Enlarged Prostate Support Group

I had this surgery Nov 14. Had really high expectations, based on a CD that the doctor gave me. Expected to be back to normal in 2 weeks. I don't have major complaints, but I still have some issues and it is now Dec 21 (5 + weeks).

1) The urge to go comes on very suddenly so that I almost can't make it to the bathroom.

2) Riding in a car, especially on a bumpy road, is uncomfortable. Stinging and feeling like I need to go all the time.

3) I haven't resumed running because every step is a bit uncomfortable, like I need to go every step.

4) Intense pressure in my bladder at the end of going.

5) Still seeing a little blood when I get active.

My doctor told me I have a very large prostate and my system was probably inflamed. He said to take ibuprofen. He said it would get better with time.

If this doesn't get better than this I wish I hadn't had it done. Hopefully, it will get back to normal.

How is everyone else doing? ( I am 61 and in good shape).

Thanks

Post edited by: burkik, at: 12/21/2011 06:54 AM

Hi.... wow does that sound familiar........... I was months on end before it all stopped...... And I was told the same things you were.... Green light lazer is the way to go.......MY A--!!!!! Sorry... It was painful, for months for me... all the smptoms you are having..... Then came the ED.... It was not like that at first, but as time went on, it got worse.... I would have to tell anyone that is going to have green light lazer surgery.... THINK TWICE!!!!! I am very sorry I can not give you any good news on this..... As for me...I am 59, good shape.... still having problems with my prostate..... I will not have surgery again if I can help it...... let me know if things improve and what you did...

Thanks, I'll keep you posted. Hope you have agood holiday and things go well in the future for you.

I had the Green Light procedure done on Oct 27 of '11. I visited these forums ahead of time and the discussions alarmed me. I discussed all this with my surgeon and he told me these folks are being mislead by their physicians. He laid out a timetable of what I could expect to happen immediately after and for the following months. It has happened exactly as he laid it out. Now he has done over 200 of these procedures so I guess that helps.

I'm 60 and had been having urination problems for the past 5 years using homeopathic remedies at first (saw palmetto, nettle, etc) then graduating to Flomax and eventually Jalyn. He told me this was my best surgical option if that was the way I wanted to go. I was getting up 3 or 4 times a night and it would take me minutes to pee. It just got to be too much so I opted for this surgery.

I spent overnite with the catheter which was the first full nite of uninterrupted sleep I've had in years (the catheter drains the bladder while you sleep). I took it out in the shower the next day. My doc told me nothing strenuous for 2 weeks. He reminded me that the procedure essentially puts 3rd degree burns inside your prostate so take it easy and give it a chance to heal which he said wouldn't happen completely for 3 months. Blood in my urine which he also told me would be visible at the start for probably 6 weeks. Stopped almost exactly then. It hurt pretty bad to pee the day after but the pain pills he gave me handled that and I gotta tell you I peed like I was 16 years old...and now empty completely in a couple of seconds. Didn't need them after that but it still stung to urinate. Urgency came very quickly and used a Kleenex in my shorts for a couple of days as a bit of bloody urine would leak out right after I peed. That cleared quickly. Doc told me to expect "chunks" of prostate to come out in my stream for several weeks. They did. He said it's normal and don't panic even if it happens 8 weeks out. I had one last chunk come out in week 9 with a bit of blood. No pain and no further blood.

Still had to get up 2-3 times a night but doc told me to expect this. He said that when you have BPH for years, your bladder gets irritated and it will take up to six months for that to subside completely. It's three months out and I'm down to once a night. No pain at all left, no blood left in the urine. Urgency has gradually declined and is now less than prior to the surgery. I visited the doc yesterday and he said that will continue to decline. Also said I may never go the whole night regularly without peeing but wait and see.

There is absolutely NO semen that comes out now when I ejaculate. I would wait at least a month before you try. I tried a little early and regretted it...it hurt. I also waited a month before I started exercising hard again as well. My "saddle" (the spot between your balls and anus) felt full and hurt when I "pushed". That's gone now too.

I think the key for me was I discussed the concerns on these boards with my physician ahead of time and he was honest and told me it wasn't a miracle and I wasn't going to heal in a week. As things unfolded exactly as he predicted, I was reassured that things were going well. At this point, no regrets at all. Find someone who will be honest with you and discuss your concerns ahead of the surgery.

Dan51, I'm really glad I found and read your post. I'm 65 years old and I had green laser BPH reduction surgery 10 days ago. Everything seemed to be going well, then I started seeing some minor blood and small clots in my urine at about day eight. I thought I had complications. I'll keep an eye on things and give it time, like your doctor told you do it. Thanks, again, for sharing this with me, and I hope and pray that all is well with you now.

