The unofficial enlarged prostate thread
Discussion
A bit of further info as told to me by my surgeon. Every man over 50 has an enlarged prostate. Every single one. As said, the prostate is like a doughnut, and it depends on what direction it's enlarged as to whether or not it's an issue.
If the doughnut enlarges out from the outside or up or down from the top or bottom, not a problem and you'll never even realise. If it enlarges from the inside inwards, making the hole smaller, that's when the trouble starts.
If the doughnut enlarges out from the outside or up or down from the top or bottom, not a problem and you'll never even realise. If it enlarges from the inside inwards, making the hole smaller, that's when the trouble starts.
Interesting thread (if that's the correct term). I'm 60, and don't have any really significant issues, but I do notice that first thing in the morning, the stream is slow to start (and that's without getting up at all in the night, I hardly ever do) and weak. After that, the rest of the day is fairly normal, I don't go more than 3 or 4 times all day until bedtime, and although the stream isn't a jet, as such, it's not so weak that I have to push (well not after the first one of the day, as above).
Had a PSA test a couple of years ago and that was all normal.
Seems to be a little worse at times but then calms down again. BPH was mentioned previously when I spoke to the GP. I'm not particularly concerned at present; should I be?
Had a PSA test a couple of years ago and that was all normal.
Seems to be a little worse at times but then calms down again. BPH was mentioned previously when I spoke to the GP. I'm not particularly concerned at present; should I be?
CAPP0 said:
Interesting thread (if that's the correct term). I'm 60, and don't have any really significant issues, but I do notice that first thing in the morning, the stream is slow to start (and that's without getting up at all in the night, I hardly ever do) and weak. After that, the rest of the day is fairly normal, I don't go more than 3 or 4 times all day until bedtime, and although the stream isn't a jet, as such, it's not so weak that I have to push (well not after the first one of the day, as above).
Had a PSA test a couple of years ago and that was all normal.
Seems to be a little worse at times but then calms down again. BPH was mentioned previously when I spoke to the GP. I'm not particularly concerned at present; should I be?
The way I understand it is if you have to go constantly, especially in the night,and you have no problems peeing but you don't empty your bladder each time it's probably an enlarged prostate.Had a PSA test a couple of years ago and that was all normal.
Seems to be a little worse at times but then calms down again. BPH was mentioned previously when I spoke to the GP. I'm not particularly concerned at present; should I be?
If you're having difficulty starting the stream you should be checked for prostate cancer.
That's what I was told.
Anecdotally but I knew a guy who suffered from being unable to pee,he suffered for quite a while before going to the Doctor's.He died of prostate cancer a couple of years later.
Get checked as soon as you notice any change is my advice.I put up with going the loo 3 or 4 times a night for at least a year before I went to the GP.My condition isn't particularly bad, it's the sudden urge to pee that's the most inconvenient
I’ve been through all the BPH stuff and the inconveniences mention by other posters, for years.It all started with a high PSA, two prostate biopsy, scans etc, thankfully no cancer. Put on Tamsulosin and Finasteride, regular visits to Urology, flow tests and so on, but got nowhere, it just went dead for a while. I just learned to live with two or three pee’s a night. Always wanting a pee at the wrong time and so on.
Then last year I got a new GP, who referred me to a local private clinic run by Cris Blick , who is well known for prostate surgery procedures. I was then referred to our local NHS hospital for more tests, Mr Blick said he would arrange for me to have the Rezum prostate procedure. Rezum is similar to Turps in the way it’s carried out, but they use a high frequency generator and water. Basically they steam clean the prostate gland to shrink it.
Remember all this is on our dear old NHS. When I was researching prostate procedures like EuroLift and Rezum they were only available privately.
Naturally COVID delayed things for a while. I eventually had it all carried out last week, April 14th, under full anaesthetic, in at 12.30 home at 18.30, job done, I feel great. The only draw back is a Catheter for seven days, horrible contraption.
It’s early days, should have the bag removed in the next day or so. I will keep you all posted with the results. Fingers crossed.
Then last year I got a new GP, who referred me to a local private clinic run by Cris Blick , who is well known for prostate surgery procedures. I was then referred to our local NHS hospital for more tests, Mr Blick said he would arrange for me to have the Rezum prostate procedure. Rezum is similar to Turps in the way it’s carried out, but they use a high frequency generator and water. Basically they steam clean the prostate gland to shrink it.
