Can anyone tell me if they saw any improvement in BHP symptoms 3 weeks post and any time table to see any improvement at all
yes it will be a gradual improvement.
It took six weeks after my PAE to completely get off of flomax I was taking two a day for years and stopped taking one of them 2 weeks after the procedure. Hope this helps
If there is still bladder outlet obstruction, it probably won’t improve.
It didn’t work at all for me; however, I had an enlarged median lobe. They told me not to give up on possible improvement for 8 months.
Best of luck!.
I just had my second PAE; the first was in 2015. For that one, I saw gradual improvement for seven months, then my symptoms returned suddenly. Last year, I had a Urolift, which left me worse off and in nearly constant pain. Immediately after the second PAE, the urolift pain dissappeared. I still need to go back, since the IR was only able to get to the right side, but one week out, I am seeing improvement, though small. My nocturia has reduced from 7-8 to 5-6 times per night.
First week after my PAE took Tylenol and second Flomax to get through low level soreness, then after second week back to where I was before operation. By 1 month minor improvement and this continued for about six months. Went off all Flomax. Median lobe prevented me from further improvement. I would say progress was on the order of 20% from before procedure. Then, after about a year BPH symptoms returned. Wish I had known about the median lobe before but the PAE was so easy that it was worth a try.
Had a bipolar TURP two months ago and improvement continues, but at a very slow pace, similar to PAE. If it turns out I have a bladder neck issue then will have to consider something else other than prostate reduction.
Maybe it’s a bit early. 1 month-to 6 months and beyond you should see gradual improvements. It could be in waves. Depends on the status of your bladder and it ability to relax to normal stage.
Hi Ramblin and others with nocturia
A couple of years ago I had an unsuccessful PAE
Since then I CIC 4 times a day. I’m only ever up once a night.
When you CIC you are completely empty so for me it takes up to 8 hours to fill up again during the day to say 500ml and 5 hrs at night.
If you think about it that’s better results than many get with the various operations.
It is simple easy and painless.
GREG
Greg,
I have tried to CIC on several occasions and the process was NOT simple or painless - in fact, it was so painful the last time I could only get the catheter in about an inch. We are all quite different.
Tom
Agreed…maybe a 12FR coude catheter would be easier for you.
Make sure it is hydrophyllic. coloplast speedicath may work.
Tried coude - much worse. I tried 14fr hydrophilic last time. Impossible. Will never do this again unless it’s an absolute emergency. For some others here - it 's like brushing their teeth - very easy.
Agree with you, Tom,
Tried different size lubricated catheters before my PAE to alleviate my partial neck obstruction and empty the bladder. Every time severe pain, bleeding afterward and almost inevitable UTC after few days of CIC. That caused me to accelerate PAE and do it locally. I couldn’t travel and can’t imagine how people on 4 times per day on CIC can travel, go to work, or even to the movies. In my view CIC is te worst method to treat BPH : allows the prostate grow uncontrolled without treatment to the stage when any treatment becomes complicated and dangerous. Will cause colonization of the bladder with fungus and bacteria. It’s like illiteracy that usually causes superstition. Of course, I understand that behind these treatment is an extreme fear of any invasive methods and following it complications. Still, can’t recommend it as effective method of QoL improvement. One day or another it will end in disaster.
Gene, I’m sure you’ve posted before, but how long ago did you have PAE and are symptoms gone with no meds?
Hank,
I have said this before on this forum, but the only way I will try CIC again is in an emergency situation, where I am in total or almost total retention and can’t get to the uro or ER. This was the situation that I was in about 5 years ago. I was able to self cath then, but it wasn’t easy or in any way comfortable. The last time I tried was before my bipolar TURP two months ago - total failure. Getting a procedure is a much better solution to the issues, but I understand that many men are afraid to move forward with any operation for various reasons. If CIC works for them, that’s great. It’s not for me.
Tom
Hi Gene
I agree completely that CIC is not for everyone. Sorry you had so much trouble and hope your PAE works well for you.
I for one do not have extreme fear of invasive treatments and did try PAE without success. My urologists have told me my bladder is so stretched any further treatment is unlikely to help and that they might leave me incontinent (not a great outcome and I have read that it occurs in up to 10% of Turp and Green Light ops). So CIC is my choice.
I have travelled widely and backpacked through Indonesia and Central America and have been able to CIC without problems or symptomatic UTI . In fact it is very liberating to CIC and know you have up to 8 hrs without needing a toilet. Before CIC I couldn’t go on a bus trip longer than one and a half hours without toileting first.
Recently I have had UTIs but have discovered HIPREX and no further problems.
Greg,
That’s because your bladder is already overstretched and can’t push urine through two sphincters. Most of us are opposite.
Sorry you had so much trouble with CIC Tom. Yes we ARE all different and have to look for different ways to solve our prostate problems. The beauty of this forum is that there is support for you on your journey. Good Luck.
GREG
Thanks Gene
That’s exactly what the Urologist told me. Hope whatever path you choose works well for you - Let us know how it goes.
GREG
Thanks Gene. That has been my experience as well.