PAE for BPH
Posted , 15 users are following.
How long is PAE effective?
0 likes, 62 replies
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Notes on PAE for BPH
jag21 don30615
Posted
I am searching for a Dr and Hosptial for this PAE procedure. Somebody has referred name of Dr Pisco Lisbon. Other talk about Dr Bagla Virginia. Could some one kindly recommend and comment on the standing and results of these drs or any other whose results and experience is of good repute
Regards
nealpros jag21
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Neal
nealpros
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Neal
jag21 nealpros
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I wish you gud luck and health. Waiting to hear from you soon.
best regards
kenneth1955 nealpros
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Sam05687 kenneth1955
Posted
I had the PAE procedure last week.
Now i do not have the urgency, urge, frequency to rush to the nearest toilet/bathroom. A huge relief, emotionally, psychlogically and physically.
The waterworks as in the flow is a only marginally better but the Urologist and Interventional Radooligist think it will get better in thwe next 3 to 6 months.
Heres hoping they are right and the effect will be permanent.
don30615 jag21
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don30615 nealpros
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nealpros don30615
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Neal
nealpros don30615
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I thought that some might benefit from a blow by blow report, so here it is:
I went in on Wednesday afternoon for the preliminary CT scan. First, they start an IV so that they can give you the contrast dye that is used by the procedure. These IVs are the most painful part of the procedures. After that, you lie on a table. You don't even have to remove your clothes before hand. That said, they put a blanket over you, and then you lower your pants to mid thigh. Then you lay down and are rolled into this large machine, up to about you nose. So, those of us who have trouble in small places need not panic
You are told to hold your breath, and an overall picture is taken. This thing is not even noisy. It's the MRI that is loud. This is a CT scan. A different kettle of fish. Then they release the dye, and you have a warm sensation throughout your abdomen. More pictures are taken and then you're done in a few minutes.
Yesterday, I had the PAE itself. The prep is basically the same, except that you do have to undress, and put on a hospital gown. They start another IV, and again, this is the most painful part of the procedure. Then I was wheeled into the operating room. I was the first patient in this new modern OR. It's very fancy. They ask for your preference in music, and play that throughout the procedure. That said, you only hear about 5 minutes of it. The operating table is very narrow, so they support your arms with either a small addition to the table, or a sheet wrapped around your arm, and back under you. I also asked them to put a rolled up towel under the small of my back, and pillows under my head and behind my knees. You aren't allowed to move during the procedure, but then again you are knocked out, so this is not a problem. I still don't even have any recollection of urinating, but if I could go that long without urinating, I wouldn't have been there in the first place. My case was complicated since I have some very narrow arteries, some less than 1mm, so I was in the OR for 4 hours. Dr. Isaacson was able to handle it though, and get the job done. It just took longer.
After another 3 hours or so in recovery, I was ready to go back to the hotel.
I have had some pain after the procedure. I constantly feel like I need to deficate (go number 2 - take a dump, or however you want to discuss it), but so far, I haven't been able to even though I started stool softeners the night before the procedure. Word to the wise: start the stool softener earlier. That said, it may just be that my prostate is swollen, and is blocking my colon. I'll ask Dr. Isaacson when I talk to him later today. Asside from that, I have had no pain on urination. That reinforces my idea that much of the post operative pain on urination is caused by the damn catheter, which in most cases is done for the doctor's convenience, not the patient's. Absent a medical condition which requires a catheter, tell the doctor to use a bottle.
Last night, I got up 3 times, instead of the usual 7-10, so I am expecting great things. I have no blood in my urine, and, of course, don't yet know about my semen.
So now it's a waiting game to see when I can deficate again, and how much better my prostate will get. I am taking antibiotics, a prednisone, and Motrin. I took oxycodone until this morning, and stopping that will likely help with the deficating.
I can't write enough wonderful things about Dr. Isaacson and the staff at UNC. They did everything humanly possible to make me comfortable, and thoroughly answer my, and my wife's questions. If it is possible for you to get to UNC, I would certainly have my procedure done there.
Please feel free to write if you have any questions, and I will do my best toanswer them. I will also do further status reports.
Finally, thanks to Don, and the rest of you who have encouraged me, and answered my questions as I went down this path. It means a lot.
Neal
kenneth1955 nealpros
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nealpros kenneth1955
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kenneth1955 nealpros
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nealpros kenneth1955
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Neal
don30615 nealpros
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jag21 nealpros
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Nice and delighted to hear u r doin fine. wish you speedy and full recovery
Could you share how much would it costs the whole procedures ?
nealpros don30615
Posted
I thought I would give you all an update. I had my PAE last Thursday. This is Monday morning.
The procedure itself is not much worse than getting a filling at the dentist. I ended up with two IV pokes in my right arm (one from the CT scan the day before, and one for the surgery itself), and 4 pokes about the same size in a small group in my left wrist. I was asleep for the 4 pokes.
After the surgery, the main problem I had, BY FAR was constipation caused by the post op pain meds. Take a colace type stool softener 2 pills each morning and 2 pills each evening for at least 3 days BEFORE the day of the procedure. That is important!
Otherwise, I have been lucky so far. I have had no blood in my urine or stools, and have no idea about my semen. Other than the constipation, I have had no major pain (see below). When I finally was able to deficate, on Saturday (!!!!), the first bits were very hard, large, and caused some bleeding. Take the stool softener.
I only had one other source of pain. Dr. Isaacson prefers to use an approach into your wrist, but they have to prep your groin in case he has go into your groin because wrist won't work. So, they shaved my groin. By accident, I think, they shaved a portion of my scrotum. The result was the worst case of razor burn I have ever had. I think they also managed to slop Betadine on it. I have had to wrap my scrotum in gauze because it hurt so much for it to rub on my leg. It seems to be getting better now.
Dr. Isaacson told me that my progress might regress for a while starting the 4-5th day, and that has happened. I was up several times last night, and sometimes I have some minor pain in my prostate when I urinate. That pain, however, is no worse than the pain i had in my prostate when I urinated before the procedure. He says that this "regression" will very likely go away in a week or 10 days, so I am looking forward to that.
So, all in all, I feel that I am doing very well. I had great urine flow, and was only up 3 times or so in the nights immediately following the surgery, so I am looking forward to getting back to that, and beyond. In summary, This is a great procedure and will become the standard. Dr. Isaacson, and the staff at UNC are outstanding. More updates coming.
Any questions?
Neal
nealpros jag21
Posted
I don't know the exact cost yet. I was told to wait until I am contacted by their financial representative. It's a little complicated in my case. The original estimate is $6,800.00 for the procedure and $1,800.00 for the CT scan. The CT scan, however, is covered by US MEDICARE. The procedure normally takes 2 hours. Mine took 4 hours because I have some abnormal blood vessels which have strictures smaller than 1 mm. I was told about that before the procedure. To me, it was a testament to Dr. Isaacson's skill that he was able to do it at all under those circumstances.
So, I have no idea if they are going to charge me more. I'll let you know after I find out in a week or two.
Neal