I would just like to add another success story to that of Ifr33 at the beginning of this month (HoLEP Big Success two weeks on…). I had my HoLEP procedure carried out two days ago by Mr Tev Aho in Cambridge. After 15 years with a rising PSA (5.5 creeping up to 23) and three biopsies (all clear), a new doctor finally diagnosed BPH and put me on Tamsulosin last November but by then, I was also suffering from bladder spasms and life was getting miserable with an IPSS score of 28/35.
Looking at Patient.Info I was able to compare the many experiences shared and decided on HoLEP. It was also clear that experience in doing the procedure was a key facture for success and as it was not offered locally on the NHS and my not wishing to put up with my quality of life anymore I decided to go privately.
The Cambridge Urology Partnership seemed to have the most experience and Mr Aho in particular has carried out many hundreds of these operations over the past few years. I was one of three he performed on Wednesday, to be followed by another eight patients on Saturday!
I was in the Spire hospital Cambridge Lee for just over 24 hours, coming out (and walking back to the nearby hotel) Thursday afternoon with no pain whatsoever (excluding the removal of the catheter that morning!). It took a bit of time for my bladder to get going again but that seems ok now. Today we spent over three hours on trains from Cambridge, across London on the tube and down to the South Coast where we live with no pain, no spasms, and no urge for the toilet the whole way. I have antibiotics and anti inflammation tablets to be taken and optional pain relief which I now won’t bother with as I don’t seem to need it.
Everyone’s case is different but I can thoroughly recommend the HoLEP approach and Mr Aho and his team in particular.
Roger I am happy that it worked out for you. But was that the only procedure that they offered you. I would never have any one cut or laser anything away from my prostate. The side effects are not anything I was looking for. If you can deal with the dry orgasms that you will have they more power to you. At 60 in a few weeks I still enjoy sex but I still like to have a return. Was on pills for months that did that to me. Why do it if no return. Eveyone has a choice with there body and we pick whatever procedure we have to go through and deal with the side effects. I hope no one talked you into it. I had a urolift 8 weeks ago and all is great all over. I hope everything kepts going well for you Good health..Ken
Hi Ken, many thanks for your words of encouragement. Nobody offered me any procedures (other than another biopsy in 2013). I had been on Tamsulosin for 6 months and it wasn't doing anything for my bladder cramps and I was becoming fixated on being near a toilet!
It was this website (Patient.info) where all sorts of different procedures were being discussed by patients and not doctors, that gave me the information I needed to make my own mind up as to what had to happen next. After that, a series of searches via google came up with the Cambridge Urology Group and their HoLEP approach. I do agree with you that everyone has to come to their own decision as to what to do next and I did watchful waiting for 15 years including dietary restrictions before I took the plunge. I am now very happy with the outcome and am looking forward to getting my freedom (from toilets) back again. I'm glad your urolift has worked out well and hope it stays that way. Good health... Roger
No one gets encouragement from Ken:-)
You chose the best of the Laser procedures and there is a very good chance that you will not have retro and all the rest will take you back to a normal life.. I was quite happy with my two laser procedures (PVP and Holmium) but my prostate soon regrew between procedures and possibly is again.
Better to have the tissue taken away than put in a straight jacket.To me Urolift is like sweeping the problem under the carpet but only time will tell.
Roger As kong as your happy with the procedure that skk that matters Take cre and enjoy life..Ken
Boy your something. Not all all procedures work the same way on everyone. What you had worked for you that is your choice. The procedure I picked worked for me. We all have a choice. Some docotrs talk men into procedures and are not aware of the outcome. Roger did his research and picked what he was going to do. I am happy that it worked out good for him.. I have my opinion if you don't agree tough....... Ken
Your biased opinions do no good to others on a Forum where we try to help each other based on our experiences not 'biased on'. If you were ever in the Army was everyone out of step apart from you?
Arguements are frowned on by the Moderator so I must restrain myself in the things I say about your continual negative postings on urologists and every laser or surgical procedure.
Derek we all have the right to voice our opinion. That is the way life is. Personnely I would not have a turp or a laser for my proplem. If I had cancer I may have a diffrent opinion. Anything to safe your life. That is why we have so many new procedure being developed because men are asking for new things. I just what men to make the right choice for them no matter what it is. You have read on here and so have I that some doctor don't tell them all they should know and many men just take the doctors word without doing any research. They when something happen they blame doctor. Information is the key good or bad....
