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Prostate Artery Embolization for BPH. Anyone have it done?

Posted by dmp08 @dmp08, Apr 16, 2023

PAE can be done through wrist or femoral artiry. Usually catheter is not needed. Catheter is for as a marker by some radialogists. I am wondering if it can be done without any sedation? Thanks.

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anonmike | @anonmike | Apr 25, 2023

And one further comment, I'm on Finasteride for about one month+. I don't seem to have any side effects. Can you say why you refer to it as a nasty drug-not making a judgment, only seeking further information. Thank you.

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fredunger | @fredunger | Nov 19, 2023

I guess I am lucky. I had very minor issues after the procedure. I was out walking my dog the next day and had very little pain or issues urinating. They were only able to find one artery to block but now after one year all my symptoms have been gone for over 9 months. I was taking 2 FloMax per day and now zero. It is not something you will hear about from a urologist since it competes with their roto router procedures. I found it simply amazing and they only blocked one artery.

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1 reply
pablo81 | @pablo81 | Nov 25, 2023
In reply to @bill5letsfixthis "You’re both very welcome @dmp08 and @pablo81 To answer your questions 1. Access was a small..." + (show)
@bill5letsfixthis

You’re both very welcome @dmp08 and @pablo81

To answer your questions

1. Access was a small incision on abdomen above crease on top of the leg. Since they go into the femoral artery they use a device called an AngiSeal which guides in the spaghetti like instrument. After doing one side he went over to the other side using same incision and upon completion the AngiSeal seals the artery off and dissolves after 3 months. I now have no scar, I’m ready for the beach.

2. My prostate was about 200cc and the procedure results are best with larger prostates.

3. I wore a surgical gown as they shave the hair on one side of the abdomen.

4. They do some blood tests, mostly like an annual without the lipid profile.

5. I was fully conscious, like twilight, didn’t feel a thing and speaking with the team of 5 as they informed me of progress, I never felt so relaxed like I was in meditation which I have no idea how to do.

6. I also was concerned about hitting the wrong artery and causing another problem but he and the resident assisting both said it is rare.

7. Dr Ayyagari at The Lahey Clinic. He has a YouTube Q and A where doctors are asking him the questions. Try and find it. He is personable and makes sure all you concerns are addressed in the consultation, it was not rushed at all. After one month follow up I saw saw him and when he asked how I was doing, all I could say was “I love you man.” That should say it all.

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I believe Dr. Ayyagari is at Yale New Haven Medicine in Ct.. I saw him once and he explained process.

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1 reply
pablo81 | @pablo81 | Nov 25, 2023
In reply to @fredunger "I guess I am lucky. I had very minor issues after the procedure. I was out..." + (show)
@fredunger

I guess I am lucky. I had very minor issues after the procedure. I was out walking my dog the next day and had very little pain or issues urinating. They were only able to find one artery to block but now after one year all my symptoms have been gone for over 9 months. I was taking 2 FloMax per day and now zero. It is not something you will hear about from a urologist since it competes with their roto router procedures. I found it simply amazing and they only blocked one artery.

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How large was your prostate?

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1 reply
fredunger | @fredunger | Nov 25, 2023
In reply to @pablo81 "How large was your prostate?" + (show)
@pablo81

How large was your prostate?

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I don’t have the size at my disposal right now, but I know it is large but not overly so. I know PAEs are not normally done on normal size prostates.

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bill5letsfixthis | @bill5letsfixthis | Nov 26, 2023
In reply to @pablo81 "I believe Dr. Ayyagari is at Yale New Haven Medicine in Ct.. I saw him once..." + (show)
@pablo81

I believe Dr. Ayyagari is at Yale New Haven Medicine in Ct.. I saw him once and he explained process.

Jump to this post

Yes, Dr Ayyagari was previously at Yale Medical Center but moved to Lahey Clinic I think in 2022. I saw him in August 2023 for follow up and he is considering moving to Boston Medical Center. He’s a rock star in my opinion. I will follow him anywhere.

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ndclayt41 | @ndclayt41 | Nov 26, 2023

Just had mine done on 11/22/2023 was averaging 10 to 12 times a night in the bathroom now it’s 11/26/2023 and I’m sleeping a lot better so far up 3 time’s a night the one thing I was worried about was leakage which I have had none yet, maybe because after having knee replacement I ride a e-bike 5 to 10 miles a day while even though it’s a e-bike I constantly pedal along

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1 reply
fredunger | @fredunger | Nov 26, 2023
In reply to @ndclayt41 "Just had mine done on 11/22/2023 was averaging 10 to 12 times a night in the..." + (show)
@ndclayt41

Just had mine done on 11/22/2023 was averaging 10 to 12 times a night in the bathroom now it’s 11/26/2023 and I’m sleeping a lot better so far up 3 time’s a night the one thing I was worried about was leakage which I have had none yet, maybe because after having knee replacement I ride a e-bike 5 to 10 miles a day while even though it’s a e-bike I constantly pedal along

Jump to this post

After a year I am up 2-3 times per night so you are doing really well if it’s only been a week. Of course they only found one artery to block on me so if they had found both of them I would expect to be doing even better. If I take a Xanax before going to bed I only get up on e around 4 am. I can now drive 4-6 hours without stopping or a round of golf. The most important improvement to me has been getting rid of the FloMax. It is very heat sensitive. If I was working up a sweat playing tennis or whatever my BP would drop to 60 over 40. Now the only pillI take is for my BP

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pablo81 | @pablo81 | Dec 6, 2023

For what it is worth I take 400 mg of ibuprofen before bed and it allows me to sleep through the night without getting up to pee.....I believe it is the anti inflammatory properties that actually expands capacity of the bladder. (temporarily)...

I have been told that others do the same successfully.

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anonmike | @anonmike | May 29 7:04am

I am considering PAE and in conversations. Welcome anything new.
Separately, i'm starting to travel and use on of those hard but light cases that i can carry on. I'd like to segregate my catheter supplies in some sort of pouch or sleeve, caths are long about 18 " long and need lube packs for each.
Do about 3 per day.
Any practical suggestions would be welcome, anxious about getting on plane without a good plan.
Thank you.

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