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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 🙂
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If you are Medicare, be certain to understand that most private providers do not accept Medicare due to the reduced coverage paid by Medicare. Private providers also often do not provide a pre-authorization to your insurance either. Be very careful or you may be surprised by the bill. If insurance is an issue, and you are in OKC or close, you could drive to Dallas and use UTSouthwestern.
Well, probably not so much tie the MRI up for four hours as it is the bore on the TULSA PRO MRI is larger than the standard bore of an MRI machine. Most hospitals will not have a MRI with a bore this large. This is necessary due to body position, the UA probe and other devices.
I had the local urologist to refer me to OU. Dr. Stratton is an OU doctor but the procedure was done at Oklahoma Proton Center in Edmund. Everything except the actual procedure is at OU. I'm assuming that the TULSA equipment is located at Ok. Proton Center. The dr. told me that most hospitals don't want to tie up their MRI for 4 hours which was how long the procedure took for me.
OU is not listed on Tulsa-Pro site? Did they perform it there?
Thank You
TULSA in February of this year, 2025, at Texas Prostate in Dallas, TX with Dr. James Cochran.
In my opinion, you need to be immediately proactive and take control of this and stop letting your doctor 'watch your PSA'. What you have working against you is the size of the prostate, that has approached the near max for some doctors. As long as a PSMA shows no escape of cancer cells and there are no calcifications, a TULSA doctor will likely accept you.
I had zero pain afterwards, had medication for bladder spasms and to reduce the 'urge' feeling to need to urinate. Wore the catheter for 12 days, it really was not an issue but you will need to learn to make it a part of your daily life for 12 to 14 days. Doctor should have you on some sort of antibiotic to prevent a UTI. If they will not, then find another doctor.
If using a concierge type facility like Texas Prostate or Oklahoma Proton, then be aware of how your insurance will provide coverage, if any, it will be probably 'out of network' coverage. If you are on Medicare or other healthcare you best bet is somewhere like Mayo or UTSouthwestern in Dallas, TX that will accept your healthcare. You can go to Tulsaprocedure.com and a center to find one close to you. Who ever you choose for TULSA, you want to move now and make a decision. Once the cancer has left the capsule you are facing other less desirable treatments.
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3 ReactionsI had TULSA PRO done Nov. 29, 2024. Dr Stratton at OU Stephenson Cancer Center performed the procedure. I went back March 3 for follow up. My PSA was .7 the dr. was very pleased and so am I. No pain except for my hips from the position they had me in. No incontinence or other side effects. Stream came back to pre treatment in about 4 weeks. I highly recommend the TULSA PRO treatment.
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4 ReactionsI had TULSA-PRO in October 2024 at Mayo Rochester. Like you I had a 100cc prostate, but only one lesion with capsule intact. As part of this procedure the doctor also ablated about 50% of my prostate. I just had my 6 month checkup and MRI. My prostate is now 50cc, reasonable for a 78 year old male. My PSA has remained constant at 1.3 for both the 3 month and 6 month tests. My MRI at 6 months showed nothing of concern. And I'm peeing like a 16 year old. My body is still absorbing the dead tissue inside my prostate, and doctor said it could take up to 18 months for that to run its course. I'm having some slight to moderate pelvic pain when I sit for a longer period of time on something hard like my desk chair. And I have some discomfort when I bend over to pick something up or to tie my shoe. But if this is my new normal, I can live with it. Everything else seems functional and fine. I'm pleased so far with my decision on focal therapy. The catheter for a few days after the procedure was the worst part of this, but it's not so bad that I'd not do it again if I had to. A person has to be a "candidate" for this procedure.........in your case 2 lesions may be an issue or may not. Calcification inside the prostate may also be an issue. But have it done by a highly experienced doctor at a center of excellence. That is a critical criteria.
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6 ReactionsMarkc68: I did Tulsa nine months ago at Mayo in Rochester. I would definitely do it again. I just had my nine month PSA and it came back at .69, the exact same PSA as it was at three months. PSA was 8.6 prior to treatment. My six month MRI was completely clear. For me, the procedure was painless and I’ve had zero side effects. You can read all my comments and my description of the procedure if you click on my profile.
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3 ReactionsLooking through post. Weighing options. My dr has just been watching my psa climb over last couple years even though my father and brother both had prostrate cancer. Gradually at first from 4 to 4.5 to 5. Last time jumped to 7.9. MRI showed prostate volume of 104 cc. 2 masses. one 28mm and second is 16.1. Bx on Wednesday. Radiologist classified them both as PI-RADS 5. Looks like capsule is intact. Hoping insurance will cover something other then just surgery. Read someone from Oklahoma had it done at OU medical. Has anyone had this procedure performed at the proton center in Oklahoma City? For those that had this how long ago did you have it done, would you do it again, any side effects. Thanks
Closer to NY, Yale (Drs. Sprenkle, Arora, Schulam, Kim, Oh, Lee?) seem to be experienced (50-100 Tulsas?). Hopkins seems to have done 25-50, according to AI (Pavlovich). I'll likely go to Rochester but these were on my list. Dave
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