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PAE radiation exposure

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tgt111
tgt111

Im doing some continued research about the PAE proceedure. My symtoms are mild compared to others.. i can sleep through the night on most nights but have a slow stream and retain urine.

Qmax 8. Anyway, im considering the PAE but I read recently that the radiation exposure is quite high. Like equal to 200 chest xrays. Anybody in the know about this or is it exaggerated? Thanks

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • reg52510
    reg52510 tgt111

    Posted

    If it ain't broke, don't fix it! Sometimes the cure is worse than the disease; your  symptoms seem pretty mild to be contemplating surgery.

    • tgt111
      tgt111 reg52510

      Posted

      True,  I have time but I don't want to wait until i'm miserable to get it done. Why should I?....But you're right. I don't want to do it too early ... Especially if there's a lot of radiation involved that I don't need.   I don't know if I'd call it surgery either...in the traditional sense...No real cutting etc...   That part seems like a piece of cake.      

  • uncklefester
    uncklefester tgt111

    Posted

    Maybe I'm wrong but I thought they used an MRI to do PAE

    • richp21
      richp21 uncklefester

      Posted

      I don't think so: a flouroscope is used. See my other post to tgt111.

      Rich

  • richp21
    richp21 tgt111

    Posted

    At least with Dr Bagla at the Vascular Institute of VA, I believe that figure is very exaggerated. Here is an email I sent before I had the procedure along with the reply the reply I rec'd. I won't put the link to the to the flouroscope that he uses as the moderator might not let this post go through. If you'd like the link, PM me, and I will send it to you.

    MY EMAIL TO DR. B's OFFICE:

     I know from a previous email that you said that the radiation involved for the procedure is less exposure than a typical CT-scan study. I'd be interested in knowing what modifications Dr. Bagla has developed (or uses) that allows for the reduced radiation. I assume that he uses some form of Fluoroscopy.

    THE REPLY I REC'D:

    THE FLUOROSCOPY UNIT WE USE ALLOWS FOR REDUCED PATIENT DOSE.

    HERE IS A LINK ABOUT OUR UNIT: 

  • jonmichael
    jonmichael tgt111

    Posted

    From what I have been reading here in these forums, the PAE procedure does not always help, or if it does, it might last a year or two. A couple posts I read, the men were allergic to the beads and their body went into systemic allergic reaction to the beads and were chronically taking steroids for this reason. If you do this procedure they should test your body for an allergic reaction to whatever is in the beads. Personally I would look to some other solution as this one seems to be mostly temporary at best. But please continue with your own research as you may reach a different conclusion. All the Best.

     

    • richp21
      richp21 jonmichael

      Posted

      Hi Jon,

          I have information that is somewhat different from yours.

          Re: how long PAE might last. There was a study presented in DC by Dr Pisco about 6 mos ago that had excellent results for PAE going out 5 yrs. If you're interested, I can post the study summary here, or PM a link to the entire study.

          Re: allergic reaction to the beads. I've been following the PAE discussions here for quite some time, and there has only been one man who had this unfortunate reaction. He's posted at different times in different discussions, so perhaps you thought it was two different men. I've spoken with a very experienced PAE IR doc, and my understanding is that this type of reaction is extremely uncommon.

      Rich

    • tgt111
      tgt111 jonmichael

      Posted

      Something to keep in mind with message boards in general is that negative people tend to post more than positive people. Nothing wrong with negative opinions. We want to hear it all but positive result people kind of fade away. Which is a shame. Its the same on all sorts of forums. I think over all the PAE procedure is a great option. The majority of people are helped.
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