Connect
Going for Tulsa Pro
I've posted here a few times over the last year and have read most of the posts from others. I was diagnosed in January 2024 through an ultrasound biopsy (it should have been MRI guided), followed by a PSA test CT scan, MRI, and Decipher test. My cancer is not aggressive, but there are three growths in my prostate. My doctors recommended a full ablation, and I’ve decided to go with the Tulsa Procedure at UCLA with Dr. Steven Raman.
I’ve waited until now because I believe Medicare will begin covering the procedure on the 1st. of 2025. Earlier this year, I switched from a Medicare HMO plan (Blue Shield) to Original Medicare with a supplemental plan, where Medicare covers 80% and the supplemental plan pays the remaining 20%. It’s been incredibly difficult to determine whether Medicare will actually cover the procedure, as I’ve received conflicting information. However, I think they will.
I considered going back to an HMO with United Health Plans, which includes UCLA physicians as in-network, but no one could guarantee that they’d cover the procedure either.
Anyway, I thought I’d document this journey. It begins on January 5th, when I’ll check into an Airbnb hotel near the procedure location. This is two days before the procedure. I’ll have to fast those 2 days and completely empty my stomach (I’ll spare you the details). In the best-case scenario, I’ll wake up with a catheter and a “burned out” prostate. I’ll need to wear the catheter for at least two weeks. Hopefully, they'll get it all 🙂
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Prostate Cancer Support Group.
Connect
Doing well you know my thread
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tulsa-pro-initial-experience/
I wanted to let you know what I used for the days leading up to Tulsa. I was told I had the best cleared gut of anyone they ever saw so I did well with what I did. And while that sounds messy it is really two things I ate in the days before. Coconut water (no sugar one if you find it and buy a lot of it) and Knox gelatin sold in packets added to thin apple juice and refrigerated to a gel (don't buy Jello brand type gelatin- that is junk). These two will help in the days ahead of trying to clear the gut of food yet being so hungry and all, the coconut water you can drink a lot - it is almost just water but it was used in jungles of Asia in wars to help injured soldiers so it is a great food all in one and is as thin as water itself almost.
In April, 2024 I had the Tulsa procedure at Mayo Jax. I will be 80 on my next birthday but was considered younger by "effective" age and the care group voted to go forward when most surgery after 72 or so was the line. After active surveillance, they decided not to wait in that I also have Lymphoma and Leukemia issues. I had no side effects and the catheter for 2 weeks with few issues other than the inconvenience. I returned for the first followup in October with good results pertinent to PSA and MRI. I have been reluctant to in effect "promote" due to differences in our choices and health overall, but I am so happy with my choice. I read everything I could find prior, had discussions with trusted and informed sources.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsI'm 69, 70 in March. I'm still in pretty good shape other than type 2 diabetes, prostate cancer, and basil cell skin cancer that I've had removed a few times. Other than that, I'm great. Hum, writing it out like that doesn't sound too healthy, but my A1c is under 7, my weight is right, and I'm active.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionPaul, What age are you ?
I've done a lot of research on all of the various prostate removal procedures I could find. I read about surgery first hoping there was something better. I was leaning towards MRI Guided radiation, but the company that made the machine went out of business. There are still operable machine that can do the MRI Radiation procedure . If I hadnt been a Tulsa candidate, then I would have chose that. Then I found the Tulsa Procedure. From what I've read, it offers the the best odds for the least number of side effects, but all of the side effects are still possible. I can't say I'm looking forward to the treatment, but today I feel it's the best option. Thanks for feed back and best of luck.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI look forward to your treatment results . I am meeting with Dr. Klotz at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto where TULSA PRO was invented by Dr. Chopra . Dr. Kloktz was part of the research team .
Post your experience and number of days you had the catheter in --- This varies by patient and Urologist .
Good Luck .
How has your recovery been?
Good luck at UCLA @paulcalif , we are all rooting for the best outcomes.
I think Mayo in 2024 is able to bill Tulsa as a hospital procedure since everything they do is considered a hospital procedure. Coding is just plain nuts, but anyway, Mayo knows the codes that get paid and they know how to bill as a hospital setting. Most doctors have at least some aspect of it being at an outpatient setting and can't use those code. Anyway that was 2024. I paid the 30K+ in late 2023, was worth it. We will just have to see what happens from here.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI am interested in the Tulsa, I was told insurance does not cover it and it is a 30k procedure. I have decided to remove the prostate based on that, although this post gives me hope. I have an appointment next week at mayo jacksonville with the surgeon that does the tulsa, I think I will submit it to insurance and see what happens. I pray all goes well for you and your journey. Thank you for sharing your info.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionWe were watching my PSA hoping Medicare would cover TULSA in 2025. My PSA went from 6.3 to 7.43 in less than 5 months so I decided to get the TULSA procedure asap. I went to OU in OKCity and had it done in late November. Don't worry, it's a piece of cake. I went two days prior to prep with the laxatives and enema. I was under general anesthesia for about 4 hours. The only pain I had was my hips from the position they had me in. I wore the catheter for two weeks. Unpleasant but no big deal except for going out. I stayed home mostly. I didn't have bladder spasms or pain just some tenderness when sitting on a hard chair. I returned to OKC to have the catheter removed after two weeks and all went well. No incontinence or urgency. My Dr. came in the room smiling, the first time I witnessed that, and showed the MRI results to me and all was clear. He was happy and so am I. I have an appointment in March for PSA and follow up. The watch and wait was bothering me more than I realized and now the burden has lifted. I'm fortunate that I had the resources to pay for the procedure.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
5 Reactions