New to the forum, trying to manage BPH

I am older than you, but my BPH problems started about 10 years ago.  My problem is retention of urine,and as the problem progressed, I would not have a natural void until my bladder contained round 1500ML of urine.  The void was small, and I had a very weak stream.  I was on Flowmax for a year, and the problem continued worsening.  I went to a urologist.  I was scoped and then had a video urodynamics performed.  I encourage you to follow the the advice posted here regarding adequate testing.

My biggest problem appears to be low detrusor pressure.  I was instructed to self cath.  I have been performing CIC for nearly 4 months.  I self cath 4 times per day.  It has given me back control of my bladder.  I do not wake up in the night, I do not have a sudden and almost uncontrollable urge to urinate, I don't continually worry about finding a bathroom.  I travel, and I am often away from home during part of the day.  I have no problem finding a place to cath when away from home.  CIC has given me my life back.  It doesn't sound like it is a fun thing to do, but I much prefer it to my previous situation, and I want to avoid surgery.  I have a regular routine. My doctor and I are hoping I regain bladder function, but I have no natural voids, even though I often feel the sensation of needing to urinate.

Bottom line, get testing done, and then do what you feel is best for your problem.

Hi, I am sorry to hear of your situation. I started experiencing problems with my prostate in my 40's I am now 78.

?Like your self you hear of all the things that could go wrong after surgery so you perceiver with it.  But mine got so bad that I developed an infection which advance on to sepsis. And I was in hospital for10 days. During this stay I eventually got to the point where I  could not pass water at all and was eventually catheterised. I am sorry if this might put you off but in actual fact it was the push that I needed. I went out with a  catheter and after nine weeks I had the operation and I don't regret it. At last I could pee normally at last.  I still have a very very large prostate and although I am peeing reasonably well it is not quite as good as when I first had it done. This problem is caused by the fact that scare tissue from the operation has formed around the neck of the bladder. I did a lot of research in to the different treatments available and there was one that I came across which more or less guarantee's no side effects. And this is called  "Green light Laser surgery" the only trouble is this can only be performed privately and will cost over 5000.00 pounds. but you are only in hospital for 24 hrs. Hope this helps

Hi my friend, your story is too familiar to me...similar lifestyle (lots of sports, trying to eat healthy, little alcohol, avoiding medication and drugs). I have been fighting off going to the urologist for many years. My urine flow started to get slower and slower for years (I am almost 65 now). Ended up with acute urinary retention after a marathon run in February 2017....ER and follow-up visits with the urologist. I have been studying options for several months and had surgery this past Monday. There are several options available, but you might not fit to all. The different alternatives have of course pros and cons as well. Urolift is the  least invasive and leaves you still open to do MRI's 3T if you choose to do so. Focal Laser Ablation (through the colon) and Urolift (through Urethra) won't give you retrograde ejaculation. Laser (urethra) with a high percentage according to the forum, according to the urologist 33 %, Turp (Urethra) which is considered the gold standard and has been there as a first modern procedure, (caving / cutting out the prostate has a higher percentage of retrograde. Rezum (urethra) is water vaporization and also not too invasive. Ask an urologist you trust in (a person you feel you can trust and makes you believe that he really cares for you) which option is best for you. (in my case the prostate grew pushing in to the bladder). Then you need to define for yourself the importance of having ejaculations with fluid vs dry orgasms.

I did Laser / PVP on Monday. As for now I really cannot say much, except the following:

a) procedure went well, woke up without pain, did not take any pain medication since

b) went back to normal the day after

c) have been able to void well and quickly

d) second night I had to go up every 1.5 hours....last night I did make it to 3 hours (before surgery I usually could sleep between 4 to 6 hours without interruption)

e) no incontinence

f) up to now 0 libido, 0 erections and 0 ejaculations....that will be interesting to know how this outcome is going to be in a couple weeks.

Not being able to pee is very uncomfortable...I have gone through this hundreds of times...trying to pee and drops are coming and then frequent trips to the bathroom to finally void the bladder. I also did selfcathe sometimes in order to get done quicker. You might want to try this as a last resource. Had prostatitis as well...so after all...we do something wrong in the west world with our eating habits, since this BPH problem is rapidly growing over here.

I am living in the Houston area. If that is  your home turf, I can provide you with additional information you might want to get. It is an unpleasant thing we go through, I totally agree. But pay attention to the symptoms and find out what is best for you. Good luck to you!

Emil

Hi bobcat, I tried raw food diet for an entire year thinking it would help my BPH. I stay in very good condition year round also.

Last time i drank a beer I went into retention and it was not fun. thats when I decided something had to be done soon. Recently had the Pae procedure. After careful research I strongly believe it is the least invasive. If it doesn't work you have all the other (more side effects) options. Its  been 44 days and flow decent, the big difference is tine between. I now am able to hold it if necessary. Im averaging 3 to 5 hours between urination. I sleep 7 hours on average without bathroom breaks. I was on 2 flomax per day and am down to 1. Doc says I usually takes a couple months before I can drop off retrograde tablets for good. 

I was seriously looking at focal laser ablation. Fortunately my insurance covered the Pae. Pae Doc is located 50 miles away.

I can relate that prostate/urinary problems are like some cruel joke. I'm 54 and after being on a active surveillance for prostate cancer for several years and successfully avoiding an operation, I get urinary retention and a weakened bladder and have been CIC for almost a year now. My bladder seems to be improving, but I have an obstruction and my Urologist recommends surgery to remove the prostate. No thanks, for now trying to get educated on other options. I'm taking some meds and also don't like the dizziness, but they provide some help to be able to pee between CIC.

As other have mentioned, get educated and try to figure out what will work best for your situation, and don't let anyone try to rush you into a procedure.