On Tuesday I had a bladder stone removed and this morning finally had the catheter taken out and eager to go home. I have BPH and evidently it's quite large and the doctors wanted to do the turp at the same time as the stone removal. I declined as I was concerned about the possible side effects. I'm 66 now and should I last another 15 years these will probably become less of an issue. I've been put on Tamsulosin and Finasteride, the latter of the two taking 6 months to have an effect. The reason the docs are keen to do the turp is because of the bladder stone and the likelihood of urine retention which they feel will return cause it to return. I'm scheduled for a clinical review in 3 months. I asked the surgeon if the only op they did was a turp and he confirmed it was. I'm reminded of the old saying about if your only tool is a hammer everything looks like a nail. Has anyone had a bladder stone and been in a similar situation? If so what did you do?
I shouldn't really reply because I didn't have a bladder stone, but I did have a kidney stone and some kind of infection (UTI?) at the same time. Some of what you say is true. If 99% of the BPH procedures that a given set of urologists do is TURP, then they will push to do a TURP. It's not just a matter of what the doctors feel "comfortable" with. It is what they have the most experience with. If we look at "managed care" (HMO?), we realize that one of the things we give up to belong to an HMO is that we don't get a lot of diversity of doctors. You are limited by geographical region and then by the actual specialists within that region.
But don't "discount" urine retention as a cause to speed up the decision process either. In my case, my kidneys are not the best and I have not only a history of kidney stones but also of kidney cysts. I "just" found out that one of those cysts is 10.5 cm long. So, having urine retention that could back up urine all the way to my kidneys was not a good option. In my case, also, it was 100% urine retention. Right after passing the kidney stone (a few days later -- coincidence?), I was unable to urinate at all. Nothing. So I wound up on Foley catheters for an extended time. This was dangerous to my kidneys and continuous UTIs as well so I feel that plus the HMO issue meant not having a lot of time to shop around for too many alternatives. I did ask about Urolift and was told that my urologist had to do a few surgeries to repair urolifts done by others and they didn't recommend that procedure. My concern was incontinence (I'm 69 by the way) and partial or full removal of the prostate was not something I was interested in. I also have bladder spasms so frequent and urgent urination wasn't governed just by my prostate but by the bladder itself. Even with unclogged Foley catheters and an EMPTY bladder, I still had painful urges to urinate. With urine in the bladder, I had a mess with it spraying out around the outside of the catheters.
I think each one of us is individual enough that we have to evaluate what solution and timing is best for each of us given all of our symptoms and circumstances but, if the concern is time, I would not discount urine retention if there is the possibility of kidney damage in making a decision. But, is it really a concern in your case? I wouldn't know. In my case, I felt it was. So, I had the TURP surgery. Only a month into recovery and now I can empty my bladder in 3-5 seconds flat (make sure that, after surgery or whatever procedure you get, that they check to make sure your bladder is getting emptied). When my urination time dropped to 5 seconds, I was concerned but the doctor's ultrasound said that I wasn't retaining urine. It just feels weird to have my bathroom habits be so different from what it used to be. Since Darlene passed away in 2016, I'm not that concerned about sex BUT supposedly I should be able to try that in a month or so based on my reading although some were told only to wait three weeks. All different. Retrograde Ejaculation (RE) isn't an issue as I don't plan on having kids.
Hi Howie,
Thanks for such a comprehensive reply. I haven't discounted the turp but I suppose I've discounted having it too soon. I'd prefer to try the drug route before thinking about other options, which for me look like a turp or nothing.
I had a kidney stone back in 2008 but nothing more until now. it was only because of the bladder stone that the BPH was discovered so I hadn't considered the symptoms worthy of going to my GP and though enlarged my prostate may be it doesn't cause me any too bothersome problems. I read on one website (Harvard) that BPH doesn't necessarily cause problems for all men. I've never really been questioned about this. Yes I have to get up a couple of times a night but otherwise not much of a problem apart if course from the stone. I've read that not eating meat & dairy, etc. helps reduce the chances of getting another stone and I no longer eat them anyway.
Whether these things are true I can't be sure but my daughter is a dietitian and says doctors (generally) are clueless about nutrition. So I was wondering if anyone else had a bladder stone, did it recur and did they end up having a turp anyway? Meanwhile once again thank you for taking the trouble to reply.
diet can help, I believe. Drugs can help as well. But, to have a good bathroom habit again, surgery seems to be the best option. The risks of certain problems are existent, although risks are everywhere every day.
