@leaddogy2k
First you want to have blood work to determine your EGFR. But be careful, as EGFR is completely dependent on age and Creatinine levels. I was taking a pre workout supplement and it lowered my EGFR 20 pts! The test Cystatin C measure kidney function with out the rather simple calculation of EGFR. I feel its more reliable as Creatinine can be affected by many different things.

As far as the dye. I took NAC 600 mg twice a day , 2 days before and 2 days after. This is not a method that is accepted everywhere and the studies are mixed. But since it has no downside, I did it. Also after the PAE in recovery you want to have a Saline drip for hydration. That is what most interventional radiologists suggest.

Then make sure you are very well hydrated before and after the procedure. I forget the water intake, but it is readily available.

As far as an interventional radiologist, my urologist gave me very sound advice, He said that he is a big fan of PAE , but most IR only do one or two a year where I live. So he uses a company that specializes in PAE that does 1000s a year. Or have it done at a major medical facility like UCLA.

Let me close this that until you have an MRI, you will be completely in the dark as to the cause of your retention. That should give you some clues as to why, and then you can make an intelligent decision as to what your options are.

@leaddogy2k I would add that i had a similar situation with my urologist, meds only, for about 8 years. Other than the annual PSA test and periodic flow checks that was it. Never did a cystoscopy and every time I asked about procedures he dismissed them as not necessary yet. When he retired and I went to a new practice they immediately did cystoscopy, showed me a large median lobe and the damage being done to my bladder. They basically told me that my Urologist had not provided the proper level of care. I tell you this because I also know that I was complicit in allowing him to kick the can when I knew I needed more help, but I was afraid of the procedures. I ended up having a combination PAE/Aquablation procedure a few months ago. The procedures were both easy with pretty minimal pain and quick recovery due in part to having a PAE a week prior to the Aqua. My recovery was quick and 3 months later I'm a new man. I do experience some additional frequency sometimes which i attribute to waiting to long. I should have had the procedure several years earlier. For me the PAE was worse than the aquablation in some ways, but it alone wasn't a good option due to the large median lobe, not were some other less invasive methods. I hear folks worried about the potential for RE, but I say the discomfort of severe BPH which it sounds like you have or the impact of delaying proper treatment if much worse.