Surgery advice for enlarged prostate (BPH)

@colleenyoung

Good Morning, Colleen:

I'm new to this group and wanted to say that I find it an immensely helpful resource for understanding and coping with the challenges of my medical diagnoses. I have begun posting and receiving responses from other members. While I appreciate and find great value in the open format, there have been instances where private communication appears more appropriate. Unfortunately, I can't locate the option to do so. Has this feature not yet been enabled for my account or am I missing something? Thank you in advance.

@samsmydog2
The envelope in the upper right is where you can send private messages. You cannot do this right away as a new member, however.

If you had somebody send a private message to you first, you could reply.

@jeffmarc
Thank you, Jeff.

Had HoLEP. Best thing ever. No side effects and now I can sleep through the night without waking to urinate. Stream very strong and I empty my bladder everytime
I was on A.S. at the time and they biopsied the tissue. It didn't show cancer, but 3 years later 4+4, 1 lesion

@heavyphil
The only drawback I can see to the green light treatment is that none of the prostate cells can be biopsied. A biopsy can be done, however, following the TURP and HOLEP. I'm still leaning toward the green light treatment. Is there any impact on sexual functioning? The Tamsulosin I take causes some retro-ejaculation into the bladder, and it also delays orgasm. This is a potential side effect I wasn't aware of until I Googled it after taking for a couple of years. Has the green light impacted this aspect of sexual functioning for you?

@samsmydog2 It did not…however, knowing what I know now, I would go with HoLep for the ability to biopsy.
My Uro Surgeon for my RARP said that I may have had PCa at the time of the Green Light treatment, and from the sheer volume of cancer I had at biopsy 6 yrs later, he could’ve been right.
I’d recommend a PSE test - 94% effective for finding PCa - BEFORE doing anything.
If it’s all good, then Green Light is probably the way to go.
Phil

So, are you on medication (FLOWMAX) to help with BPH? Seems like that is the usual first step.

@marlon
Yes, I am prescribed both tamsulosin and tadalafil.

@heavyphil
Thanks, Phil, hope you landed on your feet, your outlook is good and everything is still operating properly. This is good advice, as determining whether my issue is BPH or cancer has become quite a dilemma, as has finding a doctor I can put my faith in. I'd never have even heard of the options such as green light, HOLEP, or PSE if it weren't for the guys here like you. I have a urology appointment Friday and I'm requesting the PSE as you suggest.
Dennis

@service1010
No retrograde ejaculation?