New to the forum, trying to manage BPH
Posted , 17 users are following.
Hello,
I've been reading this forum for several years but this is my first post.
I am 53 years old and my urologist has diagnosed me with BPH more than 5 years ago. I have had several bouts of prostatitis over the past few years, this last one, back in May of 2017, resulting in full urinary retention landing me in the ER with my first Foley catheter.
I am very healthy and strong in all other aspects of my life. I work out daily, I have very little body fat , ( I actually have six-pack abs! ) I eat healthy, I almost never drink, I don't take any prescribed medications, my blood tests are great, no high blood pressure, etc, etc. I am very conscious of my health and I feel like this BPH is some kind of cruel joke being played on me!
Years ago I was prescribed Flomax , which I only took for 1 week but stopped because of the dizziness side effect. After this last May, coming out of the ER, I tried 5mg of Cialis daily, which actually did help with frequency and overall flow and of course better erections, but also made me dizzy. I cut back to 2.5mg daily, but stopped altogether after 30 days. I don't like medications!
Today, I manage my fluid intake when I travel ( Flying, driving, etc ) when I know using the restroom will not be easily available. But still , run into extreme urgency when stuck in traffic or a plane trip.
I drink a lot of water during my workouts and just go pee every 15-30 minutes afterwords.
Night time can be hit or miss, depending on when I stopped fluid intake. It can be 1-3 times up to pee.
So, two questions for the forum. First , I am considering some procedure, but I have no clue on which one to go with. My wife says "go have surgery and all will be great." But I have read many of the nightmares on this forum. I just want to be able to pee normally, I mean during those urgent times when I can't get to a toilet, when I finally get there...it just dribbles out and causes a chain reaction of very frequent trips to dribble!
And secondly, the 3 times I have had prostatitis ,was always a few days after drinking a few beers. As i said , I almost never drink and so it's easy to see the effects when I do. I am done with beer for sure, but has anyone else seen a correlation with beer and prostatitis? I am afraid to have any alcohol at this point for fear of full retention.
I am looking for guidance and advice and this forum seems to be the most active and comprehensive on the internet.
As I said, I have been reading your posts for years and so thanks to all for sharing your experiences.
0 likes, 50 replies
sam19736 Bobcats
Posted
There's no doubt in my mind after having gone through prostate artery embolization that you should consider this as your first option. I won't have any impact on your sexual function and will allow you to get back to a normal life. I had this done by Dr. BAGLA who's done more than anyone in United States and you should reach out to at least learn more
Bobcats sam19736
Posted
Sam, thanks for the reply. Its all so confusing and frustrating. I read through this post based on your suggestion: https://patient.info/forums/discuss/my-pae-experience-today-538258
I currently take zero medications, and I feel like I want to get ahead of this problem before I become dependent on meds.
Sounds like your experience is better than JJ
oldbuzzard Bobcats
Posted
Also important is avoiding damage to your bladder, which long term BPH often causes. If a diagnostic work up shows that you do, in fact, have BPH, take a look at the non surgical procedures that are available (PAE/Rezum/Urolift/iTind/FLA). If none of them appeal to you, consider a self cathing program. It will ensure that you don't do any bladder damage, could well rehab any that might already exist and will buy you indefinite time as they develop new procedures with less risk. Other than very occasional one-offs, I had no retention issues but still ended up with a less than fully functional bladder due to years of straining from BPH.
ktmxc-f oldbuzzard
Posted
Oldbuzzard,
Great advice. I wish my multiple Uro's (some top guys) had given me better advice. I have had multiple Mri's and not one Uro bothered to check status on the bladder. It seems their strategy is to prescribe Flomax until things get too far along. Why not Pae sooner than later, while the bladder is functioning near 100%. Upside outweighs any complications by far.
oldbuzzard ktmxc-f
Posted
BPH, whether you are in retention or not often stresses the bladder and over time can reduce its function. If the meds don't cause someone side effects and can relieve symptoms to the point of relatively easy complete voiding (PVRs of under 150) then that is a reasonable strategy. If not, either a procedure or a program of self cathing is in order to preserve your bladder function IMO.
ktmxc-f oldbuzzard
Posted
jimjames ktmxc-f
Posted
@ktx: Like lifting weights, more reps more growth. The bladder is overused, regardless of PVR.
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Using your analogy, high reps with low weights do not necessarily increase muscle size, and frequency of urination does not necessarily create trabeculation (thickness) in the bladder wall. What will cause trabeculation, again with your weight lifting analogy, would be higher weights, ie trying to push through a prostatic obstruction. OAB (overactive bladder) syndrome would be an example here, where there's a low PVR but overuse of the bladder due to causes other than an obstruction and often no trabeculation. The pills help relax the muscles in the bladder and bladder neck making urination easier, and everything else being equal, the bladder will not trabeculate as much.
Jim
ktmxc-f jimjames
Posted