TURP Alternatives
TURP alternatives question?
72 year old. Been on Tamsulosin and Finasteride for years, later on the Doctor added Myrbetriq which was like the magic pill relating to no more getting up multiple times a night. After a couple of years that gradually quit working at about the same time that I had my annual physical/wellness exam, and my doctor told me I was in excellent health, except my PSA which had been gradually climbing had shot up from 3.6 to 8.1 in one year. He sent me to a local Urologist that did multiple tests, then did a conventional biopsy giving me a (3+4)7 score 18 months ago. He had some other test (genomic???) that indicated it didn’t appear to be real aggressive. He recommended we do Active Surveillance. PSA tests have stayed high. He did decide to do a bone scan 6 months ago which didn’t reveal any likely spread. Last month he had an MRI done. He told me it showed a couple of hot spots (?). Then said I will need to at some point get Radiation or a Prostatectomy because it would likely spread in the next ten years. But, what he wants to do now is a TURP, because he said on my last three visits the Ultrasound showed I was unable to fully empty my bladder, which is why I’m back to getting up 3 times at night again. He said besides the loss of good sleep that I was injuring my bladder and he needed to do a TURP procedure at the local hospital. I asked about alternatives and he said there were some, but he does the TURP, and had one of his Assistants schedule it for next month. I looked to get a 2nd opinion but this being a fairly small town there are not a lot of advanced options.
I am now wondering if I just go to the Arizona Mayo Clinic and have the prostate removed and if that would solve both the bladder flow and prostate problems, without having to go through 2 recoveries? Apologize for the length. Appreciate any thoughts.
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This site is one of the best sources of medical information I have found relating to my prostate cancer and urinary issues. 2 weeks ago I went on a cruise for a week and took the Patrick Walsh book that was recommended, hoping I had time to start reading it. 3 days in I got terrible pain in the area of my left kidney. It felt like I had a razor blade slicing inside me whenever I moved. So sitting or laying still for most of 4 days gave me time to read the book. I got all my medical treatment and test results together when I returned and got an appointment at Phoenix Mayo in 6 weeks. I'm motivated to start figuring out how to move forward on dealing with the cancer and urinary problems. Thanks to all.