Remember all this is on our dear old NHS. When I was researching prostate procedures like EuroLift and Rezum they were only available privately.
Naturally COVID delayed things for a while. I eventually had it all carried out last week, April 14th, under full anaesthetic, in at 12.30 home at 18.30, job done, I feel great. The only draw back is a Catheter for seven days, horrible contraption.
It’s early days, should have the bag removed in the next day or so. I will keep you all posted with the results. Fingers crossed.
This all fills me with dread.
Have been on Tamsulosin for a few years now and have had a couple of cancer blood tests which have fortunately been negative.
I really struggle to get going for about 75% of the trips to the loo. Don't really have to go too often and probably get up in the night a couple of times a week, usually after drinking something after 9:30pm.
However, when I do go I now always sit down as I find it's easier and it can take me 5 mins to fully empty my bladder. This is fine at home but means going out can become stressful as many public toilets are poor or dirty and I don't really want to sit in them!
I do find however that after have an ejaculation I can pee like a racehorse for about 45 mins after the event and it then gradually returns to normal. Can't get an explanation for this from anyone and my GP just looks blank and said that the prostate is there to close up during sex so if anything it should make things worse......... who knows.
Just need to have more sex to help the problem which seems vastly more pleasant than the procedures described by others. Unfortunately I guess it will come to me eventually.
TwigtheWonderkid said:
A friend is about to undergo Rezum. He's been told the full benefits of the procedure won't be felt until 3 months after the op. That's how long it takes the prostate to shrink fully having been bombarded with steam.
Correct, I was also told that. ( So I wont be rushing off to the pub to celebrate with six pints of Fosters.)Tell your friend that Rezum is proving very successful so far. I think EuroLift gets the best result, but for some reason it cant be used on everyone.?
Just received a message from Urology to have the Catheter removed tomorrow. They told me to arrive at 08.30 and be prepared to spend most of the day there. Various tests, getting used to life without the bag, that sort of stuff. Then I will get a phone call appointment in JULY from the Urologist to see how I`m getting on.
Old Merc said:
TwigtheWonderkid said:
A friend is about to undergo Rezum. He's been told the full benefits of the procedure won't be felt until 3 months after the op. That's how long it takes the prostate to shrink fully having been bombarded with steam.
Correct, I was also told that. ( So I wont be rushing off to the pub to celebrate with six pints of Fosters.)Tell your friend that Rezum is proving very successful so far. I think EuroLift gets the best result, but for some reason it cant be used on everyone.?
Just received a message from Urology to have the Catheter removed tomorrow. They told me to arrive at 08.30 and be prepared to spend most of the day there. Various tests, getting used to life without the bag, that sort of stuff. Then I will get a phone call appointment in JULY from the Urologist to see how I`m getting on.
TwigtheWonderkid said:
Old Merc said:
TwigtheWonderkid said:
A friend is about to undergo Rezum. He's been told the full benefits of the procedure won't be felt until 3 months after the op. That's how long it takes the prostate to shrink fully having been bombarded with steam.
Correct, I was also told that. ( So I wont be rushing off to the pub to celebrate with six pints of Fosters.)Tell your friend that Rezum is proving very successful so far. I think EuroLift gets the best result, but for some reason it cant be used on everyone.?
Just received a message from Urology to have the Catheter removed tomorrow. They told me to arrive at 08.30 and be prepared to spend most of the day there. Various tests, getting used to life without the bag, that sort of stuff. Then I will get a phone call appointment in JULY from the Urologist to see how I`m getting on.
TwigtheWonderkid said:
Old Merc said:
TwigtheWonderkid said:
A friend is about to undergo Rezum. He's been told the full benefits of the procedure won't be felt until 3 months after the op. That's how long it takes the prostate to shrink fully having been bombarded with steam.
Correct, I was also told that. ( So I wont be rushing off to the pub to celebrate with six pints of Fosters.)Tell your friend that Rezum is proving very successful so far. I think EuroLift gets the best result, but for some reason it cant be used on everyone.?
Just received a message from Urology to have the Catheter removed tomorrow. They told me to arrive at 08.30 and be prepared to spend most of the day there. Various tests, getting used to life without the bag, that sort of stuff. Then I will get a phone call appointment in JULY from the Urologist to see how I`m getting on.
j4r4lly said:
This all fills me with dread.
