Rezum Treatment Details - Part 2
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Pre-Op:
The Rezum lasted exactly 3 years. I was getting up much more frequently. I took the IPPS survey and found that my scores had gone back up (to severe) so I went to the see the doc. The good news is that I don’t need a biopsy, PSA is below normal. The only symptoms mainly is my nocturia which was up to about 3-4 times a night, up from about one, once I got the Rezum in gear.
Again, I feel like the cystoscopy was as painful as the procedure itself, well just a tad less but if you can take that, you can take the Rezum. The doc did put me on Flomax once more which I really hated. It took about 30 days for me to see an improvement but more noticeable at 45 days and went back down to 1,2 of waking to urinate.
I am in better overall health this time around than last. I’ve lost 60 pounds and doing more exercises w/the core and isolation exercises for various muscles. I feel great – but I know that I can improve my health with the Rezum. I did consider the turip – but it seems that too is a 2-4 year limited use before having to do a redo. The size of my prostate went from like a 58 to a 51 or so - not sure if this is due to weight loss.
Oh, by the way, the doc mentioned that I was his first patient back from Rezum. I didn't quite get catch all the conversation when he mentioned what he could have done differently - but it seems I was a use case for his improved technique. The Doc felt much more confident adding that his experience over the years has improved in both the procedure and the results. My hope is that w/this, maybe I can get 4 years out of the 6 minute treatment. My last rezum was on 12/14/2019.
Day 1, 12/13/2019
Well, OK. Almost 1 day to the 3 years from my first procedure. The procedure started at 2:45 p.m. and last about 6 minutes overall. This time, however, I had some nitrice?? It was an extra $150. Comparing my first procedure against the 2nd, I would say that the first one was a 10 and then second one was a 4 w/the nitrice. I suggested to the medical assistant that just prior to the procedure, I should have gone to a 50 cc setting – I felt the first injection and steam. Immediately, after that I was taking major breaths to get more of the nitrice - but the last few injections were far less painful. It seemed that after the first one, I didn’t feel the other 5 injections of steam. Also a change from my last procedure (same doc), he put a catheter with a urine bag on me, I didn’t feel that.
Within a few minutes – probably 5-6, I was able to get up and go to the bathroom to empty the cath bag and get dressed. I had almost no residual dizziness or vertigo so getting dressed was not hard. I learned the cath bag needs to be secured to your front thigh. I am now 3 hours post procedure. I feel some burning inside my penis, but I think that is just the cath. It seemed my last procedure – went smoother post procedure but the cath should help me to rest better once I get used to it and some of the pain of the procedures goes down. It also will help the healing process so it may be some pain/discomfort now and better recovery later. I had a small bowel movement and noticed some blood in the stool and paper. I’m sure this is from the shots and procedure itself. I am to have the cath on for 3 days before I can remove it – we’ll see how that goes.
My recollectioin from last time, is that I had an ejaculation at 7-10 days but it was way too soon for that. It was painful and I plan on not repeating that mistake. I plan to go a full 4 weeks before sexual activity. Anyway, the Rezum takes much of the sex interest away and the stumped organism isn’t worth the risk of an infection or bleeding or it impeding the healing process.
On my first procedure I was given the blue Urogesic pill samples which I took right away since I didn’t have a cath. Round 2, the Dr. advised that I am not to take these until after I get the Cath out – but I may try taking them. I still feel burning when peeing even w/the cath – so I am hopeful the blue pill will help with some of the discomfort. Also, I took some ibuprofen and just got my pain prescription Ibuprofen 600 mg, hopefully this will help me out w/the discomfort and sleeping tonight.
My first night wasn’t too bad. I got my prescriptions filled and took both of them immediately. This made a noticeable difference in my pain/discomfort. I took it easy that night and slept pretty good, continued to drink a lot of water so got up 3 times to empty the cath bag. I do feel like the blue pill is needed even w/the cath on as this has caused my ‘burning’ sensation to get significantly reduced when urine passes.
Lastly, since the procedure I have felt urine pass, it’s not something I can really control but it happens or felt most when my body is moving - sitting up or down etc.
Day2, 12/14/2019
I have continued w/the medications, comfort and mobility is much more improved. Overall, I feel fine it’s mainly my penis that feels tenderness. It’s awkward to walk w/the cath on so you can get around with a slow gait. I don’t know that I’d enjoy shopping or going to the range but there is nothing that stops me from doing that.
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Outtatoone
Edited
Day 9 (Sunday) 12/22/2019
I was travelling on business the last few days so I didn’t get much time to write. Since I’m still recovering, I was a bit nervous but did better than expected. I’m getting up 1-2 times a night. Pain or penile tenderness is all gone as of today and except for Flomax, no longer taking any of the prescribed medicines for Rezum.
It seems to me that compared as to my first Rezum #1, I am ahead of schedule on BPH improvement.
I’m still being cautious about sex. Therefore, no ejaculations. I want the prostate to have as much time as necessary to heal. Plus, Flomax really dampens my desire and my love making experience. With Flomax and the recent Rezum treatment, I’ve not had but a few erections. I’m fine w/that since I don’t want the temptation of sex right now. This is one of the reasons I’m choosing to stay on Flomax until I use up my prescription, another 14 days or so.
