I just had the PAE with Dr. Issacson today at UNC. I am only 35 years old. I am posting this because I feel truly blessed that I was able to have this procedure done and want to spread the word. I will update with my progress.
Thx awesome Chris, Mine is shedule for next week with Dr. Bagla. Looking forward to your updates.
How do I get in touch with Dr. Issacson and how do I find out how much this procedure costs?
It costs $6500. You can pay 20% down and do the rest interest free over 3 years if u need to.
http://news.unchealthcare.org/heartandvascular/pae
His info is at the bottom.
Hi Chris, congratulations. Did you suffer from Ed due to your BPH? What were your symptoms what was your PSA reading? Look forward to hearing from you - Rob
I am excited to read this. I really hope that this procedure helps you. I am 31 years old and have been living with symptoms of BPH from age 19. I live in NC about four hours from Chapel Hill. I spoke briefly with Dr. issacson before and and I will be pursuing a PAE as soon as I can get some health insurance. Please keep us posted on your experience.
Looking fwd to your updates. I too am trying to decide on the"right" proceedure. BTW where are you at? I'm in St Louis Mo USA. Trying to find a good Dr to do the proceedure. I've turned up a couple but still have to research them. That takes time.
Anyway good luck.
Nope no ED although I'm hoping I'll get some added benefit in that department, which some people report. My issues were all urinary frequency and Nocturia. Never had a PSA reading cuz of my age and it's also falling out of fashion cuz it gives too many false positives.
Hi. Insurance won't help you as its not covered. They have a great payment plan though. 6500 total with 20% down and the rest financed for free over 3 years. No credit check.
As far as I'm concerned PAE is the only right procedure, but everyone is different.
So far I have burning when I pee, as I told I would have because of all the inflammation in the prostate. I'm curious how some people reported huge benefits just the next day, considering how much trauma is done to the prostate. My only concern is the massive dose of radiation I got. About 2600 mgy as my procedure took 3 hours cuz my vessels were small. Never had my size checked formally but issacson estimated 40cc.
I wanted to do PAE and was making arrangements when I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Now have to do something more extreme. Looking into HIFU. I have talked to Dr. Issacson and although others can do this procedure, I would travel to have him do the procedure.
Just a quick word of warning...The PAE procedure is thought to cause a non-aggressive cancer to become aggressive. So if there is any doubt, get screened for cancer before doing the PAE.
BTW, I don't live in St. Louis anymore but "I bleed blue" (since 1969)..maybe next year.
If you could tell me about your research on the proceedure I would appreciate it. What sold you on the procedure. I hear about HoLep Surgery, Rezum,Urolift, Bipolar Turp, all confusing. I'm lucky to have come across this forum. Everyone is helpful and trying to help. You being 35 yrs old is amazing that you have BPH. I'm 74 and probably Medicare will cover it.
Thanks again and good luck.
I'm so sorry about the cancer. Good luck.
I am from oregon btw
I too am sorry to hear about the Cancer. Our prayers are with you.
I was sold on the reported effectiveness and lack of side effects. I would never consider any procedure that comes with any risk whatsoever of sexual side effects. I chose UNC because they are one of a few places in the country with the most experience. I was told that to date they have done it 105 times. Also the price is right. Just for comparison, Rio endovascular in Colorado, who isn't even involved in a clinical study, charges 13k, and they require it all up front. UNC is 6500 and they do free financing.
Chris,
Thanks so much for posting, I am exploring my options as my main issue is super large which cases bleeding issues. While researching options I saw this proceedure and also see it is now offered at Tampa General, which is associated with USF med school where I have been treated and consider it top notch. The 2 Dr's preforming this were trained by the Brazilan Dr who apparently perfected this. I think it is part of clinical research trials as they appear to be offering it for free if your insurance won't pay, HOWEVER the catch is 1/3rd end up getting the Turp with no choice the way I read it. I am hoping they offer it outside of trials.
Can you elaborate on the actual experience a little more? I know they do somewhat of the same type of proceedure as a heart cath but direct the cath into the prostate. Are you knocked out as in a heart cath? Do they do anything other than radiate the prostate with the cath? If you were peeing okay going in do you have to wear a foley cath or anything after the proceedure? And anything else that might be of intereat to those of us interested in this option? Thanks!
Scott
Radiation is just for imaging. They embolize the vessels with spheres and "glue." you get twilight sedation so you are conscious but you get amnesia due to versed and no pain due to fentynl. I wish I got less versed cuz honestly I wish I remembered more of the procedure. My 3 hours felt like 10 minutes. All this can be explained better than me by UNC youtube vids and with the link I posted above once a moderator approves it. No free ride is worth a risk of turp. Here's a list of all the studies. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=Pae+bph&Search=Search
Update at the end of day 2. Burns like hell to pee. Worse than before. The tip of my penis has a bruise on it, but that's not surprising. (I did not get a foley) I almost got overheated today outside cause my level of dehydration caught me off guard. I wish they left the IV in me for a few more house cuz i was too nauseas yesterday to drink much, though I requested Zofran which helped for a while. Currently im on antibiotics, corticosteroids, and 800mg advil.