Prostate laser surgery - my journey
Discussion
Just sat in bed at the Fosecote Hospital in Banbury post laser reduction treatment on my enlarged prostate. Bit bored so I thought I would start a thread to share my experiences, help the time pass and maybe help others considering this option.
Quick back story. I’ve had reduced flow when urinating for about 10 years, I’m 58 now so it started quite young. After a couple of cameras up the willy I got diagnosed with BPHT, benign prostate hypertension I think it stands for, ever since then I’ve been on Tamsulosin and Dutasteride. The side effects of these have not been too bad, reduced libido, occasional dry orgasms and a bit less stiff the most notable ones.
I have never not been able to wee but it’s been a bit close sometimes especially at night, I find a brief walk about sometimes helps. I love long road trips but these have been increasingly more tricky as time wears on, if I leave it to long before a wee stop then I can need another one 10 mins later which is a drag! The really uncomfortable bit for me has been the occasional UTI’s. I have been averaging about one every 6 months or so. These knock me about quite a bit and they take a good 3 weeks or so to clear up with antibiotics. It’s like a good firm kick in the knackers for about 3 weeks. All in all I feel like I can manage the problems but as time has progressed it does have a big impact on my quality of life.
About a year ago I was reading some threads on here about the development of prostate treatments and I started to seriously consider going for elective surgery. The treatments are available on the NHS I think but as I understand it they are a fair way down the priority list which is fair enough.
It’s not been an easy decision to make. I am not good with medical matters at the best of times, I can’t even watch casualty, and it’s a bit of a lonely experience being lost in your own head. The thought of not actually being able to wee at all has been a big motivator, I don’t fancy that.
For me the pros have been: proper weeing again, stop taking the drugs, quality of life hopefully.
The Cons: it’s irreversible, dry orgasms, possible side effects, fear of the unknown.
So here I am, had the op this morning, hooked up to a 3 way catheter which is jet washing all the crap and blood out of my bladder and wondering what happens next. Apparently I’ve got to learn how to wee again, which could be interesting.
Not feeling to bad at the moment but I’m not looking under the blanket just in case I flake out
Any questions fire away I’ve got nothing else to do at the moment.
Quick back story. I’ve had reduced flow when urinating for about 10 years, I’m 58 now so it started quite young. After a couple of cameras up the willy I got diagnosed with BPHT, benign prostate hypertension I think it stands for, ever since then I’ve been on Tamsulosin and Dutasteride. The side effects of these have not been too bad, reduced libido, occasional dry orgasms and a bit less stiff the most notable ones.
I have never not been able to wee but it’s been a bit close sometimes especially at night, I find a brief walk about sometimes helps. I love long road trips but these have been increasingly more tricky as time wears on, if I leave it to long before a wee stop then I can need another one 10 mins later which is a drag! The really uncomfortable bit for me has been the occasional UTI’s. I have been averaging about one every 6 months or so. These knock me about quite a bit and they take a good 3 weeks or so to clear up with antibiotics. It’s like a good firm kick in the knackers for about 3 weeks. All in all I feel like I can manage the problems but as time has progressed it does have a big impact on my quality of life.
About a year ago I was reading some threads on here about the development of prostate treatments and I started to seriously consider going for elective surgery. The treatments are available on the NHS I think but as I understand it they are a fair way down the priority list which is fair enough.
It’s not been an easy decision to make. I am not good with medical matters at the best of times, I can’t even watch casualty, and it’s a bit of a lonely experience being lost in your own head. The thought of not actually being able to wee at all has been a big motivator, I don’t fancy that.
For me the pros have been: proper weeing again, stop taking the drugs, quality of life hopefully.
The Cons: it’s irreversible, dry orgasms, possible side effects, fear of the unknown.
So here I am, had the op this morning, hooked up to a 3 way catheter which is jet washing all the crap and blood out of my bladder and wondering what happens next. Apparently I’ve got to learn how to wee again, which could be interesting.
