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Posted 4/22/2010 8:48 AM (GMT 0)
One more thing - until I get the Biopsy or go the Turp route, do you think having one of these might help with the symptoms? (Taken from Web MD)


Minimally Invasive Treatments for an Enlarged Prostate
When medications don't help your enlarged prostate, several procedures can relieve symptoms -- without surgery. They are performed in a doctor's office. "These procedures use various types of heat energy to shrink a portion of the prostate," explains Westney. "They are very effective."

Interstitial Laser therapy (ILT): Laser methods can be used to remove prostate tissue that is pressuring the urethra. Men are given anesthesia for the procedure. This procedure involves placing a small tube containing a laser fiber thought the urethra and inserted it into the prostate. Once in the prostate, laser energy is activated to heat the prostate and destroy the tissue to shrink the gland.

There is very little bleeding or recovery time. However, there may be a need for a second laser treatment.

This kinda sounds like it might help me!

Although according to the Mayo website, it's usually reserved form men with normal or slightly enlarged prostates.

One more thing: Does this condition ever clear up on its own over time? I heard some people get over it with no treatment at all....

Posted 4/22/2010 1:18 PM (GMT 0)
Midi:

I have shared your frustration.

Greenlight laser is now one of the standard treatments. It has been around for 15 years at least and it keeps getting improved. These days, from what I understand, you walk in, they do the procedure, then you walk out, peeing just great. You need to get a doctor who is experienced with the procedure on the laserscope machine. They list doctors on their site. I was seeing a urologist at UMICH (120 miles away) solely because of this. Had things worsened, he would have been the guy to do the surgery.

If your biopsy is positive (and we hope not), then you are in a whole new ballgame. Forget about bph at that point. One advantage of TURP is that the tissue is available so they can check it for PC. The laserscope vaporizes the tissue. But, if your biopsy is clear, consider the laserscope.

Mel

Posted 4/22/2010 9:38 PM (GMT 0)
So if the Biopsy is postivie, that means no BPH? The URo says we have to do it before the next step in treatment is decided - if it is negative and NOT BPH does that just mean iit's Prostatis?
Posted 4/22/2010 10:17 PM (GMT 0)

Midi:

Oh, I'm sure you HAVE BPH. But if the biopsy is positive, it means you also have PC. Depending on the specifics, there is a high probability you might need surgery to remove the prostate (that is one of quite a few possible treatments). If you elect surgery, then there is no point in having a TURP. The surgery for PC also cures BPH!

I'm not sure what you are really saying. You need the results of the biopsy before deciding on a course of action, I would think

Mel

Posted 4/22/2010 10:27 PM (GMT 0)
Ok - so if you have PC they remove the entire prostate?
Posted 4/22/2010 10:34 PM (GMT 0)

Midi:

If you have PC, the surgery is ONE of the options. Your options depend on the biopsy results.

Hopefully, your results will be negative, so this could all be a moot point.

When is your biopsy?

(Figure results 3-7 days later)

Mel

Posted 4/22/2010 10:38 PM (GMT 0)
It's not that easy. If you are diagnosed with PCa, the treatment could be anything from watchful waiting (i.e. careful observation of the situation over time) to several direct treatments, as you will see on this board.
If your Uro. suggests prostatectomy, either open or DaVinci, then yes, the prostate is removed. Other treatments such as seeds or radiation leave the prostate in the body.
But all of that is based on your biopsy and consultation with the doctors.
Posted 4/22/2010 11:12 PM (GMT 0)
early on you mentioned your PSA was 17.4 and then you started the antibiotics. I don't recall you saying if it went down or what it is now. (You could stick it in your signature so pinheads like me will remember.)
That number is the same as mine so be braced for a not so pleasant answer. If it turns out not to be PCA then you can thank your lucky stars and maybe you can get away with only a roto-rooter job.
The biopsy result is the big deciding factor - if it finds something. Mine was a mess. The Uro could have done it with his eyes closed. The poor results made my decision easy.
Good Luck.
Jeff
Posted 4/23/2010 12:09 AM (GMT 0)
My Biopsy date is May 17th - wish it was soone but a friend maybe that's better as it might give me more tiem to heal possibly and see it the prostate shrinks on it's own.

My last PSA was in March and it went up tp 36.8 but the Uro said it can go up & down quite a bit with an inflamed prostate.

Doing OK today - not too much pain - able to self cath OK and still do some peeing on my own.

Going to keep my fingers crossed & fo a LOT of praying!

Thanks guys...
Posted 4/26/2010 5:12 PM (GMT 0)
A nurse during my journey here once told me the fear of the unknown is worse than the known. Worrying about the many things all this may be is thoroughly understandable, I am a champion worrier myself and have imagined every scenario possible and probably impossible for my own circumstances. What I have found however as I continue to make my way in all this, is that the more directly I learn to address my worries and "what if's" by consulting and working with my docs as well as the many supporters here, the more I know and the less the world seems to be coming to an end, the less helpless I feel and I allow and empower myself to move forward. Hang in there and address these matters directly.
Posted 4/27/2010 3:59 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the support of getting the right information - not knowing can be stressful.

I am having the Biopsy on May 17th so have three weeks to go till then.

Otherwise feeling somewhat better - able to go to bathroom easier but still have to self-cath about 3-4 times daily to completely empty out the bladder.  I amm able to sit easier and don't quite have that golf-ball up rear feeling, so maybe the prostate is shrinking on it's own some.

I have been doing a lot of praying and visualization lately as well so I hope it's working - have one more day to go on the Levaquin & then done with meds for now.

Thanks again for everyone's support & will keep you all updated! yeah

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