BPH

[Art S]

I have noticed night urination about 10 years ago, but it was usually just one time a night. As it grew to twice a night I read some health books and started taking Saw Palmetto & zinc every night. That slowed it down to just once a night for a while and then it became twice a night for several years. I then started terazosin through the VA and it helped a little. I take it just before bed and it helps give me a stronger stream and better emptying but it only works that first time for the night. The past year it has now become 4 to 5 times a night and I struggle to start and can feel that I am not empty. Sometimes I walk around the house a few minutes and try again, with limited success. I will see a urologist after the holidays and am wondering if there is anything better I can take besides terazosin and Saw palmetto. Also want to know if a catheter is usually necessary after laser or other treatment and if these treatments are long lasting.

[supersundayy]

You asked about another medication, I would suggest Avodart or Proscar, they usually take 3-4 months to shrink the prostate and have clinical result greater than the medication you are using now, however they do not work for everyone.

If you choose a minimally invasive treatment, the following link has some great information on treatment options, I would also research the companies websites and ask for unbaised information on results. TUNA works well on small glands and other treatments work better on the larger glands.

http://www.urologychannel.com/prostate/bph/minimallyinvasive.shtml

Also, you were asking about laser's, there is not much on long term results mainly because there has not been enough time to collect data. CoreTherm, which is a TUMT released 5 year data showing long term results equal to TURP.

Catheter's, you seemed like you were concerned with using a catheter after treatment, once any tissue including the prostate is treated, there tends to be swelling in the treatment area. The catheter is used as a precaution to make sure the swelling does not block the urine from leaving the body and backing up into the kidneys, which is very dangerous situation. At the AUA conference this year, there was a new foley catheter that does not require a collection device, so no legbag or bedside bad to contend with which is the major downside of using a catheter. The company is small but samples are available, contact them at [moderator note: website address has been removed]

[ussjack]

I am in the same fix. I take the same stuff through the VA and still get up during the night. I wonder if there is something better. I also wonder about the timing with taking the stuff. They say to take it before bedtime. The time I go bed various. Also I am not drinking as much water as they say. SInce I am on a water pill. I had a resident at the VA tell me a few years ago that I was drinking to much water.

The first water pill I was on a few years ago was someone good. I was able to sleep through the night. This Terazosin doesm't help. I have tried several versions of saw palmetto. One version seemed to help. I am not in the habit of drinking a cup of tea in the morning som maybe that might help.

I see that there is some belief that increased levels of DHT may contribute to BPH. The next question is there any research outthere to either support this. I have thought that there was a hormonal reason for this problem. The other thing is if there are men who don't get BPH, someone should be asking why.

I wonder if there are any area's of the world where this is not a problem. I asked my GMC resident at the VA what causes this problem. All she said was that it happens. The other thing is we should be followed up by a urologist.

I would volunteer for a research program, but wonder how the VA would feel about it.

Patrick

[robapacl]

I've been on saw palmetto for 12 years. I've been told, and read, that it is not effective. I also used Terazosin for 5 years but it gave me edema in both legs. My prostate is no worse now than it was 8 years ago except in one regard. Even slight colon pressure gives me problems. After purging my colon, I can sleep 8 hours. Without, maybe 1-2 hours, depending. I've repeated this a number of times and it only depends on colon pressure, as long as I avoid excess caffeine, ginger, and alcohol. I also take 4 ibuprofen every night, and take cranberry juice or extract at the first hint of inflammation.
My urologist did an ultrasound and there are no obstructions or valve problems which probably would aggravate the situation. Summary, look for things which can aggravate the prostate before seeking medical help. They aren't really too good out there.