PAE... Sounding better and better!

Where did you have it done? I wish you luck finding something that will work for you, but I think you are out of line rubbishing PAE time after time on this forum when clearly a lot of people have had success. Everyone's body is different, for some reason it didn't work for you and that is sad but doesn't mean it won't work for someone else.

Thank you Chuck, I will do that.

I have noticed I'm my readings that the PAEs done un the UK have great comments and seems like a lot of satisfied customers, however many from the US seem to have poor reports,  I wonder if it is being performed differently?

If you are referring to a cystoscopy as a "Cysto" then yes I have had that done, actually twice.make sure, (if that is what you are referring to) that just before or just after the procedure that you take an antibiotic, if they do not offer one then ask for one.   Interesting procedure, not painful just a little uncomfortable,  I watched mine the whole time on a monitor.   Funny, I asked my Dr where are the implants ( I didn't see them). He said that they have been covered by the tissue.   I called Urolift customer service and they researched it and told me that 8 months (which is the time frame between my Urolift and cystoscopy)  seemed too soon for the implants to be covered by tissue.  Just something you may want to look for.

Thank you for your input!

OK Mike thats fair enough.  I had an Interventional Radiologist by the name of Dr. Sandeep Bagla in Alexandria, Virginia do it.  I have talked to a guy that authored a study of 200 people and he said it does not last for most guys.  Thats why Iam not in favor of it.  Unfortunately I did not know that until after I had it done.  But if you or Anthony want to do it thats fine by me. 

Hi Chuck,

I would be interested in finding out about that study. The question is, how long does it last? The same goes for the surgeries that do not completely remove the prostate - but they cause retro-ejaculation and sometimes are very painful with other unwanted side effects. Let's say PAE is good for 2 years only, looks like they are coming up with new ideas and techniques all the time so to my mind - if one can afford it it's a better option than having a Urologist butcher you with a laser or whatever.

Mike;  I fully agree.  There are lots of things coming down the pikeway in the near future.  A procedure called "I-Tind" sounds and looks like it has merit.  The "Rezum" procedure sounds pretty good too.  The guy that did the study on Rezum (yes, he's a Doctor) told me that the PAE does not have good results after a couple of years.  Also a company called Sophirus Corp. has a "injectible drug" called "PRX-302" that is still in "clinical trials".  Iam on the "waiting list" for that one. They inject the prostate 5 times with their drug and it shrinks it by 25%.  They do not have FDA approval yet but the Doctor conducting it has me on her wait list for the next trial run.   She's hard to get on the phone but I have talked to her twice.  A person has to understand that some of these people get tons of calls and they cannot talk to everyone that calls them and wants to talk about their issues. 

Chuck,

So the study was on Rezum and not PAE ? The doc might have had an agenda, we've seen that before when Urologists dismiss PAE. Telling you it doesn't work for more than 2 years sounds like something a salesman would say, kind of vague, doesn't say PAE doesn't work but at the same time puts doubt in your mind - of course it didn't work at all for you, just saying that sound like the pitch.

I looked up both Rezum and I-Tind. I-Tind looks more interesting, though scary idea walking around 5 days with a device inside you. Amazing the ideas they are coming up with we are living in amazing times.

Rezum does not advertise "no sexual side effects" and I would guess it's a gentler form of something like Green Light, not as bloody and painful but will most like cause retro-ejaculation. My Urologist told me he stopped Green light and went to something like Rezum because it was gentler, I forgot if it was actually Rezum because I decided on PAE but I remember it mentioned water vapor.

Regards,

Michael

I have had about five cystoscopy's over the years and none were painful and quicky over.

I have several times asked but without an answer how urolift can possibly last as the prostate although tucked away must continue to grow.  

The first one I had was OK, they gave me a valium shot - the second one was without Valium and hurt a lot, not sure why

Derek, I think this is the great unknown about Urolift, since it's been available only for three years, and about twice as long in Europe.  I stopped my meds a month after the Urolift, with the concurrence of my Uro-doc, as I hated the side effects.  But I have some concern about the continuing growth you mention.  Perhaps staying on pepitas & other growth-slowing rememdies will help slow the monster down!  :-)

I had to Google for Pepitas.. shelled pumpkin seeds. I did try pumkin seeds many years ago when I was taking saw palmetto.

UK Uro's seem not to have much faith that surgery stops the montster from growing and many say to continue with Avodart. Personally I would prefer another laser treatment to the side effects.

Chuck, 

i am curious if you have ever had a pressure flow test done. Cystometry or uroflowmetry I think it is called? I had this done, and they told me I had an atonic bladder, or weak bladder muscle. I'm wondering if you have something like that going on? I was told by the guy at UNC that I would not be a good candidate for PAE because of that. And have had two different Uros tell me the best thing is to remove any obstruction to make it easier for the bladder. Actually, they thought TURP or Holep would be best in my case. I opted for the ITind first, but would do either TURP or Holep to avoid having to use a catheter. The ITind makes incisions on the bladder neck supposedly, which is helpful in my case allegedly.

A PAE will cause shrinkage, so you would expect it to slow growth down.

Neal

Yes, Neal, that's the impression I've gotten.  And the positive feedback I've read on this site about PAEs give me a better impression of the procedure than what I read before deciding on the Urolift.  Keeping it in mind!  Also, Derek, I apologize re pepitas; I couldn't remember the American-English name at the time!  

Yes, Motoman, it's a toss-up... You would do the TURP to avoid having to cath; in my case my bladder is permanently stretched out (I don't know whether that's the same as "atonal"), and if left to its own devices will retain 600-800ccs of the golden liquid without complaining.  As a result, I cathed every night following my Urolift, and now, on the advise of 2 uro-docs, I cath midday as well.  After doing it for over 18 months (including 15 months of cathing every time I needed to pee, or more than 2000 times!), it is nothing more than "the new normals" for me, and less bothersome to me, than the potentially life-changing side-effects of the TURP procedure...

Ultimately, we all have these choices to make, often between one hard rock and another!

It sounded spicy rather than pumpkin. Do you live on the border? In some parts of America we found it difficult to get non Mexican food.

No, I am ensconced in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.  For reasons unknown, the seeds are labeled "Pepitas" at the health food store.  Maybe because it sounds more exotic than "Pumpkin Seeds?"   :-)

Good morning my friend Motoman;  Yes, I just had a "Urodynamics Test" about 3 weeks ago.  Yes, I do have a very weak stream.  Also a "somewhat" small bladder.  The average bladder holds about 400 CC of fluid and mine held about 300.  Whatever all that means but thats what my Urologist told me.  I have tried Mybetrig with no good results.  I now use "OxyButin Chloride 5mg" which does help to a "certain degree" but it does not solve the problem as I still "average" between 3 and 4 times per night to pee.  Thats why he is doing a "Cysto" on April 27th as he wants to "get in there" and take a look at "everything".  I hate the pain but Iam going to do it.   Don't know if "Botox" would help me or not but I have heard it does help some guys.  Are we having fun yet???  LOL

Hey, Chuck!   

Yes, it's a laugh a minute, here in Prostate-n-Bladderland!   :-D   You might want to consider CIC cathing, if you're not squeamish.  I have the opposite problem, in that I have a bladder that will hold 500-800ccs without complaining.  But I find that if I cath right before bedtime, I empty that big bad boy, and do not get up again until morning.  Cathing might give you fewer nighttime trips to the WC and a little more rest.  Just a thought...

Thank You Cartoonman.  I will think about that.

Does it say pumpkin anywhere on the pack?

Yes.  The description reads:

  Roasted/Salted

     PEPITAS

(Pumpkin Seeds)

I'm surprised that they are salted. Are they more for snacking than for health reasons? Here they seem not to be salted and sold in Health Food Stores. Quite a few prostate remedies have zink in them. Also supposed to be good for the heart and lowering BP.

Now for the commercial:

Pumpkin seeds have long been valued as an important natural food for men's health. This is in part because of their high zinc content, which is important for prostate health (where it is found in the highest concentrations in the body), and also because pumpkin seed extracts and oils may play a role in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, or enlarged prostate). Research suggests that both pumpkin seed oil and pumpkin seeds2 may be particularly beneficial in supporting prostate health.

Thanks for the info AND the commercial; nicely played!  The local health food emporium sells raw and roasted pepitas, salted and unsalted.  My wife likes them unsalted and raw, I like them salted and roasted.  Chacun à son goût, as my French relatives say...  :-)

I usually eat pepitas in a mix with banana chips, dried cranberries and (salted and roasted) cashew pieces, just because I like the added flavors...

Salt is not to my taste now. We stopped using salt and sugar in the mid 80's and dont eat many prepared foods.

Ditto regarding prepared foods!  We stay away from those dangerous middles aisles of the supermarket!  In fact, we do most of ouyr shopping in the small middle eastern market and Aldi's when we can.  

As for salt? Guilty!  As for sugar... mmmm, it's one of those addictions I keep a handle on, but allow.  And for home-roasted, Aeropress-prepared coffee, it's gotta have real half-n-half!  No sugar there, however...  :-)

 

How big are Aldi in America? They are rapidly expanding in the UK along with the other German owned one Lidl.

According to their web site, they have nearly 1500 stores in 32 states.  I like them for their decent, inexpensive chocolates and bananas and berries.  

An Aldi has just opened in our town but is in rather an out of the way location on the edge of an industrial estate. Lidl is easier to get to. They are good for fruit and veg and have great dark chocolate and really good ice cream.

The problem with them both is that they do not have a wide selection and most of their goods are produced for all of Europe and product details are in small print in many languages.

Well, yes.  We don't have Lidl (yet), but Aldi is like that here.  If one chooses to live simply, it works for a while...  I grew up in Southern Germany, in München, but it was before Aldi showed up.  More the days of Tengelman.   Say, have we gotten off-topic, or WHAT???  :-D

I'm famed for changing the subject but we do learn things by it.

Lidl opened in big cities here and chose poorer and student areas for their stores.

Aldi seemed to go for smaller towns with less competition and cheaper rents. Lidl are in the main staffed by Eastern European immigrants.

Now both companies are attracting middle class shoppers and are acquiring a reputation for selling good wines and spirits at bargain prices.