I went to the urologist today and he said my prostate is about 20 (not sure what scale) according to the abdominal ultrasound he did.
I have a feeling of incomplete empything (even though the ultrasound showed I was emptying completely), frequent urination during the day and have to wake up once during the night, and a somewhat weak stream.
He told me to take Alfuzosin for a month and then check back with him to see if that improves the obstruction.
I was hoping (yes, odd) that I had a large prostate, so I could get PAE in Portugal. However, I noticed that Bagla over at Inova did a recent study with small-volume BPH participants that showed similar success to larger volume BPH patients.
I'm also going to get a blood sugar test this week to rule out diabetes as I've read they can have similar symptoms.
Hi Mike.......the normal weight of the prostate gland is between 7-16 grams, with the average about 11 grams. I'm assuming he meant your prostate would be around 20 grams. It sounds like you're at the beginning of BPH. The med's will probably help for a while- mine helped for almost 10 years until I got fed up and had the TURP surgery around 9 months ago. Assuming it is a prostate issue, you'll probably see a slow increase in symptoms over the next 5-10 years. Most complaints are increased peeing sessions, up more at night, sensitivity to alcohol, citrus and spicey foods, bladder and prostate infections, difficulty in starting the urine flow, etc. Everyone is different.........
Thanks for the reply. I think you might be right as I'm only 47. I'll see if the drug works but I'm not keen on taking it for life. I'd rather have the issue resolved rather than ongoing. At least Dr Bagla's research released today brightened an otherwise dreary day.
Also, my symptoms began when I was around 44-45 so you're in that range.........quite normal I'm guessing.
Dr Bagla from Inova released research this week at the Society of Interventional Radiologists that prostatic arterial embolization works for prostates for prostates less than 50cc's, between 50-80cc's, and over 80 cc's. Some of the patients were in the 25 or so cc range.
Dr Piscos in Lisbon requires >40 cc's. Hopefully, he'll reduce his requirement.
I have a 37 size prostate and I also hace IC (intersitial cystitis). I suggest you discuss with your doctor to make sure you don't hace IC since you do empty completely. If so I don't think any kind of TURP (or similar) will help. So you would unnecesarily be operated.
I am not a doctor just check up on IC.
Dr Bagla at Inova Hospital in Alexandria, Virginia did my "PAE" on Sept. 10th, 2014. Not much bathroom success for me however. The only thing I will say is Iam "Off" the 2 castration drugs I was on and am now enjoying a great sex life. I had almost forgotten how good sex could really be.
Which are the two castration drugs Chuck? Heard someone else mention something similar.
Will do. Are you on any medication for IC? Do you still have the symptoms?
Hi Mike
Make sure you check the side effects of any pills you decide to take. I had Tamsulosin and finasteride for 18 months as I had an enlarged prostate. I had Retrograde Ejaculation as one of the side effects of the pills. I did have a TURP operation which has caused many problems with me sex life. As well as the RE I now produce little or no semen and erection problems. I am 63 and enjoyed sex but not anymore. You are only 47 and need to consider this. All the very best Peter.
I'm going to do a urinary diary and write down all of my symptoms (so I don't forget anything) and then get a 2nd opinon. Thanks, man!
Good advice, Peter. If I have BPH and not interstitial cystitis, then I'll try to get PAE as soon as possible. I'm not keen on taking drugs for any long period of time, espeically when doctors seem to discount the side effetcts which seem more prevalent than acknowledged from reading this forum.
I take Elmiron for IC, it worked realitively well for about 4 years no I have to also con a strict diet. They also do instilations through penus of elmiron. But you survive all this, not as bad as BPH.