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Optilume balloon therapy for BPH
Hi. I'm 67 with BPH and a rather small (30ml) prostate.
I've researched the new Optilume procedure for BPH but not finding others that have had the procedure or have also been looking into it. For myself I had a Cystoscopy and the urologist said ideal for aquablation I agreed to it but have since changed my mind and here's why. Unlike other surgical procedures Optilume for BPH is performed in the Drs office with only local and usually spinal block anesthesia. Optilume for BPH does remove any Prostatic tissue. What it does is a dual balloon catheter is inserted thru the urethral, it small and is inserted thru a 19fr rigid cystoscope along with the camera . The catheter passes into the bladder then is backed out so the smaller of the two balloons is in bladder and will hold the specially sized for each patient second balloon in the prostate. The balloon is then inflated causing a commisoratomy or tear between the two anterior lobes of the prostate then a drug called paclitaxel is placed for about ten minutes on the tear. Paclitaxel prevents the lobes from growing back together again. You will leave the Drs office unassisted with a catheter placed that will be removed usually in 24 hours. It shows durability in 5 year studies. Mostly for me, I have no reason to have my prostate obliterated and even partially removed. I expect to continue to have unaffected sexual function other than being relieved of the side effects of tamsulosin which have hit me hard. Orgasm quality is extremely important and seldom discussed in research. Don't confuse orgasm with ejaculation. It's the orgasm that feels good and why would any patient not preserve that for themselves. Optilume for BPH was approved approximately July of 2023 so hopefully clinics and surgeons will jump on the opportunity to provide a very effective alternative to tissue removal.
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Sounds great @riverpark I'm considering Optilume, - but i read that both @rjw4usmc and @davyde are suffering from incontinence after Optilume treatment.
And to me that is the worst side effect I could imagine.
My only concern about Prostate Artery Embolization is having plastic balls put in my blood stream. Do they stay there, and if not what will then happen?
Will exercise make them move around where they should not be?
Other than that it is a very attractive procedure. But where did you have it done? - I think it is very dependent on the skills of the doctor?
Did you suffer from incontinence @keithmr ?
I never said that my incontinence was a result of the Optilume procedure. Incontinence started right after the prostatectomy in May of 2021. The Optilume procedure was performed in August of 2023, I have never had any discomfort from the procedure and after 18 months, there is no indication of any scare tissue, all tissue is very healthy looking, the area remains wide open with an excellent flow. Waiting for an AUS, hopefully, soon.
Optilume for BPH - I was considering getting this procedure but the one thing that concerns me is the chemo drug that is used - the literature I'm reading states that trace amounts are found in urine and semen even after 6 months. Chemo drugs are very toxic so am concerned about trace amounts getting on my hands or clothing. None of the experts I've contacted really seem to have an answer for this or seem concerned. Any feedback from those of you on this website that have had the procedure? Also, anyone had the iTind procedure - seems like a similar procedure without the chemo.
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How are you doing with the results? I am concerned about the chem agent Paclitaxel - I understand it prevents future growth in the area but it stays in your urine/semen for 6 months +. I think I would get concerned about it getting on my hands and clothing since it's very toxic. Maybe I am worrying too much but none of the experts I've discussed this with can give my any feedback on this aspect.
Residual paclitaxel is measured in amounts less than nanograms/ml. Is nowhere near the doseage for cancer treatment. Is used in other parts of the body including treatment for urethral strictures. I'd say be more concerned about recovery from symptoms of LUTS after any prostate procedure.
ITind is a device placed for a limited time and cuts the prostate slowly. No paclitaxel. My research found pain to be the part that shelved it for me.
Thanks @davyde. Glad to hear that you have good results from Optilume, now about 1 1/2 year ago. Maybe that is the way to go?
I talked to a urologist, who said that the incontinence is often seen for a while after various procedures, simply because there is now more pressure on the "valve", but that it can usually be eliminated by exercises.
@davyde I understand that Optilume has worked well for you. I'm living in Denmark and need to go to the US to get it done - where did you have your treatment done?
Corewell Health in Troy :Michigan. My Doctor
is Jason Sandberg.