There is no urgency or leaking involved. I had urgency prior to Rezum and wasn’t able to postpone for more than a few minutes. Leaking had been an issue in my third year after my initial Rezum procedure. It wasn’t bad but I had to be careful with it. Lately, I’ve not had an issue with that but would credit Flomax there. My expectation is that I won’t have that again until it gets closer to my next Rezum treatment (2023).
Overall:
-Flow and stream is stronger; don’t know if it can get any better.
-Improved time within bathroom visits. After waking today, I went nearly 5 hours.
-I’m still seeing some tiny pieces of flesh while passing urine. Usually it is just 1-2 specs smaller than a sunflower seed.
-Last night I went to the restroom only once.
-I can now sit through a full-length movie.
I’m not regretting the decision to have a Rezum redo. So far so good.
Outtatoone
Posted
Day 12 (12/25/2019)
Well, I did have sexual activity, wish I hadn’t. Again, Flomax really negatively impacts my sex life and I am still taking it so wasn’t expecting much. Anyway, there were a few aftereffects worthy of mention.
a. I had some mild bleeding when passing urine. Up until this point, my urine had been clear of any blood other than that first day after Rezum.
b. The urgency and frequent trips have returned. I’m wondering if that had anything to do w/it – I highly suspect that it did.
c. I've noticed a bit more leaking - where as prior to sex this hadn't been an issue.
My body wasn’t ready for an ejaculation. I’m still passing tiny pieces of flesh so my healing continues.
Your much more sensitive to spicy food or caffeine during this recovery period.
My suggestion is to wait on sex as long as you can - maybe 2 to 3 weeks before your ready.
Outtatoone
Edited
Day 35 (1/17/2020)
I am now exactly 5 weeks from my treatment date. I am no longer taking medication of any kind. My last Flomax pill was about 10 days ago. Since week two, I have had ups and downs. Sometimes my urgency would go up with weak stream and then able to go hours w/o having to go. Shortly after the new year or week 3, I was able to sleep several nights w/getting up just once. In many cases, I could have gone – but was already up so took a leak. About 3 days ago, I noticed a very strong stream – not quite a fire hose but much improved. My ejaculates are still a little bloody that come with small pieces of flesh so I’m still taking it easy and not pushing myself there. Usually after sex, I’d notice some small pressure or pain – mirroring that which I experienced days after the Rezum treatment. It was much less but it was present yet not enough to take a pill for it. I took the IPSS today and I was like a 13 so am now moderate. I still feel like I’m just now seeing the improvements I’ve expected with more good progress to come. During the holidays, took a drive and was able to manage my stops as expected – certainly not nervous about knowing when the next rest stop might be, much more relaxed when I drive. Also, I went to see a 2 hour movie and held it the whole time – hadn’t been able to do that in a while.
Outtatoone
Edited
Hi, Folks. It's been a while since I wrote last on my Rezum. I don't regret the treatment but I've concluded that it's only a temporary fix. My doctor says, I am one of the few who have returned but it seems to me that others folks don't come back because they figure it's not worth going back to the same doctor or they feel like they are out of options and just live with BPH. My first Rezum treatment seemed like a miracle and gave me measurable improved results in a matter of days. However, it only lasted about 3 years. Knowing the symptoms, I found myself back to where I started. I'd been one of the first people to have this treatment when it was still late in the trials (2016 ish). At the time, no one really knew how long the treatment would last. Having now had the treatment twice (again in 2019), I can tell you, at least from my own personal experience, it will last 2-3 years. For the cost and the pain associated to the treatment, I wouldn't do this again. And, much of the literature I read indicates that results from retreatment won't be any better than the first. This was true in my own case. Presently, I'm back to all my classic symptoms of BPH - nocturia, urgency, reduced flow, start/stop stream. I had been looking at a pamplet for Urolift which my doctor was excited about, but having done more reading - no way! That is also a temporary fix. I'm now researching what I do next. I've got two doctors I am now consulting. So, I will either have PAE or Aquablation. I'm thinking I'll be okay with either one. Aquablation can preserve all of your manhood functions and seems based on similar type of procedures you'll get 10+ years benefits, in line w/some of the more instrusive procedures (gold standard i.e. TURP). Lastly, Rezum never really treated my urgency. I've heard many of the other doctors on YouTube say the same. I hope you find this useful. I you are interested in something that is minimally invasive, painful and just something to buy you some time to find something more permanent, then Rezum is an option. I didn't have Aquablation as a treatment option at the time. PAE was still fairly new and Urologist really don't like to hear about it. I consulted with an Iterventional Radiologist and he said that PAE is now the primary treatment option in Europe. The good news is that if it doesn't work, you can still go to one of the therapies offered by a Urologist. The downside is that my insurance Aetna may not pay for it so I'm still waiting to hear which way I go.
hassanaz Outtatoone
Posted
Sorry that it didn't last too long for you... And thank you for sharing your experience with that level of detail, very useful.