Enlarged Prostate?

[coachgrd]

First off, if this is completely inappropriate I understand. Mr. Moderator, delete the thread if you must. I ask here with hopes there are others in my same situation.

Anyway, are any of you dealing with this? I am, and despite being just 45, I have been on Flomax for 7 years and I feel like the problem is worsening. Frankly, I'm a bit scared to be in this situation. I cannot help but wonder where things are headed. Where I used to find the need to get up once or twice a night to urinate, now I find a heightened sense urgency during the day. What measures are next to control what I can only imagine is a growing prostate? Can any of you share your experiences?

While I know there are women who participate in the forum, I have to guess that the majority are men. I could not think of a better place get feedback from others.

Thanks in advance!
Gary

 

[sodamo]

Nothing of value to contribute, but I think your posting is appropriate.

Best of luck

 

[Western]

x's 2, as said above.

Had to add. I have had mine checked twice, didn't care for it either time but you gotta do what you must.

Good luck with it..

 

[blueriver]

I think its appropriate ... I two have mine checked yearly. I thought that med your on was supposed to be the cats meow for that?

 

[sweettractors]

I would assume the Doc's have checked the PSA and for infection and those came back normal? Ken Sweet

 

[MossRoad]

First off, if this is completely inappropriate I understand. Mr. Moderator, delete the thread if you must. I ask here with hopes there are others in my same situation.

Anyway, are any of you dealing with this? I am, and despite being just 45, I have been on Flomax for 7 years and I feel like the problem is worsening. Frankly, I'm a bit scared to be in this situation. I cannot help but wonder where things are headed. Where I used to find the need to get up once or twice a night to urinate, now I find a heightened sense urgency during the day. What measures are next to control what I can only imagine is a growing prostate? Can any of you share your experiences?

While I know there are women who participate in the forum, I have to guess that the majority are men. I could not think of a better place get feedback from others.

Thanks in advance!
Gary

What's your doc say about it?

 

[ford farm boy]

My trouble started about 45 not a urinate problem but a high psa # 3 . High at 45 that was the first prostate biopsy and it come back good .
How at 51 1/2 psa at 13 DR. thinking biopsy again this will be the four time . I feel good about DR. good guy just keeping fingers crossed . If your not sure about DR. talk to another I went to three before the right guy.
BEST OF LUCK TO YOU GARY

 

[LostInTheWoods]

What's your doc say about it?

+1 on asking your healthcare provider. If that fails, consider speaking with a urologist.

I'd want to know more about your family history. Others with enlarged prostates or prostate cancer?

Has overactive bladder been ruled out (different disease/different treatments)?

What other medicines have you tried, if any? There are other categories of medicines to treat benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), which is what it sounds like you are describing.

Are you taking antihistamines or decongestants for allergies (they can aggravate prostate problems)?

If all else fails, you might be looking at surgery at some point.

Good luck!

 

[Transit]

This is a subject men do not like to talk about. I would get a second opinion [Urologist] for your peace of mind. There are many good informative medical web sites for research, Mayo Clinic. Do not over think what you read, use the information as a guide for talking points.

 

[JCB]

I was just at my doctor and he said, several times a night is when it starts to become a definite problem. Waking once or twice is normal. As we get older it can get harder to sleep and anything can disrupt your sleep cycle.

Try and avoid alcohol and caffeine, see if that lessens the problem. I know for me...alcohol means a definite trip waking up to go to the restroom. No alcohol and I can avoid it.

Joe

 

[LostInTheWoods]

Reverse voltage could have stressed the alternator and the computer module, only time will tell for sure. Or you may have lucked out without damage.

Now THERE'S a cause for BPH I've never heard of! :laughing:

 

[Transit]

I was just at my doctor and he said, several times a night is when it starts to become a definite problem. Waking once or twice is normal. As we get older it can get harder to sleep and anything can disrupt your sleep cycle.

Try and avoid alcohol and caffeine, see if that lessens the problem. I know for me...alcohol means a definite trip waking up to go to the restroom. No alcohol and I can avoid it.

Joe

BTW, avoid spicy foods too, HOT peppers, mustard, etc.

 

[Transit]

Now THERE'S a cause for BPH I've never heard of! :laughing:

Just testing.

 

[Pilot]

The solution for BPH is a ream job unless they have come up with something new, such as laser. They go in thru the urethra and ream it out and it shrinks down. BPH has nothing to do with prostate cancer, but when they ream the prostate, they check what they get out and that's better than any needle biopsy. Probably go home with a catheter, then they pull it in a day or two. Then a couple weeks recovery with restricted activity.