Hi everyone I had bladderstones removed 3 years ago and had Urolift done at same time. I did have BPH and that was most likely cause of the stones. Recovery was pretty easy. Sore for a few weeks but no big issues. Flow was really great at first. Not as good after 3 years but still adequate. So far no new stones. Ive had 2 ultrasounds to check for them. I understand that this may have been a temporary fix but so far so good. Fortunately I havent had to take any meds yet for the BPH . Im almost 74. Tom C
There are several TURP versions ask them which one they do.
I need to get familiar with these various procedures like Urolift, 3 years doesn't sound very long though. I'd hoped these were 1 off procedures. Good to know your bladder stones haven't returned though.
They haven't mentioned this to me. I had a standard NHS leaflet listing the options which in practice boil down to just 3, do nothing, take meds, have a turp. As I say I think I need to do some research.
One of the things I keep thinking about is that friend of mine is on Tamsulosin and seems to be fine and my father-in-law has been dealing with BHP for the last 20 years. He's currently on Tamsulosin and Finasteride and never had an op. The only difference, according to the doctors, is that I have had a bladder stone and they haven't.
They are one off for some men. A friend had GL in 2004 and has not needed another. Another friend like me also needed a repeat.
Tamsulosin will eventually cause E.D. and can affect your eyes with 'floppy iris syndrome' making any future cataract surgery difficult as in my case. Alfuzosin (Uroxatral) is a better option as it does not affect the eyes. One a day Cialis is also good.
OK, was just lurking but would like to add my two cents on Flomax. When I was diagnosed with AFib in January 2018, I started taking one of the modern blood thinners, alternating between Eliquis and Pradaxa, neither of which I have suffered side effects from. I'm 70 so expect some muscle aches, etc. so am reluctant to blame things on medications.
Before my AFib diagnosis, I had been taking Saw Palmetto for many years with success in reducing the number of nightime piss calls.
After my AFib diagnosis and starting Pradaxa, research advised me that modern blood thinners interacted with the Saw Palmetto I had taken for years.
At my next appt with my PCP, she prescribed Flomax to replace the Saw Palmetto. Two days later I was back in AFib. After researching, I found that arrhythmia is a rare side effect of Flomax. OOPS. Apparently my PCP didn't get the memo, and she was the one who diagnosed my AFib.
Lesson learned, be your own #1 health advocate!
Patrick
Another option which I have chosen is Clean Intermittent Catheterization (CIC) which admittedly isn't for everyone but gets the job done while exploring options and avoiding intrusive surgeries with irreversible side effects. Some here have rehabbed their bladders through CIC and now void naturally without surgical intervention, which is my goal.
Thank you Patrick . Good advice for sure.
This is the problem . No one ever sits down with you for a thorough discussion about what would work best for you as an individual.
I already get ED but don't particularly want to add to my problems with dry orgasms. Although a different topic discussions about ED with a GP took a similar course.
By way of explanation...
Every now and again a doctor appears on TV talking about ED. Says things like, "Don't be embarrassed, talk to your GP, it might be an indication of heart disease" etc. Apart from the embarrassment of having to tell the receptionist why you want an appointment when you (or at least me) finally speak to your doctor he just offers you a blue pill. No discussion about underlying issues. I mentioned about heart disease and he asked if I had chest pains. I haven't so end of discussion.
Similarly with BHP I have had no professional advice regarding what options are available other than Tamsulosin, Finasteride or turp.
I find it frustrating to say the least.
I took Saw Palmetto in tincture form from a herbalist. It didn't stop my prostate from growing over the years but it did lessen urgency and I went from four times a night to twice.
I had been using Beta-Sitosterol which seemed to reduce my nightly trips. There is some evidence that supports it's effectiveness done by the Cochrane Collaboration.
Many doctors don't know that much about prostate procedures or what is best to prescribe and price is now a big factor in prescribing and treatment in the UK. Hospitals want you on medication as it does not come off their budget and GP's prescribe generics. The prostate is tops for ageism in the NHS as it won't kill you. When I had urology appointments I used to ask others waiting how they were and the normal answer was miserable That was always the answer from our caretaker who was on medication till the day he died.
Patrick, C.I.C is a good option as a temporary measure but, if you tolerate the procedure without ill effects, why not adopt this as your final goal? There are a few simple but easy rules to follow. I am well into my 4th year of successful C.I.C. and would be happy to share my experiences, without obligation. If interested just send me a Private Message and we can take it from there. In the meantime I wish you all the best! alan86734.
I didn't try that one but it is a strange plant and is used for a wide range of problems