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Rezume Procedure Complications

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todd86639
todd86639

Hello.   This is my first time posting here but I wanted to discuss a problem I had with the Rezum procedure since I've seen similar discussions elsewhere on this site in discussions which are mostly closed.  When I did research before my Rezum procedure there was almost no negative comments to be found anywhere online and my urologist suggested it strongly for me since I was adamant about not wanting any sexual side effects. 

I had the procedure last August.  It is now the end of  February.  The procedure, for me, was extraordinarily painful throughout.  I have had three prostate biopsies with this urologist which were not painful at all so my tolerance for pain is pretty high.  I was almost in tears with Rezum even with the prostate block.  My doctor did not put me on a catheter after the procedure since I had been trained to self cath and I voided after the procedure without catheterization (painfully). 

I noticed no improvement from symptoms until five months after the procedure but after that time I was only getting up twice a night to go to the bathroom.  I was grateful for that.  However, I was one of the negligible number of men who now suffer from retrograde ejaculation after the procedure.  I was led to believe that this complication was extraordinarily rare but apparently I am the unlucky one. My personal opinion is that this complication is far more common then the company is letting on.  I stopped taking BPH mediations because of retrograde ejaculation and now it is how I will live my life for the rest of my life.  I know it's not the end of the world and many people have much bigger problems.....but I'm only 50 years old and the thought that I will not be able to ejaculate or have an intense orgasm again is depressing......especially since my urologist was so confident that this would not be a problem.  If I thought this would be my likely outcome I would not have had the procedure.  I just wanted to give my story so that others can make a more sound decision when considering options for procedures.  Rezum is not complication free.  Far from it. 

1 like, 23 replies

23 Replies

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  • jimjames
    jimjames todd86639

    Posted

    Hi Todd,

    Sorry things didn't work out well with Rezum. We've been hearing and seeing for some time here around 10% retro with Rezum. Could be higher. Trial data from a manufacturer, especially with a new procedure, always has to be looked at with a skeptical eye.

    Jim

    • todd86639
      todd86639 jimjames

      Posted

      Thanks Jim. I had actually had the procedure scheduled for January of last year but postponed it until fall to do more research and see if any negative reports had surfaced. I wasn’t able to find any negative reports about Rezum online so I went ahead with the procedure. Clearly I should have waited longer. But my urologist was more concerned that my insurance covered it than about any possible side effects for me. 
    • jimjames
      jimjames todd86639

      Posted

      It's possible that the retro is only temporary but I'm just guessing here. We do have a doctor who posts frequently who has done many Rezums and you might want to ask him. He posts under "jerseyurology" I believe and you can find him in the other Rezum threads.

      Jim

    • todd86639
      todd86639 jimjames

      Posted

      Thanks, Jim!  You've been very helpful!  I appreciate it!

  • mark02906
    mark02906 todd86639

    Posted

    While I didn't have a Rezum procedure, I understand your perspective about RE after having taken medicine that induced it.

    Do not give up hope.  If the situation does not resolve itself, it is very probable that in the near future that there will be a medical development that can eliminate the RE.  Be the squeaky wheel.

    I had a BPH procedure (TUNA) about 10 years ago that only temporarily improved night time visits.  The medical community does not do that procedure as much if at all.  I am hopeful that the 2nd procedure I had will continue to be more successful.

    Are we "jumping on the grenade" for the next generation?  That's too dramatic.  But, if we help move knowledge forward so our sons and grandsons have better treatment, I will be happy.

    I am not trying to minimize your feelings.  I wish you the best.  You are not alone.

    • todd86639
      todd86639 mark02906

      Posted

      I didn't feel you were minimizing my feelings at all.  I love hearing different perspectives and I'm hopeful that my situation will resolve itself in time (though I'm not counting on it either).  At the end of the day it's a small problem.  I work in a cancer center so I am truly grateful everyday for my general good health.  Not being able to ejaculate is just a minor inconvenience.  I just wanted to put my story out there so other men could make a more informed decision about their treatment if Rezum is on their treatment list.  I truly appreciate your input!  Everyone here has been very nice!

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