There's a lot of questioning of the value of a PSA test, but my understanding is that the number itself isn't as important as the rate of change. A friend had a reading of about 4 & they rechecked in something like 3 months & got a couple points higher. So they did the biopsy, checking about 16 points and found cancer. The number of sample points because they are throwing darts without knowing where the bull's eye is, so the more sample points the higher the chance of finding any cancer if it's there. The questioning of the PSA test is a money saving thing; they get a lot of false positives that lead to more testing. But I would rather have the unnecessary tests than the cancer; prostate cancer is a bad way to die.

There's a lot of info online; just do a search. But beware there are a bunch of nut jobs, too.

 

[LostInTheWoods]

...there are a bunch of nut jobs, too.

No pun intended, right...:laughing:

 

[LostInTheWoods]

Gary,

This is from the American Urological Association's website. Hope it helps...

 

[grnspot110]

Definitely something to keep a close watch on, and a second opinion is a good idea!

My problem was a little different! At 51, I had my annual checkup w/bloodwork (Dad was Diabetic). Dr mentioned PSA, had to tell me what it was, number was just under 4. Checked again in 6 months, up to 6+, biopsy showed cancer! Had surgery 15 days later, along with a Hormone treatment (which I found out later was more for the Urologist's benefit than mine, ($$$$, side affects are not good & can persist ever after treatment is stopped)!

Now, nearly 7 years later, still no signs of recurrence!

My point is, Do the tests, easier than the after effects if there is a problem! ~~ grnspot110

 

[coachgrd]

Well thank you all for the reassurance that this was indeed a topic both OK for here and one you were willing to help with.

I'll try to answer some of the questions...

I initially mentioned the weak stream to my then Dr. 7 years ago. He examined me & referred me to a Urologist for the enlarged prostate. I saw a HUGE Polish accented Dr. Before I could translate what he was saying, he was in the process of a full blown prostate massage. And for those of you who have had the experience, don't let "massage" fool you, there's nothing pleasurable about it...at least not for this camper.

He determined that in addition to the enlarged prostate, I also had prostatitis, which is an infection of the prostate...one that many men have and do not even realize. My PSA was normal.

I think I will make an appointment with my Dr. to just discuss what I feel are worsening symptoms. (I got some advice from some of you via PM's and I will try them as well.) Perhaps it's as simple as the infection has returned. Either way, I would just like some piece of mind. Thanks again everyone and I welcome the thoughts of others...

 

[texbaylea]

This is something that I can comment on first hand. AS the saying goes "been there, done that". Bear in mind I had my 79th birthday Friday. It is going to get you if you live long enough. I had an elevated PSA for years but steady. I had benign prostate hyperplasia BPH plus prostatitis. Urination frequency treated with Cardura and antibiotics for the prostatitis.

I had 2 biopsies that were clear, finally into the hospital for a saturation biopsy and a TURP ( transurethral resection of the prostate ) "ream it out".

I had late stage cancer so had a course of radiation followed. I am also under hormone treatment which completely suppresses testosterone production.

Incontinence is slowly coming under control while bladder volume has increases and stream size has increased. Recent PSA was 0.1. I have 2 more hormone injections 5 in all over 15 months. The side effects are extreme ED but life is full of trade offs.

I was 3/4s through the radiation treatments when I fell and broke the head off the femur on the left side.

This all happened starting Dec 2 last year and I fell on April 3rd. I am up and getting around with 2 canes, driving where I need to go and doing what I need to do. Got back on my tractor last week and trying to figure out a way to get a cab. I will get a knee replacement for the left knee sometime in the next 4-6 months as my knees are slowing me down more than the hip.

Hey - you do what you need to do

Vernon

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

Definitely something to keep a close watch on, and a second opinion is a good idea!

My problem was a little different! At 51, I had my annual checkup w/bloodwork (Dad was Diabetic). Dr mentioned PSA, had to tell me what it was, number was just under 4. Checked again in 6 months, up to 6+, biopsy showed cancer! Had surgery 15 days later, along with a Hormone treatment (which I found out later was more for the Urologist's benefit than mine, ($$$$, side affects are not good & can persist ever after treatment is stopped)!

Now, nearly 7 years later, still no signs of recurrence!

My point is, Do the tests, easier than the after effects if there is a problem! ~~ grnspot110

My father had prostate cancer also, happy to say he is cancer free for 15 years now.