Prostatitis advice

[ConcernedOtherHalf]

My partner (in his mid 60s) had prostate biopsies (over 60 samples) done in summer 2023. He needed a catheter for many weeks afterwards and was in a lot of pain and passing many blood clots.

Over the last year since the biopsies he's had recurrent bouts of slow and intermittent urine flow, now having to get up several times at night. He was put on Ciprofloxacin first after the biopsies (awful side effects), and this year has had Doxycycline and 3 courses of Trimethoprim.

He's currently taking another course of Trimethoprim but it's not helping, and his NHS flow test last week was bad.

He took saw palmetto for a few weeks before this current course of antibiotics which seemed to improve flow a little some days, but not consistently.

We're in the UK. PSA over the year has varied between 5 and 10, and the last test a couple of months ago was around 7.

Any advice please on what else he could try to avoid another invasive procedure? Currently his GP has issued another prescription for the yukky Ciprofloxacin. Thanks in advance.

[Omniscient1]

I have no direct knowledge, but have a look at what the NIHCE guidelines say. Might give you a clue

[WB36]

I can sympathize I am 58 had 2 biopsies for prostate cancer which my psa reached a level 8. I was twice told no cancer cells were found, and hope your partner has no signs of cancer as well. I was passing blood and blood clots felt I had some infection or inflamation from my prostate region along with weak or slow flow and getting up many times per night. I was diagnosed with enlarged prostate and bph. I researched diet and supplements that could help my symptoms. I did this with my Dr's knowledge and still take the prescription for tamsilousin although on a reduced frequency. Still have some side effects and difficulty starting urinating occasionally and weak slow stream.My personal journey over 2years I have tried saw palmetto and different combinations of SP with other ingredients such as nettle, tumeric, tomato extract lycopene, plant steroles. There are many supplements under "prostate formulas", I've tried more than one and have a couple that I feel helped me. But certainly a change in diet to add more natural prostate positive foods like tomatoes pomegranate cranberry asparagus and some vitamins was most beneficial.

Two things helped me the most however, like an organic "nettle" tea, I have a couple that also contain pomegranate cranberry and other things. The nettle tea in the morning has really stabilized my my ability to pee and feel more empty afterwards, almost feel normal someday

And what helps me the most is a combination of 1 teaspoon organic apple cider vinegar with 3 teaspoons lemon juice plus 1 teaspoon organic olive oil add 1 teaspoon tumeric powder to reduce acidity while adding the anti inflammatory properties of tumeric. This was from a local natural path practitioner who I found to be very knowledgeable and helpful in this process. I honestly will use this daily for as long as I can and wish I would have known about it 5 years ago. It's not tasty at first but I gave it a 14 day trial then stopped but started to crave it at that point. My body seemed to need it and after one year I can say I wouldn't need it daily but I'm still taking it at least every other day. I swear it has made such a difference especially with the inflammatory feeling I would have.

This should never replace the Dr recommendations, I still follow their advise and testing for psa and watching for cancer cells. There are changes and natural food ingredients that can make life less difficult for those with prostate problems.

[Henry0831]

It sounds like the current antibiotic treatment is not providing the desired relief. Since the previous treatments haven't been successful, seeking a second opinion. Besides Saw Palmetto, you can try other herbal formulas such as diuretic and anti-inflammatory pill, which has been used to treat symptoms of prostatitis.

Ensuring your partner is hydrated, but not over-consuming fluids before bedtime might help reduce nighttime urination. Pelvic floor exercises, as mentioned earlier, can also support bladder control. Coffee, alcohol, spicy foods, and acidic foods can irritate the bladder and prostate, worsening symptoms.

[Lesleyg13]

He's now found quercetin 500mg twice per day has helped quite a lot. I read about in a paper on prostatitis on pubmed which showed a good response.