I have been a member of this forum for several years and learned more here than I ever did from doctors.
A brief history: DX 1/2016. ADT ( Decapeptyl) but PSA started rising 2019 but scans showed only 1 bone met. PSA 25 then Zytiga + pred 4/2020, over 3 months PSA down to 14 and it has been around that up to now, but no progression on scans. Frequent peeing has been a feature over the years, and I got urorec ( silodosin ) a year ago which helped but it seems to losing its effectiveness and I am back peeing more or less every hour night and day.
Last month I got a CT scan of kidneys and bladder, cytoscopy, and ultrasound and my urologist determined the problem was the prostate pressing on the urethra and entrance to the urethra, restricting flow. No other abnormalities were seen.
She has strongly recommended TURP as the solution and I have done some research but I would like to ask members of this forum who have experience of TURP for advice and information. These are my main questions but all advice and information will be welcome.
Is TURP effective in correcting the problem?
Has any one experienced post op complications?
Any suggestions for post op effective pain relief?
How long until I can walk reasonably normally?
I hope your replies will help me make the right decision.
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Macscot
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The TURP will be be fine. You will have a foley catheter for a day or two and an antibiotic to prevent any infection. You will walk fine and it will be a joy to urinate.
Why not just get a radical prostatectomy? Same side effects, and get rid of potential future problems from cancer clogging up the works. There's also HoLEP.
Is TURP effective in correcting the problem? Yes. But it can grow back. Multiple TURPs are sometimes needed
Has any one experienced post op complications? incontinence, impotence, retrograde ejaculation
Any suggestions for post op effective pain relief? ibuprofen
How long until I can walk reasonably normally? as soon as catheter comes out
I had a TURP back in 2016, but it didn't help my overactive bladder, and note it is a serious procedure. About 24 hours in ICU with an attendant was SOP. It did however offer my first diagnosis of PCa.
Do give Tall Allen's suggestion some consideration. Had I known then what I know now, that's what I would have done.
I have had 2 TURPs. Actually Turp-B’s. Oct of 2020, and Nov of 2020 (5-1/2 mos ago). I very much agree with Tall Allen and garyi !! I read a study with 106,000 US men w Turps and 11% had incontinence issues. I asked my 34 yr old URO how many Turps he had done. THIS IS A KEY QUESTION TO ALWAYS ASK and YOU ARE ENTITLED TO KNOW. He thought maybe 50. My Cycling buddy who is a Radiologist said find a Doc who has done a thousand or more. I went to one of the best in US at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. Dr Paul Young. He is 60 yrs old and thought at least 1500. 1 night in the hospital. Catheter pull next morning. Cant go home until you pee. Within 3 days urine turned clear. This is how my biopsy for PCa was obtained. 12 chips. All positive. Gleeson 4+4=8. Ct scan showed enlarged lymph nodes in groin area and 1, possibly 2 bone mets. Now you are diagnosed Stage4 metastasized, and inoperable for Prostetechtomy. This is KEY. Had I just had a Prostetechtomy, they would have gently separated the Prostate away from bladder and removed. Freeing up all that space for you to pee more normally etc,etc.. Also, Prostetechtomy after TURP can be done, but it does complicate the surgery Robotically, or Open. My Brother was worried bout me, came to visit. We built a fire in the firepit, I carried over 2 chairs, but forgot. You cannot lift more than 10lbs for 4-6 weeks after TURP. MISTAKE. Next night bleeding, clotting, retention, ER at 8pm Sun night. Wouldnt stop after 2 days in hospital=2nd TURP to cauterize bleed, and remove friable tissue from bladder. PLEASE CONSIDER PROSTETECHTOMY. Long term you will be better off. My humble, but experienced opinion. We dont need to produce seemen at our age. All its good for, and the dangers of Prostate Cancer far far outweigh the disadvantages of going without. Period!Mike K
Many thanks for you reply. I am Scottish, living in Spain and being treated in the Spanish National health service, paid for by the British government. I am not sure if I can specify a surgeon, but so far my treatment has been very good and I expect TURP will be the same but I'll look in to it. Likewise with prostatectomy. Sorry to hear about your accident. I hope all is OK now. Thanks for the warning. I'll be very careful.
Had turp great results. Outpatient start to finish 4 hrs and way home with foley for overnight then remove at office. Back to urinating like a 30 yr old, no s/e. Had turp December 2019 still no problems.
I had a TURP in 2017 - I had a total urinary blockage from an enlarged prostate - resulting in 4 months of wearing a bag before surgery - just about 2 weeks after.
WORKED as advertised - resolved in about 2 weeks - never looked back - nearly 4 years later - still piss like a racehorse - no complications - assuming that a TURP is indicated and not another issue that points to something else .....
Had a TURP in Feb 2019. Hollowed out Prostate and removed a spot of cancer on the interior bladder wall. Catheter was in for 8 days and when removed, able to flow like a horse. Was warned that this would decrease and then stabilize, and it did.
Now can go all night without getting up to urinate, and during the day, it depends upon my activity, but every couple of hours is usual. I do drink at least 1/2 gallon of liquids daily so that is a big part of going every couple of hours.
A pissing problem is what finally led me to the Urologist. Soooo uncomfortable it is not being able to pee normally. My tumor made my pee tube do a crazy Ivan.
Turp #1 was done in December and they were also able to send in the core sample to pathology and determine cancer type.
Just a few short months later, things got clogged up again. Turp #2 in March.
Both times, after the catheter gets removed, life is good again!
My husband got TURP in Nov 20 and just wishes he did SOONER! After 5-6 years of struggling to pee, pushing, getting up many times a night, wearing adult undies, you name it...he got his TURP done and had nothing bad come out of it...all good! I think the sleep alone now helps his body’s heal more!!
Another possibility is UroLift, which is a procedure that puts little clips to pull prostate tissue back at the blockage point to widen the urethra. It's a specialty procedure from what I understand but might be worth discussing with your urologist.
My husband had it last year and it was very helpful. From what his urologist said, it's a bit less invasive than a TURP. Unfortunately hubby also has a stricture that has made urination very painful. A TURP might have helped but we are past the point of doing any more procedures.
Here we are again, nice to hear from you. As has happened before I have no idea what you mean. I've heard of Greeks bearing gifts but bearing puzzles?????
Hi there Mascot, I hear you! Yes, I had a TURP prior to my Dx of cancer in the Prostate in 2008. I now have suffered from metastatic pc throughout my skeleton. That was Dx in 2015. Ive often wondered if my TURP affected and still is affecting my PSA? My PSA even back in 2008 after the TURP was very high..I hope you find that answer, I’ve read theories on how surgery in that region and permanent anatomy change (TURP) can effect the PSA. But still not evident to me to this day. At the time, it sure took care of the blockage though, ..and no problems afterwards. Best Wishes!
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