Have been on Tamsulosin for a few years now and have had a couple of cancer blood tests which have fortunately been negative.
I really struggle to get going for about 75% of the trips to the loo. Don't really have to go too often and probably get up in the night a couple of times a week, usually after drinking something after 9:30pm.
However, when I do go I now always sit down as I find it's easier and it can take me 5 mins to fully empty my bladder. This is fine at home but means going out can become stressful as many public toilets are poor or dirty and I don't really want to sit in them!
I do find however that after have an ejaculation I can pee like a racehorse for about 45 mins after the event and it then gradually returns to normal. Can't get an explanation for this from anyone and my GP just looks blank and said that the prostate is there to close up during sex so if anything it should make things worse......... who knows.
Just need to have more sex to help the problem which seems vastly more pleasant than the procedures described by others. Unfortunately I guess it will come to me eventually.
I accept your points. I now take a book to the toilet when I go to urinate.Have been on Tamsulosin for a few years now and have had a couple of cancer blood tests which have fortunately been negative.
I really struggle to get going for about 75% of the trips to the loo. Don't really have to go too often and probably get up in the night a couple of times a week, usually after drinking something after 9:30pm.
However, when I do go I now always sit down as I find it's easier and it can take me 5 mins to fully empty my bladder. This is fine at home but means going out can become stressful as many public toilets are poor or dirty and I don't really want to sit in them!
I do find however that after have an ejaculation I can pee like a racehorse for about 45 mins after the event and it then gradually returns to normal. Can't get an explanation for this from anyone and my GP just looks blank and said that the prostate is there to close up during sex so if anything it should make things worse......... who knows.
Just need to have more sex to help the problem which seems vastly more pleasant than the procedures described by others. Unfortunately I guess it will come to me eventually.
I now don't drink after 7pm. The reaction after sex is, evidently, normal. I had an excutiatingly embarassing couple of minutes with my consultant after putting this question to him. Not recommended. It's the relaxing after all that effort evidently and the emotional response. A simple yes or no would have done.
With regards to poor condition toilets, I've got a mental map of decent toilets in my area and along routes I used to travel. When taking my grandkids to a play area in a park, I wandered off to the loos in the corner. The gents had no natural light, just sensor-controlled strip lights. They came on when I entered. I went up to the urinal, got my equipment out, but because I had to wait a while, the damn lights went off. I waved my unused arm - those were the days when I needed two hands - and nothing happened. I half turned away from the urinal and then waved vigerously, just in time for a bloke to enter the toilets, take one look at me, then turn into a cubicle. No eye-contact. Boy, was I relieved, but not my bladder.
I can't have full anaesthetics. My heart goes awol. The consultant reckons there are other methods to reduce the size. Not sure what they are. I assume locals?
Odd thing. I've just had a consultation on the phone where I was told everything is going as expected, and no obvious signs of the big C and that an odd area of the prostrate has disappeared. However, I've been put on a course of antibiotics. I'm not sure why.
It's clear that the consultant's role is to balance the risks of an operation with the likelihood of me shuffling off this mortal coil.
j4r4lly said:
This all fills me with dread.
Have been on Tamsulosin for a few years now and have had a couple of cancer blood tests which have fortunately been negative.
I really struggle to get going for about 75% of the trips to the loo. Don't really have to go too often and probably get up in the night a couple of times a week, usually after drinking something after 9:30pm.
However, when I do go I now always sit down as I find it's easier and it can take me 5 mins to fully empty my bladder. This is fine at home but means going out can become stressful as many public toilets are poor or dirty and I don't really want to sit in them!
I do find however that after have an ejaculation I can pee like a racehorse for about 45 mins after the event and it then gradually returns to normal. Can't get an explanation for this from anyone and my GP just looks blank and said that the prostate is there to close up during sex so if anything it should make things worse......... who knows.
Just need to have more sex to help the problem which seems vastly more pleasant than the procedures described by others. Unfortunately I guess it will come to me eventually.
Same experience here on all of this even the pee after ejaculation bit. No idea how that works, can’t pee just knock one out and off you go Have been on Tamsulosin for a few years now and have had a couple of cancer blood tests which have fortunately been negative.
