed on dutasteride and tamsulosin for five or six years but my symptoms gradually got worse. In the end I had a bipolar turp. Prior to that, the consultant told me that symptoms do not inevitably get worse. They can stabilize or even improve. If I had been in this category, as you probably are, I would not have considered an operation. I have alway been of the opinion that an operation is a last resort because there is some risk of a problem. Having had a successful turp, my perspective has changed. My quality of life has improved so much from the time I was on the drugs that I feel as though I should have had the surgery sooner. I still know in truth though that I wouldn't have risked it if I had had any choice. I will just say that the turp caused me no real problem and totally eliminated my symptoms.
stephen54687 mike24933
Posted
Hi Mike,
Thanks for your input.
Good to hear that your TURP ended on a positive note and that you are now glad you had the operation.
Your reply does, however, highlight the dilemma we all face, to have a procedure or not. Yes, like yours turned out, if they go well your life can be transformed but if you had been stable on your meds you probably wouldn't have had the op. It would seem we all, or some of us, just need a little 'push' to take the plunge as it were. I think the real problem is that we simply do not know what the outcome will be as there are no guarantees. It's the old 'fear of the unknown' syndrome.
My very best wishes to you for a future free of all prostate problems.
Steve.
derek76 stephen54687
Posted
Most turn out all right but don't get posted about. It's the horror stories that are. I'm convinced that UK procedures turn out better as they are all performed in hospitals rather that many of U.S. ones in urologists 'Offices'
stephen54687 derek76
Posted
Hi Derek,
Indeed, you are probably correct. It is a little like people complaining about anything really. Most that are happy with a service/product, although not all, will not bother to leave a compliment regarding it but more, again not all, feel so incensed/angry when something doesn't come up to expectations that they feel the world should be made aware of it. Despite knowing this it is very difficult to ignore such reports which, inevitably, tend to colour our view of things.
derek76 stephen54687
Posted
I had my GL in 2004 when everyone on a BPH news group was clamouring to get it and pleased with the results. I had waited about ten years for a laser procedure to become available. When it regrew after nine years I had no qualms in having Thulium/Holmium laser. They and HoLep in my opinion are the best treatments.
Some of the others I don't see the logic of. Soon there will be more prostate surgery options than Heinz products.
markiebaba derek76
Posted
Having endured two unsuccessful surgeries (inc. urolift where a clip has moved/was put in the wrong place) I would be very cautious about going down the surgical route until investigations clearly indicate a significant improvement will result from surgery and alternatives such as medications/less invasive solutions (e.g. CIC) have been exhausted. Caveat emptor.
derek76 markiebaba
Posted
What was your other failed surgery. Were both done by the same person?
markiebaba derek76
Posted
I had a bladder neck resection - this and the urolift were supposed to resolve a chronic retention problem and both were performed by the same professor. A recent cystoscopy revealed that a urolift clip has moved/was put in the wrong location leaving it exposed and as a result an attractor for bacteria which explains my repeated uti's, and the bladder neck resection has resulted in partial retrograde ejaculation - despite claims to the contrary made by the eminent professor.