Not feeling to bad at the moment but I’m not looking under the blanket just in case I flake out
Any questions fire away I’ve got nothing else to do at the moment.
Having gone through a TURP twice I understand your thoughts and feelings.
This time next year it will all be a dim memory and you will be getting on with life again.
Apropos the TURP, it is a physical cutting procedure as against your laser process.
Both procedures can produce differing outcomes.
Don't be too concerned about the performance and ejaculation aspect; it changes with time. Your body will adapt and may well return to normal.
My experience is that the medics will always and understandably, err on the cautious side.
Get well soon and be aware that you will never forget where every toilet is on any journey that you may take.
This time next year it will all be a dim memory and you will be getting on with life again.
Apropos the TURP, it is a physical cutting procedure as against your laser process.
Both procedures can produce differing outcomes.
Don't be too concerned about the performance and ejaculation aspect; it changes with time. Your body will adapt and may well return to normal.
My experience is that the medics will always and understandably, err on the cautious side.
Get well soon and be aware that you will never forget where every toilet is on any journey that you may take.
sjwb said:
Having gone through a TURP twice I understand your thoughts and feelings.
This time next year it will all be a dim memory and you will be getting on with life again.
Apropos the TURP, it is a physical cutting procedure as against your laser process.
Both procedures can produce differing outcomes.
Don't be too concerned about the performance and ejaculation aspect; it changes with time. Your body will adapt and may well return to normal.
My experience is that the medics will always and understandably, err on the cautious side.
Get well soon and be aware that you will never forget where every toilet is on any journey that you may take.
Thanks for that This time next year it will all be a dim memory and you will be getting on with life again.
Apropos the TURP, it is a physical cutting procedure as against your laser process.
Both procedures can produce differing outcomes.
Don't be too concerned about the performance and ejaculation aspect; it changes with time. Your body will adapt and may well return to normal.
My experience is that the medics will always and understandably, err on the cautious side.
Get well soon and be aware that you will never forget where every toilet is on any journey that you may take.
V8covin said:
There's various new less invasive methods out now to shrink the prostate.Steam via the urethra being one.
What made you choose laser ?
I was really up for the steam treatment, Rezum I think is one brand. The consultant was prepared to do either but the laser was his preferred option once he had a look at my scans so I went with that.What made you choose laser ?
He was a bit dismissive of the less invasive claims of the steam treatment. His take on it is that the laser removes the material and cauterizes as it goes whereas the steam kills the cells but is less effective at removing them. My laser treatment was also via the urethra so that is very similar. I am told that the recovery time is also very similar. Time will tell.
It would be interesting to see if anyone on here has had the steam treatment and compare notes.
V8covin said:
Was this NHS or private ? If it were private what does it cost ?
At some point in the future I will need a procedure of some sort
Private as it’s elective surgery. I could go on the NHS but quite rightly I would be a fair way down a very long list, especially as I was managing it ok in my own little way.At some point in the future I will need a procedure of some sort
Not actually had the bill yet but the quote is about £7K all in. I am a bit surprised as I thought you had to pay up front, perhaps they have forgotten
kev b said:
mickyh7 I am not a doctor but are you sure its your prostate making you get up in the night?
It could be obstructive sleep apnoea, if I forget to wear my MAD device I may need to get up twice in the night but wearing it I usually sleep right through.
Up at night for a Pee I thought. If I drink nothing from Tea time I don't get up, so I think it is Prostate related.It could be obstructive sleep apnoea, if I forget to wear my MAD device I may need to get up twice in the night but wearing it I usually sleep right through.
Everything is still working so I might have a while yet!
It was having to pee frequently that caused me to visit my GP. Result: prostate cancer. Treatment: radiotherapy.
Since then I've been OK, pee frequency has greatly reduced. At the hospital I was told the record number of nocturnal bathroom visits for a pee was 28 so count yourselves lucky!
All the best OP.
Since then I've been OK, pee frequency has greatly reduced. At the hospital I was told the record number of nocturnal bathroom visits for a pee was 28 so count yourselves lucky!
All the best OP.
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