Dan51, can you possibly tell me the name and city of the surgeon who performed the GL laser procedure on your prostate? I am desperately looking for the right surgeon, to see if I can get my father some relief.

My father has been suffering from BPH for 7 years now. The problem has grown over the years, in spite of a TURP and meds, and he needs help YESTERDAY. I am his caretaker, and, of course, I am suffering, too. [WHO is the mad researcher who first called an enlarged prostate “Benign”? An enlarged prostate is, if my father’s experiences are any indication, pure and simple, the WORK of the DEVIL.].

I know that, like in everything in life, there are “surgeons and there are surgeons”—not everyone in the medical field has a good eye, a steady, talented hand, and a perfectionist attitude [the factors which I think makes a great surgeon].

Thank you for your help, Dan51, and God Bless You and Yours!

HI...where do you live..... If you are in the south.... I have a doctor in Springhill, Fl... that did mine......

Hi, Fletch1ya, was this question addressed to me? If so, here is my reply:

It so happens that we live in Central Florida. And yes, I would appreciate the details of the doctor IF you consider your operation was a success, and why you think it was a success, and why you consider that this is a good surgeon, worthy of recommending to others, etc. Details, please. Details can mean EVERYTHING.

By the way, I am a 62 year old female, but, because of my father's 7-year-old problem, all the reasearch I have done, and all the discussions I have had with doctors, I have NO problem discussing the prostate problem, the parts of the male anatomy, or any related subject at all. [I have become much more familiar with the subject than I could have dreamed of--or NIGHTMARED of--say, 10 years ago.]

Thank you for your help, and God Bless!

HI.... Well I am down here in Fl now..... I have property here and we come down during the bad winter months...... But anyway..... Its great that you are helping your dad...its a problem that most men would give their right arm not to have ..... besides talk about......

I guess I am not sure where to start..... The doctor I see is a very good doctor...

And I like him. But I was wondering how is your dads health otherwise????

And what kinds of meds is he on for his prostate problem.....?

As far as the surgery goes...... It works on most people, but the length of time it will help after the surgery is up in the air...... It might work really well for one, and only a couple of months for another...... The surgeon will tell you it will work for a long time..... BUT that is just not true..... I had my first surgery over at St. Lukes over at Jacksonville..... And it worked really well for about 3yrs.... then.... back to square one..... Then went to this doctor and he did the Green light laser... and it took about 4 months for me to get past the surgery..... I then felt great.... and that went on for about a yr.... and then problems started to show again..... I was on flowmax the whole time.... Then he adjusted my meds, and I was good for about another yr..... Then since then...its been pretty much back to square one........

but a lot of that has to do with my general health, and other meds I am on....(that is why I was asking how your dads general health was).

If you are interested in know any more, name, and address of my doctor, please PM me...

thanks.... And its great of you to be helping your dad with such a delicate problem.....for him that is.......

Craig

Dear Fletch1ya, (or anyone who might be interested)

Thank you for your comments.

My father’s health:

It is EXCELLENT for a 96 year old that he is, or, in fact, for any 66 year old, for that matter. And all that in spite of the complications/repercussions of the BPH. I base this assessment in looking at the way he behaves, at his BP, at his HR, at his oxygen content, and at all the results of the blood tests which I buy for him from Life Exension, etc. (Blood work never lies, if you know what is normal for the patient, and you have a SERIES of blood work that spans years, including a “healthier” past) Most of the credit for my Dad’s health goes to the fact that his daughter is a bit of an “expert” in Alternative Medicine, and to some of the best nutritional supplements that money can buy. [in certain aspects, his health is better than mine is, and I am only 62, because HE has much more money than I do, so I use his money to buy him supps.].

In fact, Dad’s health is so good, I think he is ready for another TURP—except, of course, I would rather he had something “better.”

Meds: Flomax and Finasteride. However, they stopped working about 9 months ago, as far as I can tell.

The Surgeon who did your GL laser surgery:

Why do you think that he is experienced/proficient enough? Do you know of how other men who had a GL laser op by this doctor, and who are doing relatively well?

By the way, I would certainly appreciate the name of the GL Laser Surgeon who operated on you, for my file.

Thank you, again!

PS. Yes, my father is SUPER blessed to have me. And, thanks also to my sister who still works, and who helps me with my bills, so I don’t have to work, even part-time, while I look after my dad. And, yes, I, too, am BLESSED that my father is not left to his own resources or the help of strangers. (God has been GOOD.)