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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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There were advantages to having a catheter, like being able to sleep through the night. I certainly don't want it back in!
I really appreciate the feedback, thanks
Yeah, that is what I was like after the catheter was removed, take 2 alpha blocker and add ibuprofen trying to pee.... Maybe they also took catheter out too soon. You will have to see if you get by, but they really like taking it out ready or not as they think people want that but last thing you want is it re-inserted. See if what you take works, flomax is the most powerful one, it really made me pee. Terazosin is not too powerful on that in comparison, it helps but just basic. Activity may or not help, I think I went right back to activity like my walking several miles every other day and so on. But I was taking flomax when doing that. Just keep in mind flomax is real helpful at the start but can make you pee too much eventually, and that can make for "mistakes", so getting off it when I could I was glad.
Well it does get better, but one OTC other than ibuprofen you can safely add is boswellia serrata, non steroid anti-inflammatory not connected to any class of drugs and used forever as anti-inflammatory and sometimes sold as frankinsense.
You're guys are giving me hope, thanks for the replies.
My doctor prescribed .4mg flomax but told me if my current Terazosin (1mg
twice daily) was working, I might not need the Flomax. I took terazosin,
flomax and ibuprofen this morning. Hope it helps. Barely a dribble this
morning. I'm concerned that with the additional trauma from having to
insert a Tulsa prob twice, that recovery may be delayed if not compromised.
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1 ReactionMy stream was about 1/4 normal after catheter removal. Took forever to empty bladder. No blood but occasionally tissue. Took a few weeks for stream to gradually improve. Good news was I had full control! No meds.
FLOMAX! maximum dose. That is what you need for 2 months to 6 months. I am so surprised it isn't given to everyone to start at the procedure time. Dr Scionti gives it to everyone. I needed it for sure, you can't pee without it till all the inflammation is gone. I say flomax but sometimes a less bothersome alpha blocker, alfuzosin or others. Flomax is more powerful, but too powerful after awhile so I switched over to alfuzosin after a month post Tulsa.
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1 ReactionI had TULSA in October. Like you, when my catheter was removed my flow was fairly weak. Prior to the procedure I had been on 10mg of Alfuzosin to help my flow. Post catheter the Dr instead put me on 8mg of Silodosin which seems to have helped. Blood and tissue stopped in about a week, and the flow steadily improved until it was pretty much back to my normal in six or seven weeks, although I still usually can't make it through the night without a trip to the head.
BobbyGene mentioned a kink in his catheter tube. I had something similar happen. I was feeling urgency and I remembered his post. While I didn't have a kink, the silicone part of the hose had wrapped all the way around the adhesive anchor which cut the flow.
The good news is, they pulled my catheter out today. While I've been able to empty my bladder my stream is barely more that just drips with a little tissue and very small amour of blood. Anyone else experience this? If so, did it get better and how long did it take?
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1 ReactionI live in Orlando but I am looking at the TULSA procedure and Mayo Jacksonville. Can you please share your experience there so far? How long you waited to get an appt and who you saw there?
Good news. TULSA is an easy procedure compared to everything else. I didn't like the catheter but it wasn't bad, just inconvenient. I was drinking my coffee one morning and suddenly had the urge to pee. It was a 10 plus urge. I thought, I can't make it to emergency. I pulled down my pants to check the tubing and it was twisted cutting off the urine flow. What a relief. I was amazed and thankful for the lack of prostate pain or any other pain after the procedure.