I really struggle to get going for about 75% of the trips to the loo. Don't really have to go too often and probably get up in the night a couple of times a week, usually after drinking something after 9:30pm.
However, when I do go I now always sit down as I find it's easier and it can take me 5 mins to fully empty my bladder. This is fine at home but means going out can become stressful as many public toilets are poor or dirty and I don't really want to sit in them!
I do find however that after have an ejaculation I can pee like a racehorse for about 45 mins after the event and it then gradually returns to normal. Can't get an explanation for this from anyone and my GP just looks blank and said that the prostate is there to close up during sex so if anything it should make things worse......... who knows.
Just need to have more sex to help the problem which seems vastly more pleasant than the procedures described by others. Unfortunately I guess it will come to me eventually.
I had my done privately last year with laser treatment, Rezum, at the Birmingham Prostate Centre. One overnight stay and then off home, very straightforward and it’s working brilliant now, happy days best £7K I ever spent.
motco said:
TwigtheWonderkid said:
Old Merc said:
TwigtheWonderkid said:
A friend is about to undergo Rezum. He's been told the full benefits of the procedure won't be felt until 3 months after the op. That's how long it takes the prostate to shrink fully having been bombarded with steam.
Correct, I was also told that. ( So I wont be rushing off to the pub to celebrate with six pints of Fosters.)Tell your friend that Rezum is proving very successful so far. I think EuroLift gets the best result, but for some reason it cant be used on everyone.?
Just received a message from Urology to have the Catheter removed tomorrow. They told me to arrive at 08.30 and be prepared to spend most of the day there. Various tests, getting used to life without the bag, that sort of stuff. Then I will get a phone call appointment in JULY from the Urologist to see how I`m getting on.
bigmowley said:
I had my done privately last year with laser treatment, Rezum, at the Birmingham Prostate Centre. One overnight stay and then off home, very straightforward and it’s working brilliant now, happy days best £7K I ever spent.
My TURP finalised at a smidgen under £10K. Best £10K my company private medical insurers ever spent. 
Derek Smith said:
. When taking my grandkids to a play area in a park, I wandered off to the loos in the corner. The gents had no natural light, just sensor-controlled strip lights. They came on when I entered. I went up to the urinal, got my equipment out, but because I had to wait a while, the damn lights went off. I waved my unused arm - those were the days when I needed two hands - and nothing happened. I half turned away from the urinal and then waved vigerously, just in time for a bloke to enter the toilets, take one look at me, then turn into a cubicle.
That story would have livened up Bent Coppers on BBC2 next week.
TwigtheWonderkid said:
bigmowley said:
I had my done privately last year with laser treatment, Rezum, at the Birmingham Prostate Centre. One overnight stay and then off home, very straightforward and it’s working brilliant now, happy days best £7K I ever spent.
My TURP finalised at a smidgen under £10K. Best £10K my company private medical insurers ever spent. Check my posts, I`ve just had the Rezum treatment ( free on the NHS ) eight days with a catheter, had it removed yesterday, last night was the first night without the catheter, I must have got out of bed about six times for a short pee. Is this to be expected, I suppose it takes time to adjust.
Old Merc said:
TwigtheWonderkid said:
bigmowley said:
I had my done privately last year with laser treatment, Rezum, at the Birmingham Prostate Centre. One overnight stay and then off home, very straightforward and it’s working brilliant now, happy days best £7K I ever spent.
My TURP finalised at a smidgen under £10K. Best £10K my company private medical insurers ever spent. Check my posts, I`ve just had the Rezum treatment ( free on the NHS ) eight days with a catheter, had it removed yesterday, last night was the first night without the catheter, I must have got out of bed about six times for a short pee. Is this to be expected, I suppose it takes time to adjust.
V8covin said:
Those who've had treatment on the NHS ,were you given a choice of the different procedures or were you just told what you were having ?
In 2011 I asked for a green laser procedure as it is quicker (no inpatient period), carries fewer risks, and is generally less 'brutal'. The surgeon started the green laser procedure but there was so much blood around that he couldn't continue safely. I was only lightly sedated and anaesthesia was local via a spinal injection so he explained that he had to revert to TURP. So, yes, I did have the choice even though it turned out not to be appropriate. Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff