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Radical Prostatectomy - or not?

Posted , 11 users are following.

ian30145
ian30145

I've been suffering for 15 awful months now with prostatitis - burning urination, bowel movements, scrotal inflammation and irritation, constipation. I can't go anywhere,,, I can't sleep - I'm wrecked; I'm broken- recent course of Amoxicillin for a supposed and probably non-existent bacterial infection has just made things much much worse

Consultant Urologist has advised me to have the prostate removed - he has a good track record in this. He says that there is a good chance it will relieve my pains; on the other hand there's a possibility it might make it worse though he says he has never regretted operating on cases like mine(what the patients thought I don't know)

I am extremely tensed up, anxious and worried about this

Advice appreciated

0 likes, 29 replies

29 Replies

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  • lester90053
    lester90053 ian30145

    Posted

    Get as many opinions as you can but remember no matter what procedure you choose you will have to sign a waiver of liability which protects the doctor, staff and hospital.

    • ian30145
      ian30145 lester90053

      Posted

      The Consultant said that there was a greater than 50% chance that my pains would be rectified; he said that of the 10 he'd done with prostatitis like mine he didn't regret doing any of them - which implied that at least they weren't made worse. There's one example on their website of a guy who was totally restored by the op - that leaves the other 9 of course

    • barney34567
      barney34567 ian30145

      Posted

      The fact that the consultant said HE "didn't regret doing any", doesn't mean much. It's whether the patients regret him doing them.

    • ian30145
      ian30145 barney34567

      Posted

      Yes quite, it was a cagey answer; further questioning required from me

    • barney34567
      barney34567 ian30145

      Posted

      I recall asking 4 neurosurgeons how many of my type of brain tumour they removed in their lives. "My type" not "all" tumours.

      1 of the 4 replied immediately.

      1 replied months later.

      2 never answered the question.

      I don't like to press doctors. If they refuse to reply to s straight forward query from me, then that's my cue to exit their rooms and ask for my parking to be validated by the receptionist.

  • doug04815
    doug04815 ian30145

    Posted

    Maybe it's a combination of these two:

    Google on "What Do I Do If You Have Both IBS and CP/CPPS?"

    What Do I Do If You Have Both IBS and CP/CPPS?

    Due to the high overlap rate between IBS and CP/CPPS, be sure to be open with your doctor about all of your symptoms, whether they be bowel, bladder or sexual in nature.

    Both disorders appear to benefit from an excellent working relationship with a physician. Your doctor is in the best position to identify treatment options that take into account all of your symptoms.

    Although as of now there is no known system-wide dysfunction that may be contributing to symptoms of both disorders, it never hurts to incorporate strategies that benefit your overall health into your life. Pain sensations can be enhanced by stress and anxiety, so it may be helpful to look into mind/body activities that ease stress and tension, such as meditation, relaxation exercises, and yoga.

    • ian30145
      ian30145 doug04815

      Posted

      Thanks, I've been wondering about IBS recently - to have both would be a real bonus - I'm very open at the GP surgery - not sure it's a 2 way process

      I haven't done anything much about stress, medication, yoga etc - I've never been convinced by the mind body connection; obviously I don't know of course - I'm listening to the Cricket - Test Match Special - that relaxes me

    • doug04815
      doug04815 ian30145

      Posted

      Same here regarding mind-body connection. I'm skeptical, but am willing to consider it.

      FWIW, this book at least made some sense when I read it: Relaxation Revolution: The Science and Genetics of Mind Body Healing by Herbert Benson.

      In the book, Benson recommended spending 15 minutes doing any kind of meditation to get into a relaxed state. After that, he said to spend 15 minutes doing mental imagery where you imagine yourself in a "remembered well state" -- i.e. a scene where one has no symptoms of the sort one currently has and can move about without any pain.

    • ian30145
      ian30145 doug04815

      Posted

      Thanks - when my symptoms are really atrocious I can't read books; I used to be an avid reader.. I kind of do the well remembered state - drinking beer - going to football matches - country pubs - long walks over the hills - family stuff - all the stuff I can't do now - I'll give 15 minute sessions a go, try to

    • dcooperxyz
      dcooperxyz ian30145

      Posted

      ian ,

      ive suffered from multiple bouts of prostatitis. The multitude of symptoms can be horrendous. The problem is that it is a condition not very well understood by the medical profession. ive looked into the condition very deeply indeed. Stress is a definate trigger for it. There is one pill which has helped me clear it up and that is Diazapan ( valium) .There are plenty of studies you can read about why it helps. .I can only assume it works by either relaxing the pelvic muscles which are causing the referred pain or it relaxes the individual that in turns relaxes the pelvic muscles. i took one week course and it went completely. A prostatectomy seems extremely radical and i fear it may not work . Please consider this decision carefully.

    • ian30145
      ian30145 dcooperxyz

      Posted

      I'll ask the GP about Valium - I am very conscious what I huge decision this is - that's I've launched this threat here and on other sites - the input is extremely valuable to me and I'm grateful - thank you

  • hank1953
    hank1953 ian30145

    Posted

    Someone recently posted a discussion about how his uro convinced him hoLEP is the best procedure for prostatitis. If you can't find the discussion, let me know.

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