I did my first research in 1995 and refused a 'Bloody TURP' and watchfully waited while other new and novel procedures came and went. I had contact with an American urologist who advised me of what was in the pipeline and to wait. I followed a BPH News Group and read thousands of postings with peoples experiences. When PVP came along it was soon the flavour of the month with your countrymen flocking to the new practitioners in Florida and NYC.
I had to wait for it to slowly cross the Atlantic and be derided by the Gold Standard Brigade and fight to be referred to an NHS hospital in another part of the country who were doing it. They eventually dropped TURP completely for PVP and its later version. Now they have dropped that on a split decision in favour of HoLep.
I am very happy for you. I wish there were more men like you that took the same road and research the procedures. Started researching the prostate in 2002 when I was told I had cancer. He told me I had to have it out I was 47 at that time. I told the urologist at the time no. He was going only on my PSA at the time. I went to see his parter and told him what was going on. He did a 7 needle biopsy It came back no cancer. I have all ways look things up and they made my choice. In 5 years there maybe something new to improve a man life. Good health Ken
I have refused several medical/surgical treatments that I have not agreed with.
Actually I trust surgeons a lot more than doctors who dispense pills they do not understand the consequences of.
With the NHS you need to be well informed to get the best treatment available. I had an appointment with a neurologist the other week. He asked for my symptoms and when I had finished he asked if I was a retired doctor. I said No and he said that I had presented them so preciely with all the correct terms that he had assumed that I must be.
That is good. You are prepared . I trust all my doctors. I have had my heart dr for 15 years my GP for 5 years and my erologist a years. He's not knife happy. He found a stricture in the urethra before my prostate got bigger. Was on many pills to see if it would help but the side effect I did not care for. With the prostate being inlarged and the stricture I had to forced myself to pee had to go through both Icould never empty my bladder Had 5 bladder infection last year and one was so bad that I had sepsis. Was on IV's for 20 days. That why I had the urolift to get the prostate away from the urethra. Now I only have to go through the stricture. Much easier. I know One day I will have to have that removed. I have been researching that procedure so I's ready for it. I hope all goes well for you Good health Ken
We would be very interested in hearing your experiences as you continue your recovery. In particular, I'm interested in hearing about if you have leaking, retrograde ejaculation, or impotence.
Good luck,
Neal
Are you in America? It always seems to be Americans for some reason who have trouble with leaking and wearing diapers. I never seem to hear of that here.
Impotence was associated with total prostatectomy and the older versions of TURP but seldom with the new procedures. Many people needing prostate surgery are probably already on the verge of impotency as an early symptom of heart disease or diabetes.
Hi Neal,
4 days after the operation I am off the pain killers (never had any pain post op), peeing ok (if a little gingerly!), Continence is not a problem but I still have some pink spots and will wear a pad until they dissappear. I feel perfectly fine and can't believe I had a general and operation last Wednesday.
I feel I have regained a freedom (from toilets) and it is wonderful to be able to drink what I want, when I want and not have to worry where the nearest toilet is. The only thing I am having to get used to is not having my bladder constantly remind me it is full. I now have to really think about whether a pee might be a good idea - but I feel that is more psychological than anything else.
I don't beleive I am quite ready to test out the last two items on your list yet but I will let you know when I have.
Roger
A brave or Randy friend of mine tried out the last two sucessfully on day six.
I woke with an erection on day two but waited till about day ten.
Yes, I am in America.
I know that these side effects happen sometimes, and I am interested in Roger's experience. It is my understanding that the retrograde ejaculation is very common. Also, it is my understanding that leakage is common, at least for some time, and that it is frequently necessary to wear a catheter for an extended period. The two could, of course, be related.
As to impotence, that is not a problem for me, as I have a penile implant - the best thing I have ever had done. I know that this forum is about prostate problems, but I would be happy to discuss penile implants, if someone wants to contact me. That said, it will be instructive to all to read Roger's experiences in this area too, when he is ready.
Neal
Thanks for your reply. I'm looking forward to reading about the last two when you are ready.
Neal
I think that most are on the way to retro prior to the procedure due to Tamsulosin and other drugs. I did not take them prior to my PVP and had no problems but I did take Tamsulosin for several months and Finasteride for a lesser time before my Holmium laser one.
When I was on Finasteride, after a month or two, it became almost impossible to reach organism. It's awful stuff. So, are we to assume that you had a holep, and have no retro?